Geochemical assessment of heavy metals contamination of soils of the Soghd Region

Based on experimental data, the geochemical index (I_geo) of pollution of the soils of Northern Tajikistan was determined, which allowed to assess the degree of soil contamination with heavy metals. The ecological interpretation of the geochemical index of pollution showed that the soil in the area around the Degmay tailing dump is heavily contaminated with highly hazardous metals: lead (I_geo = 3.28, heavily polluted), arsenic (I_geo = 3) and zinc (I_geo = 4.34, extremely heavily polluted). A high level of arsenic contamination (I_geo = 3.77, a very unfavorable state) is also characteristic of the Spitamen region. Soil contamination by other heavy metals is moderate (1_geo £ 2), or even weaker (0_geo £ 1). (author)