Haplic Chernozem Research Articles

The effect of resource-saving tillage technologies on the mobility, distribution and migration of trace elements in soil.

The influence of agricultural tillage technologies on the accumulation and distribution of trace elements in the soil is poorly studied. At the same time, intensive agriculture requires large amounts of fertilizers, growth stimulators, pesticides, and other substances, which can effect the ecological safety of the plant products and soil. This paper represents studying the effect of various agricultural techniques (including resource-saving technologies) on the mobility and profile distribution of Pb, Zn, and Cu in Haplic Chernozem. No significant influence of resource-saving tillage technologies was found on the total Pb content. Contrary, the resource-saving tillage technologies was observed to promote the growth of the total Zn and Cu content depending on the cultivation method (by 26% Zn, 34% Cu at minimal tillage, and 28% for both elements using No-till in Ap horizon). Amongst different applied agrotechnologies, there was no influence found on the profile distribution of total elements content. Only two horizons showed the total Pb content accumulation: biogenic (Ap-A) and carbonate (BC-C) horizon. In contrast, the only biogenic accumulation for Zn was determined. Copper characterizes by even distribution over the soil profile. The use of resource-saving agricultural technologies increases exchangeable fraction of Zn, Pb and Cu in soil almost by 1.5-2.0 times in the Ap horizon compared to moldboard ploughing. Despite the increase in the exchangeable fraction of Zn and Cu, this amount of micronutrients is not enough for adequate plant nutrition. The use of various agricultural technologies at Haplic Chernozem led to changes in the distribution of studied elements' exchangeable fraction over the soil profile. The study results suggested a need to increase the amount of Cu and Zn fertilizers applied to the soil with resource-saving cultivation technologies.

Assessment of the Ecotoxicity of Pollution by Potentially Toxic Elements by Biological Indicators of Haplic Chernozem of Southern Russia (Rostov region).

The content of various chemical elements such as metals, metalloids, and nonmetals in the environment is associated with natural and anthropogenic sources. It is necessary to normalize the content of metals, metalloids, and nonmetals as potentially toxic elements (PTE) in the Haplic Chernozem. The soils of the Southern Russia are of high quality and fertility. However, this type of soil, like Haplic Chernozem, is subject to contamination with a wide range of PTE. The aim of the work was to rank metals, metalloids, and nonmetals by ecotoxicity in Haplic Chernozem. To assess the ecotoxicity of chernozem, data for 15 years (2005–2020) were used. Biological indicators used to assess the ecotoxicity of Haplic Chernozem: catalase activity, cellulolytic activity, number of bacteria, Azotobacter spp. abundance, to change of length of radish’s roots. Based on these biological indicators, an integral indicator of the state of Haplic Chernozem was calculated. The ecotoxicity of 23 metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo, Mn, Ba, Sr, Sn, V, W, Ag, Bi, Ga, Nb, Sc, Tl, Y, Yb), 5 metalloids (B, As, Ge, Sb, Te) and 2 nonmetals (F, Se) as priority pollutants. It is proposed to distinguish three hazard classes of metals, metalloids, and nonmetals to Haplic Chernozem: I class — Te, Ag, Se, Cr, Bi, Ge, Sn, Tl, Hg, Yb, W, Cd; II class — As, Co, Sc, Sb, Cu, Ni, B, Nb, Pb, Ga; III class — Sr, Y, Mo, Zn, V, Ba, Mn, F. It is advisable to use the results of the study for predictive assessment of the impact of metals, metalloids, and nonmetals on the ecological state of the soil during pollution.

The first data regarding the effect of the exotic Eisenia ventripapillata (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) on the cation composition of soils in Western Siberia

We have performed laboratory experiments to determine the impact of earthworms (exotic Eisenia ventripapillata and peregrine Aporrectodea caliginosa) on the water-soluble forms of ammonium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium in Calcic Chernozem, Greyic Phaeozem, and Haplic Chernozem, which are widespread in the south of Western Siberia. The differences between the impacts made by the two above-mentioned species have been estimated according to the changes they make in the initial cation concentrations in soil. For E. ventripapillata, the obtained evidence regarding the influence of this species on soil characteristics is first-ever data. We found that E. ventripapillata and A. caliginosa changed the content of all cations in the soils under this study, but the nature of these changes varied from one soil type to another. In contrast to A. caliginosa, E. ventripapillata reliably increased the content of potassium and calcium ions in Calcic Chernozem. In comparison with the A. caliginosa influence, the E. ventripapillata variants reliably differed in the content of ammonium, potassium, and sodium ions in Greyic Phaeozem. In Haplic Chernozem, the ammonium, magnesium, and sodium ions content in the E. ventripapillata variants was reliably lower than in the A. caliginosa variants. Thus, the observed difference between native and exotic species in the effects on the content of available cations can trigger changes in the mineral nutrition of plants growing in the examined soils. The article contains 2 Figures, 1 Table and 49 References

