Patterns of Heavy Metals Contents in Urban Soils of Vasileostrovsky and Elagin Ostrov of Saint Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

The study examined the total contents of heavy metals (TCHM) in urban soils of St Petersburg, Russia. Soils along areas of heavy traffic density, neighbourhoods or light industrial zones, residential areas, and recreational zones were sampled. The concentrations of cupper (Cu), lead (Pb). zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in soils were significantly high -5-10 times above regional background levels. The concentration of Pb in soil samples varied from 0.6-110 mg/kg within the limits of Vasilesostrovvsky. and 0.3 -80 mg/kg in recreational zone of Elagin Ostrov, which is approximately 4 km away from Vaisileostrovsky. The presence of Cu was ubiquitous in all sampled soils and exhibited high contents ranging between 4.0-30 mg/kg. The contents of cadmium (Cd) in all tested soils were below regional background values indicating low emissions of that element from anthropogenic sources. Furthermore. the concentration of heavy metals in soils was related positively to areas of high traffic density, particularly to the central, eastern and south industrial areas or Vasilcostrovsky. Elagin Ostrov, generally, registered lower contents or total heavy metals and this might be attributed to its location and nature of land use. Appropriate land use and strategic management options that will help in reducing emissions and impacts of heavy metals in urban soils is recommended.