Analysis of metal content in soils near abandoned mines of Bashkir Trans-Urals and in the hair of children living in this territory

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the metal content in the hair of children living near abandoned nonferrous metal mines located in the rural settlements Tubinsk, Ishmurzino and Semenovsk the South Urals (Russia), and in the soils obtained from the same area. The hair and soils samples were examined for the presence of the following metals: copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The results of this study showed that soil from this territory contained an increased level of Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, exceeding the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) 38.3, 16.8, 4.5, 1.5, 1.4, 1.5 - fold, respectively. These values are indicative of severe soil pollution in the studied locality, thus calling for further detailed investigations. Mineral analysis of the hair samples was performed using a combination of atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In the hair samples, positive correlations between the following pairs of the studied metals were observed (p