ЗМІНИ ХІМІЧНИХ І МІКРОМОРФОЛОГІЧНИХ ВЛАСТИВОСТЕЙ ҐРУНТІВ ПОЛТАВСЬКОЇ ОБЛАСТІ УКРАЇНИ ЗА ОСТАННІ 130 РОКІВ

The purpose of the scientific publication is a comparative analysis of the chemical composition and microstructure of modern samples of typical chernozems (Vermic Haplic Chernozem) and meadow-typical chernozem soils (Gleyic Chernozem) with 130-year-old samples taken by V.I. Vernadsky in the Kremenchuk district of Poltava region. Age-related changes in the content of organic matter and oxides revealed significant differences in the genesis of natural and agrogenic edaphotopes of the southern of Poltava region. In the conditions of natural edaphotopes, an increase in the total humus content by an average of 0.8 % in five cases out of six is recorded. On the other hand, for all soil samples from agrogenic edaphotopes, a decrease in the humus content by an average of 1.1 % is identified. A slight (1.1 times) but more intense increase in the content of silica (SiO2) in agrogenic edaphotopes (almost 10 %), compared with edaphotopes of natural biogeocenoses (by 5.5 %), as well as an increase in the content of alumina (Al2O3) on average in two times (by 3.7 %) are established. A decrease in the content of Phosphorus compounds by an average of 1.4 times (by 0.1%) against the background of an increase in the content of substances containing Potassium by 7.5 times (by 1.4 %) is registered. The homogeneity of the micromorphological organization of organogenic and mineral components of soils of modern samples and samples taken 130 years ago is revealed. Based on the research results, recommendations for the scientific substantiation of a comprehensive project of environmental measures aimed at protection and balanced uses of Poltava soils are formulated.

ПОДВИЖНОСТЬ И РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ФОСФОРА В ЧЕРНОЗЕМЕ ОБЫКНОВЕННОМ ПРИ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ АГРОТЕХНОЛОГИЯХ

The study of the features of the content and profile distribution of total and available phosphates, depending on the applied agrotechnologies (traditional, minimal and No-till), was carried out. The object of the study was Haplic Chernozem carbonate of the southern zone of the Rostov region. The significant influence of the applied agricultural technology on the phosphate state of winter wheat agrocenoses was noted. The use of resource-saving technologies contributes to the accumulation of potential phosphate reserves in the upper horizons of the soil in comparison with the traditional technology with dump ploughing. The involvement of soil in agricultural production leads to an increase in the content of available phosphates (by 28-64 % in the Ap horizon, compared to virgin soil). The intensity of agricultural technology affects the mobility of phosphorus in the soil differently. In areas with dump ploughing, the maximum increase in the content of available phosphates was noted, both in comparison with the Chernozem of the virgin soil, and with the introduction of resource-saving agricultural technologies.

Просторова та часова варіабельність вмісту рухомого фосфору в орному шарі ґрунтів за даними різних методів

The purpose of the article is to highlight the results of assessing the stability in time and space of the content of mobile phosphorus compounds in the soil within the arable layer on the land plots. The studies were carried out during 2018-2020 on two fields of the experimental farm "Grakovskoe" NSC "ISSAR named after O.N. Sokolovsky "in the Kharkiv region. The soil cover of one of the fields is made up of Chernozem podzolized (Chernic Phaeozem) in combination with Dark gray podzolized soil (Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozem), and the second field is Chernozem typical (Haplic Chernozem) with eroded and highly moistened varieties. Each field was divided into 24 plots, from which mixed soil samples were taken from 7 individual samples from a layer of 0–30 cm twice a season – in April–May and in October–November. On the soils of the podzolized row, a high amplitude of fluctuations in the pH values of salt was found during 3-year observations – from 4.4 to 5.2. As a result, the parameters of soil saturation with mobile phosphorus, determined by the methods of Chirikov and Machigin, were significantly different. In a field with chernozem, the typical measurement results for both methods were similar. The results of the analysis of the content of mobile phosphorus in the soils of the field according to the average values of the aggregate of individual samples did not show significant seasonal differences. However, on each of the fields, there were separate locations with higher values both according to the Chirikov method and the Machigin method, regardless of the sampling season. Along with this, in both fields there are locations where two methods of determination show different trends in the spatial distribution of the content of mobile phosphorus, which indicates the artificial nature of such heterogeneity. This confirms the hypothesis about the presence of a stable and temporarily artificial component of the spatial heterogeneity of the phosphate state of soils.

