Soil Genesis Research Articles

Genesis of Soils with Anthropogenic Influences and their Classification

Genesis of Soils with Anthropogenic Influences and their Classification

Ten challenges for the future of pedometrics

Pedometrics, the application of mathematical and statistical methods to the study of the distribution and genesis of soils, has broadened its scope over the past two decades. The primary focus of pedometricians has traditionally been on spatial and spatio-temporal soil inventories with numerical soil classification, geostatistical modelling of spatial variation and mapping. The rapid development of remote and proximal soil sensing as well as data-driven statistical modelling techniques have had a major impact on pedometrics over the past decades. During this time, a general demand for quantitative digital soil information for environmental modelling and management has compelled pedometricians to address other soil-related questions from a quantitative point of view: soil genesis and utility and quality of soil. While scientific progress is largely an autonomous process that is difficult to steer, research efforts could benefit from an agenda with pressing pedometric research topics. This paper defines and discusses ten recent or longstanding pedometrics challenges, with the attempt to identify knowledge gaps and suggest new concepts and methods to overcome them. The ten challenges were selected through a collaborative effort and may serve as a guidance for future pedometrics research and to foster collaboration among soil scientists. The challenges discussed in this paper are also indicators of the current understanding and state of knowledge from which progress can be measured in the future.

Magnetic susceptibility of soils as affected by lithology, geomorphology and climate in Jazmoorian Watershed, central Iran

Magnetic susceptibility (MS) as a fast, non-destructive, and reasonable technique is very useful in soil genesis and evolution studies. The MS of soils along a climolithotoposequence in Jazmoorian Watershed was studied in the present research and the vertical distribution of MS in the representative pedons affected by soil forming factors (parent material, climate and relief) was also investigated. Rock pediment, mantled pediment, piedmont plain, alluvial fan, and playa geomorphic positions with two igneous (gabbro, diorite, granite, and andesite) and sedimentary (limestone, conglomerate and playa deposits) parent materials were selected. Thirteen representative pedons which best reflected the variations of soil forming factors were studied. Results of the study showed that the maximum (877.8 × 10−8 m3 kg−1) and the minimum (5.2 × 10−8 m3 kg−1) low frequency (χlf) MS were respectively determined in the soils formed on igneous and sedimentary parent materials. The χlf values were increased with depth in soils affected by igneous parent material, but the opposite trend was found in soils with a sedimentary origin. The activity ratio of Feo/Fed in xeric and aridic moisture regimes were 0.03 and 0.09, respectively. Meanwhile, MS value in surface soil of pedon 2 (with xeric moisture regime) is lower than its parent material which is a support for the higher weathering of this soil due to higher moisture compared to pedon 5 with an aridic moisture regime. Decreasing evolution trend of soils on igneous parent material was in the order of alluvial fan < piedmont plain < mantled pediment, but in the soils on sedimentary parent material was in the order of playa < rock pediment < mantled pediment < alluvial fan. Results of the study clearly showed that the soil χlf values changed with variations in climate, parent material, and topography.

Influence of forest vegetation on color, reflectivity and humus content in soils of northern variant ravines of the steppe zone of Ukraine

Unique natural forests grow in the conditions of ravines of the steppe zone of Ukraine. Soil scientists have been researching the soils of ravines for more than 60 years. Despite long-term research, aspects of the genesis of specific ravine soils, which are reflected in their optical properties, are still virtually unexplored. Based on this, the aim of our work is to establish the characteristics of the influence of forest vegetation on color and reflectivity, as well as the closely related content of humus in the soils of the northern variant ravines of the steppe zone of Ukraine. Soil samples were taken from each genetic horizon of sections laid in the Glybokyy ravine (near the village of Andriivka, Novomoskovsk district, Dnipropetrovsk region). Soil color indices were determined by scanning soil samples followed by image analysis. The reflectivity of soils was investigated using a monochromator. The humus content in soils was determined by the standard method of wet oxidation of organic matter according to I. V. Tyurin. As a result of the performed researches it is established that the upper horizons of the soils of the Glybokyy ravine differ in the reduced values ​​of the indicators of the HSB, RGB and Lab systems, with depth their values ​​increase. The upper horizons of the ravine soils are characterized by reduced values ​​of brightness coefficients at wavelengths of 480, 650 and 750 nm, as well as the integrated brightness coefficient, with depth there is a gradual increase in their values. The color indicators of the RGB and Lab systems are the most successful for diagnosing and predicting the humus content in the soils of the ravine. Forest chernozems and forest-meadow soil of the ravine, which were formed under natural forest vegetation, are characterized by reduced values ​​of color indicators of HSB, RGB and Lab systems, reduced values ​​of brightness coefficients and increased humus content compared to chernozems, the genesis of which is related.

