Gley Soils Research Articles

Influence of carbonate rocks on soil hydromorphism in mining activity zone

Operation of mining and processing plants violates the hydrogeological conditions of the land, which can contribute to the hydrogenous transformation of landscapes and soils. The geological feature of the Belgorod Region is the presence of chalk eluvium as soil-forming rocks on hill slopes (3.6% of the territory). Soils are often underlain by chalk deposits which are characterized by significant microporosity and microfracturing. Five soil profiles were studied using the profile-genetic and morphological methods. The morphological indicators of the process of gleying are the color of the soil and the presence of glandular neoplasms. The catena included soils: gray forest soil-contact-gley on mantle loam underlain by chalk eluvium; soddy underdeveloped on eluvium chalk; soddy-carbonate medium washed out on the eluvium of chalk; soddy-reclaimed thin humus soil-gley on deluvial deposit. The appearance of gray forest gley soils nearby groundwater occurrence in flat areas in the upper parts of the slopes is due to the fact that the soils are underlain by carbonate rocks, which can contribute to moisture stagnation. The main cause of formation of hydromorphic soils on the upland slope is the occurrence and weathering of carbonates in combination with their water-lifting capacity. This leads to a violation of the law of similar topographic series. Thus, Cretaceous rocks make significant adjustments to the formation of soils and their distribution over the relief. When anomalous soil properties are detected, even in the industrial zones of mining plants, a detailed consideration of all possible causes of the observed phenomena, not only anthropogenic, but also natural, is necessary.

Soil orders and their areas on the updated soil map of the Russian Federation, 1 : 2.5 M scale

An analysis of the soil cover of Russia as presented on the soil map on a scale of 1 : 2.5 M with the use of a new substantive-genetic soil classification system has been performed at the level of soil orders. The high level of classification-based generalization makes it possible to assess the most general patterns of soil geography and soil resources and to identify changes that have occurred as a result of renaming of each polygon on the map with the use of the new classification. The areas occupied by soil orders have been calculated. In total, there are 24 soil orders on the new map, including 21 orders of natural soils and 3 orders (agrozems, turfzems, stratozems) of anthropogenically transformed soils. Soils of the orders of agro-abrazems, chernozems, and turbozems are not presented on the map. As on most small-scale soil maps of Russia, the zonal regularities of the soil cover in the East European Plain and high lithogenic mosaicity in Central and Eastern Siberia are clearly seen. The new map includes soil orders that were absent on the initial map: cryozems, cryometamorphic and hydrometamorphic soils, lithozems, cryoabrazems, cryoturbozems, urbostratozems, and organo-accumulative soils. Soils characteristic of humid conditions predominate: Al-Fe-humus soils (Podzols) (319.2 M ha, or 19% of the land fund of Russia), gley soils (Gleysols) (223.9 M ha, 13%), texture-differentiated soils (Luvisols and Regosols) (190.8 M ha, 11%), and peat soils (Histosols) (143.5 M ha, 8%) and occupy more than a half of the territory of Russia. The area of humus-accumulative soils most suitable for arable use is 103.6 M ha (6%). Considerable areas are occupied by soils of the orders of cryozems (Turbic Cryosols) (111.4 M ha), iron-metamorphic soils (Chromic Cambisols) (92.7 M ha), structure-metamorphic soils (Cambisols) (47.3 M ha), pale-metamorphic soils (Cambic Cryosols) (12.8 M ha), hydrometamorphic soils (Calcic Gleysols) (4.3 M ha), and cryometamorphic soils (Cambisols Gelic) (3.4 M ha), which corresponds to the vast continental territory of Russia with balanced moisture conditions. Separate place belongs to the soils with strict limitations for use (lithosols (Leptosols), weakly developed soils (Regosols, Nudilithic Leptosols)) but playing important biospheric functions and requiring special protection.

The influence of the systems of basic tillage and biological products on the agrochemical properties of the soil and productivity of field crops

The agrochemical properties of the soil make it possible to assess the level of its fertility. The search for new forage crops is an urgent task in agriculture. Under the conditions of a high anthropogenic impact of man on soils through the introduction of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, the use of biological products in the cultivation of field crops is a solution to most environmental problems in the soil. This article presents materials on the study of the influence of various systems of basic soil cultivation and biological products on the agrochemical properties of the soil, as well as the productivity of field crops. The content of organic matter, the content of mobile phosphorus, the content of exchangeable potassium, hydrolytic and exchangeable acidity, and the amount of absorbed bases were determined. The yield of green mass and the yield of feed units of new promising crops for the soil and climatic conditions of the Yaroslavl region - soybeans, amaranth and buckwheat - were assessed. The studies were carried out under the conditions of a field stationary three-factor experiment on sod-podzolic medium loamy gley soil of the experimental field of the Yaroslavl State Agricultural Academy. The positive role of using Baikal EM-1 in the system of moldboard processing in buckwheat crops is shown. In this case, there is an improvement in most agrochemical indicators of fertility and it is possible to obtain maximum productivity.

