Biological activity of forest litters in Ukhta City’s Central Park soils (The Komi Republic)

Abstract

Physicochemical properties and parameters of biological activity of forest litter horizons of illuvial-ferruginous podzols, formed the main part of soil cover of the largest recreational zone of Ukhta city, the G. A. Karchevsky Central Park, have been determined for the first time ever. In the park soils, a change in the basic agrochemical parameters (alkalinization and an increase in the content of available forms of the most important biogens with the exception of organic compounds carbon), the accumulation of heavy metals (up to moderately toxic level according to value of total pollution index) and petroleum hydrocarbons were indicated in comparison with background soils. An increase in soil enzymes (catalase, invertase) activity and a metabolic activity of soil microbial community was established. Based on the spectra of organic substrate consumption (multisubstrate testing method), a higher activity of all microbial functional (trophic) groups, with the exception of bacteria that consume alcohols, hexoses, and amino acids as an energy source, was revealed.