Changing the hierarchical placement of soil moisture regimes in Soil Taxonomy

AbstractSoil moisture and temperature are incorporated into Soil Taxonomy through the broad classes of moisture and temperature regimes. Although both are important variables in soil formation and land use, soil temperature regime (STR) is typically applied at the family level, whereas soil moisture regime (SMR) is applied at the suborder level. In this paper, we are questioning whether moving SMR to the family level will create a classification system that is more efficient and provide more information to the user at higher categories. The pros and cons of moving ustic, xeric, and udic SMRs from suborder to family category are discussed. To explore this potential change, we used Shannon diversity (ΔH) as an index of the information gain moving from order to suborder when classifying a soil. The analysis indicated a relatively small ΔH for most of the country considering current suborder classes. The proposed group of suborders, characterized by diagnostic horizons instead of SMR, conveyed a considerably larger ΔH supporting a substantial gain in information if the change was incorporated into Soil Taxonomy. The proposed change also has the potential to reduce the number of subgroup taxa by nearly 50%, without losing any of the current information within each taxa. Counterarguments for the change are that SMRs have soil genesis connotations and provide a way to group similar soils on broad‐scale maps. A change in the hierarchy of SMRs within Soil Taxonomy could deemphasize the relevance of soil moisture to soil genesis, morphology, and ecology.

PEDOLOGY, A DISAPPEARING SKILL IN EASTERN AFRICA? A REVIEW

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;Pedology is the study of soil genesis in its natural state. One way to assess the strength and productivity of a scientific field is to measure the number of publications over time. The number of soil papers published worldwide has almost doubled in the last ten years. However, that has not been the case in Eastern Africa, where this review is conducted. The scarcity of research in pedology motivates this study. &lt;strong&gt;Objectives. &lt;/strong&gt;To review and analyze trends of publications in pedology/soil survey for the last ten years in (2010 - 2019) in Eastern Africa. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology. &lt;/strong&gt;A search of scientific literature using &lt;em&gt;Google&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Google Scholar&lt;/em&gt; was conducted from 2010 - 2019. The search terms used were - soil survey, soil characterization, pedological characterization, and each of the Eastern African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Sudan). We then scrutinized the abstracts to find quantitative data on geographical locations. Additional articles were reviewed by checking through the reference lists of relevant studies in the peer-reviewed articles. &lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;. 56 scientific articles, 3 MSc/PhD theses reports, and 4 project reports/ proceedings were included for the full review. Out of this, 39 journal papers were identified and reviewed based on the years they were published, and the countries where they were published. Most articles were published in 2018. The data was then split into two segments, from the years 2010 - 2014 and 2015 - 2019. Between the years 2015 to 2019, a total of 36 articles were published compared to the years 2010 to 2014 where a total of 15 articles were published. This shows a slight increase in publications for the years under study. From the 56 articles, Ethiopia records the highest number of published articles from various journals having a total of 25 papers constituting 45% closely followed by Tanzania, having 27% equivalent to 15 papers. Kenya comes third in the overall ranking at 13% with 7 papers. The last three countries are Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda with 10%, 3%, and 2% respectively. &lt;strong&gt;Implications&lt;/strong&gt;. The results suggest that pedology seems to be a disappearing skill in the Eastern Africa region. Though there has been a spike in publications from 2015-2018, the current situation must be improved as there are limited publications from 2010 - 2019. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion. &lt;/strong&gt;The study shows that there have been a low number of publications in Eastern African countries. Ethiopia which has the highest number of publications shows the most promise in soil pedology publications. There is a need for an increase in pedology research which is important for agricultural production and land use planning.&lt;/p&gt;

Natural soil genesis in red mud and underlying microbial mechanism.

Soil genesis is important for ecological restoration of red mud disposal area. Soil genesis of red mud and the microbial mechanism were studied by analyzing the change of physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of red mud. We analyzed the microbial community structure in a red mud disposal area without any human-induced restoration through a space for time substitution approach. The results showed that, with the increases of storage time, the physical parameters of porosity, water-stable aggregates content, and mean weight diameter increased, but the bulk density decreased. The chemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, acid neutralizing capacity, and exchangeable sodium percentage, decreased with increasing storage time. The bio-chemical parameters of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon and basal respiration increased, but the metabolic quotient decreased. The Shannon diversity index increased, and the dominant microflora in red mud changed from the oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria Cyanobacteria and thanaerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria Chlorobi and Chloroflexi to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The ratio between eutrophic and oligotrophic bacteria substantially increased. The micromorphology results showed that the microorga-nism-red mud aggregates were formed through adsorption, linkage, intertwinement and package between red mud particles, microbial cells and their metabolites. The red mud biotope changed spontaneously from extreme and oligotrophic into soil-like under natural stockpiling. The soil genesis process was mediated by microbes through increasing nutrient level, decreasing alkalinity and sali-nity, and improving soil structure.

