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Abstract
The geochemical alterations occurring in the pedosphere due to industrial activities represent a central problem in modern ecology. This study comparatively assesses specific shifts in the ecological, chemical, and biological parameters of soils within the impact zones of three industrial sectors: a metallurgical combine, a chemical plant, and a thermal power plant. Analyzing 120 soil samples collected from a depth of 0-40 cm, parameters including heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), pH, soil organic carbon (TOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were measured. Results indicated that in the metallurgical zone, lead and cadmium exceeded permissible limits by 6.2 and 4.8 times, respectively, forming an acute toxic anomaly. The chemical industry zone exhibited severe soil acidification (pH 4.8) and a 34% degradation of organic carbon. Meanwhile, thermal power plant emissions disrupted soil porosity via ash deposition. These findings provide a fundamental basis for optimizing regional environmental monitoring systems.
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