Development Of Degradation Processes Research Articles

Balanced use of agricultural land affected by war in Ukraine as a prerequisite for sustainable development

The issue of ensuring the sustainable development of humanity is recognized as one of the most urgent problems facing society today. The article is devoted to the generalization of the features of the development of sustainable land use and the definition of the main problems of the sustainable use of agricultural land in Ukraine during the period of European integration, reforms of local self-government in the country, martial law and post-war recovery. The work highlights the main principles and goals of sustainable land use, in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. According to the authors, the practical implementation of the concept of sustainable land use requires determining the priorities of the use of agricultural land, and above all, ecological land. It was noted that the state of land resources in Ukraine was characterized as tense, due to the irrational use of the country's land resource potential, excessive plowing and land degradation. The authors note that organic agriculture has been developing in Ukraine in recent decades, but as a result of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022, the issue of organic production in Ukraine took a back seat. The most acute environmental problems are the development of degradation processes on the arable lands of Ukraine, which causes the mining of territories, the formation of craters from shelling, and landslides. Proposed priority areas of development of sustainable land use in Ukraine, which will allow transition to a model of sustainable development

Changes in the absorptive capacity of soils of Donbass degraded agroecosystems

The aim of the work was to study the qualitative and quantitative composition of the soil-absorbing complex of degraded soils of agricultural land on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). The main tasks of the work were to study the amount of exchangeable bases, as well as the exchangeable calcium and magnesium of degraded soils. To study the soil cover of degraded agroecosystems, model plots were selected, located in the northern part of the Shakhterskiy region of the DPR, represented by gravelly chernozems unwashed and medium-washed. The site with steppe vegetation (ordinary medium-humus chernozem) was selected as the control variant. The results of studies of soil absorption capacity of agrocenoses in general indicate the development of degradation processes. The sum of the exchangeable bases of all studied soils is significantly reduced in comparison with the zonal soil, and the minimum values of the studied indicator, compared to the control, are recorded on slope areas of the fields (76.6–81.8% in relation to the control). On the fallow field, no statistically significant differences were found between the values of the sum of exchangeable bases compared to the control, which is most likely due to the lack of intensive agricultural exploitation and the application of mineral nutritive elements to the soil of this site. In the soils of almost all model sites (with the exception of the fallow field), the content of exchangeable calcium decreased by 27.4–42.7% compared to zonal soil. While studying the content of exchangeable magnesium, some regularities have been noticed, which are due to correlation with exchangeable calcium. Thus, the intensification of agricultural soil use resulted in an increased ratio of magnesium to calcium – on average to 1 : 3, while in the control it was 1 : 5. Such a transformation in the future can negatively affect the soilabsorbing complex and the soil as a whole, further loss of soil structure and a number of other negative consequences.

FROM THE HISTORY OF MODERN RESEARCH OF GEO-ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF SMALL RIVERS OF WESTERN PODILLIA

