Red-brown Clay Research Articles

Ecological features of urease activity distribution in technogenically altered soils of the Nikopol manganese ore basin

The challenge of degradation of natural ecosystems because of human activity is considered by the world community to the most serious problems facing mankind. As a result of mineral extraction, man-made landscapes and environmentally ruined areas replace natural habitats and agroecosystems; a whole spectrum of man-made processes are typical for such landscapes, which leads to a decrease in species richness and biological diversity within such areas. Degraded territories formed in the process of coal mining are often partially restored through remediation measures. During the implementation of the technical stage of remediation, substrates with different potential fertility having different environmental properties and quality are used. Specific features of distribution total, available nitrogen concentrations and levels of urease enzymatic activity at the layers of artificial soil, sod-lithogenic soils onto gray-green and red-brown clays and on loess-like loams in the Nikopol manganese ore basin are established. It is presented general assessment of technosol status by concentration of general easily hydrolysed nitrogen enzyme activity of urease and this enzyme enriches the soil with mineral nitrogen in the process of mineralization of organic substances. The level of activity of urease, investigated soils, determines the intensity of the direction of biochemical processes that affect soil fertility.High correlation between concentrations of soluble nitrogen and urease activity values by layers of artificial soil (r = 0.81), sod-lithogenic soils onto gray-green (r = 0.98), red-brown clays (r = 0.72) and onto loess-like loam (r = 0.85) were found. Tendency of decreasing hydrolytic enzyme activity, urease, with depth in all types of artificial soil studied was established. It has been established that biochemical diagnostics of technozem processes beyond the level of activity of the hydrolytic enzyme urease makes it possible to estimate the direction of changes at the layers of artificial soil, sod-lithogenic soils onto gray-green and red-brown clays and on loess-like loams. The recultivated soil has some what lower fertility and greater salimity at the lower horizons, but is capable of performing ecological functions and can not only be used for economic purposes, but also perform ecological functions.

Часова динаміка чисельності популяцій молюсків техноземів Нікопольського марганцеворудного басейну

The regularities of the dynamics of terrestrial mollusk populations that have formed on the artificial soil-like structures: on pedozems and sod-lithogenic soils on red-brown clay, gray-green clay and loam loesses-like clays were revealed. The studies were conducted during 2012–2014 years on the remediation station of Nikopol manganese ore basin in Pokrov. Each site within the ranges studied was examined three times a year: in spring (early May), summer (end of June) and autumn (late September - early October). Within tehnozems investigated it was found the presence of four species of terrestrial molluscs: Brephulopsis cylindrica, Monacha cartusiana, Chondrula tridens and Helix lucorum. The number of shellfish in the investigated B. cylindrica biotopes ranges from 3.68 ± 0.43 to 74,55 ± 4 46 ind. / m 2 . The most favorable conditions for this type of snails are formed in the sod-lithogenic soils to gray-green clays and loesses-like clays. A common feature is the tendency to reduce the number of shellfish throughout the year. Number of clam M. cartusiana investigated in habitats in the range from 2.25 ± 0.27 to 18.64 ± 1.08 ind./m 2 . The most favorable conditions for this species of snails are formed in sod lithogenic soils on loam and loesses-like clays on red-brown clays. The general trend is a decrease in the number of shellfish in the summer and the number of stabilization during the summer and autumn. Number Ch. tridens ranges from 1.38 ± 0.20 to 11.90 ± 1.06 ind./m 2 . The greatest population density Ch. tridens for sod-lіtogennih loam soils on loesses-like clays. The seasonal aspect of population dynamics is characterized by the maximum and minimum spring – summer. Mollusk Helix lucorum consistently found in sod-lithogenic soils on loams and often loesses-like clays consistently met in 2012 and 2013. in the biotope at the gray-green clay. The results can be applied to solve problems zoological tehnozems diagnosis. Also a promising area of research is to assess the functional role of terrestrial molluscs community structure mezopedobionts tehnozems. The knowledge of the dynamics of terrestrial molluscs community will help address issues of management functional properties recultozems models.

The estimation of Miscanthus×giganteus' adaptive potential for cultivation on the mining and post-mining lands in Ukraine.