Physical properties of technosols at brown coal mine wastes in Eastern Siberia

Recultivation of disturbed lands is very important task of science and practice at large territories of mining in Siberia as in other regions of Russia and other countries. Condition of physical properties of new-formed soils technozems (Technosols) is one of key questions for future state and usage of these lands. Changes of technozem's physical properties over time as part of land restoration and reclamation at Nazarovsky brown coal mine wastes (Eastern Siberia) were studied at one, three, ten and twenty years after the beginning of reclamation. Technozems here are artificially formed soil-like formations, which were made by the method of filling a material of fertile soil layer (fertile soil material or FSM) on the leveled surface of technogenic deposits. In the process of keeping of FSM and mechanical formation of technozems, there was a marked deterioration of the physical state of the FSM. In order to restore physical properties of FSM, perennial herbs were sown on recultivated areas. Studies of physical properties at different age sites have shown that at the meliorative stage they are gradually restored by climatic, biological and pedogenic factors. Exposure to perennial herbs contributes to soil structure formation and reduction of compounding density. In case of prolonged (10–20 years) meliorative action physical properties are restored to norm of soils which are widespread in this geographical zone. However, the sharp interface between FSM and technogenic material remains, which can have a negative impact on the water regime of recultivated soils. In order to accelerate formation of optimal physical conditions in technozems it is necessary to carry out deep, irrevocable loosening, which contributes to reduction of density of both bulk layer and underlying technogenic rock. Some physical properties (bulk density, porosity) were gradually improving over time reaching Haplic Chernozems levels at the reference site.

Rainfall patterns associated with runoff and erosion levels in West-Siberian Chernozems

The aim of the study was to identify 1) the main regularities of surface runoff formation due to downpours and 2) the extent of erosion process on arable chernozems in areas with dissected relief and sharply continental climate. The influence of rainfall patterns and soil physical factors on soil erosion was studied in three large geomorphological regions in the South-East of West Siberia. Field observations were carried out during 1968–1979 in the Kuznetsk Depression and in 1984–1986 in the Near-Ob areas, and from 1995 until present in the Near-Salair area. The data of meteorological stations were analyzed for rainfall patterns in the same years, including inter-year variability and downpour recordings. Summer precipitation and its intensity were measured by using hydrograph unit. Water infiltration in the field was studied by the method of small flooded areas (Nesterov’s method), when square or round frames with an area of 2500 (external) and 625 cm2 (internal) were installed on the soil surface. To simplify and automate water supply, the PVN-00 device was used, consisting of two hermetically sealed tanks, two cylindrical frames of different diameters and a tripod. The influence of rainfall patterns and soil physical factors on the processes of soil erosion was studied. As regards climatic factors the data of meteorological stations were analyzed for historical rainfall patterns, including interannual variability and downpour recordings. Experimental data of water infiltration, runoff and soil loss were discussed for the main soils units: Greyzemic Phaeozems (Siltic), Luvic Chernozems (Siltic) and Haplic Chernozems (Siltic) with variable content of soil organic matter and erosion levels. The studied regions were characterized by the prevalence of precipitation during the warm growing season and by sporadic or cyclical precipitation patterns. Heavy rains were found to cause significant damage to agricultural land only locally, during early spring, when the soil is not protected by vegetation. The greatest erosion hazard is represented by meltwater, not only by its total amount, but also by the snow thawing rate. The significant decrease in the infiltration rates with extensive farming is the main factor of degradation of the most fertile soils in West Siberia. Soil vulnerability to erosion in the studied area was shown to decrease in the range: Kuznetsk Depression > Near-Salair > Near-Ob (no storm damage).