Systematization of the authors' research and publications on the river-basin systems of small rivers of Western Podillia has been carried out. Three main stages are distinguished. The analyzed basic scientific works of these stages proved the expansion of the spectrum of geoecological studies of small rivers by representatives of the Lviv Scientific School under the patronage of Prof. I. Kovalchuk. At the end of the first stage (2005, 2007, 2010, such studies were carried out by representatives of the Ternopil Scientific Center under the leadership of Prof. L. Tsaryk. The study of the geoecological problems of small rivers reached special relevance in the middle of the second stage with the study of the natural resource potential in river basins (natural recreational, environmental protection, integral resources in the dissertation studies of S. Novytska, O. Greskiv, I. Vitenko, L. Babiuk. During this period, four candidate theses on this issue, a number of bachelor's and master's theses (O. Burtak, V. Tsaryk) were defended ).At the third stage, the activity of expeditionary research in the basins of the rivers Kachava (L. Yankovska, A. Tsidylo), Gnizdechna (I. Kuzyk, I Branovskyi.), Gnizna (V. Tsaryk, P. Tsaryk), Nichlavka and Nichlava (Yu. Melnyk, I. Kuzyk, L. Tsaryk). Graduate students of the Faculty of Geography conduct complex hydroecological studies of the basins of small rivers of Western Podillia, as evidenced by the published collective monograph and a number of articles in specialized scientific journals.
 The article highlights the geoecological problems of small rivers, such as the reclamation of wetlands, which in the conditions of aridization of the climate leads to over-draining of reclaimed lands, disruption of the water balance within river basins, which have turned into ecologically unstable lands. Daily and seasonal changes in the heat balance are observed, which affects the daily and seasonal rhythms of the bioproductivity of soil microorganisms, and therefore the processes of soil formation, renewability and stability of soils. Changes in the heat balance in conditions of aridization of the climate do not contribute to the establishment of optimal ratios between heat and moisture. The problem of disturbance of mineral metabolism in soils as a result of agricultural cultivation, when mineral fertilizers, toxic chemicals are applied to them, and mineral substances are removed from the fields along with the harvest. Annually, with the harvest of one ton of grain, up to 65 kg of the main active substances are removed from the soil. The introduction of an excessive amount of mineral fertilizers leads to their accumulation in soil horizons, and therefore in plant organisms.
 The problem of changing the biogenic cycle of substances is related to the processes of soil and humus formation. Extraction of a significant part of organic substances with plant products from the geosystem in the process of agricultural production, lack of adequate introduction of organic fertilizers instead leads to dehumification of soils, reduction of the capacity of their humus layer, reduction of fertility, ultimately to their depletion and degradation. In river basins, the average application of organic fertilizers has decreased tenfold - from 14 t/ha in 1990 to 0.34 t/ha in 2020, and they are not applied at all on large areas of land.
 Residual soil contamination with radionuclides of cesium-137 and strontium-90 remains within the limits of Polivetska, Palashivska and Bazarska village councils, located in the middle part of the Djuryn river basin. Within the basin of the Nichlava River, radiation pollution is limited to the outskirts of the settlements of Shmankivchiki, Kolindani, Davidkivtsi, Mikhalkiv, Pylypche, Ustya. Radionuclides migrated deep into the soil profiles in the watershed areas and accumulated at a depth of 80-100 cm.
 The conducted studies proved that the development of degradation processes in the conditions of long-term anthropogenic loads is the cause of the loss of the basin system's stability.
 Optimization measures based on the principle of maintaining balance and parity development of the economy and nature protection are substantiated. This means that the use of land and other natural resources and the development of economic activity in the studied territory should not deteriorate the quality of the environment and the state of natural geosystems and their geocomponents. Optimization measures provide for the improvement of the quality of the environment and the formation of an ecologically safe system of nature management
 Key words: historical stages, geoecological problems, small rivers, Western Podillia.

TECHNIQUES FOR SPECIAL FOLLOWING OF THE DEGRADATIONS DEVELOPMENT FOR A RAILWAY PASSAGE

Nowadays, most of the transportation infrastructure is already built, the main challenge being the maintenance of these structures in optimal conditions of safety and comfort for users. Therefore, in recent years, research in the field of bridge maintenance has focused on the development and implementation of special monitoring programs that can identify and warn transportation infrastructure managers of the appearance and development of degradation, and especially the possibility of collapse of the construction element in the near future. In addition to familiarizing readers with the structural design of the Constanta Bridge, this work proposes the presentation of the main technologies used for implementing the in-service behavior monitoring program, along with the arrangement of data acquisition units and a brief interpretation of the information provided by the monitoring system. In the conclusions of the article, the authors will draw attention to the bearing capacity of the structure, affected by the development of degradation processes and the need for emergency implementation of rehabilitation and strengthening works of the passage.

Drainage reconstruction in the zone of excessive moisture during the cultivation of blueberries on poorly water-permeable clay soils

To ensure efficient agricultural production in the humid regions of Ukraine, drainage of wetlands is one of the first places. The area of drained lands is make up to 9.7% of the total arable lands in Ukraine. In 1990, 1,976.500 hectares were used in active agricultural production, and the share of arable land on drained lands was 70.7%. Of the more than 1130 drainage systems with an area of more than 2.2 million hectares only 37% were built between 1980 and 1990, i.e. younger than 35 years. The remaining 63% of systems have been built and operated for more than 35 years. Since the 1990s, the construction of new and modernization of existing drainage systems in Ukraine has been almost non-existent. Maintenance of the systems was significantly reduced, which led to a significant deterioration in their technical condition, a change in the water regime of soils and the development of degradation processes. Traditionally, in Ukraine, a significant (1.4 million hectares) area is drained with ceramic drainage. We show the experience of reconstruction of the drainage system, which is located in the Pre-Carpathian Upland region of the Ukrainian Carpathians, the Middle Carpathian terrace plain, where a Drainage of Clay Pipes was built more than 35 years ago. The results of the analysis of the reasons of unsatisfactory drainage operation, identification of the most critical zones with the use of field research and earth remote sensing data are presented. To eliminate local wetlands, plastic drainage with a diameter of 50 mm is proposed. To increase the efficiency of its work on heavy clay soils with a filtration coefficient less than 0.01, the backfilling of the trench with local material – gravel with a fraction of 5 ... 25 mm with geotextile protection. During the construction of the new drainage, ceramic drains of the previously constructed drainage were found. They were cleaned mechanically and connected through a filter backfill to the newly built drains.

