Rosa A. Galiulina

Review: Behavior of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Air-Plant-Soil System

A conceptual model for transformation of environmentally widespread persistent organic pollutants (DDT, HCH, PCBs and benz(a)pyrene) in the air-plant-soil system was developed. Basedon this model, analyses and systematization were made in order to assess the empirical generalizations, models, and hypothesesfrom different literature sources related to studying the peculiarities of the above-mentioned phenomenon. They are illustrated by the examples of pollutant behavior on the agricultural areas of the former Soviet Union.

Heavy Metal Pollution in the Territory of Chelyabinsk upon Coal Combustion

The pollution of the territory of Chelyabinsk by heavy metals (Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mo, and Hg) upon coal combustion is evaluated. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Hg in the soils of this territory and the concentrations of Cd and Hg in water were found higher than health standard values (approximate permissible concentrations and maximum permissible concentrations) by factors of 1.5–20, 6, and 2, respectively.

Reclamation of soil polluted by gas condensate using peat compost

An approach to the reclamation (the recovery of fertility) of soil polluted by gas condensate in the territory of a boosting compressor station using peat compost was developed. The efficiency of soil reclamation was evaluated by an analysis of catalase and dehydrogenase enzyme activities and by the sowing and cultivation of perennial grasses in the area.

Biogeochemical Technology for Disturbed Tundra Soils Recultivation by Peat and Potassium Humate Application

The biogeochemical technology of recultivation of disturbed tundra soils includes the joint application of local peat and its potassium humate from the Taz peninsula (the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug). At the same time the potassium humate is produced from humic acids of local peat by consecutive decalcifying, extraction, sedimentation and clarification. Efficiency of application of peat and potassium humate to the disturbed soils in doses depending from their granulometric composition is estimated on a basis of biomass of grown grass-cereals plants. The given technology is forwarded to increasing the efficiency of recultivation of the disturbed soils.

Biogeochemical Technology for Monitoring of Cleaning of Soil Polluted by Gas Condensate and Neutralization of Its Sludge by Means of Enzyme Activity Analysis

The biogeochemical technology for cleaning of soil polluted by gas condensate and neutralization of its sludge by means of enzyme (catalase and dehydrogenase) activity analysis is considered. This technology includes selection of various samples (the soil of background uncontaminated site, biological means, the soil of site polluted by gas condensate and its sludge, the soil of site polluted by gas condensate, but with addition of biological means and its sludge, also with addition of biological means) and enzyme activity analysis in these samples. In this case we can judge about beginning of the process of cleaning and biological neutralization of polluted samples on a basis of increasing the enzyme activity of samples concerning enzyme activity of samples without addition of biological means, and about ending the process of cleaning and neutralization of samples judge on alignment of enzyme activity of the samples with enzyme activity of soil samples from background uncontaminated site or itself biological means.

Biogeochemical Control of Peat-Based Recultivation Process of Disturbed Tundra Soils Varying in Granulometric Composition and Full Moisture Capacity

Biogeochemical control of recultivation (fertility restoration) of disturbed tundra soils with various granulometric composition and full moisture capacity includes an assessment of application efficiency of peat in mixture with the disturbed soil. The rational peat:soil ratio is chosen depending on granulometric composition and full moisture capacity of the disturbed soil, i.e. with increasing the physical clay (particles <0.01 mm) content in the soil and water saturation level the amount of peat in mixture is decreasing. At the same time, the dependence of a peat:soil ratio based on granulometric composition is recommended for the territories with the undulating or dissected relief and heterogeneous soil cover, and that based on full moisture capacity, for the territories with flat or weakly dissected relief and monotonous soil cover. Efficiency of using these mixtures of peat with the recultivated disturbed soil is estimated in the conditions of in vitro experiment by means of the dehydrogenase enzyme activity analysis. In both cases dehydrogenase activity of this mixture has to be exceeded the enzyme activity of the disturbed soil and accordingly this is resulted in recommending the selected mixture for in situ soil recultivation.

Hygienic rating of hydrocarbons in bottom deposits of water ecosystems

The authors of this article draw the reader’s attention to the topical problem of the contamination of bottom deposits of water ecosystems by hydrocarbons, such as oil and gas condensate, and their processing products. It is shown that it is possible to rate substances in bottom deposits with regard to hygienic standards, which means establishing their maximum permissible concentrations in this component of the environment.

Persistent land and Sea pollutants

The authors of this article draw the reader’s attention to the topical problem of environmental contamination by a triad of persistent pollutants-DDT and HCH pesticides and industrial PCB substances. By the example of the southeastern part of the Sea of Azov, the impact zones of these compounds are considered and a system of preventive and remediation measures to decrease the risk of their transfer from land to sea is proposed.

Application of peat to land reclamation in a natural gas production area

The rapid evaluation of the effectiveness of land reclamation (soil fertility restoration) in the abnormal tundra soils of the Tazovsk peninsula (Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrug) in a natural gas production area was performed. The high efficiency of abnormal soil reclamation by means of peat was confirmed by an increase in the activity of the enzyme dehydrogenase.

Environmental Protection in the Gas Industry

A method of environmental protection in the gas industry is discussed in the article. It includes analyzing the circumstances of environmental risks associated with the production and transportation of gas condensate and the application of methanol, a hydrate growth inhibitor, to gas production, as well as assessing the possibilities to control these risks.