Soil Contamination with Various Chemical Elements during Coal Mining (A Case Study of the Angren Coal Deposit in Tashkent Region, Republic of Uzbekistan)
National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
*Corresponding author
Abstract:
The article presents the results of a study on the impact of the Angren coal deposit on the chemical composition of soils in the Tashkent region of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Particular attention is given to the spatial distribution of heavy metals and other chemical elements in soils depending on the distance from the pollution source and the prevailing wind direction. Soil sampling was carried out at distances of 0.2–5.3 km from the coal mining area, as well as at a background site (6.7 km), using standard soil sampling methods. Laboratory analyses included the determination of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, and Pb. The results indicated exceedances of the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) for several elements, especially in areas close to the pollution source. The most pronounced technogenic accumulation was observed for As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Sb. Statistical data processing (M, σ, CV, CI, correlation analysis, and ANOVA) confirmed a significant relationship between contamination levels and distance from the deposit. It was established that the main factor in the distribution of pollutants is the wind-driven transport of dust particles. The obtained results emphasize the need to strengthen environmental monitoring and develop measures to reduce anthropogenic pressure on soil ecosystems in the region.
Keywords:
Soil pollution, industrial waste, heavy metals, environmental monitoring, anthropogenic impact, soil fertility, reclamation, environmental protection
References:
- Rouhani A., Skousen J., Tack F.M.G. An Overview of Soil Pollution and Remediation Strategies in Coal Mining Regions // Minerals. - 2023. - 13, Issue 8. - Article 1064. https://doi.org/10.3390/min13081064
- Chakraborty P., Singh S., Hazra B. Soil pollution in Indian coal mines, available remediation techniques and rock dust application: A review // Journal of Earth System Science. - 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-023-02163-5
- Wang N., Luo Y., Liu Z., Sun Y. Spatial distribution characteristics and evaluation of soil pollution in coal mine areas in Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi // Science of The Total Environment. - 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20865-6
- Rouhani A., Newton R.A., Al Souki K.S., Quattrini G., Gusiatin M.Z. A 6-year review status on soil pollution in coal mining areas from Europe // Environmental Geochemistry and Health. - 2024. - Vol. 46, Art. 392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-02179-w
- Akbar W.A., Rahim H.U., Irfan M., Sehrish A.K., Mudassir M. Assessment of heavy metal distribution and bioaccumulation in soil and plants near coal mining areas: implications for environmental pollution and health risks // Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. - 2024. - Vol. 196, Art. 97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12258-7
- , Niu L., Chen Q., Zhou Q., Xiao N., Man J., Ma J., Wei C., Zhang S., Luo Y., Yao Y. Escalating arsenic contamination throughout Chinese soils // Nature Sustainability. - 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01341-7
- Swain C.K. Environmental pollution indices: a review on concentration of heavy metals in air, water, and soil near industrialization and urbanisation // Discover Environment. - 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00030-8
- Liu Z., Fei Y., Shi H., Mo L., Qi J. Prediction of high-risk areas of soil heavy metal pollution with multiple factors on a large scale in industrial agglomeration areas // Scientific Total Environment. – 2022. – Vol. 805. – Article 151874. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151874
- Yuan, B., Cao, H., Du, P., Ren, J., Chen, J., Zhang, H., Zhang, Y., & Luo, H. (2022). Source-oriented probabilistic health risk assessment of soil potentially toxic elements in a typical mining city. Journal of Hazardous Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130222
- Liu X., Bai Z., Shi H., Zhou W., Liu X. Heavy Metal Pollution of Soils from Coal Mines in China // Natural Hazards. – 2019. - Vol. 99. - P. 1163-1177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-019-03771-5
- Alekseenko A.V., Machevariani M.M., Bech J., Karthe D. Pollution of coal mine soils: global reference concentrations of chemical elements // Environmental Earth Sciences. – 2025. – Vol. 84. – Article 286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12160-0
- Rouhani, A., Gusiatin, M.Z., & Hejcman, M. (2023). An overview of the impacts of coal mining and processing on soil: assessment, monitoring, and challenges in the Czech Republic. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 45, 7459–7490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01700-x
- Sharifi, S.A., Zaeimdar, M., Jozi, S.A., & Hejazi, R. (2023). Effects of Soil, Water and Air Pollution with Heavy Metal Ions Around Lead and Zinc Mining and Processing Factories. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 234, 760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06758-y
- Yu, J., Liu, X., Yang, B., Li, X., Wang, P., Yuan, B., Wang, M., Liang, T., Shi, P., Li, R., Cheng, H., & Li, F. (2024). Major influencing factors identification and probabilistic health risk assessment of soil potentially toxic elements pollution in coal and metal mines across China: A systematic review. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 274, 116231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116231
- ГН 2.1.7.2041-06. Предельно допустимые концентрации (ПДК) химических веществ в почве. Утверждены постановлением Главного государственного санитарного врача Российской Федерации от 23.01.2006 № 1. Москва, 2006.
Download this article as
How to cite this article:
Jobborov Bahrom Turg‘unovich and Xurramov Nodir Norboyo‘g‘li. 2026. Soil Contamination with Various Chemical Elements during Coal Mining (A Case Study of the Angren Coal Deposit in Tashkent Region, Republic of Uzbekistan).
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci.
15(6): 228-235
doi:
https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2026.1506.025
Citations
National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) 
