Journal: Environmental Contaminants Reviews (ECR)
Author: Muxammadjonova Nodirabonu, Jabbarov Zafarjon

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Doi:10.26480/ecr.01.2025.14.18

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the ecological status of soils in the vicinity of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, with a particular emphasis on the impact of heavy metal contamination on soil microorganisms. A comprehensive analysis of the collected soil samples was conducted to determine the concentrations of various heavy metals, including Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni. The potential environmental risk index (ERI) was utilised to evaluate pollution levels, which revealed significant contamination in specific areas, particularly due to cadmium and lead. nThe findings of the study demonstrate a strong correlation between elevated heavy metal concentrations and microbial community disruptions. Some bacterial strains demonstrated resistance, while others exhibited significant reductions in population. Microbial diversity and biomass were notably lower in highly contaminated zones, indicating the sensitivity of soil biota to metal toxicity. Furthermore, enzymatic activity tests suggested impaired biochemical functioning in soils with higher heavy metal loads. This study emphasises the pressing need for effective pollution control and bioremediation strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of industrial contamination on soil health and microbial ecosystems. The implementation of phytoremediation techniques, use of metal-resistant microbial consortia, and regular environmental monitoring are recommended to restore ecological balance and enhance soil resilience in the affected regions.

KEYWORDS
Heavy metals, soil pollution, microorganisms, ecological risk, bioremediation.