Jurakhonzoda Rauf Jurakhon

Annotation: 

Coal combustion remains one of the primary sources of heavy metal emissions in the industrial regions of Tajikistan. In this study, the concentrations and spatial distribution of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) in soil samples collected at varying distances from coal-fired and other chemical industrial facilities were quantitatively determined. The samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) in accordance with international standards. The results reveal pronounced spatial contamination gradients, with significantly elevated concentrations of heavy metals in areas located closer to emission sources (p < 0.05). Furthermore, governmental efforts to mitigate environmental impacts-particularly greening programs involving tree planting-demonstrate measurable positive effects by reducing dust deposition and the associated heavy metal load. These findings highlight the urgent need for continuous environmental monitoring and targeted ecological interventions in coal-dependent industrial zones of Tajikistan that are exposed to cement dust pollution.

Keywords: heavy metals, coal combustion, soil contamination, industrial emissions, environmental monitoring.