To the history of the Klyazma floodplain research in the territory of the EE SEC "Chashnikovo"

The article dwells upon the study of the current physico-chemical status of the alluvial dark-humus soils of the floodplain hayfields of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain and the Volga delta. Alluvial soils are formed in special semiaquatic conditions; they are the result of alluvial and soil-forming processes. Considered to be dynamic both in natural and anthropogenic conditions. They have subordinate status and remain to be barriers and accumulators of various chemical elements while performing a sanitary and hygienic role in floodplain and delta ecosystems. Due to the increased anthropogenic load on alluvial soils, the study of their physico-chemical status, which affects the migration of chemical elements, becomes particularly significant. The alluvial soils of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain and the Volga delta are characterized by a polynomial profile in which soil horizons of varying development degrees alternate with river sediments. The soils of the studied landscapes are characterized by good agrophysical and relatively satisfactory agrochemical condition. It was found that bunds on the territory of the delta as well as in the floodplain have negative impact on the physico-chemical status of alluvial soils and actively develop secondary salinization. The focus is on the agrochemical properties of alluvial dark-humus soils, particularly on the content of humus and nutrients. According to the granulometric composition, the studied soils are medium and heavy loamy, they have a good supply of productive moisture. In the soils of the Southeastern part of the floodplain, the processes of salinization, dehumification and alkalization are most present.

The regularities and peculiarities of the modern state of the soils of the floodplain complexes of the Transcarpathian lowland under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors were investigated. Prognostic modeling of the dynamics of the further development of soils and soil cover in the region was carried out. It was established that a significant mosaic in space and dynamism characterize the soil cover of floodplains in time. Alluvial, semi-hydromorphic, and hydromorphic soils dominate the flood plains of Transcarpathian rivers. Alluvial soils were the dominant types in the pre-anthropogenic period. They develop in conditions of constant soil ground water level and periodic surface flooding by floodwaters. Alluvial sediment (silt) remains on the surface after the subsidence of flood waters and has a significant impact on the properties, morphology, lithology and fertility of soils. The high content of dusty ground particles in all variants of river silt ensures their rapid inclusion in the process of soil formation and contributes to the improvement of water-physical and physic-chemical properties of alluvial soils. First of all, alluvial soils significantly suffer from anthropogenic interference in the course of flood processes undergo critical changes in water-physical and physic-chemical properties. After the improve of melioration measures that regulate the flood regime in floodplains, significant areas of soil lose alluvial features and later develop as semi-hydromorphic or hygromorphic. Drainage melioration, depending on the further direction of soil-forming processes, can have completely different effects on soil properties. Therefore, it is necessary to approach melioration measures very carefully, foreseeing in advance all the consequences, which may occur on drained territories. The possible profit from the involvement to agricultural production of drained areas can be incomparably smaller, compared to the losses for maintaining the normal functioning of not only these areas, but also the territories adjacent to them. The secondary anthropogenic load is often imposed on the primary hydrotechnical and reclamation soil transformation due to the active agricultural use of drained floodplains. Depending on the duration and method of agricultural production, soils that were formed as alluvial acquire new properties, different from natural ones. Their soil density and soil hardness increase, the water-air regime is disrupted, and their physical and chemical properties change. Deeply drained and additionally changed by technical means, the soils of the hydromorphic range, after the abandonment of resource-consuming extensive production, are left for natural self-recovery, and the further course of soil restoration processes requires careful study and control by scientists. A mosaic natural-anthropogenic soil cover of the alluvial lowland was formed under the combined effect of natural and anthropogenic processes, so alluvial soils need the greatest protection and protection in fact. Such soils are part of unique floodplain complexes, the study, preservation and protection of which should be the primary focus of both scientists and environmentalists.

