The impacts of mining on soil pollution with metal(loid)s in resource-rich Mongolia

Abstract

As Mongolia is considered one of the most resource extraction-dependent countries globally, significant mining-related environmental and human health risks are expected. The aim of this study was to (I) assess the impacts of mining on soil pollution with metals in Mongolia's key coal mining towns (Baganuur, Nalaikh and Sharyn Gol) and (II) review the current knowledge on soil pollution with metal(loid)s and related health risks in Mongolia. The results showed predominantly low soil contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn and a related absence of severe pollution and potential health risk in the coal mining towns. Urban design, rather than the presence of mines, controlled the pollution distribution. Despite the methodological shortcomings of several studies on soil pollution in Mongolia, their results suggest a similarly low threat in the three largest cities (Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet) and several mining areas. While the generally highlighted risk of As seems like an artificially escalated issue, the content of Cr in urban soil may be a neglected threat. Further pollution research in Mongolia should focus on street dust and drinking water pollution.

Figure 1

Location of the studied towns and three largest cities in the context of Mongolia. ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1 software (Esri, CA, USA; https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-desktop) was used to create the map. The layers of satellite imagery were generated using Esri World Imagery basemap.

Figure 2

Metal contents (mg/kg) in the urban soils of the coal mining towns.

Figure 3

Integrated Nemerow Pollution Index (IPI_N) assessment-based pollution distribution in the coal mining towns: (A) Baganuur, (B) Nalaikh, and (C) Sharyn Gol. ArcGIS Desktop 10.8 software (Esri, CA, USA; https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-desktop) was used to create the map. The layers of satellite imagery were generated using Esri World Imagery basemap.