Yield Response of Rice to Added Phosphorous and Potassium Fertilizer in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

Purpose: Continuous application of Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) fertilizer over a long period in rice (Oryza sativa L) cultivation may lead to their accumulation in the soils. So, further addition of such fertilizers may be a waste in rice cultivation and also lead to environmental pollution. Thus, field experiments were carried out to study the yield response of rice to added P and K fertilizer under irrigated conditions in Low Humic Gley soils in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Research Method: For the P response study, an experiment was conducted over three consecutive seasons in a rice field where P fertilizer had not been applied for 10 years before the initiation of the experiment, and for the K response study, an experiment was conducted over two consecutive seasons in a rice field where recommended K fertilizer had been continuously applied before the initiation of the experiment. Data on grain yield and yield components, milling quality, important soil properties, and soil and plant P and K contents were recorded and analyzed statistically. Findings: Grain yield, yield components and milling quality of rice did not respond to added P fertilizer over three consecutive seasons in a rice field where P fertilizer had not been applied 10 years before the initiation of the experiment. Soil P analysis indicated that enough soil P was available to maintain an adequate plant P level so that application of P fertilizer in rice cultivation can be avoided at least for about 11½ years (10 years + three seasons) without affecting grain yield and milling quality in Low Humic Gley soils in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka while saving the cost for P fertilizer. The short-term response of grain yield in rice to added K fertilizer appeared dependent on the grain yield level obtained. No yield response of rice to added K was observed up to the yield level of about 4 t/ha. Thus, the application of K fertilizer can be avoided over two consecutive seasons without affecting grain yield in rice in Low Humic Gley soils in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka if the yield level is 4t/ha or lower. Research Limitation: Further studies at different locations in farmers’ fields are needed to confirm the applicability of the findings of the present study in farmers’ fields in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Originality/ Value: Long term (over 11½ years) P response study in rice. Such a long-term P response study in rice has not been reported to date. The short-term K response in rice is dependent on the grain yield level achieved.

Maize cropping degrades soil hydraulic properties relative to grazed pasture in two contrasting soils

Soil hydraulic properties (SHPs), including available water content and near-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kns), affect hydrological and biochemical processes. The SHPs information is crucial to agricultural water management. The objective of this study using paired sites was to investigate the effects of land use on SHPs in two contrasting soil orders. Soil water retention curves and Kns at three soil depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) were measured under two land uses (pasture, consisting of a rye grass [Lolium perenne L.] and white clover [Trifolium repens L.] mix, and maize [Zea mays L.] cropping > 10 years) in Waikato, New Zealand. For each land use, two soil orders with contrasting soil structural vulnerability were selected: less vulnerable Allophanic soil and more vulnerable Gley soil. Compared with pasture, maize cropping reduced macroporosity, readily available water capacity and Kns of 0–30 cm, and the effect was greater in the deep layer (20–30 cm). This indicated that maize cropping practices result in greater structural degradation to soils compared with pasture, which include the potential for greater subsoil compaction. There was no land use by soil order interaction effect on SHPs, suggesting that the relative SHP degradation under maize cropping compared with pasture grazing was not associated with soil structural vulnerability. Our study emphasised that long-term continuous cropping with maize on the more vulnerable soil (i.e. Gley soil) resulted in the poorest soil physical health.

Effects of Environmental Factors and Infecting Trematodes on the Size and Inorganic Elements of Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos Snails in Northeast Thailand.

Infection with the foodborne trematode, Opisthorchis viverrini, is a major public health issue in southeast Asia. The freshwater snail, Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos, is an intermediate host of O. viverrini and other trematode species. Understanding the effects of environmental conditions and infecting trematodes on B.s. goniomphalos snails is thus crucial for the potential influences on trematode transmission. This study measured environmental variables of water and soil properties, and analyzed B.s. goniomphalos snails for their trematode infection, snail shell length, and inorganic elemental concentration, from 30 localities in northeast Thailand. The results showed that prevalence of trematode infection in B.s. goniomphalos was 3.82%. Nine types of trematode cercariae were identified, with virgulate type 1 as the most common (1.23%). Opisthorchis viverrini-infected snails were mostly found in low-humic gley soils in Sakon Nakhon Province, and were associated with water dissolved oxygen and soil pH. Compared with uninfected snails, larger sizes were observed in virgulate type 1 and pleurolophocerca-infected snails, whereas hypercalcification was noticed in virgulate type 1, virgulate type 3, and pleurolophocerca-infected snails. Infected snails were more sensitive toward environmental conditions, possibly because of the dynamic parasitic processes between trematodes and hosts. Among the environmental factors, soil texture (i.e., sand, silt, and clay compositions) exhibited more significant correlations with B.s. goniomphalos shell characteristics regardless of the trematode infection types. The findings of this study underscore the need to consider the effects of environmental conditions and trematode species-specific pathogenic processes for a more effective and sustainable parasitic control and prevention effort.