<p>Today it seems that we are living in the “plastic age”. But plastics as an anthropogenic material element and environmental pollutant has only been in widespread use for about seven decades. The occurrence of both macro- and microplastics in different marine and terrestrial environments provides the possibility to consider plastics as stratigraphic markers. The young age of plastic polymers, the global increase in plastic production since the 1950s and their resistance against environmental degradation, could turn plastics to a useful stratal component. This applies for stratigraphic consideration and also for geoarchaeological issues.</p><p>First results from the “Microplastics in floodplain soils” (MiFS) project, investigating the spatial dynamics of microplastic in floodplain soils, allow know a first assessment about the stratigraphic relevance of plastics in alluvial sediments. Alluvial sediments in floodplain areas are known as dynamic chemical and physical sinks as well as spatial transport corridors for sediments and pollutants. Therefore, floodplain soils could also act as an accumulation area for macro- and microplastics.</p><p>Four transects in the floodplain cross section distributed in the catchment area of the Lahn river, located in the central German low mountain range, were sampled to a depth of two meters. Samples were dried, sieved and the fractions ˃ 2 mm were analyzed visually using a stereomicroscope and identification criteria. In order to prevent an overestimation, the supposed plastic objects were analyzed using ATR-FTIR spectroscope. The larger microplastic fraction analyzed here seems to be particularly suitable for stratigraphic considerations, since this fraction is less suitable for in-situ displacements by natural processes. The macro- and microplastic data was compared with sediment ages and sedimentation rates from a literature enquiry.</p><p>The results of macroplastics (˃ 5 mm) and larger microplastic (˃ 2 mm) contents show that plastic is detectable down to a depth of 70 cm. Common polymer types like PE-LD, PE-HD, PP, PS, PMMA, PVC, PET and others could be identified. At the surface and topsoils, macroplastic accumulations are found on a) river banks (superficial in vegetation or young sandy river bank depositions) and on b) fields under agricultural use. In subsoil samples 75,75 % of identified plastic particles are found in near channel samples located at the river embankment.</p><p>Comparing the distribution of macro- and larger microplastics in floodplain soils with sediment ages, sedimentation rates and floodplain morphology, it can be concluded that a deposition of the plastic particles in the natural sedimentation process could only be expected for near channel embankments. In other areas of the floodplain, an in-situ vertical displacement of the plastic particles by tillage or natural processes appears most probable, as the sediments must be significantly older. The application of plastics and especially microplastics as a stratal component in alluvial sediments must therefore be further discussed and investigated.</p>

Soil C supplies vary spatially within and among riparian wetlands. Understanding this variability is essential to assessments of C‐dependent riparian wetland functions such as water quality enhancement and C storage. In this study, we examined the distribution of C with depth across the riparian landscape. Our objectives were to describe the spatial distribution of various C forms in the subsurface of riparian wetlands, and to identify the watershed, landscape, and soil characteristics that govern the distribution of these forms. Twenty‐two riparian sites, mapped as alluvial or outwash soils, were examined along first‐ through fourth‐order streams. Soils were described from pits and auger borings along transects established perpendicular to the stream. Roots and buried A horizons represent the majority of C in the subsurface, representing an important source of C for riparian zone functions. Buried A horizons and C‐rich lenses, indicative of alluvial soils, were identified in 21 of the 22 sites. Higher order riparian zones tended to have greater quantities of alluvium. Roots were generally distributed to the greatest depths close to the streams where alluvial deposits were thickest. All first‐, second‐, and third‐order riparian zones were mapped as outwash soils on county‐scale soil surveys. These sites, however, contained predominantly alluvial soils, suggesting that soil surveys at the 1:15,840 scale are inadequate for identifying alluvial soils along lower order streams. To assess the best predictors of alluvium distribution within riparian zones, 11 watershed characteristics were examined. A forward stepwise regression revealed that watershed size and floodplain width are two of the most important indicators of the quantity, width, and depth of alluvium, and subsequently subsurface C, within glaciated riparian zones.

This study was conducted to distinguish flood sediments and desert sediments using total oxides values and observing variations in weathering indicators in the studied soils. The study area is located within the administrative boundaries of Anbar Governorate, where the study included several valleys, ranging from Al-Qaim valley, Al-Mohmouadi valley, Al-Damama valley, Houran valley, Al-Baghdadi valley, Zaghdan valley, Al-Sahliya valley, Sheikh Hadeed valley, by pedons for each site pedons with in the sedimentary and pedons with in the desert sediments After taking samples from each horizon, the samples were prepared for laboratory tests and the necessary analyzes were carried out. The total oxides in the soil that included were estimated Na2O, K2O, CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO using X-ray machine (XRF)Based on the results of the chemical analysis of the elements, the weathering indicators (WPl, PAI, CWI CAI, Vogts) In order to identify the activity of weathering processes of all kinds and to identify a difference in the degree of weathering as well as the extent of development of the soil of the study areas. Results of the complete elemental analysis (XRF) indicated an elevation in the proportions of weathering-resistant oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3). Silicon oxide(SiO2) predominated in all studied pedons, especially in desert soils, ranging between 28.47 to 38.21% in desert soils and 28.39-36.03% in alluvial soils. The proportions of Fe2O3 oxides varied between 2.62-7.90% with the lowest value found in Al-Damama valley soil at 4.60% and the highest in Al-Sahliya valley at 6.70%. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) reached its highest value at 9.31% in alluvial sedimentary soils and it is lowest at 4.73% in desert soils. Regarding the easily leachable elements, calcium oxide (CaO)ranked second in prevalence in both alluvial and desert sedimentary soils, ranging between 19.60 to34.20%. Sodium oxide (Na2O) showed a significant decrease in the studied soils due to leaching processes and its fast mobility, ranging between 0.08 to 2.36%. Calculations of weathering standards, including (Vogts, Cal, Cwl, PAl, WPl) showed that the highest level was in the soil of Al-Sahliya valley, within the alluvial sedimentary deposits(high rainfall) and it gradually decreased until it reached its lowest levels in the soil of Houran valley within the desert deposits(less rainfall).

