NEW APPROACH TO DETERMINING THE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTOR BY THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL COEFFICIENTS OF HEAVY METALS

Aim. The aim is to study and assess the environmental risk factor according to the biogeochemical coefficients of a number of heavy metals in the coastal areas of the Debet, Shnokh and Aras rivers, in various soil and climatic regions. Methods. A combined method for assessing the environmental risk factor in the soil-plant system was applied, based on the values of a number of biogeochemical coefficients. Sweet corn was used as a model plant. Results. According to the total values of the contamination indices by heavy metals when grouped according to the Russian GOST hazard classes, the soils in Hushakert were the most polluted, while the least in Tekhut. The need to use the European approach to classify heavy metals by hazard class was to take into account the maximum allowable additives of the latter. Conclusions. It was found that the definition of the hazard class, which allows grouping heavy metals, is primarily due to the synergy of the biota response to the degree of contamination. The use of an annual plant allows to fully appreciate the migration characteristics of heavy metals in the soil-plant system. Due to this, it is possible to use corn both as an indicator plant and as a natural filter for the coastal areas where there is migration of the heavy metals.

annual plant, heavy metals, soil, hazard class, environmental risk factor

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