Дистанційне визначення величини фотосинтетичного стоку органічного вуглецю (Ph) в агроценозі пшениці озимої залежно від строкатості ґрунтового покриву

The article presents the results of research on the relationship between soil differentiation and remote identification of the amount of photosynthetic runoff of organic carbon (Ph) in winter wheat crops. scientific work is devoted to the development of new and improvement of existing models of accumulation of biomass of agricultural crops, in order to form the structure of these models under different climatic conditions and on different types of soils. Models were developed during the research of carbon runoff values in the agrocenosis of winter wheat on sandy and light loam soils (PhСО2LIG and PhСLIG), medium and heavy loam soils (PhСО2HEAV and PhСHEAV) have been developed, and their accuracy has been assessed. Experimental studies have established and confirmed territorial consistency of the values of organic carbon runoff PhСО2LIG on wheat crops with geomorphological features of the quality of sandy and loamy soils, in particular the particle size distribution, gleying of soil and gley soil, was revealed. It is established that 95.2 % of the value of the error of remote identification of Ph of winter wheat biomass is due to the values of grain yield, straw and root mass. Taking into account the peculiarities of diagnostic phases of photosynthetic runoff of organic carbon phases of organogenesis of winter wheat for remote identification, the recommended average annual time windows of the Sentinel 2A image order in terms of natural and climatic zones of Ukraine have been developed. Thus, it is proposed to develop similar models for other satellites that produce images in the SWIR and NIR bands close to 2080-2350 nm and 1550-1750 nm, respectively. This will provide more images needed to diagnose carbon runoff in winter wheat crops.

Metoda za vrednotenje omilitvenih ukrepov ob izgubi kmetijskih zemljišč na osnovi podatkov zemljiškega katastra

Agricultural soils are a non-renewable natural resource, and substitute land can only be acquired at the cost of losing other resources, such as forest ecosystems or restoring degraded land. An alternative is to improve soils of poorer quality through topsoil application and meliorative measures, thus increasing the production potential of existing agricultural land. In this paper, we present the measure of topsoil addition for maintaining production potential and the method of calculating the agricultural land equivalent (EKZ) to evaluate the impact of topsoil addition. The EKZ method was tested on hydromorphic and automorphic soils and on fragmented and consolidated agricultural land. The examples of EKZ calculation presented show that the addition of fertile topsoil can be an appropriate measure to mitigate the effects of soil sealing on the loss of production potential of agricultural land but not to the same extent for all soil types. The effect is greater when we improve low-quality soils such as gley soils or shallow soils with coarse particles. The EKZ method is objective, taking into account the original extent, land rating value, shape, and fragmentation of soils, as well as soils after topsoil has been added. The method also supports the rational use of the removed fertile soil and thus the conservation of a non- renewable natural resource.

Soil technogenic radioactivity in the vicinity of the Morzhovets Lighthouse (the Morzhovets Island, Archangelsk region)

