Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of the Soil Cover in the Area of a Solid Household Waste Landfill

Soil contamination associated with solid household waste landfills represents a significant environmental concern because heavy metals can accumulate in surface horizons and migrate into adjacent ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the level and spatial distribution of heavy metal contamination in soils surrounding the solid household waste landfill adjacent to the Shchuchinsk-Borovskaya resort area, Kazakhstan. In August 2024, 12 composite soil samples were collected from the 0–20 cm layer in four directions (north, south, east, and west) at distances of 10, 50, and 100 m from the landfill. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, As, Co, Hg, Ni, Cr, and Mn were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and compared with maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs). At 10 m from the landfill, exceedances were recorded for seven metals, with the highest values observed for Cu (3.4 MPC), Mn (2.25 MPC), Cr (1.38 MPC), Zn (1.35 MPC), Ni (1.27 MPC), Pb (1.18 MPC), and As (1.10 MPC). At 50 m, five metals exceeded the MPC, whereas at 100 m only Cu, Mn, and Cr remained above permissible levels. Contamination generally decreased with increasing distance, although directional differences were observed. Overall, the environmental condition of the studied soils was classified as satisfactory to relatively satisfactory, while continued monitoring and remediation measures remain necessary