Soil cover of areas of mining sand and sand-gravel material in the Leningrad region

Abstract

The article considers the component composition of soil cover in the areas of mining sand and sand-gravel material in the Leningrad region. The sites under study are anthropogenically transformed soil that have a direct and indirect impact on the natural soil cover. Direct impact should include the burial of natural soils under dumps, the complete removal of soil profile as a result of quarrying and changes in the relief. The process of rock removal can lead to a change in the parent rock. Indirect influences include stratification of soil surface by dust, soil over-consolidation, and the formation of recreational zones, dumps and bonfires. At all the studied sites, the same type of soil cover organization was detected. Nonsoils formations were found where soils had been completely destroyed. These were found at places including access roads, dumps, rock outcrops and pits filled with water. Slopes, roadsides and cavaliers of the network of protective ditches typically feature turbocharged and stratified natural soils. Ditch bottoms are formed by Nudiargic Luvisols and Nudialbic Podzols. Soil combinations of slightly altered and fully natural soils are identified in the areas adjacent to quarries.