The aim of the study was to assess soil technogenic radioactivity in the vicinity of the Morzhovets Lighthouse and surrounding areas by measuring radio caesium (137Cs) specific activity. Location and time of the study. Field work was performed in the area around the Morzhovets Lighthouse (the Morzhovets Island, Archangelsk region) in summer 2022. Methods. Soil samples were collected at 26 sites from the 0-5 cm layer, of which at 12 sites soil samples were collected also from 5-10 и 10-20 cm layers. Aboveground phytomass was sampled as well. In the laboratory the soil samples were air-dried and placed in the Marinelli vessel for measuring 137Cs specific activity by gamma-spectrometry. Registration of the gamma-radiation from the measured soil sample, as well as processing of the obtained spectra were performed using the Progress-gamma software and hardware complex FVKM.412131.002-03. The energy calibration of the gamma spectrometer to control the safety of the setup parameters was carried out after each measurement using a combined control source OISN-137-1 in a Marinelli vessel. The minimal exposure time of the study sample was 3600 sec; however, the time was increased for some samples with low activity. Results. The territory of the Morzhovets Island is occupied by the lowland seaside terraced plane landscapes with tundra vegetation on the peaty podsolised illuvial humus soils, alternating with mires. Caesium specific radioactivity in the top 0-5 cm soil layer, represented by poorly decomposed peat horizon, was found to vary from 9.4 to 144.5 Bq/kg in the peaty illuvial-humus podzol (Gleyic Histic Entic Podzol) and from 12.2 to 139.4 Bq/kg in the bog peat gley soils (Fibric Histosols (Gleyic)). The radio caesium specific activity was shown to decrease sharply with soil depth, reaching the 3 Bq/kg detection limit of the gamma-spectrometer. Comparative analysis of the data showed that in the West Arctic sector 137Cs specific activity decreases from the east to the west, with increasing distance from the Novaya Zemlya, from 80.2 Bq/kg (the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago) and 80.7 Bq/kg (Bolshezemelskaya Tundra) to 19. 2 Bq/kg (the Svalbard Island). Conclusions. The 137Cs distribution in soil of the Morzhovets Island showed the persistent fixation of the element by the upper 5 cm-thick organic part of the soil profile, representing the primary biogeochemical barrier. The vegetation does not accumulate technogenic radioactivity. Overall, the 137Cs distribution in soils around the Morzhovsky Lighthouse displays a medley pattern. The maximal 137Cs specific activity values were measured both in the peaty illuvial-humus podzol and bog peat gley soils.

ОЦЕНКА ЗАПАСОВ ОРГАНИЧЕСКОГО УГЛЕРОДА В ПОЧВЕННОМ ПОКРОВЕ ОСТРОВНЫХ ЭКОСИСТЕМ КУЙБЫШЕВСКОГО ВОДОХРАНИЛИЩА

Assessment of organic carbon stocks in soils and other components of ecosystems are becoming increasingly important as a necessary reference point for a reliable determination of the amount of greenhouse gas removals at country scale. The gradual tightening of carbon balance requirements dictates the urgency of the problem under consideration. The aim of the work was to assess the stocks of organic carbon in the soils of the islands of the Kazan region of the variable backwater of the Kuibyshev reservoir in the 0–20 cm layer, and also to determine which type of soils makes the greatest contribution to the sequestration of carbon. The reserves of organic carbon in the soils of the islands of the Kuibyshev water reservoir were determined in the area from the Zelenodolsk – Nizhnie Vyazovye bridge (55°49’27.1 «N; 48°31’05.6″E) to the islands in front of the Teteyevo village (55°24’11.8 «N; 49°07’59.6» E). Surveys of the islands’ soil cover and selection of the soil samples were carried out in 2018-2019. The calculation of the organic carbon content was carried out for the 0–20 cm layer. The calculations took into account the total carbon content in the organogenic, organic-mineral and mineral horizons. It was found that the highest carbon content in the upper soil layer was observed in the profile of marsh-podzolic soils – 51.7 t / ha. The lowest organic carbon content was noted in sod-alluvial soils (12.0 t / ha) and artificial sandy deposits (3.8 t / ha). Carbon stocks in soil profiles and proportion of carbon in organogenic horizons increased with increasing of hydromorphic properties in the following row: 1) sod-podzolic soil < marsh-podzolic soil; 2) light gray forest soil < gray forest gley soil; 3) sod-alluvial soil < alluvial meadow-marsh soil < marsh-alluvial soil. The total reserves of organic carbon in the islands’ soils were calculated taking into account the areas occupied by individual soil contours. The total stock of organic carbon in the 0–20 cm layer of the studied area of the water reservoir was 49,190.9 tons. About 83 % of the total stock of organic carbon stored in the form of humus of accumulative mineral horizons and only 17 % in the organogenic and organic-mineral horizons. It was shown that alluvial meadow-marsh (23,125.9 t) and sod-podzolic soils (8,957.5 t), occupying the largest areas on the territory of the islands, make the largest contribution to the organic carbon reserves. An interesting point is that on the islands of floodplain origin, a greater contribution to the total humus reserves was made by soils with pronounced hydromorphic properties – alluvial meadow-marsh soils and alluvial meadow soils. On the islands of terrace origin, the bulk of carbon was concentrated in automorphic soils. A possible reason is the features of the islands’ relief of different origins. Reasonable data on the rate of organic carbon accumulation were obtained only for alluvial marsh soils, the organogenic horizon of which was formed after the creation of the reservoir – 390 kg / ha annually. Flooded soils are the most promising reservoirs for organic carbon deposition from greenhouse gases. Thanks to the research carried out using accurate GPS referencing of soil profiles, the islands’ soils are becoming a very valuable object for monitoring the rate of organic carbon accumulation, the volume of absorption of greenhouse gases and the increase in total organic carbon stocks.

