Soil pollution monitoring is performed according to a multi-year scheme in pursuance of the Programme of environmental monitoring in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2016-2020 (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 273 dated August 23, 2016).
In the area of Uzhydromet’s activity, soil pollution monitoring is performed on agricultural lands of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the 12 regions, as well as around large industrial cities of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Soil sampling for agricultural toxicants is done twice a year (at the beginning and at the end of the growing season) at 261 sites in 107 districts, 212 farms with a total area of more than 4000 hectares. The total number of samples analyzed throughout the year is more than 520. They do content analysis for organochlorine pesticides, herbicides and defoliants. Soil acidity (pH) and humus content are determined.
Soils around 14 large cities are examined for toxicants of industrial origin by 20 indicators. Sampling is performed in summer according to a multi-year periodic program, taking into account the prevailing wind directions, at various distances from pollution sources. Soils are surveyed around the cities of: Tashkent, Almalyk, Chirchik, Angren, Bekabad, Kokand, Ferghana, Namangan, Andijan, Samarkand, Navoi, Bukhara, Nukus, Urgench.
The soil content of total and active forms of heavy metals (copper, zinc, lead, cadmium), mercury, arsenic, water-soluble fluorides, oil products, nitrate nitrogen and ammonium, sulfates, as well as soil acidity (pH) and humus are determined. More than 90 samples are taken and analyzed annually.
Based on the results of processing the obtained data and assessing the degree of soil contamination with pesticides and industrial toxicants, reports are prepared and information is provided to the concerned ministries and departments for the adoption and implementation of appropriate measures to prevent soil pollution by toxic substances.