The possibility of Miscanthus×giganteus cultivation as an energy crop on the different types of mining rocks was studied. It was revealed that a loess-like loam and red-brown clay with the added black soil were the most suitable for plant growing. The yield of dry above-ground biomass ranged from 4.3 to 6.8tDMha-1 after the first year of cultivation and from 8.9 to 9.7tDMha-1 after the second year while using these substrates. The application of amendments stimulated the growth and development of plants and increased productivity from 50 to 140%. M.×giganteus showed sufficient tolerance and good enough growth on the geochemically active dark-gray schist clay with yield from 2 to 3tDMha-1 after the first year of cultivation already. For plants grown on the different strata of dark-gray schist clay, the thermal decomposition of the biomass took place in four stages in the temperature range from 30 to 640°C. The samples grown on stratum 0-20cm showed the highest reactivity with a peak 30.6%/min at 290°C. There were differences in the concentrations of determined heavy metals: iron, zinc, copper, and lead in the plant tissues depending on the layer depth of dark-gray schist clay from 0 to 20cm to 40-60cm. The relatively limited content of heavy metals in the above-ground biomass was due to the preferential accumulation in the roots.

The formation of herbage covers in Scots Pine plantations on recultivated lands of Semenivsko-Golovkivskiy lignite open-cut

The studies were conducted in the 20-year-old plantations of Pinus sylvestris L. cultivated on recultivated lands of Semenivsko-Golovkivskiy lignite open-cut. The sample areas are located within five types of edaphic variety of technosol that determines the specificity of forest growth conditions and development of forest plantations on man-made slope of 5-8º. Type 1 is located on a plateau. The edaphotope is represented by sandy loam solid with mechanical impurities of rippled clays (0-85 cm) in the upper layer, and sand one deeper. Type 2 is located on the upper third of the slope. The edaphotope is represented by 0-20 cm of loessial clay loam, 20 cm and deeper there is a medium clay. Type 3 is located on the middle third of the slope. The top layer of 0-10 cm consists of humus; heavy loam is 10 cm and deeper. Type 4 is located on the lower third of the slope. The edaphotope is represented by light and medium clays of different colors; below 130 cm brown coal is found throughout the profile. Type 5 is located in the valley line. Edaphotope is presented by the mixture of heavy clay loams, red-brown and coal clay; below 120 cm throughout the profile there is the formation of brown coal. Humidification conditions are atmospheric.
 The research results have shown that the formation of grass stand in the Scots Pine plantations depends on number of factors, such as topography, humidification conditions and availability of nutrients, planting density, lighting conditions, etc. The grass stand, formed in the pine plantations is dominated by perennials (78-93 %). Climate morphs are represented by hemicryptophytes (63-79 %). Among heliomorphs, it is observed fragmented dominance of species, partly demanding to light (scioheliophyte) over light-demanding ones that is connected with the increase of density of planting. Mesotrophic group of plants dominates among trophomorphs. Depending on the edaphic conditions, the role of oligotrophic and megatrophic species is growing. The vast number of species among cenomorphs on all plots are the plants that belong to different groups of stepants and ruderants. Most species are pollinated by insects (69 – 79 %) and are spread by the spreading diaspore with elastic stalks by shocks (42 – 53 %).
 Summarizing the research results, it should be noted that, in addition to the influence of woody vegetation on the lower tiers of biogeocenoses, edaphic conditions are of great importance for their formation, as well as elements of the landscape, both created initially and formed as a result of the gradual fragmentary subsidence of the territory of the dump. These factors regulate the ratio of different groups of biomorphs, climamorphs, trophomorphs, hygromorphs, heliomorphs and cenomorphs in the grass stand. Climatic conditions, influence of surrounding phytocenoses of undisturbed lands set the direction of succession on the way of formation of zonal grassy group.