Features of mobile phosphorus accumulation under different systems of agriculture in agricultural landscapes

The aim of the article was to establish the features of the phosphorus regime of the soil under different systems of agriculture in the agricultural landscapes of the Right Bank and Left Bank Forest-Steppe in the cultivation of grain crops. The study used the method of agroecological monitoring and laboratory (methods of chemical, physico-chemical analysis using modern methods of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, flame photometry in accordance with the requirements of the quality management system, DSTU 3973-2000). The research was conducted in the right-bank Forest-Steppe on the basis of long-term experiments of departments: technologies of grain crops and technologies of legumes, cereals and oilseeds crops, located within the research fields of NSC «Institute of Agriculture NAAS» (Fastiv district of Kyiv region), and in the left-bank Forest-Steppe on the Panfil Research Station of NSC «IZ NAAN» in a stationary experiment of the department of crop change and agriculture on reclaimed lands for determining the impact of different systems of farming for growing cereals crop in crop rotations and permanent crops. Under the extensive system of agriculture on dark gray podzolic soil and typical chernozem, the development of degradation processes was noted, namely the negative impact on the content of mobile phosphorus compounds, regardless of the method of growing crops. Over more than 30 years of research, periodic application of ameliorants and annual incorporation of plant residues has led to a reduction of more than 1.5 times the amount of mobile phosphorus. The organic system of agriculture, which provided for the introduction of ameliorants and annual incorporation of plant residues at a dose equivalent to 5 t/ha of straw, increased the number of mobile phosphorus compounds by almost 21% compared to 1988 baseline (1988). The introduction of different options for intensive farming systems has increased the amount of mobile phosphorus compounds in the soil by 1.4-2.1 times compared to baseline, during the observation period, 1.4–2.1 times. The largest increase in their number, almost 2.1 times over 30 years, was observed in the variant with the introduction of N105,0P86,3K101,3 per 1 ha of crop rotation area (intensive № 2).

Influence of groundwater level fluctuation on meliorated salontz in the northern forest-steppe of the Baraba lowland

The purpose of the study: to determine groundwater level and chemistry and their influence on soil properties. Location and time of the study. Northern forest-steppe of the Baraba lowland (Chulymsky and Chanovsky districts of the Novosibirsk region, Russia), 2011–2021. Methods. Determination of the groundwater level and subsequent collecting groundwater samples from the temporary wells in the experimental areas (with chemical melioration by applying gypsum and agrobiological melioration by destroying the solonetz horizon and sawing salt-resistant crops). Under laboratory conditions, soil and groundwater chemical properties and the cation-anion composition of the water extract of soils were measured. Main results. Changes in the standing level of soils and their mineralization were revealed. The rise in the groundwater level resulted in the accumulation of easily soluble salts the soil profile, the saturation of the soil-absorbing complex with exchangeable sodium, and the restoration of the solonetzic horizon. In medium-deep and shallow solonetzes, reclaimed by the agrobiological method, the groundwater level was located at 240-250 cm in 2021, and salinization occurred only in the lower part of the profile (35-100 cm), while in the control variant, salinization occurred along the entire 1m profile. Conclusion. In most of the Baraba Lowland, the capillary fringe of groundwater is constantly or periodically present in a soil profile. Under conditions of increased moisture in the territory, the development of degradation processes, such as soil secondary salinization and solonetzization, is diagnosed. In chemically reclaimed crusty solonetzes, with periodical groundwater rise to the 50 cm depth, the ameliorative effect had been maintained for more than 30 years, after which there took place a gradual secondary salinization of the soil profile and the accumulation of exchangeable sodium in the soil absorbing complex. Over the last decade both meliorated areas saw the groundwater table rise, bringing soil secondary salinization and solonetzization. Chemical melioration proved its efficacy in not only improving soil properties, but in sustaining it under soil secondary salinization by groundwater. Agrobiological approach to solonetz melioration can also be considered perspective for slowing soil quality deterioration and sustaining soil fertility.

