Assessment of the elemental status of the young population in Solnechny, Khabarovsk krai, as part of mining environmental monitoring

Prolonged operation of the mining and processing plant in Solnechny District, Khabarovsk Krai, led to the formation of a technogenic mining system. Biogeochemical zones with elevated concentrations of chemical compounds, including heavy metals and arsenic, developed in the area. Monitoring revealed that soil samples taken at varying distances from the second tailings dump of the Solnechny Mining and Processing Plant (MPP), including within the settlement of Solnechny, contained heavy metals – Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg – at levels exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) by factors of 1.4 to 12.36. Arsenic levels reached 571 times the MPC. Surface water bodies showed excess concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn, ranging from 2 to 110 times the MPC. No arsenic excess was found in water samples. The elemental status of a developing child reflects the health of the surrounding ecosystem. Hair samples from children under 14 years of age residing in the settlement of Solnechny were analyzed. Girls showed elevated levels of Hg, Cr, Pb, and Cu, along with reduced concentrations of the essential element Zn. Boys showed increased levels of Hg, Fe, Cr, Zn, and Cu. To reduce the spread of pollutants from tailings dumps, including those of the Solnechny plant, technical solutions have been proposed.