Toxic Effects of Thallium on Biological Indicators of Haplic Chernozem Health: A Case Study

Thallium (Tl) was introduced into Haplic Chernozem in the amounts of 3, 30, and 300 mg/kg, and biological indicators were observed at 10, 30, and 90 days after incubation in the laboratory experiment. An increase in biological activities; i.e., the total number of bacteria, Azotobacter spp. abundance, enzymes (catalase, dehydrogenases), and phytotoxic indicators (germination rate of radish) after 30 days of Tl exposure were noted. The total number of bacteria and Azotobacter spp. abundance, enzyme activity, and phytotoxicity were more sensitive (16–76%) and informative (12–65%) indicators compared to the control, respectively. Integral biological indicators of soil state (IIBS) noted at 10, 30, and 90 days decreased at a dose of 30 and 300 mg/kg by 13–43% in relation to the control. An increase in Tl concentration and duration of exposure (up to 90 days) inhibited biological properties and caused ecotoxicological effects, respectively. We concluded that the use of individual indicators served as an indicator of the state of the soil.

Ecosystem, vegetation and soil diversity of the mountain forest-steppe of West Altai (a case study of the Tigirek State Natural Reserve)

The quantitative assessment of ecosystem diversity is a basic tool for the evaluation of its resilience to anthropogenic loads and climatic changes. Our work is devoted to the large-scale predictive ecosystem mapping of hard-to-reach West Altai Mountain areas as well as vegetation, soil, and ecosystem quantitative diversity assessment (basing on Shannon and Simpson indices). The key site (7x4.5 km area) located in the Tigirek State Natural Reserve in the humid climate of the windward part of Altai. The predominance of shrub meadow communities and forb meadows on Gleyic Chernozems and Gleyic Chernic Phaeozems, Gleyic Cambisols, as well as the development of larch forests on the slopes of shady exposures on Greyzemic Chernozems are the regional specificities of the forest-steppe Altai ecosystem. Steppe communities (located on the Haplic Chernozems, Cambisols, and Leptosols), occupy less than 2% of the key site. The studied mountain forest-steppe ecosystem of West Altai is characterized by an extremely high level of spatial diversity: the Shannon index is 3.28, the Simpson is 0.95; an increase in soil diversity leads to a linear increase in vegetation diversity.

Microbiological activity in the soils of pingos and thermokarst depressions in the south of the Vitim Plateau (Transbaikalia, Eastern Siberia)

The intensity of microbiological processes in soils of pingos and thermokarst depressions in the south of the Vitim Plateau was studied. The number of dominant groups of microorganisms (Fungi; Bacteria, and Actinomycetes as a separate group) in Haplic Chernozems (Stagnic, Turbic) and Calcaric Gleyic Phaeozems were identified. Carbon accumulation in microbial biomass in soils of pingos and thermokarst depressions varies considerably in comparison with background soils. Bacterial microflora has been proven to prevail in soils under the study. The maximum indicators of actinomycete and fungal mycelium were found in the soils of thermokarst depressions. Microbiological activity for all studied parameters is higher in Calcaric Gleyic Phaeozems.

The Effect of Erosion Processes on the Content and Composition of Organic Matter in Macro-and Microaggregates of Haplic Chernozem

The Effect of Erosion Processes on the Content and Composition of Organic Matter in Macro-and Microaggregates of Haplic Chernozem

Radiophysical methods for modelling frozen soils dielectric permittivity in the southern Vitim plateau (Eastern Siberia, Russia)

The article presents the results of applying the radiophysical method for modelling the dielectric permittivity on the example of Haplic Chernozem Molliglossic soils in the south of the Vitim plateau, depending on VHF and UHF wavelengths, temperature, and soil moisture. Depending on the heterogeneity of moisture reserves and heat content, the soil is considered as a three-layer medium with different soil characteristics. A difference in the frequency dispersion of the complex dielectric permittivity over the entire soil profile in the VHF and UHF ranges has been established.

Влияние пирогенного воздействия на биологическую активность чернозема обыкновенного в модельных экспериментах

The influence of the pyrogenic effect on the biological properties of Haplic chernozem was investigated. For this, a series of model experiments was set up to simulate fires of various duration and intensity. A significant change in the biological properties of soils was found, as well as differences in the reactions of biological indicators to the pyrogenic effect. In different experiments, a different nature of changes in the reaction of the soil environment and the content of organic carbon, an increase in the content of readily soluble salts, was established. In all experiments, inhibition of catalase activity was noted, changes in peroxidase activity were more contradictory. In one of the experiments, stimulation of peroxidase activity was found. In order to study the methods of restoring the biological activity of post-pyrogenic soils, a model experiment was carried out using potassium humate, complex mineral fertilizer and phytoremediation. At the same time, no unambiguous results were obtained that would make it possible to recommend methods for the accelerated recovery of post-pyrogenic soils. Keywords: BIODIAGNOSTICS, FIRES, POSTPYROGENIC SOILS, ENZYME ACTIVITY, SOIL RESTORATION