Studies show that the most fertile are the granular soils of the Central floodplain of the Insar river. They have high humus content in the upper horizons – 4.6-7.6 %. Down the profile, the humus content gradually decreases, but remains relatively high: at a depth of 60-70 cm – 4.0 %. The humus content in alluvial granular-layered and meadow-marsh soils is much lower. The active reaction of these soils is neutral or slightly acidic, since the river and groundwater of the Insar floodplain are medium mineralized and belong to the class of bicarbonate. The hydrolytic acidity of the alluvial granular soil of the Insar floodplain is 1.6-3.0 mg / 100 g of soil. The values of hydrolytic acidity of alluvial granular-layered and meadow-marsh soils are higher: 2.6-3.6 and 1.8–3.2 mg/100 g of soil, respectively. The studied alluvial soils are almost completely saturated with bases: 91-97 %. The studied alluvial granular soils of the Insar floodplain are characterized by an average content of available phosphorus. In granular-layered and meadow-marsh soils, the amount of this element is slightly less and is 7.0–5.1 and 7.4–5.4 mg/100 g of soil, respectively. The most potassium-rich alluvial granular soil in the floodplain of the Insar river, where the content of this element in the upper layers is characterized as high: 16.5–27.6 mg/100 g of soil. In the sod layer of granular-layered soil, potassium availability is average: 9.5-15.4 mg / 100 g of soil. In the turf layer of meadow-marsh soils, potassium content is observed for most crops (8.0-10.4 mg / 100 g of soil), with depth it decreases.

The study of the microaggregative composition of soils of the floodplain of the Western Bug River has been carried out. The microstructure of these soils is characterized by considerable strength, especially in the transition horizons. In the alluvial sod short-profile soils, the fraction of fine sand prevails. The microaggregate fractions dominant in alluvial turf typical soils are micro aggregates in the size of 0,05-0,01 mm. Alluvial meadow soils are characterized by the lack of a clear distribution of microaggregates by profile. In the humus horizon of these soils dominated particles in the size of 0,05-0,01 mm. In alluvial meadow and wetland soils, there is an even distribution of the profile of microaggregates of all fractions. For the in-depth assessment of the results of the microaggregate analysis, a number of indicators have been calculated that assess the potential soil potential for microstructure formation: the Kachinsky dispersion factor (K, %), the Fageler structural factor (Kc , %), the degree of aggregation by Baver and Roathers (Ka , %), the microstructure rate for Dimo (Kd , %) and the number of aggregation for Pustovoitov (Kp , %). Consequently, the study of the microorganic composition of alluvial soils in the floodplain of the Western Bug River has shown that they are characterized by an extremely stable microstructure of the soil, high water resistance of microaggregates. The highest values of these indicators are alluvial turf and meadow soils, and somewhat lower – alluvial turf short-profile soils. Key words: microaggregate composition, alluvial soils, stability of microstructure.

Alluvial soils may represent important sinks of contaminants as a result of the deposition of contaminated sediments along the river by overbank flooding or after dredging. Because of the erosion of alluvial deposits or the release of contaminants from sediments, alluvial soils can also be a source of contamination. In this paper, a risk assessment for contaminated (alluvial) soils is presented. The approach, mainly based on physico-chemical soil characteristics, single extractions and leaching tests, is illustrated by means of a case study from four Belgian catchments. The extractions and leaching tests that were used have been validated by European testing programs and can provide valuable information for classifying the potential environmental risks of soils. Irrespective of the location, pH, organic carbon content and 'mobilisable' metal concentrations were the most important factors explaining 'mobile' metal concentrations in the alluvial soils. Additionally, the data of the physico-chemical soil characterization, extractions and leaching tests were combined with local and regional factors to classify the alluvial soils in different categories according to their actual and potential risk for the environment.

