Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Anomalies in Soils of River Basins of the Northeastern Caucasus

Kashirina, Ekaterina; Gorbunov, Roman; Kerimov, Ibragim; Gorbunova, Tatiana; Drygval, Polina; Chuprina, Ekaterina; Nikiforova, Aleksandra; Lineva, Nastasia; Drygval, Anna; Kelip, Andrey; Pham, Cam Nhung; Bratanov, Nikolai

doi:10.3390/geosciences15100380

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Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Anomalies in Soils of River Basins of the Northeastern Caucasus

by

Ekaterina Kashirina

^1,*,

Roman Gorbunov

^1,2

,

Ibragim Kerimov

^2,3,

Tatiana Gorbunova

^1,3

,

Polina Drygval

^1,4

,

Ekaterina Chuprina

¹,

Aleksandra Nikiforova

^1,3,

Nastasia Lineva

¹,

Anna Drygval

^1,4

,

Andrey Kelip

¹,

Cam Nhung Pham

^1,3

and

Nikolai Bratanov

^1,3

¹

Laboratory of Landscape Ecology and Geomatics, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia

²

Department of Ecology and Environmental Management, Millionshchikov Grozny State Oil Technical University, 364024 Grozny, Russia

³

Research Institute of Geoecology and Nature Management, Millionshchikov Grozny State Oil Technical University, 364024 Grozny, Russia

⁴

T.I. Vyazemsky Karadag Scientific Station—Nature Reserve of RAS—Branch of A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 298188 Feodosia, Kurortnoye, Russia

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Geosciences 2025, 15(10), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15100380

Submission received: 7 August 2025 / Revised: 23 September 2025 / Accepted: 26 September 2025 / Published: 1 October 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Geochemistry)

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the spatial distribution of geochemical anomalies of selected potential toxic elements in the soils of the river basins in the Northeastern Caucasus—specifically the Ulluchay, Sulak, and Sunzha Rivers. A concentration of 25 chemical elements was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Petrogenic elements commonly found in the Earth’s crust (Al, Na, Ca, Fe, Mg) showed high concentrations (Na up to 306,600.70 mg/kg). Conversely, concentrations of Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Te at many sampling sites were extremely low, falling below the detection limits of analytical instruments. The geochemical indicators Cf (contamination factor) and Igeo (geoaccumulation index) indicate that the regional characteristics of the territory, such as lithological conditions, hydrochemical schedules, and the history of geological development of the territory, affect the concentration of elements. Anomalous concentrations were found for seven elements (Ba, Na, Zn, Ag, Li, Sc, As), whereas no anomalies were identified for Be, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, Te, and Cs. For the most part (8 of 10), the sampling sites with anomalous chemical element content are located in the basin of the Sunzha River. Two sites with anomalous chemical element content have been identified in the Sulak River Basin. Anomalous values in the Sulak River Basin are noted for two chemical elements—Ba and Na. Natural features such as geological structure, parent rock composition, vertical climatic zonation, and landscape diversity play a major role in forming geochemical anomalies. The role of anthropogenic factors increases in localized areas near settlements, industrial facilities, and roads. The spatial distribution of geochemical anomalies must be considered in agricultural management, the use of water sources for drinking supply, the development of tourist routes, and comprehensive spatial planning.

Keywords: potential toxic elements; Clarke values; Ulluchay River; Sulak River; Sunzha River; Caspian Sea; geochemical background; soils; concentration anomalies

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kashirina, E.; Gorbunov, R.; Kerimov, I.; Gorbunova, T.; Drygval, P.; Chuprina, E.; Nikiforova, A.; Lineva, N.; Drygval, A.; Kelip, A.; et al. Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Anomalies in Soils of River Basins of the Northeastern Caucasus. Geosciences 2025, 15, 380. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15100380

AMA Style

Kashirina E, Gorbunov R, Kerimov I, Gorbunova T, Drygval P, Chuprina E, Nikiforova A, Lineva N, Drygval A, Kelip A, et al. Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Anomalies in Soils of River Basins of the Northeastern Caucasus. Geosciences. 2025; 15(10):380. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15100380

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kashirina, Ekaterina, Roman Gorbunov, Ibragim Kerimov, Tatiana Gorbunova, Polina Drygval, Ekaterina Chuprina, Aleksandra Nikiforova, Nastasia Lineva, Anna Drygval, Andrey Kelip, and et al. 2025. "Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Anomalies in Soils of River Basins of the Northeastern Caucasus" Geosciences 15, no. 10: 380. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15100380

APA Style

Kashirina, E., Gorbunov, R., Kerimov, I., Gorbunova, T., Drygval, P., Chuprina, E., Nikiforova, A., Lineva, N., Drygval, A., Kelip, A., Pham, C. N., & Bratanov, N. (2025). Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Anomalies in Soils of River Basins of the Northeastern Caucasus. Geosciences, 15(10), 380. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15100380

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Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Anomalies in Soils of River Basins of the Northeastern Caucasus

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