Ecological features of enzyme activity distribution in edaphotops of technogenic landscapes

Specific features of distribution total, available phosphorus concentrations and levels of phosphatase enzymatic activity at the layers of artificial soil, sod-lithogenic soils onto gray-green and red-brown clays and on loess-like loams in the Nikopol manganese ore basin are established. It is presented general assessment of technosoil status by evaluation of phosphatase enzyme activity; this enzyme enriches the soil with mineral phosphorus and thereby improves its availability for living organisms. Among current bioindication methodology, soil enzymatic method is the most reliable and promising because enzymatic activity serves a stable indicator of soil biogenicity in comparison with other indicators. Soil enzymatic activity determines both intensity and targeting of biogeochemical processes. High correlation between concentrations of soluble phosphorus and phosphatase activity values by layers of artificial soil (r = 0.87), sod-lithogenic soils onto gray-green (r = 0.77), red-brown clays (r = 0.62) and onto loess-like loam (r = 0.95) was determined. Tendency of decreasing hydrolytic enzyme activity, phosphatase, with depth in all types of artificial soil studied was established. High efficiency of the enzymatic activity study in diagnostics of soil fertility dynamics under impact of various anthropogenic and natural ecosystems was determined. Advantages of using this method are capability to determine rapidly the changes occurring in ecosystems in the early stages of degradation processes and prediction of their targeting and, accordingly, their intensity. It has been found that levels of phosphatase activity and values of mobile phosphorus compounds in complex biogeocoenotic systems are sensitive quantitative indicators of changes in environmental conditions in man-made environment, and they generate good data about processes occurred within the soil column. The use of phosphatase activity level can be a reliable and promising method on biomonitoring of technogenic edaphotops.

Екоморфічна структура угруповань герпетобіонтних безхребетних техноземів нікопольського марганцеворудного басейну

Features of the community structure herpetobiont invertebrates were found with the ecomorphic approach from tehnosols formed as a result of many years of agricultural land reclamation in Nikopol manganese ore basin. Research was conducted at the research station of Dnipro State Agrarian University in city Pokrov. The area occupies part of the artificial plateau created on the site of the quarry mining manganese ore. On the plateau there are different types of tehnosems: pedosems (in the technical mixture of clays caused a layer of black soil with a capacity of 75-80 cm), sod-litogenic soils on the losses-like clay loams, gray-green clay and red-brown clay. On the slope of the southern exposure is an artificial forest plantations. Barber traps were installed in the experimental area in the period from 10 June to 5 July 2009 year (with an intermediate extraction of the material on 22 June). In each ecosystems were placed 3 Barber traps. The structure of the plant cover is the result of successions under the influence of edafic factors and interactions inside the vegetation groups. In the investigated man-made coenoses registered representatives of two types (Arthropoda and Mollusca), 6 classes and 12 ordo of the herpetobiont invertebrates. Class Arachnida is presented by ordo Aranei and Opiliones, Class Diplopoda is presented by ordo Julidae, Class Chilopoda is presented by Geophilomorpha, Lithobiomorpha, Scolopendromorpha, Scutigeromorpha. Class Insecta presented by ordo Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. Class Malacostraca is presented by ordo Isopoda, class Gastropoda is presented by ordo Pulmonata. The beetles, spiders and Julida were found in all recultosems types. Gastropods distribution is limited by pedozems. Lice was observed in reforestation associations. It was shown that in the study area γ-diversity of the herpetobiont invertebrates community is 235 species. In coenotic aspect of herpetobiont groups are represented by all tsenomorfic diversity, which is typical for regional fauna. Stepants prevalence indicates that these groups should be attributed to monotsenosis steppe. Grouping of artificial forest plantations in pedozems may be described as pseudomonotsenosis steppe with forest component. Steppe regards cenotic component type indicates the prevalence of soil formation, which is inherent in the steppe zonal groups, namely - black soil type. But note is not much, but a permanent component coenotic structure provided pratants pratant-and-palyudants sylvants. This feature provides the basic features of the tehnosem group compared to the group of the zonal ecosystems. The presence of impermeable layers leads to waterlogging tehnosem layers that are above them. Creating tehnosem a sequence of layers that vary in particle size and foldable, the presence of a sharp boundary between them, leading to the formation of water regime which is different from the automorphic soil water regime. During the spring the soil soak continuous construction zone can be formed capillary-suspended moisture and formed a temporary waterlogged soils. Community is a steppe monoceonosis and presented the entire spectrum of ceonomorphes, which is typical for the regional herpetobiont fauna. Technosol organization is directly determined by environmental humidity mode, which can clearly be indicated via gigromorfic herpetobiont spectra. Trofotsenomorfic gerpetobiont community structure indicates a high level of potential fertility potential of the tehnosols and transformation of organic matter into humus accumulation direction.

