Content and Distribution of Biogenic and Toxic Elements in Soils and Vegetation of the Chulyshman River in the System of High-altitude Zone (Mountain Altai)

Abstract

The content and distribution of nutrients (manganese, copper) and toxic elements (lead) in the soils and vegetation of the potentially recreational area of the Gorny Altai – the r. Chulyshman. It was established that the level of total lead content in soils is characterized as “low”, copper – “medium”. The content of mobile forms of copper and lead refer to the “average” gradation, which indicates the absence of contamination of the studied soils. Concentrations of the studied elements in the soils do not exceed the values of the APC and MPC adopted in Russia and abroad. Despite the obvious differences in the distribution of chemical elements in the soil profile, general patterns are also observed, due to the composition and properties of the soil. The biogenic accumulation of all elements, but especially of manganese and copper, is noted in mountain-brown podzolized soils. In mountainous chestnut-shaped soils containing little organic matter, having an alkaline reaction of the medium, an adsorption carbonate barrier is created, on which the precipitation of elements occurs. According to the content of elements, separate parts of plant associations on the studied soil types, except for the soils of the high-mountain belt, can be arranged in the following descending series: litter> roots> above-ground mass. The obtained data can be considered as a reference point for possible anthropogenic pollution.