Modeling seasonal soil moisture dynamics in gley soils in relation to groundwater table oscillations in eastern Croatia

This study aims to explain complex vadose zone hydrology of fine-textured (gley) agricultural soils influenced by a shallow and dynamic groundwater (GW) levels. The field site was located in the Biđ field (Eastern Croatia), where a detailed soil survey was performed. The simulations included a three-year period (2016–2018) at four locations. Soil hydraulic parameters (SHP) were estimated based on variables determined in the laboratory, while soil water flow was monitored using in-field zero-tension lysimeters. Piezometers were installed and used to monitor daily oscillations of groundwater levels (average depth to GW 2.2 m), while data from nearby Sava River was monitored. Unsaturated flow and water regime assessment was performed using HYDRUS-1D numerical modeling. Additional SHP optimization of van Genuchten-Mualem parameters (α and n) was performed using Shuffled Complex Evolution algorithm (SCE). The autocorrelation analysis was used to detect patterns in the precipitation, GW, and river level time series, while the Mutual Information (MI) was used to estimate the codependence of the processes in unsaturated zone and the main hydrological events. The model successfully (R2 0.72 – 0.94) reproduced measured lysimeters outflows. The outflows from lysimeters were connected to precipitation patterns, transpiration intensity, and soil moisture content influenced by the shallow water table. Comparable MI values obtained for precipitation, GW, and river level suggest a concurrent role of these parameters in the unsaturated flow dynamics. The relationship between upward flux/water storage change into the domain, and transpiration/growth stages, suggests a strong connection between the water fluxes and the root water uptake. Results confirm the importance of GW for the agricultural production due to the major influence on upper soil layer moisture.

Зернова продуктивність сої за різних систем обробітку ґрунту у Західному регіоні України

The purpose of research is determination of an effective soil cultivation method that will create favorable soil conditions for plant growth and development, accumulation of crop seeds and provides high economic efficiency of culture growing on sod-podzolic soils in the Western region of Ukraine. Research methods - hypothesis, experiment, field observation, laboratory, visual and comparative calculation. Research results. The scheme of the experiment involved studying the impact on yield and efficiency of soybean cultivation of the following factors: – factor A (soil type): a) turf deeply gley sandy; b) sod-slightly podzolic sandy loam; – factor B (tillage): a) traditional (plowing with a reversible mounted plow PON-5/4 to a depth of 25 cm); b) mulching (disking in two tracks with a harrow BDV-3.6 to a depth of 15 cm). The plow and the disc harrow were aggregated with HTZ-150 K tractors According to the quality scores, the turf deeply gleyed sandy soil of plot I by all criteria prevails over similar parameters of sod-slightly podzolic sandy soil of plot II, which indicates its higher fertility. The agrochemical score of the soil in plot I is 56 and is higher than in plot II, where it is equal to 37 points. In the area and density of the stem in the gathering period was 1.7-1.9 pcs./m2 greater compared to this indicator in the II site. On the site and plants grew better and evolved. Biological yield on the site and amounted to 1.77-2.01 t/ha and was greater than in the II region by 41.6 % and 43.6 %. According to the results of research, deterioration of grain performance in variant with mulk treatment is also noted. Biological yield of seeds in areas with traditional treatments was 13.6 % and 12.0 % more comparable to variants of mulum grinding. In section I, the density of stems during the harvest period was 1.7-1.9 units/m2 higher compared to this indicator in section II. In the area I plants grew and developed better. Biological yield in plot I was 1.77-2.01 t/ha and was higher than in plot II by 41.6 % and 43.6 %. According to the results of the research, the deterioration of grain productivity indicators in the variant with mulching was also noted. Biological yield of seeds in areas with traditional tillage was 13.6% and 12.0% higher compared to mulching options. According to research, it can be stated that soil fertility has a greater impact on soybean grain productivity than tillage systems. The costs of growing soybeans, depending on the type and mechanical composition of the soil and the method of tillage ranged from 18860 to 19735 UAH / ha. Higher tillage costs were obtained in section I, which was characterized by heavier mechanical composition of gley soils. However, the soils of plot I have higher fertility and optimal acidity, which allowed to obtain higher grain productivity than in plot II – 1.77-1.01 t/ha against 1.25-1.40 t/ha. Due to higher yields, the unit cost of production in section I was 9818-10765 UAH/t and was lower by 4019-4323 UAH/t compared to section II. Conclusions. The use of traditional tillage requires higher costs, but due to higher yields, and hence the growth of income from the sale of seeds, greater profits and the level of profitability of production. Therefore, it should be noted that in the conditions of Western Ukraine, the traditional method of tillage based on plowing is a more effective method than mulching.