Fitting competing models and evaluation of model parameters of the abundance distribution of the land snail Vallonia pulchella (Pulmonata, Valloniidae)

This paper summarizes the mechanisms behind the patterning of the intra-population abundance distribution of the land snail Vallonia pulchella (Müller, 1774). The molluscs were collected in recultivated soil formed on red-brown clays (Pokrov, Ukraine). Data obtained in this study reveal that V. pulchella population abundance ranges from 1 to 13 individuals per 100 g of soil sample. To obtain estimates of the mean, three models were used: the model of the arithmetic mean, the Poisson model and a log-normal model. The arithmetic mean of the occurrence of this species during the study period was 1.84 individuals/sample. Estimation of the average number of molluscs in one sample calculated using the Poisson model is lower and equals 1.40 individuals/sample. The distribution of the number of individuals in a population was described by the graphics "rank – abundance". The individual sample plot sites with molluscs may be regarded as equivalents of individual species in the community. For the analysis, the following models were used: broken sticks model, niche preemption model, log-normal model, Zipf model, and Zipf-Mandelbrot model. Applying the log-normal distribution gives a lower estimate of the mean density at 1.28 individuals/sample. Median value and mode is estimated at 1.00 individuals/sample. The Zipf-Mandelbrot model was shown as the most adequate to describe distribution of the V. pulchella population within the study area. The Zipf-Mandelbrot model belongs to the family of so-called non-Gaussian distributions. This means that the sample statistics do not possess asymptotic properties and by increasing the sample size, they tend to infinity, and are not close to the values of the general population. Therefore, the average value of the random variable that describes the non-Gaussian distribution has no statistical meaning. From an environmental point of view, this means that within the study area the capacity of the habitat is large, and for some combination of environmental conditions the rapid growth of the abundance of a given species is possible.

Eсomorphic structure of the soil macrofauna communities of technosols of the Nikopol Manganese Ore Basin

This study established features of the animal population of artificial soil-like bodies – technosols in terms of ecomorphic analysis. The survey was conducted at the research station of the Dnipro State Agricultural University in the city Pokrov in 2012–2014. The experimental polygons were laid within four technosol types: pedozems, sod loess-like lithogenic soils on loam, grey-green clay and red-brown clay. The polygon consisted of 15 transects and each transect was composed of seven test sites. The distance between rows in the polygon was 3 m. Each test site was a square with size 3 × 3 m. The manual sorting of the soil-zoological samples was conducted within each site for areas 0.25 × 0.25 m to the depth where animals were found. Samples were taken in late April or early May. In general, for each period of counting for each polygon 105 soil-zoological samples were taken 123 species of invertebrates were found in the soil macrofauna community of the technosols. These communities are a steppe monoceonosis with a tendency to transformations into pseudoomonoceonosis on account of increased share of pratants. The soil macrofauna of sod lithogenic soils on grey-green clay and loam on loes-like clays is most adapted to xerophilous condition. Animal communities in pedozems and sod-lithogenic soils or on red-brown clay have a more mesophilic character. The trophoceonomorphic structure of the soil macrofauna community indicates a significant potential of the fertility of artificial soil. The aeromorphs’ structure reveals a significant ability of technosols to create cracks and pores, which can lead to hyperaeration. The dominant part of the of soil macrofauna community was hypercarbonatophils. Against the background of the steppe character, the soil macrofauna community had a topomorphic structure that is unusual for natural steppe black soil biogeocenoses on loess-like loam. The trophomorph structure was greatly dominated by phytophages, which indicates the prevalence of processes of mineralization of plant residues under the humification process. The phoromorphic spectrum of soil animal communities was dominated by ecological groups which move without the active construction of tunnels.

ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF VALLONIA PULCHELLA (MULLER, 1774) ECOLOGICAL NICHE IN TECHNOSOLS (NIKOPOL MANGANESE ORE BASIN, UKRAINE)

The ecological niche of Vallonia pulchella (Muller, 1774) was investigated by means of the general factor analysis of GNESFA. It was revealed that the ecological niche of a micromollusk is determined by both edaphic factors and ecological features of vegetation. Ecological niche optima may be presented by integral variables such as marginality and specialization axes and may be plotted in geographic space. The spatial distribution of the Vallonia pulchella habitat suitability index (HSI) within the Technosols (sod-lithogenic soils on red-brown clays) is shown, which allows predicting the optimal conditions for the existence of the species.

Carbonate karst and its relationship with geodynamic conditions of the Odessa city (Ukraine)

A connection between karst and geodynamic features in the area of the city of Odessa (Black Sea karst region) was considered. The geodetic, geological and hydrogeological researches showed divergent vertical and horizontal movements of the individual units of the Neogene–Quaternary structural stage. It was found that the main orientations of passages in the caves in the Moldavansky and Kryvobalkovsky sites are NNW–SSE, WNW–ESE and NNE–SSW. This agrees well with the direction of the diagonal lineament network disclosed in recent years. The main directions of cave passages in the Bugaevsky site coincide with the main directions of the lineaments WNW–ESE, NNW–SSE located in the immediate vicinity of the zones of influence of the lineaments of the orthogonal networks N–S, SSW–NNE, and W–E. These findings suggest that caves developed along the directions of the lineaments of two tectonic networks of Neogene structural stage—diagonal and orthogonal. These networks of tectonic fractures were mapped and analyzed previously by applying the geological and hydrogeological methods and analyzing digital maps of the Neogene surfaces. Results of the research were compared to a map of isolines of long-term average velocity of vertical deformations of ground surface, and of zones of influence of lineaments identified in the surface topography of Upper Miocene clay, limestone and Pliocene red-brown clay. They show that the karst areas are mainly located in the gradient zones of vertical deformation of ground surface, and zones where Upper Miocene limestone is compartmentalized by diagonal and orthogonal lines of fracture. These areas could be considered as tectonically weakened.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of the penetration resistance of recultivated soils formed after open cast mining

On the basis of studying the spatio-temporal dynamics of soil penetration resistance we proved the existence of the technozem ecomorphs as above horizon soil formations. Research was carried out at a research center for study of recultivation processes in Ordzhonikidze city. Measurement of soils penetration was made in field conditions using an Eijkelkamp penetrometer on a regular grid at depths of up to50 cmwith intervals of5 cm. Calculation of average values and degrees of variation was performed by means of descriptive statistical tools. The extent of soil penetration spatial dependence was assessed and the existence of ecomorphs was proved by means of geostatistical analysis. The degree of associativity of spatial distribution of indicators of a soil body in different years of research was established by means of correlation analysis. The level of variation in space and in time of technozem penetration generated on loess-like loams, grey-green, red-brown clays, and also pedozems was revealed. The degree of spatial dependence of technozem penetration within soil layers and also the linear sizes of ecomorphs as above horizon soil structures was established. The time dynamics of penetration of various recultozems were described. As a result of research into the spatio-temporal dynamics of penetration of technozems, data confirming the hypothesis of the existence of ecomorphs as above horizon morphological soil formations were obtained. An ecomorphic approach to the study of the morphological structure of technozems is proposed. The comparative characteristics of ecomorphs from various types of technozem are presented. The results obtained solve the problem of combining the higher and lowest levels in the hierarchical system of soil organisation as a natural body, which should raise the efficiency of the analysis of relations of morphological elements as a basis for detailed reconstruction of recultivation processes, soil formation, and study of their regimes and functions.

