Abstract
It was found that the damage to the soil cover is influenced by the operation of Combined heat and power plant No. 3 (CHP-3) in the city of Karaganda, which is carried out on solid fuels (coal). In addition, direct damage to the soil cover occurs during the movement of heavy transport (cargo transportation of fuel). The object of research is located in the territory within which natural soils are degraded due to the impact of the production activity of the enterprise, and also subject to physical pollution of the soil and vegetation. The main source of physical pollution of land cover is CHP-3. Nickel excess was detected in Maykuduk, 500 m south-west of CHP-3, 1000 m north-west of CHP-3, cobalt — in Prishakhtinsk, iron — in Maykuduk, 1000 m north-west of CHP-3. An analysis of the vegetation of Karaganda showed a deterioration of the plants, a slight growth, a decrease in the number of flowers, and early signs of wilting were observed. The vegetation near the enterprise is represented by a rare and even coverage of unhealthy and unnaturally dried plants for a given season.