Prostorna analiza tala i utjecaj na produktivnost u gospodarskoj jedinici Mužljanski rit

The paper presents analysis of soil spatial distribution and productivity of Populus x euramericana I-214 forest cultures in forest management unit (hereinafter: FMU) Muzljanski rit. Soil cover in the FMU is heterogeneous in relation to position and altitude in floodplain. Analysis were conducted on eugley and humogley soil types. Eugley, soil type, was delineated according to physiologically active soil depth as α, β or β/γ gley soils and humogley was delineated as one soil unit. Cultures of the poplar clones Populus x euramericana I-214 are found on at least two but usually more different site types within the same forest management section (18.43 %). Single forest management section is a by definition a single forest spatial unit having similar ecologic factors. Aim of our research was to enable consistent forest section delineation, based on the interaction of soil productivity properties and distribution as well as Populus x euramericana I-214 productivity dataset. Based on our anaysis (spatial analysis of raster layers of soil systematic unit distribution-soil subunit, digital elevation model and productivity according to inner delineation of FMU Muzljanski rit), the resuts show eugley share in lower systematic soil unit. The results show contribution of lower systematic units of eugley in forest managemet section/culture. We found a raising trend of α and β-gley, as well as humogley. On one side the higher contribution of this sistematic units indicates reduction in the forest culture yield. On the other side higher contribution of β/γ gley indicates an increase of culture yeald. The Populus x euramericana I-214 cultures are spatialy concentrated, extending over soil units with different characteristics, pointing in alternative economicaly justified section delineation, based on the soil types.

Typical features of short-profile soils in the Middle Urals

Data on short-profile mountainous soils of the Middle Urals are discussed. In the new Russian soil classification system, these soils belong to the orders of lithozems (Leptosols), petrozems (Lithic Leptosols), organo-accumulative (Skeletic Umbrisols), Al–Fe-humus (Entic Podzols, Albic Podzols), and gley (Gleysols) soils. Information-logical analysis of factual data attests to a close relationship between the thickness of soil profiles and the genetic types of soils. Thus, the degree of development of the profile can be a diagnostic indicator of the type of soil formation. Short-profile soils develop in all high-altitude landscapes. Lithozems are widespread in all vertical zones. Other short-profile soils are more definitely related to certain altitudes. Thus, organo-accumulative soils mainly develop in the subalpine zone at 650–750 m a.s.l. under tall-herb meadows, podburs are found in the mountainous tundra zone at 800–940 m a.s.l. on slightly sloping surfaces. Podzols tend to occur under elfin forest zone (740–850 m) and in the transitional zone between elfin forest and tundra on steep slopes. Gley soils are formed under woodlands on flat or slightly sloping terraces at the ecotone between the zones of mountainous taiga and park woodland.

ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ХЕМОДЕСТРУКЦИОННОГО ФРАКЦИОНИРОВАНИЯ ОРГАНИЧЕСКОГО ВЕЩЕСТВА ПОЧВ ПРИРОДНЫХ И АНТРОПОГЕННО ПРЕОБРАЗОВАННЫХ ЛАНДШАФТОВ ЮГА ПРИМОРЬЯ

The differences in the qualitative composition of organic matter in the soils of natural and anthropogenically transformed landscapes in the south of Primorye were established by the method of chemodestructive fractionation (CDF). The lowest indices of the easily oxidizable part (EOP) in the organic matter are typical for soils of technogenic landscapes (embryozems) with very low humus content due to low reserves of aboveground phytomass and the supply of fresh organic matter of plant origin. Embryozems are characterized by a low supply of humus with nitrogen. Higher EOP values are characteristic of soils of natural landscapes (burozems) with average humus content. In burozems, oxidative and eluvial processes are balanced by humus formation. In the soils of agrogenic landscapes (agro-dark-humus podbeles, agro-dark-humus gley soils) with low humus content, the proportion of EOP decreased and, at the same time, the proportion of the hardly oxidized part in the composition of soil organic matter increased. Some increase in EOP was recorded in agro-dark-humus gley soils with rump crops, which is associated with the intensification of the transformation processes of organic matter and the transition of organic matter from the difficult-to-oxidize to the easily oxidized part. Based on the data obtained on the qualitative composition of organic matter, the CDF method implies that in the soils of natural landscapes (burozems), the proportion of EOP exceeded that in comparison with soils of agrogenic (agro-dark-humus podbely, agro-dark-humus gley) and technogenic landscapes (em-briozems). This indicates differences in the conditions of soil formation and the ongoing oxidative and humus-forming processes.