Early changes in soil organic carbon following afforestation of former agricultural land

Afforestation of less productive, risky and degraded agricultural land is one of the methods which is recommended for practical agriculture to increase the carbon sequestration. In this study, we have attempted to determine the effect of afforestation of agricultural land (warm, mildly dry climatic region of the Czech Republic) on the soil organic carbon (C<sub>ox</sub>) concentrations in the mineral soil. Two soil types (Haplic Chernozem and Haplic Cambisol) were afforested. Both an indirect estimation (loss-on-ignition method) as well as chromsulfuric acid mixture oxidation were used to determine the organic carbon content in the soil samples and the methods were compared. In the case of the Haplic Chernozem, the C<sub>ox</sub> concentration at a depth of 0–10 cm after 1–3 years of afforestation with pedunculate oak or Scots pine significantly decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.004, respectively) with the stand age. Similar to the case of the Haplic Chernozem, the C<sub>ox</sub> concentration in the Haplic Cambisol also significantly decreased in the variants with Scots pine (P < 0.003) or a mixture of forest tree species (P < 0.006); no significant (P > 0.05) decrease was found in the case of a mixture of forest tree species on the Haplic Chernozem or with Douglas fir on the Haplic Cambisol. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) C<sub>ox</sub> concentrations were typically found in the case of 1-year-old stands compared to 2-year-old or 3-year-old stands. A higher C<sub>ox</sub> loss than the quantity of residues returned to the soils may be the reason the soil C<sub>ox</sub> concentration significantly (P < 0.00001 and P < 0.000001) decreased for the control agricultural plots (Haplic Chernozem and Haplic Cambisol). The carbon stock in the upper 10 cm of the 5-year-old stands was higher on the Haplic Chernozem and lower on the Haplic Cambisol compared to the control agricultural plots.

Adsorption and degradation behavior of six herbicides in different agricultural soils

This study focuses on the assessment of herbicide adsorption and degradation in three soils (Haplic Chernozem, Haplic Fluvisol, and Arenic Regozem) from different agricultural regions of the Czech Republic where sunflower is cultivated. Soil samples were used in laboratory batch adsorption and degradation experiments for six herbicides commonly used on sunflower crops. The findings are used to examine the effect of soil and herbicide properties on adsorption and degradation, as well as to determine the possible relationship between the two processes. The (Kf) sorption coefficient ranged from 1.07 to 135.37 cm3/nμg1−1/ng−1, and sorption increased in the following order: dimethenamid-p < pethoxamid < S-metolachlor < flurochloridone < aclonifen < pendimethalin. Adsorption of all six herbicides was positively correlated with soil organic matter content (p < 0.001), and cation exchange capacity (p < 0.001). pH was negatively correlated with the adsorption of all six compounds (p < 0.001). Degradation rates of herbicides ranged from 0. 012 to 0. 048 day−1, which corresponding to the half-lives (DT50) between 14 and 57 days, respectively. The highest half-life values were found in Haplic Fluvisol (a loam with higher organic matter content and lower pH). Results showed that both adsorption and degradation of herbicides are mainly controlled by soil organic matter. A negative relationship was found between the sorption coefficient and the rate of degradation. It can be concluded that the Freundlich sorption coefficient (Kf) can be a good predictor for the degradation of the studied herbicides.

Soil temperature field and dynamics of freezing-thawing processes in the south of the Vitim Plateau (Transbaikal region)

The results of geographic and stationary studies of temperature, water and permafrost regimes and soil properties in the south of the Vitim Plateau (Transbaikal region) are discussed. Instrumental data on soil temperature regimes indicate the dynamics of soil freezing–thawing processes and attest to changes in the thawing depth of permafrost-affected soils. The revealed spatiotemporal patterns of soil freezing/thawing reflect the distribution of heat and cold (permafrost) in the soils of the studied cryoarid landscapes. Seasonal, annual and long-term differences in the soil temperature field cause a great heterogeneity of soil toposequences with contrasting soils on the north– and south–facing slopes. An increase in the soil thawing depth has been observed over the past 50 years. In the relatively wet and cold 1970–1990 years, its rate varied from 1.0 to 1.5 cm/year with higher values typical for Haplic Chernozems under meadow-steppe vegetation, and lower values for Phaeozems under forest vegetation. Over the recent 25 years, the rate of the increase in the soil thawing depth for the same soils has intensified by 2.5– 3.0 times in relation to aridization and climate warming.