Теоретичні і прикладні аспекти прогнозування стану ґрунтового покриву

Goal. To substantiate on the basis of generalization of the available experience theoretical aspects of forecasting changes in the state of soil cover and to develop models of forecasting changes in the basic physical, agrochemical, physicochemical properties of arable soils of Ukraine. Methods. Information-analytical, mathematical-statistical (correlation-regression, pedotransfer modeling). Results. Based on the analysis of literature sources, the relevance is proved of issues related to forecasting changes in the basic properties of arable soils of Ukraine to prevent the development of degradation processes and timely use of soil protection measures that will stabilize their fertility in modern conditions. The main methods of forecasting (expert, extrapolation, interpolation, etc.) are analyzed and the theoretical aspects of forecasting in soil science are substantiated. Using samples from the database «Soil Properties of Ukraine» they developed models for predicting changes in humus, physical, physicochemical, and agrochemical properties of arable soils. The main state priorities for technological measures to protect and stabilize the level of fertility of arable soils are proposed. Conclusions. It is established that with the preservation of the current level of relationships in the agrosphere, which is characterized by the development of degradation processes in conditions of existing deficit of essential nutrients, acidification and contamination of soils with radionuclides and heavy metals, forecasting changes in soil properties and biodiversity will remain negative. The main state priorities for technological measures to protect and stabilize the level of fertility of arable soils are outlined.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN UKRAINE: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT

The issue of ensuring the sustainable development of mankind today is recognized as one of the most pressing issues facing society. The purpose of the study is to generalize the features of sustainable land using, identify the main problems of sustainable use of agricultural land in Ukraine and the key ways to solve them. The paper summarizes the key stages of the formation of prerequisites for sustainable land using, systematizes documents and events to create a model of sustainable development, highlights the basic principles and goals of sustainable agricultural land use, in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. The authors emphasize that the practical implementation of the concept of sustainable agricultural land use requires prioritization of agricultural land, especially environmental, as well as increasing the responsibility of agricultural businesses for disturbing the ecological balance and excessive anthropogenic pressure on land resources. It is noted that in Ukraine there is an irrational structure of land use, which is environmentally dangerous. The main problems of sustainable agricultural land use development are highlighted. The authors note that in recent years in Ukraine there have been negative trends in the development of processes that significantly affect agricultural land use. The most acute environmental problems are the development of degradation processes in the arable lands of Ukraine, which are continuous, regional or local in nature. The authors argue that the decline in the natural potential of agricultural land in Ukraine is becoming an even more serious threat to the sustainable development of land use than environmental problems. The priority directions of development of sustainable land use in Ukraine are offered, which will allow passing to the model of sustainable agricultural land use.

The purpose of modem land management in the organization of agricultural land use for sustainable socio-ecological and economic development

The authors examined the key components of In moden post – reform conditions when the organization of the use of agricultural land is carried out without land management project documentation and relevant recommendations, in conditions of significant pressure from industrial and urban development, this is primarily the main reason for the decline in soil fertility and the development of degradation processes, a departure from the classical sustainable agricultural land use, formed on the principles of land management and the laws of nature management [1- 4]. In the process of functioning, once-stable land uses have not changed borders for decades, which indicates a rational overall size of agricultural land use, when all three production factors: “labor”, “land” and “capital” are in full compliance with each of them, that is, harmonization, rationalization and greening [5, 6]. This harmonization eliminates the presence of such disadvantages as: far-earth, cross-stripe, wedging, etc., creates conditions for the rationai organization of the use of agricultural land [2, 5, 6].

Геоинформационное обеспечение проведения мониторинга земель сельскохозяйственного назначения в системе управления земельными ресурсами (на примере Волгоградской области)

The lack of an up-to-date cartographic basis leads to uncontrolled land turnover, does not reflect their real state and use, thereby leading to the destruction and degradation of not only individual components of the agricultural landscape, but also entire natural systems. Agrolandscape is a complex ecological system that, under harsh conditions of consumption, loses its ability to self-repair and regulate for a very long time. And each of its components needs to be accounted for, monitored, and protected. Geoinformation monitoring ensures the sustainability of both individual components and the entire agricultural landscape, contributes to the formation of effective agriculture and land use, increases the productivity of land and prevents the development of degradation processes. Monitoring of the territory of the Kislovsky rural settlement of the Bykovsky district of the Volgograd region according to 2004 data does not reflect the actual state and order of use of agricultural land and forest resources. The boundaries and areas of dehumified land have changed, and within the boundaries of the forest fund, according to Roseyestr, there are land plots with cadastral numbers ZU 34:02:010001:185, ZU 34:02:010001:104, ZU 34:02:010001:100, with an area of 2.7 hectares each for agricultural production. The area of forest areas has decreased from 576 ha to 484 ha or 16 %, the humus content in the soils is low—1.7 %, which is critical in the agro-climatic conditions of the Volgograd region. The location of agricultural land plots within the boundaries of the forest fund lands contradicts the land legislation, violates the safety and integrity of forest stands, leads to degradation, desertification and destruction of the ecological framework.

СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ ДЕГРАДАЦИИ СУХОСТЕПНЫХ ПОЧВ ДОЛИНЫ МАНЫЧ

На базе Научно-экспедиционного стационара «Маныч» ЮНЦ РАН в 2009–2018 гг. проведены исследования по проблеме деградации почв сухой степи в долине Маныч на территории Орловского района Ростовской области (охранная и заповедная зоны Государственного природного заповедника «Ростовский»). Выявлено, что усиление аридизации климата и антропогенной нагрузки в сухой степи приводят к засолению, опустыниванию, пастбищной дигрессии. Для почвенного покрова характерна комплексность, обусловленная микрорельефом, высоким уровнем минерализации грунтовых вод (2-6 г/л) и их близким залеганием к поверхности, составом засоленных почвообразующих пород, а также антропогенном воздействием – распашкой целинных почв, высокой пастбищной нагрузкой, развитием эрозионных процессов в результате уничтожения естественного растительного покрова степи. Почвенные комплексы с высокой долей участия солонцеватых и солончаковатых почв (до 20–50%) составляют 25% исследуемой территории. Выпас в первую очередь влияет на показатели почвы, характеризующие плодородие. При возрастании пастбищной нагрузки почвы подвергаются интенсивному иссушению в связи с изреженностью растительного покрова, а также уплотнением верхних горизонтов (1,37 г/см3) и изменениями в структуре на агрегатном уровне. В почвы пастбищ с сильной нагрузкой низки содержание гумуса (не более 1,5 %) и его запасы (53-68 т/га). На исследованной территории площадь средне деградированных почв составляет 40 %, сильно и очень сильно деградированных – 32 %, слабо деградированных – 18 %, целинных (ненарушенных) – 10 %. Необходимы срочные меры по рационализации использования почв и повышению их плодородия, предотвращению развития деградационных процессов в них, а также по строгому контролю за соблюдением условий оптимальной пастбищной нагрузки.

Formation of the productivity of grassland phytocenoses of non-cultivated slopes in the Precarpathian region depending on the modes of use and fertilization

The article is a study in soil science, with an analysis of the grassland phytocoenosis productivity in the Precarpathian region (Eastern Carpathian Foothills). The analysis of the level of land productivity according to the modes of use or fertilization type is carried out and it is established that grassland phytocoenoses of the Precarpathian region are the main source of forage for the livestock industry, and they hold the most important soil-forming position in the ecosystem of the territory. The main reason for the rapid loss of valuable species of grassland herbs from phytocoenoses and degradation of sown grass stands in the meadows of the Precarpathian region is the deterioration of nutrient status and water-air regime in the soil.
 The percentage ratio of agrobotanical groups in the grasslands is comprised by herbs, cereals, sedges. Three types of plants represent the herb group. Groundsel (Senecio congestus) is predominant species in this group. Less common herbs of grassland are starwort (Stellaria radians) and Jacob's-ladder (Polemonium acutiggorum Willd). Arctophila yellow (Arctophila fulva (Trin) Anders) dominates among the cereals.
 Application of mineral fertilizers on the grasslands under conditions of the Precarpathian region at the rate of N120P90K120 with split dressing in spring and after the first haymaking at the rate of N60 provides an increase in the yield of herbs compared with the control of 125.5 centners of herbage per ha.
 It is established that extensive use of grasslands on sod-podzolic soils of the Precarpathian region leads to the development of degradation processes in the soil, decreases the resistance of perennial grasses to adverse habitat conditions. The main signs of degradation of cultivated meadows are the decrease of nutrient content in soil, soil dehumification, reduction in the productivity of phytocoenoses, decrease of the phytocoenoses of grasses and an increase in the number of grasses in the botanical composition, reduction of the area of projective cover of soil by plants, degrowth of inflorescence of grasses, decrease of the number of rhizome species of grassland plants.
 Based on this, the article also proposes ways to preserve and improve the productivity of grassland phytocoenoses and the studied types of soils.