Влияние компоста многоцелевого назначения на агрохимические показатели дерново-подзолистой почвы и продуктивность культур в мелиорированных агроландшафтах

Abstract. The aim of the research is to study the effect of multipurpose compost on the agrochemical indicators of sod-podzolic soil and the productivity of field crop rotation in reclaimed agricultural landscapes of the humid zone. Methodology and methods of research. The studies were carried out at an experimental area in the Tver region in 2013–2019 on a drained soddy-podzolic gley soil. Multipurpose compost was applied for sowing spring wheat at a dose of 12 t/ha, which is N300P180K120. Subsequently, the aftereffect of compost on soil properties and crop productivity in the crop rotation was studied: spring wheat – spring rapeseed (for green manure) – winter rye - oats with over-sowing of grasses – a mixture of 1–3 years of use. Grain crop rotation was deployed in time. Results. It was found that the level of mobile phosphorus increased by 7.4–23 %, exchangeable potassium – by 6.8–26.5 %. In areas with a low content of nutrients, the accumulation of mobile phosphorus (in the eluvial-transit variant of the northern slope) and exchangeable potassium (in the transit northern slope) increased by 23.6 and 26.5 %, respectively. On variants of the experiment with a high content of nutrients, their content decreased slightly over seven years. The amount of easily hydrolyzable nitrogen during the rotation of the crop rotation decreased by 13.4–57.2 %. The content of organic matter increased by 6.7–11.9 % (rel.). Soil acidity (pHKCl) during the rotation of the crop rotation increased by 0.03–0.23 units. The greatest acidification of the soil solution was noted in the transit-accumulative variant of the northern slope (by 0.23 units). It was found that the use of multipurpose compost contributed to an increase in crop yield on average per rotation by 1.6–13.2 c/ha of feed units. The maximum yield increase (44%) was obtained in the eluvial-transit and transit variants of the southern slope. Scientific novelty. The dependence of agrochemical indicators of sod-podzolic soil and crop productivity on the use of multipurpose compost in individual agromicrolandscapes has been established.

Гранулометрический состав почв заповедника «Ханкайский» (Приморский край)

Soil texture is determined and the features of particle-size vertical distribution in soils of different landscapes of the Khankaiskiy Nature Reserve are considered. Three variants of the distribution of clay (<0.001 mm) and physical clay (<0.01 mm) fractions along the vertical profiles soils are identified: accumulative, regressive, with a maximum in the middle-profile horizon and with their approximately equal contents in the upper and the lower horizons. A regressive variant is revealed in burozems gleyic, podzoliс-brownzems, dark-humus gley and alluvial meadow gley soils. These soils are characterized by a medium loamy sandy-coarse-dusty composition of the upper horizons and a light- or medium-loamy composition of the middle and lower parts of the profile. The distribution of fine fractions along the profile is observed with a gradual decrease in their content with depth in typical burozems and alluvial meadow gley-ic soils, while the texture of the layer changes from medium loamy to light loamy. The vertical distribution of fine fractions with a maximum in the middle part of the profile is revealed in mucky gley soils. The profile is formed under the influence of a combination of the floodplain process with the introduction and redeposition of suspended particles and gleying. The lithological specificity of the accumulation of the initial parent materials plays a decisive role in the differentiation of fine fractions in the soil profile.

Surfactant-enhanced treatment of oil-contaminated Arctic tundra soil: Ecotoxicological assessment

During 2018–2019 summer expeditions to the Yamal peninsula, we collected tundra gley soil samples at the oil-contaminated sites. The contamination level was determined by fluorimetry and was ranged from 30 to 107 g/kg. The soil quality was evaluated by its enzymatic activity; the low catalase activity of the soils confirmed the presumed slow soil natural attenuation and the need for land remediation. The oil-contained and background samples were ex-situ treated with the aqueous solutions of non-ionic BOK-6 and anionic AddiMax PV01 synthetic surfactants. The treatment efficiency reached 71 ± 2% and 97 ± 3% in the experimental design with BOK-6 and AddiMax PV01, respectively. We derived the ecotoxicity endpoints for the surfactant solutions, using infusoria Paramecium caudatum Ehrenberg and higher plants Raphanus sativus L. and Avena sativa L. The protozoan mortality was studied and resulted in LC 50 − 24 values << 0.1 mg/L and 339 mg/L for BOK-6 and AddiMax PV01, respectively. Both surfactant solutions and surfactant residues in soil showed the inhibition potential towards higher plants. BOK-6, with a strong relation to its chemical and ecotoxic profile, completely inhibited seed germination in the treated soil. The less ecotoxic surfactant AddiMax PV01 inhibited plant growth by 38% compared to control. The treatment increased ecotoxicity and dehydrogenase activity and further lowered the catalase activity of the background soil, and, therefore, the surfactant residues migrating to the non-contaminated territories should be controlled. By this study, we show the efficiency of the surfactant-enhanced remediation of arctic soils, but the associated environmental risks must be addressed. • Ex-situ treatment of oil-contaminated tundra gley soil reached 69%–99% efficiency. • Enzymes activity indicated slow natural attenuation potential of arctic soil. • Residues of toxic surfactant could cause greater ecotoxic effect than contamination. • Surfactants residues inhibited biological activity of non-contaminated arctic soil.

