Ecological Assessment of Disturbances in the Landscape Structure of Alluvial Soils of Floodplains Under Technogenesis Influences

Abstract

The article considers the problem of disturbances in the landscape structure when extracting constructional sand causes the formation of a technogenic relief. The objective of this study was to determine the change in the main fertility indicators for alluvial turf and meadow soils disturbed by open-pit mining and building communications. The study included tasks stated below. The research tasks included identifying the quantitative changes in the composition and properties of alluvial soils disturbed by construction sand extraction. Determination of the change in the organic matter content of the upper layer in the artificial soil-like formations (technozems) in comparison with undisturbed soils. Specifying the nature of changes in the texture of the humus horizon of donor soils and technozems bulk layers. Determination of the change in the pH of the aqueous extract, and the content of the accessible forms of K2O and P2O5 in the soils disturbed by mining. The objects of the study were: plots of agricultural land with soil samples of alluvial turf and alluvial meadow soils, sampled at a depth of 0-20 cm. In the floodplain zone, the research was conducted on soils with a disturbance within the upper 50 cm thickness on alluvial turf soil. Technozem, an artificial soil-like structure consisting of one bulk layer of technogenic soil, was studied in the central floodplain. The studies found that open-pit mining has an impact on the composition and properties of alluvial soils. Disturbances in the landscape structure at open-pit mining cause significant destruction of a fertile layer as the soil texture changes. There is also a loss of organic matter in the disturbed soils depending on the degree of manifestation of anthropogenesis.