Зміна гранулометричного складу осушених ґрунтів Малого Полісся в контексті розвитку деградаційних процесів

Sod-podzolic (Albenuvisoils Gleyic), meadow (Gleyic Chernic Phaeozems) and sod (Arenosols) soils are typical for Male Polissia. In the natural state, these soils are waterlogged, characterized by unsatisfactory physical properties, unsuitable for agricultural use. After the drainage reclamation, the soils are intensively used as arable land, pastures, and hayfields. The drainage has led to a significant decrease in groundwater levels, increased the washing water regime, intensified the processes of lessivage, which affected the physical properties of soils, in particular, granulometric composition. In the reclaimed areas, aridification and deflationary processes intensified. In deflated sod-podzolic soils, the relief of granulometric composition has been reducing due to decrease in the content of sludge and fine dust in the arable horizons. Granulometric composition of soils undergoes more significant transformations as a result of the intensification of flushing water regime after drainage. The content of physical clay in the arable horizon of sod-podzolic fixed- sandy soils decreased by 1.63 %, and of the sandy loam soils – by 5.30–6.20 %. In the humus-accumulating arable horizon of meadow soils, the physical clay content decreased by 2.40–1.60 %, that of sod soils – by 1.27–6.39 %. Washing off with drainage waters of small granulometric fractions results in an increase in the content of sand fractions and facilitates the granulometric composition of soils, changes in soil gradation at the level of variety. Decrease in the content of physical clay causes deterioration of physical, physical-and-chemical, agronomic properties of soils, and therefore causes the development of degradation processes: non-structural, deflation, dehumification, degradation of water and air and nutrient regimes, aridification. This gave rise to the idea of referring to the granulometric composition facilitation of drained soils as “granulometric degradation” and classifying it as physical degradation of soils. Key words: Male Polissia, drainage reclamation, soils, granulometric composition, physical clay, granulometric degradation.

Permanent soil monitoring system as a basic tool for protection of soils and sustainable land use in Slovakia

The purpose of soil monitoring system in Slovakia is to better protect the soils with regard to sustainable land use. The main object is the observation of soil parameters indicative of change to the equilibrium of soil system as far as to the irreversible change with possible development of degradation processes in soil. The soil monitoring system in Slovakia has been running since 1993. Its importance consists of providing the information on changing spatial and temporal variations of soil parameters as well as the evolution of soil quality in topsoil and subsoil. The soil monitoring network in Slovakia is constructed using ecological principles, taking into account all main soil types and subtypes, soil organic matter, climatic regions, emission regions, polluted and non-polluted regions as well as various other land uses. The results of soil monitoring of 318 sites on agricultural land in Slovakia have been presented. Soil properties are evaluated according to the main threats to soil relating to European Commission recommendation for European soil monitoring performance as follows: soil erosion, soil compaction, decline in soil organic matter, soil salinization and sodification and soil contamination. The most significant change has been determined in physical properties of soils. The physical degradation was especially manifested in compacted and the eroded soils. On the basis of our results about 40%of agricultural land is potentially affected by soil erosion in Slovakia. In addition, decline in soil organic matter and available nutrients indicate seriousness of soil degradation processes observed during the last monitoring period in Slovakia. Measured data and required outputs are reported to Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra(Italy) and European Environmental Agency (EEA) in Copenhagen (Denmark). Finally, the soil monitoring system thus becomes a basic tool for protection of soils and sustainable land use as well as for the creation of legislation not only in Slovakia, but in EU, too.

Diagnostics of degradation processes in the metal-semiconductor system

A mathematical model of thermal operational modes of the metal-semiconductor contact pair is constructed based on the analysis of the temperature fields in a semiconductor wafer with a surface heat source in a form of the metallization layer. The influence of current pulses with an amplitude j 5 × 1010 A/m2) on the metallization systems is analyzed in detail. It is shown that the degradation processes in such structures under the pulsed current perturbation are associated with the local nucleation of the liquid phase and contact melting in the metal-semiconductor system. A procedure, which ensures the diagnostics of multilayer thin-film metallization systems right up to the development of degradation processes upon the passage of rectangular current pulses through them, is suggested.

Formation of paramagnetic products in the thermal and photo degradation of polyurethanes and their effect on the development of degradation processes

Formation of paramagnetic products in the thermal and photo degradation of polyurethanes and their effect on the development of degradation processes

The formation of paramagnetic products during the photolysis of polyurethanes and their effect on the development of degradation processes

The formation of paramagnetic products during the photolysis of polyurethanes and their effect on the development of degradation processes