In 2001 and 2002 a survey has been carried out on several taxonomic invertebrate groups in five floodplain areas along the river Waal in the Netherlands. Studied groups are: aculeate wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae, Crabronidae, Tiphiidae, Pompilidae, Sphecidae, Vespidae), Apidae s.l. (Hymenoptera), Carabidae (Coleoptera), Mollusca (only terrestrial species), Odonata, Orthoptera, Syrphidae (Diptera). The study focused on sand dunes, high river banks, grasslands and marshes. The aim of the study was to compare the investigated invertebrate groups in terms of betadiversity to determine their sensitivity for heterogeneity of floodplain ecosystems. The results have been analysed in combination with the faunistic database of EIS (European Invertebrate Survey) - the Netherlands. Based on this database, species were selected of which at least 5 % of their distribution is situated in the Dutch Rhine branches ('preferential species'). Considering their high diversity in floodplain areas, both in absolute numbers and in betadiversity, and high number of preferential species in the Dutch Rhine branches, aculeate wasps, Apidae and Carabidae seem to be the most suitable of the studied groups for assessment of the heterogeneity of floodplain ecosystems. In aculeate wasps and Apidae, the highest diversity occurs in high parts of the floodplains. In Carabidae and Syrphidae with aquatic larvae, the highest diversity occurs in low parts of the floodplains.

In today's conditions of the country's development, cities and suburban areas are being built up at a rapid pace, which causes its shortage, especially in cities with a large population. In such conditions, one of the possible solutions for the development of the city is the development of previously unsuitable areas that can be used for construction. Such areas include territories cut by ravines, gullies, wetlands or floodplains, which are flooded with water during floods. Due to the presence of water bodies near the indicated territories, it is possible to protect them from flooding by raising the absolute marks of their surface to non-flooded ones by using alluvial soil by means of hydromechanization. The properties of such new man-made formations differ significantly from natural ones, and sandy soils are used as alluvial soil. In this way, a large number of territories have been created in different countries of the world: Dubai, Japan, China, the USA, etc., which indicates the effectiveness of this method and its practical significance. The article highlights the features of the tectonic structure, geological and geomorphological zoning of the territory of the city of Kyiv. Much attention is paid to the floodplain areas of the Dnieper River, which were formed by alluvial. Such sites were created, as a rule, for new construction and were built up quite quickly with low-rise buildings, the basis for which was alluvial soils. The engineering and geological studies of the sites after alluvial soils and the observation of deformations of the base over time allowed us to establish the basic patterns and rules of construction in such territories. Today, the development of the city actively covers areas created by alluvial soils, on which high-rise buildings, shopping centers, and other buildings are being actively built, the loads from which must be transferred to reliable base. However, depending on the properties of the alluvial soils themselves and the quality and preparation of the base on which they are laid, different types of foundations can be used, the decision on their design is made in each individual case, taking into account the number of floors and the type of buildings or structures.

The contribution of lignin to the formation of humic compounds was examined in different environments of the terrestrial-aquatic interface in the Garonne River valley in southwestern France. Alluvial soils and submerged or nonsubmerged river and pond sediments containing alder, poplar, or willow [C-lignin]ligno-celluloses were incubated. After a 49-day incubation period, 10 to 15% of labeled lignins in alluvial soils was recovered as evolved CO(2). In nonsubmerged sediments, 10% of the applied activity was released as CO(2), and in submerged sediments, only 5% was released after 60 days of incubation. In the different alluvial soils and sediments, the bulk of residual activity (70 to 85%) remained in the two coarsest-grain fractions (2,000 to 100 and 100 to 50 mum). Only 2 to 6% of the residual activity of these two coarse fractions was recovered as humic and fulvic acids, except in the case of alder [C-lignin]lignocellulose, which had decomposed in a soil collected beneath alders. In this one 55% of the residual activity was extracted as humic substances from the 2,000- to 100-mum fraction. Humic and fulvic acids represented from 6 to 50% of the residual activity in the finest-grain fractions (50 to 20 and 20 to 0 mum). The highest percentages were obtained in soil collected beneath alders and in submerged pond sediment. The contribution of different groups of microorganisms, as well as nutrients and clay content, may influence humic-substance formation in such environments. Physical stability also may be an important factor for complex microbial activity involved in this process.