Morphological and chemical properties of soils within geological complexes affected by sulfuric acid in forest-steppe of the Central Russian Upland (Russia)

In the Central Russian Upland, black soils become contaminated by toxic substances containing sulfuric acid, which leak from non-recultivated stockpiles of coal mines. Sites for studying properties of soils that represented main geocomplexes of this region were selected using GIS analysis. Background Haplic Chernozems occupy interfluves and slopes; Phaeozems are located at dry gullies. Stockpiles serve parent materials for Spolic Technosols (Arenic/Loamic, Dystric, Sulfidic, Phytotoxic) characterized by high contents of sulfates and total organic carbon (TOC). Burned stockpiles were occupied by less toxic Spolic Technosols (Loamic, Eutric, Phytotoxic), which had a neutral reaction in topsoils and relatively low contents of sulfates and TOC. Remediation with different substrates and phytoremediation resulted in the creation of Technosols (Dystric, Loamic, Molic, Organotransportic). Deluvial/proluvial deposits were occupied by soils with lithic discontinuities that were identified as Regosols over Phaeozems. Near to stockpiles, there were Dystric Colluvic Stagnic Regosols (Arenic/Loamic, Lamellic, Loaminovic, Sulfidic, Phytotoxic), which had strong and moderate acidity and the high content of sulfates that was lower than that in Spolic Technosols (Dystric). Phaeozems (Loamic, Loaminovic, Phytotoxic) within impact zones of stockpiles had lithic discontinuities due to the surface redeposition of materials washed off the tips, decreased acidity and increased contents of sulfates.

Reduced plant uptake of PAHs from soil amended with sunflower husk biochar

Biochar effect on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) uptake by spring barley (Hordeum Sativum) was studied in model experiment conditions with Haplic Chernozem spiked by the high doses of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (400, 800 and 1200 µg kg-1), as the main marker of PAHs contamination. The relevance of the study is due to the BaP stability in natural environments and its carcinogenicity in relation to all living organisms. The express method of subcritical water extraction was used for BaP extraction from samples. The soil contamination by BaP contributed to the PAHs accumulation in soil and plants uptake from the polluted soil. It was found the 1% biochar application dose in the variant with 400 µg kg-1 contamination decreased the alone BaP and total PAHs content in soil and spring barley up to 50% compared to the contaminated variant. In soil contaminated with 800 µg kg-1 the 5% of biochar application led to the BaP content decreasing in the soil up to 56% and in the plants to 40-60%. Application of 5% biochar in the soil polluted with 1200 µg kg-1 led to the BaP and total PAHs content decreasing in soil up to 47% and 30%, respectively, plants the BaP content decreased up to 37-48%. Biochar 5% amendment effectiveness has been shown on the plants grown on the highly toxic variant contaminated with 1200 µg kg-1 BaP. The earing phase was inhibited in the spring barley plants growth at the most contaminated soil of the model experiment, whereas biochar application into the soil promoted the successful formation of the corn. The used biochar showed a high sorption capacity and its effectiveness under the soil remediation contaminated with BaP.

Application of the method of thermal analysis to study the composition of chernozem in the European part of Russian Federation

The method of thermal analysis has been used to evaluate the content of inorganic and organic components in the Haplic Chernozems Pachic in the European part of the Russia. The study of the composition of the relevant soil samples was carried out at a temperature range of 20–1,000 °C, with heating rate of 5–20 degrees per minute. Thermal analysis makes it possible to assess the composition, thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of the soils being analyzed and to compare the experimental data for improvement or development of various agricultural practices. We have developed a program for processing thermograms based on the MathLab package. Currently, there is an active anthropogenic intervention into soil-forming processes, which leads to a change in the qualitative composition of soil organic matter and humic substances. Derivatographic methods of analysis based on thermal destruction of the test sample, determination of the macrocomponent composition of the soil, release of the central and peripheral zones of humic substances according to their ability to be destructed in low and high temperature regions are informative in this field of research. The ratio of the fractions of these parts can serve as the most important indicator for the stability of the structure of soil organic matter.