The maps of soil tolerance toward pollution with oil products and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Methodological aspects

Natural factors ensuring soil tolerance toward pollution with technogenic hydrocarbons, particularly, oil products and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are considered. The maps of the self-purification capacity of the soils of Russia and its particular humid and arid regions with respect to their contamination with technogenic hydrocarbons are analyzed. The principles lying in the basis of these maps are discussed. It is argued that the cartographic assessment of soil tolerance toward pollution with technogenic hydrocarbons is necessary for setting the values of maximum permissible concentrations of hydrocarbons in soils, for the choice of adequate soil rehabilitation procedures, and for the organization of soil monitoring.