Spatiotemporal distribution of elements in technogenic soils of Kovykta gas condensate field

The purpose of the conducted study was to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metals and arsenic in a gas condensate field for the period from 2019 to 2025. The annual increase in manganese, arsenic, and nickel concentrations exceeding the estimated permissible concentrations allowed for a clear assessment of the relationship between the intensity of development in the gas production zone and the level of negative impacts from the release of these elements into the soil. In accordance with the objectives, a critical analysis of all production units on the industrial site was conducted to assess the potential for pollutants to enter the soil. The coefficients of element accumulation were obtained relative to the global clarks according to Vinogradov. Thus, arsenic, manganese, and nickel showed an increased accumulation coefficient of Kk ≥ 1.5. Geoecological processes associated with technogenesis in the area of the gas condensate field are accompanied by the formation of soil contamination halos, which was determined using geoinformation system technologies. Geochemical parameters of soils, as indicators of their conditions, reflect high functionality under the adverse impacts of gas production and provide a realistic assessment of the geoecological situation at the field. It is shown that the spatial distribution of manganese and nickel elements is primarily related to technological processes, regular production works and welding. The excessed contents of arsenic may be due to the inherited geological and geochemical features of the Baikal natural territory with the elevated content of this metalloid in the soil imported for the Kovykta gas condensate field development. Thus, the integration of geoinformation system technologies and geochemical survey results is an effective tool for the comprehensive geoecological assessment of the territory in the technogenic zone and serves as a basis for the development of effective, modern, object-oriented monitoring in the gas condensate field zone.

1. Shavina E.V. World gas industry development trends in modern conditions. Geoeconomics of Energetics. 2020;12(4):40-58. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.48137/2687-0703_2020_12_4_40. EDN: IYKZDR.

2. Shafigullin R.I., Sagatov R.F., Aslyamov A.I., Pavlov E.I., Abakumov A.V., Mukhametzyanov R.F., et al. On guard for environmental safety. Burenie i neft’. 2023;7-8:34-36. (In Russ.). EDN: ZCIOZU.

3. Alenichev V.M. Criteria for system assessment of changes in natural and technological systems in subsurface use. Mining information and analytical bulletin (scientific and technical journal). 2021;5-1:207-216. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2021_51_0_207. EDN: ADWUFY.

4. Pashkevich M.A., Danilov A.S. Ecological security and sustainability. Journal of Mining Institute. 2023;260:153-154. Available from: https://pmi.spmi.ru/pmi/article/view/16233 [Accessed 28th January 2026].

5. Ismagilova V.S., Chekushina T.V. Transportation of pipeline and liquefied natural gas: comparative analysis of pros and cons. Earth Sciences and Subsoil Use. 2023;46(1):61-71. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21285/2686-9993-2023-46-1-61-71. EDN: IROGBA.

6. Belozertseva I.A. Experience of integrated assessment of soil cover state at production of underground energy resource in Middle Angara catchment. Eurasian Soil Science. 2020;2:244-258. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31857/S0032180X20020021. EDN: ABRVXF.

7. Okmyanskaya V.M. Topical issues of local environmental monitoring of an industrial site on the example of an oil and gas producing region. International Agricultural Journal. 2022;65(6):1084-1102. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.55186/25876740_2022_6_6_27. EDN: VFZKWP.

8. Galchenko Yu.P., Eremenko V.A. Model representation of anthropogenically modified subsoil as a new object in the lithosphere. Eurasian Mining. 2019;2:3-8. https://doi.org/10.17580/em.2019.02.01. EDN: UIEWSK.

9. Kozhevin P.A. Soil “health” indicators in soil assessment (review). Moscow University Bulletin. Series 17. Soil Science. 2023;2:16-25. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0137-0944-17-2023-78-2-16-25. EDN: FQQDNU.

10. Koptsik S.V., Koptsik G.N. Assessment of current risks of excessive heavy metal accumulation in soils based on the critical loads concept (review). Eurasian Soil Science. 2022;5:615-630. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31857/S0032180X22050033. EDN: SNJYDE.

11. Yakovets L. Migration of heavy metals in the soil profile. Norwegian Journal of Development of the International Science. 2021;54-1:8-12. https://doi.org/10.24412/3453-9875-2021-54-1-8-12. EDN: SMJVYI.

12. Gayrabekov U.T. Geoecological aspects of oil and gas development in the mountain and foothill areas (using the example of the Chechen Republic). Sustainable development of mountain territories. 2016;8(2):127-134. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21177/1998-4502-2016-8-2-127-134. EDN: WMOVZP.

13. Gulieva G.A. Environmental pollution as a result of geological exploration at the Filizchay Pyrite-polymetallic deposit. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2024;7:75-79. https://doi.org/10.17580/gzh.2024.07.12. EDN: MSUBYX.

14. Sarapulova G.I. Geochemical approach in assessing the technogenic impact on soils. Journal of Mining Institute. 2020;243:388-392. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2020.3.388. EDN: CMPBUO.

15. Sidikov F.U. Geoinformation system: prospects and rational use of ArcGIS software. Molodoi uchenyi. 2012;4(39):86. (In Russ.). EDN: NKVLYA.

16. Dzhalilova G.T. Development and implementation of information-analytical systems in mountain soil degradation processes monitoring. Molodoi uchenyi. 2018;19(205):18-20. EDN: OSUZHP.

17. Glazovskaya M.A. Problems and methods of assessment of the ecogeochemical resilience of soils and the soil cover towards technogenic impacts. Eurasian Soil Science.1999;32(1):99-108. EDN: LFPJXB.

18. Gizatullin R.R., Dvoynikov M.V., Romanova N.A., Nikitin V.V. Drilling in gas hydrates: managing gas appearance risks. Energies. 2023;16(5):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052387.

19. Makwashi N., Zhao D., Abdulkadir M., Ahmed T., Muhammad I., et al. Study on waxy crudes characterization and chemical inhibitor assessment. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 2021;204:108734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108734. EDN: YXSCCK.

20. Kozlov A.A., Aleksandrov I.S., Shestakov R.A. The method of detecting the coordinates of gas leak as a way to improve the safety and environmental friendliness of the operation of the main gas pipeline. Ecology and industry of Russia. 2024;28(8):32-37. https://doi.org/10.18412/1816-0395-2024-8-32-37. EDN: LSXHZI.