Transformation Features of Soils on Electric Substations due to the Leakage of Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Abstract

Results of soil-geochemical studies performed at the electric power substations of Belarus equipped with capacitors filled with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are presented. Formation features of technogenic horizons in the original sandy soddy-podzolic soils (Lamillic Albic Arenosols (Ochric)) caused by the leakage of PCBs and repeated fillings of soil are shown. Signs of visually detectable PCB penetration into the soil profile confirmed by the chemical-analytical determination of PCBs are described. Heterogeneity of soil profile due to local anomalies of hazardous pollutants and transformation of soil chemical properties is shown. An increase in acidity at the sites of PCB leakage and in the contents of salt components is confirmed. Transformation of the ion composition of water extracts from soils due to the dominance of chloride ions, which can be due to the degradation of PCBs, is shown.