Analysis of Durability Performance of Ionic Soil Stabilizer Improving Soil

In order to study the pavement performance of the soil that improved by ionic liquid soil stabilizer, the red-brown clay was concerned as the typical soil, mixed with the ionic soil stabilizer, the ordinary Portland cement and the hydrated lime, was tested to characterize its durability. The engineering classification of the typical soil was determined and the physical parameters of the ionic soil stabilizer was obtained, according to tests of the particle size analysis, crucial water content coefficient, organic matter content, PH, conductivity, plasma emission spectra, etc. In addition, the tensile strength, durability and shrinkage property were analyzed by split tests, freezing and thawing tests, fatigue tests and shrinkage tests. As a result, the typical soil was a kind of low liquid-limit clay, denoted by CL. The ionic soil stabilizer was a water soluble, high conductivity, strongly acidic sulfonated oleoresin. The ion exchange reaction between the soil and the ionic soil stabilizer begun after treating by the ionic soil stabilizer, and then the role of soil particles became stronger. Furthermore, the void between soil particles was decreased, the structure became closer, and then the tensile strength, durability and shrinkage property were improved. As mentioned above, the research provided theoretical foundation and practical support for using the ionic soil stabilizer in China's highway construction.

Micro-Treatment Mechanism Study on Ionic Soil Stabilizer Improving Clay

In order to study the treatment mechanism of the ionic liquid soil stabilizer, a series tests were performed for a typical soil, the red-brown clay. The basic physical parameters of typical soil were conducted by variety of tests, including particle size analysis, crucial water content coefficient, loss on ignition, organic matter content, etc. Furthermore, the treatment mechanism of the ionic soil stabilizer was analyzed, involving PH, conductivity, plasma emission spectra, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and BET test. The results indicate: Firstly, the ionic soil stabilizer is a sulfonated oleoresin with the features of water soluble, high conductivity and strongly acidic, which exchanged with cations adsorbed on the surface of clay particles to reduce the thickness of hydrated film and the electric double layer thickness. Secondly, it reduced the mutual repulsion energy between soil particles and made the flaky particles of clay minerals contact closely. Finally, it made the particles of clay be close to each other and gradually formed larger particles. Hence, the clay became denser. Therefore, the research provided a theoretical foundation and practical basis for the wide application of the ionic soil stabilizer in China's highway construction.

Compressive Strength Analysis of Ionic Soil Stabilizer Improving Soil

To explore the ionic liquid soil stabilizer improved soil mechanical properties, this experiment conducted liquid-plastic limit test and compaction test. On the basis of determining the optimal dosage of ionic soil stabilizer and mastering different mixture optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, the standard sample which consists of the Zhejiang red-brown clay and curing material including ionic soil stabilizer, cement and lime carried out the unconfined compressive strength test in different curing age and compaction degree. This paper analyzed the change reason of compaction and curing age about the stabilized soil. The results show that the ionic soil stabilizer has a significant effect on the compressive strength improvement of stabilized soil. Compared stabilized soil with traditional treatment soil, the compressive strength of stabilized soil has improved obviously with the increase of curing age and compaction degree. Research findings provide useful technical support and practice basis for promoting and applying ionic soil stabilizer in infrastructure construction.

The reconstruction of palaeoenvironment during development of the fourth palaeosol in the southern Loess Plateau of China

The fourth palaeosol (S4) of the Brunhes Epoch (780,000–0years B.P.) at Shuangzhu, Tianjiapo, and Hejiacun in the Guanzhong Plain developed over about 40ka and varies in thickness from 3.6 to 4.0m. It consists of four horizons: the first (uppermost) is a well developed red–brown clay horizon (Bts), the second is a dark yellowish-brown weathering-cracked loess horizon (Cs) with red ferruginous argillans, the third is a yellowish-brown weathering-cracked loess horizon (Cl) without red ferruginous argillans, and the fourth consists of CaCO3 nodules (Ck). The two weathering-cracked loess horizons, which are a major feature differentiating a pedocomplex from a palaeosol, have not been found previously in Chinese palaeosol. The ferruginous clay argillans are composed of montmorillonite–illite with some kaolinite minerals. The pedocomplex suggests that a moist subtropical climate prevailed between 420,000 and 360,000years in the southern parts of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Its profile is Bts–Cs–Cl–Ck–Co. When the pedocomplex was developed, the mean annual temperature and precipitation were about 16°C and 1000mm respectively, about 3°C higher and 400mm more than at present in the Guanzhong Plain. The removal depth of CaCO3 and the weathering-cracked loess layer indicate that the gravitational water reached a depth of at least 3.2m, and the moisture content in S4 would have been sufficient to sustain forest development at that time. In the typical interglacial in which S4 was developed, the Qinling Mountains lost their function as the boundary between the subtropical and temperate zones of China, and water-bearing air masses resulting in rich rainfall could frequently reach the southern Loess Plateau.

