Assessment of soil properties in technogenically disturbed lands of Kemerovo Oblast – Kuzbass

Abstract

Recultivation is a critical operation after mining operations. In Kemerovo Oblast – Kuzbass, Russia, a lot of land has suffered degradation due to stripping operations. The purpose of the study is to examine the technical, technological, and biological properties of lands technogenically disturbed as part of coal mining operations in Kuzbass. The object under study is soil and soil cover in the Talda coal mine at the experimental site and adjacent territories. The research goal is achieved through the following methods. The granulometric composition of soil is assessed using the areometric method. The structural-aggregate analysis is performed based on the distribution of aggregate content by size with a set of soil sieves. Water stability is established using the method of disintegration of soil aggregates under a layer of water up to 2 cm high for 10 minutes. The ecological condition of the soil is assessed based on its enzyme and biological activity. The conducted investigation reveals increased stoniness, hygroscopicity, and low humus content of soils on technogenically disturbed land plots. Technogenically disturbed lands are marked by more acidic and heavy metal-contaminated soils. No exceedances are detected for pesticides and radionuclides. The results demonstrate weak enzymatic (cellulolytic, catalase, dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase, invertase, and soil respiration) and catalytic activity of the soils. All obtained results of assessment of soil conditions on the experimental site and adjacent territories should be used in planning further experimental work on conducting the biological recultivation phase to minimize random experimental errors associated with the influence of native vegetation cover and primary soil conditions on the survival of crops sown on the site.