Morphological Features of Soils in the Yelshanka River Floodplain Under Conditions of Urbotechnopedogenesis

Abstract

The river system on the territory of Volgograd is represented by eight small rivers. Currently, in the territory of Volgograd there is an active inclusion of valley and floodplain landscapes in the urban area. Under conditions of the anthropogenic impact, the normal regime of valley and floodplain landscapes is disturbed. As a result of changes in the hydrological regime of floodplains and valleys, various morphological transformations of soil cover occur, such as the formation of specific iron and carbonate new formations, etc. As a result of economic activities, modern alluvial soils and sediments are often buried under the thickness of the anthropogenic material. The relevance of the study is due to the high recreational value of valley and floodplain landscapes. The authors analyze 6 soil profiles set up in different parts of the Yelshanka river floodplain. The description of soil sections was performed with the use of the Field Qualifier of Soils of Russia. Soil profiles were named in accordance with the Russian Soil Classification and Diagnosis (2004) and the Field Qualifier of Soils of Russia (2008). In Volgograd, as in most cities in Russia and abroad, the study of soils of floodplain landscapes is not systematic, and in some cases is limited to a certain area of research. The purpose of the work was to monitor the morphological state of the floodplain soil cover of the Yelshanka River in order to determine the degree of soils transformation in the area as a result of urbotechnopedogenesis. The studies conducted at the site allow considering that the urban soils of recreational areas are a consequence of the combined effect of zonal natural and climatic and urbanogenic factors of soil formation. Studies of soils of floodplain landscapes in the urban environment make it possible to monitor the state of natural landscapes and their transformation in conditions of urbotechnopedogenesis, as well as the development of the ecological framework of the city.