Geotechnical Properties of Sub- Soils in Escravos Estuary, Western Niger Delta, Nigeria

This study evaluates the sub-soil geotechnical characteristics at the onshore pipeline route at Escravos estuary, Western Niger Delta, Nigeria. Acquisition of soil samples for geotechnical studies was done by conventional boring method using light shell and auger hand rig. Samples were analyzed in the laboratory using standard analytical procedures. The samples explored showed a profile of very soft greenish dark grey and reddish brown clay formation. All samples observed confirmed this lithostratigraphy except for some of the grab samples. The entire formation generally, presents a low amount of organic content, low shear strength and high carbonate content. The unit weight showed an increase with high carbonate content. The samples gave a high amount of moisture content, higher than the liquid limit which indicates that on loading the pipeline route, the weight of the pipeline will dissipate a large amount of the pore water with a resultant increase in settlement. The pipeline should be placed on slippers pad at designated locations on the seabed along the survey route to avoid excessive settlement. This would distribute the anticipated pressure from the pipeline over a greater area and thus reduce the excessive settlement which is the characteristics of the very soft marine clay encountered in this investigation. The dimensions and bearing capacity of such slippers pads can easily be determined.

Екоморфічна організація ґрунтового тіла: геостатистичний підхід

The spatial heterogeneity dynamics of indicator penetration resistance of sod-lithogenic soils on red-brown clays of the reculturated region of Nikopol manganese ore basin was studied within two years. Statistical regularities have been established in the formation of soil structure. The levels of spatial dependence of soil penetration resistance have been defined by means of geostatistical methods within layers to 50 cm depth. Horizonless morphological formation with horizontal linear dimensions of 3.34–4.50 m in 2012 and 7.14–8.02 m in 2013 have been identified on the basis of the layered mapping of spatial distribution of penetration resistance in the structure of sod–lithoge­nic soils on red-brown clays. The results of correlation analysis indicate that the formation of structure elements of heterogeneity of studied area of soil occurs under a persistent influence of negative feedbacks with the distribution of hardness values identified in the previous year. The identified elements of spatial organization of lithogenic to red-brown clay with their size, shape, nature of the relationship may be named as elements of hete­rogeneity of soil that are natural elements of soil as a natural body. Structural integri­ty, individuality, depending on the environmental conditions allows including the edaphic structural elements found in the category of soil ekomorf.

Ecological space of the sod-lithogenic soils on the red-brown clays animal community

The ecological niche is the keystone conception of theoretical ecology. But for its use methodical difficulties appears which can be solved with the help of the number of statistical techniques which includes OMI-analyses. This procedure has given the possibility of visualization of the ecological niche of soil animal community of the sod-lithogenic soils on the red-brown clays. The phenomenon of differentiation of the ecological niche demands the explanation of structuring ecological space and detects of dominant factors which have influenced for the physiognomy of communities of soil animals. The important problem is also to evaluate the role of ecological specialization of animals, which expresses in the terms ecomorphical structure. The usage of RLQ-analyses has permitted to quantity estimate the influence of vegetation features and edaphic factors on the spatial distribution of soil mesofauna. The researching polygon is characterized both the presence of patch with optimal vital activity terms, and with unfavorable conditions. Mesopedobionts within researching polygon have been established as not being ecologically homogeneous. The functional groups A and B embrace in the majority of endogeic animals such as larvae of beetles. The ecologically diverse ecomorphic properties of these groups with high density of the animal community may be determined by the axis number 1. These groups concentrate within 3–4 meters diameter patches with most favorable conditions for vital activity. Such patches are marginal for this polygon. The functional group C is presented by gerpetobiont animals which are able to migrate and relatively tolerant to edaphic factors. That is why centroid of given group is most closely located to the typical condition of this polygon. Considered indicators of soil as environment of living organisms permit to estimate the community’s ecological niche. The quantity characteristics of species ecological niches within researching polygon such as specialization and marginality have been estimated. At first for the characteristics of soil animals’ ecological niches have been used phytoindicator scales and ecomorphical analyses of the vegetations structure and also physiognomy types of it. The selection of functional groups of soil animals and applied for them ecomorphical characteristics are present high information values and conformity of indicator scales for the description of real current types of conditions of ecosystems.

