Environmental Assessment of the Sulfate Content in the Air of the City of Stavropol Using Bioindication Methods

Introduction. Green woodlands, being the green framework of cities, respond to environmental changes in the environment. Due to the increase in the area of cities, the level of air pollution increases. The level of sulfate pollution of atmospheric air in the city of Stavropol can be traced through the determination of the level of sulfate content in the bark of woody plants. Materials and methods of the research. Studies were conducted during the autumn and spring periods. The content of sulfates in woody plants was determined in an aqueous extract of bark in accordance with the provisions of RD 52.24.405-2005 Mass concentration of sulfates in water. Measurement technique by turbidimetric method. In the course of the work, the features of sulfur accumulation by various tree species were revealed; correlative relationships between the amount of sulfates in the tree bark and the pH value as indicative signs of sulfur pollution are searched. Results of the study and their discussion. To characterize air pollution with sulfur compounds in the city of Stavropol, 51 bark samples were taken, including 9 - samples of linden (Tilia), 9 -poplar (Populus), 13 - maple (Acer), 9 - oak (Quercus), 11 - pine trees (Pinus). The analysis results - pH values and sulfate content in the tree bark - are statistically processed. As a result of spatial analysis of the distribution of sulfates in the crust, it is possible to divide the territory of Stavropol into 3 zones. Zone 1- Victory Park, Taman Forest, Central Park, Demino MDC, these areas were selected as background points, they are experiencing minimal technogenic load and are characterized by low sul-fate content in the tree bark;Zone 2 with average sulfate content in the tree bark includes: ul. Lermontov, Herzen, Military Hospital No. 1166 of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Federal State Institution, MKD Demino (boiler room), in these areas there is an increase in the concentration of sulfates, but not significantly, this is largely due to the remoteness from the main sources of anthropogenic pollution, as well as to the use of gas-resistant areas in landscaping woody plants with a reduced ability to bark for gas accumulation.Zones 3 with the highest intensity of sulphate pollution of the bark of woody plants include: OJSC Stavropol Radio Plant «Signal» OJSC Milk Plant «Stavropol» (ISS), ul. Kulakova, City Center (Square), st. Dovatortsev, CJSC Red Metalist, this is connected both with emissions of industrial enterprises and with exhaust gases on the main highways of the city of Stavropol. Conclusions. The most sensitive indicators of sulfate pollution are linden (Tilia) and maple (Acer) dominant in green spaces. The high correlation between the pH value and the sulfate content in the crust of this species makes it possible to use the acidity indicator as a reliable criterion in assessing the degree of sulfate contamination.

bioindication, atmospheric air, sulfates in the crust, sulfate pollution, pH, correlation

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