Multifractal techniques have been widely used in soil science to explore more intrinsic information, such as characterizing a distribution for the entire range of particle-size. A soil particle-size distribution (PSD) constitutes an important soil property correlated to soil properties and processes. For the alluvial soil, however, the study on its PSD information using multifractal techniques is important for soil conservation, agricultural productivity, and riverway safety. The multifractal spectra of 35 typical alluvial soil PSDs covering four soil textural classes were analyzed. The results showed that the f(alpha)-spectrums of alluvial soil was more symmetric than the primary soil's. The result indicates that there is a wide range of variability in the heterogeneity of the alluvial soil samples which resulted from erosion and deposition processes. The alluvial soil samples exhibited two distinctively different slopes showing their multifractal characteristics. In this study, multifractal parameters did not show any trend with sand content for the analyzed samples. It could be explained by that multifractal analysis is related to the existence of scaling inside the structure of the measure. Consequently, the multifractal tool is invalid to predicate and evaluate the soil degradation or soil desertification for alluvial soils. Further studies about alluvial soils or sediment should be more concerned with the applicability of multifractal techniques on this kind of psoil to avoid exaggerating its efficiency.

Two and three-dimensional quantification of lead contamination in alluvial soils of a historic mining area using field portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) analysis

Vanadium (V) is a naturally occurring trace element, but total concentrations in soils and sediments are also dependent on the parent material and might be influenced by anthropogenic activities (e.g., steel industry). Despite the fact that threshold values for V in soils and/or sediments exist in various European countries, in Belgium, V is not taken into account when the environmental quality of soils and sediments has to be evaluated, despite the existence of several (diffuse) sources for V. In the first part of the study, the occurrence of V alluvial soils in Belgium was compared with V concentrations in alluvial soils (floodplain soils) across Europe. By analysis of both the Belgian and European data, the relationship between physicochemical soil characteristics and total V concentrations was quantified and some areas polluted with V were detected. A regression equation, in which V concentrations in alluvial soils were expressed as a function of major element composition, was proposed for the Belgian and European data. Additionally, single extractions with CaCl2(0.01 mol L-1) and ammonium-EDTA (0.05 mol L-1) were used to estimate short- and long-term mobility of V in the alluvial soils.

Alluvial flood plain soils are one of the major soil groups in northern Bihar and are highly heterogeneous as a result of the hydromorphic environment in which they are formed. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to understand the soil-landform relationship in Katihar district of Bihar. Five major landforms like old alluvial plains (1.97%), young alluvial plains (35.64%), meander plains (30.85%), flood plains (25.35%) and, char land and point (4.5%) were identified after visual interpretation of Sentinel-2 data in conjunction with survey of India toposheet and digital elevation model (SRT DEM). The detailed soil survey was carried out to understand the variability in the study area and 200 soil profiles were studied in different identified landforms. The soils of active alluvial plain (flood plain, char land and point bar) showed wide range of soil morphological properties with lithological discontinuities. Low chroma and value in soils of meander plain due to poor drainage conditions and high groundwater table showed gleying characteristics. The soils of young alluvial plain and active alluvial plain showed irregular distribution of clay content, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and organic carbon (OC). This study indicates that the soil-landform relationship in alluvial floodplains of Mahananda sub-basin partially followed due to mass movement of sediments from Himalayas, periodic flooding and deposition of alluvium during different fluvial cycles of Mahananda river and its tributaries. This was further confirmed by study on pedogenic indices of different landforms. The study on pedogenic indices in two selected sites (window area) away from the Mahananda river like fine sand/total sand, very fine sand/total sand, sand/silt, silt/clay, index of weathering and CEC/clay in the study area doesn't follow the trend in the flood plain as compared to nearly stable land. This may be due to the effect of shifting of river course and their tributaries in the selected two window areas across the different landforms. To overcome the above mentioned problems in soil-landform relationship in the study area, the identified landforms were further sub-divided based on the local factors like percentage of crop cover and moisture content. In revised landforms soil types present in each landform showed soil-landform relationship. Thus, the knowledge on soils in relation to landforms vis-a-vis soil properties and their pedogenesis is useful in understanding their potentials and problems for sustainable land use planning.