Mine technical stage recultivation of the broken lands and its ecological and economical evaluation

An ecological and economical aspect of restoration and organization of use of recultivated lands in agriculture are considered. It is proved that the price of the land which is withdrawn from agricultural production, consists of the price of the importance of the land as nature component, from the land price as basic method of production etc. The methodological workings out for the evaluation of the mine technical stage of land recultivation are offered. It is emphasized, that in any case recultivation of the disturbed lands should be directed on the localization and neutralization of harmful influences on the environment, and on creation of conditions for restoration of fertility of the disturbed lands, especially with use of chernozem mass which preliminary was removed from a disposal area. These are considerable expenses because losses from the agricultural lands consist of the losses from soil losses as the basic means of an agricultural production, from short-received profit in connection with deficiency of soil for restoration of the former productive area and from compensation of the lost agricultural potential. It is noticed, that in the course of carrying out of separate excavation of the fertile layer of chernozem, its transportation and placement in collars, and also application on the leveled surface of the disposal area and planning of this entire surface, the soil undergoes so-called impoverishment, that is mixing of fertile horizons with potentially fertile soils. This process is accompanied by decrease, first of all, content of humus which quantity on the average in 1.5–2 times is less, than in humus horizon of zone chernozems. Thus, the more powerfully layer of the piled mass of chernozem on the rock, so match the bigger was the content of humus which, however, never exceeds a natural indicator. For the first time in the conditions of Steppe Prydniprovia it was carried out the valuation of the basic types of artificial soils at some leading mining enterprises. For the standard is taken the average index of content of humus in not broken old arable lands in a place of creation artificial. Economic calculations have shown, that recultivated lands which have a point 40 and above (content of humus about 2 % and more), are suitable for cultivation almost all agricultural crops. The lands, that have the point from 40 to 20 – are suitable for introduction of hay harvests and hay-fields, and also wood and fruit – and – berry plantings. The lands with an ecological and economical point less than 20 should be used for creation of recreational zones, athletic fields, plots for holiday visitors in the country, forbidden lands, etc. It is affirmed, that those types of soils which have not chernozem soil cover, but are potentially fertile (on occasion), it is possible to involve in agricultural production. These are loess, loess – like loams, their mix with other soils, and also grey-green clay and red-brown clay on which the farmers receive high and stable yield of multicomponent grass mixtures. But in any case, the indicator of the mark estimation decreases owing to mass losses of humus horizon, its impoverishment, reduction of capacity of the layer of fertile chernozem, unsatisfactory carrying out of amelioration operations and chemical kinds of land improvement. These lacks harm to use of recultivated lands in an agricultural production at that level on which they were used earlier. It is established, that recultivated lands as the material substance, are capable to perceive additional investments of work and means. Their fertility is an objective ecological and economical category, which is formed as result of interaction of properties of the created lands, productive forces and industrial relations.

THE COLOR PROPERTIES OF THE SOD-LITHOGENIC SOIL ON THE RED-DROWN CLAYS OF THE RECULTVATON SITE AT THE NICOPOL MANGANESE ORE BASIN

The color properties of the sod-lithogenic soil on the red-brown clays of the recultivation site at the Nicopol manganese ore basin have been studied. The quantitative characterization of color channels intensity in the humidity gradient at the different depts of the soil layers has been done. The statistic significant dependence of the color channels intensity from the humidity has been revealed. The data on the intensity of the red channel have been found to be more informative for assessment of the soil moisture on the sod-lithogenic soil on the red-brown clays. Relatively homogeneous sites have been selected according the changes of the color channels intensity in the soil profile which mark genetic soil horizons of the sod-lithogenic soil on the red-brown clays. The dinamic of the soil formation processes of the sod-lithogenic soil on the red-brown clays has been traced with the help of the 3-D diagram. Key words: intensity of the color channels, soddy-lithogenic soil, recultivation.