Место аллювиально-лугово-лесных почв южного склона Большого Кавказа в пределах Азербайджана в международной системе WRB

The aim of the study. The aim of the research was obtaining new information about the genesis, current status, diagnostic features and properties of the alluvial-meadow-forest soils of the southern slope of the Great Caucasus within Azerbaijan and to perform the taxonomic attribution of those soils in accordance with the International Classification of Soils in compliance with the Reference Base for soil resources (IUSS Working Group WRB, 2014). Location and time of the study. Alluvial-meadow-forest soils of the southern slope of the Great Caucasus within Azerbaijan were the objects of the study. Methodology. Field experiments (relief, vegetation, laying of soil profiles, their description, selection of soil samples and establishment of a preliminary classification name of the soils) and physico-chemical analyzes of soil samples (humus and total nitrogen content, ratio of C:N in soil organic matter, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, grain-size analysis, water extract composition) were carried out by standard methods. Results. It was established that the most characteristic features of alluvial-meadow-forest soils are as following: blocky angular, blocky subangular and granular structure of the upper horizon, medium loamy, heavy-loamy granulometric composition of the profile, mostly gray, dark gray or dark brown color overcomes. According to the humus content, they are highly humic, in the upper accumulative horizon (A1h) contains 5.91% of humus (soil profile No. 308). The drop in humus content is quite sharp, which is typical of soils of forest origin. In the alluvial-meadow-forest gleyic soil, the humus content in the upper horizons is 3.45–2.82%, and sharply decreases with depth — 1.14% and in the buried humus horizons it increases again to 1.25–1.36% (soil profile no. 505). The absorption capacity in alluvial-meadow-forest soils (soil profiles no. 308, no. 462 and no. 470) in the upper horizons is high: 38.60, 31.80 and 38.60 cmol (eq) / kg of soil, and in alluvial meadow-forest gleyic soils (soil profile No. 505) average — 20.31 cmol (eq) / kg of soil. Ca dominates in the exchange bases. The reaction of the soil environment is slightly acidic, neutral and varies in the range of 5.5–7.8. The soils are not saline. Conclusion. For the first time, an attempt is made to determine the name of alluvial-meadow-forest (alluvial-meadow-forest cultivated, alluvial-meadow-forest gleyic pebble, alluvial-meadow-forest pebble, alluvial-meadow-forest gleyic soils) in accordance with the International Classification of Soils in compliance with the Reference Base for soil resources (WRB) 2015. The above soils are assigned to the Fluvisols reference soil group with various principal and supplementary qualifiers.

Characterizing Soil Penetration Resistance of Planted Sago Palm (Metroxylon spp.) Under Mineral Soils Ecosystem

In-situ soil assessment such as field soil compaction can often be a helpful approach in help determining soil suitability for certain crops. In this study, an assessment was conducted to characterize the Soil Penetration Resistance (SPR) in planted sago palm (Metroxylon spp.) plantation at different growth of rosette and trunking stages under mineral soils ecosystem. SPR in-situ assessment would provide a beneficial guideline and site indicator in determining land suitability before establishing sago plantations, especially on mineral soils. The study was conducted in Mukah, Sarawak, with two study sites at Oya and Talau. The growth stage of sago palm at Oya and Talau site were at the rosette and trunking stage, respectively. The soil types at both study sites consisted of Gley soils (clayey) with significant mineral development at the subsoil horizon. SPR measurements were taken using a Hasegawa-type cone penetrometer. Soil compaction in SSSED Oya was more compact than Talau river research station from shallow depth to subsurface soils. SPR at SSSED Oya ranged between 7.5 to 46.8 J cm-1, while Talau river research station ranged between 1.9 J cm-1 to 11.1 J cm-1. Although there was a significant difference between the growth stage of 0-20 cm and 80-100 cm soils depths, both SSSED Oya and Talau river research station are considered suitable areas for sago palm plantations. Using a practical and convenient approach in assessing soil suitability for sago cultivation, SPR assessment to identify potential areas for the establishment of sago cultivation area can be the fundamental tools for landowners in preparing their land for future cultivation.