К вопросу об эволюции почв археологических памятников эпохи раннего железного века (Республика Башкортостан)

The study examined the physico-chemical parameters on the example of soils of archaeological sites Akberdinsky-II, Shipovsky and Okhlebininsky-II settlements (Kara-abyss culture of the early iron age IV century BC to the turn of the II-I centuries BC). Archaeological sites and the background area of the Park named after M. I. Kalinin (Ufa) are located within the forest-steppe zone on the territory of right-Bank Pribelsky district of the Ufa-Simsky region of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The soil cover of the monuments is represented by dark gray forest loamy soils. Humus reserves and the uniformity coefficient Cu of elementary soil particles are calculated based on physico-chemical parameters. The humus reserves and the uniformity coefficient showed that the modern soils on the surface of archaeological sites are close to the soils of the background undisturbed territory. For buried soils and urbanized horizons on the territory of archaeological sites over the past 2200 – 2400 years, there is no approximation to the background soil in the main parameters. In general, the soil cover of archaeological sites of different ages is a valuable source of information not only about natural phenomena and events of ancient historical epochs, but also about the features of the evolution and genesis of soils. Keywords: SOIL COVER, SOIL EVOLUTION, HUMUS RESERVES, GRANULOMETRIC COMPOSITION, ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

Geochemical signatures and natural background values of rare earth elements in soils of Brazilian Amazon.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are generally defined as a homogenous group of elements with similar physical-chemical properties, encompassing Y and Sc and the lanthanides elements series. Natural REEs contents in soils depend on the parent material, the soil genesis processes and can be gradually added to the soil by anthropogenic activities. The REEs have been considered emerging pollutants in several countries, so the establishment of regulatory guidelines is necessary to avoid environmental contamination. In Brazil, REE soils data are restricted to some regions, and knowledge about them in the Amazon soils is scarce, although this biome covers more than 40% of the Brazilian territory. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the REE content in soils of two hydrographic basins (Solimões and Rio Negro) of the Amazon biome, establish their Quality Reference Values (QRV) and to investigate the existence of enrichment of REEs in urban soils. The ΣREE(Y+Sc) content of Solimões surface samples was 109.28mgkg-1 and the ΣREE(Y+Sc) content in the subsurface samples was 94.11mgkg-1. In soils of Rio Negro basin, the ΣREE(Y+Sc) was 43.95 15mgkg-1 surface samples and 38.40mgkg-1 in subsurface samples. The ΣREE(Y+Sc) in urban topsoils samples was 38.62mgkg-1. The REEs contents pattern in three studied areas are influenced in different amplitude by natural soil properties. The REEs content in urban topsoils were slightly higher than the Rio Negro pristine soils, but the ecological risk was low. QRVs recommend for Solimões soils ranged from 0.01 (Lu) to 145.6mgkg-1 (Ce) and for Rio Negro soils ranged from 0.05 (Lu) to 15.8mgkg-1 (Ce).

Polygenesis of loamy soils in North-West Siberia in the context of environmental history of the Eurasian Artic region during the Late Quaternary

This research provided a model of genesis of soils in North-West Siberia connecting the stages of their development to the main environmental changes over the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene. The “soil memory” showed that the studied soils had a complex polygenetic origin. A gleyed paleosol with signs of solifluction found at a depth of 2 m was most probably formed during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 that is the Karginsky interstadial. The following stage, i.e., MIS2 – the Sartanian cryochron was characterized by the eolian sedimentation of silty material. In the Late Sartanian, new soil formation began in the silty parent material, with a strong platy cryogenic aggregation and grain size sorting. The warmer and more humid climate in the early Holocene induced clay illuviation and allowed for the formation of the argic horizon. Finally, the modern climatic conditions have caused ooidal cryogenic aggregation within upper horizons, however recent frost action has not been as strong as it was during the previous cold stage. Additionally, the modern pedogenesis included spodic and stagnic processes as well as clay mineral transformation. We suppose that such a model of soil evolution could be extrapolated to the northern Cis-Ural region, but not to the west in the Baltic region, where the dynamics of pedogenesis were different.

Genesis and classification of carbonate soils in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Carbonate rocks occur in Brazil under diverse climatic and environmental conditions, and therefore are of great importance for pedological studies. The northwest region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is composed of calc-silicate rocks and marbles that occur under tropical climate with a long period of water deficit, which provides conditions for peculiar pedogenesis. The objective of this study was to characterize the attributes of soils formed from carbonate materials and to understand the role of the main factors and processes in pedogenesis, as well as to provide information to the WRB (World Reference Base for Soil Resources) to improve carbonate soils classification. A toposequence was selected in the municipality of Italva, RJ, Brazil, with six profiles being described and sampled. All profiles presented median CaCO3 equivalent contents, high base saturation with the predominance of Ca+2 and Mg+2, and high activity clay. The absence of effervescence and low CaO/MgO ratio obtained by acid digestion suggest the dolomitic nature of the carbonates. Pedogenic carbonates were amorphous, since no XRD peaks were found. The high Mg+2 concentration provided by the parent material increases the dispersion of clays and favors clay illuviation, which is manifested in the micromorphology through a large amount of clay infillings and coatings. Four profiles on the highest part of the landscape were classified as Kastanozems (Mollisols), the footslope profile as Fluvisol (Inceptisol), and the toeslope profile as Vertisol. The mineralogy of the Vertisol's clay fraction was predominantly composed of kaolinite interstratified with 2:1 phyllosilicates, mainly illite. Acid digestion can complete the analysis of the CaCO3 equivalent content by quantifying CaO and MgO concentration in fine earth samples, presenting the potential to distinguish the Dolomitic/Calcaric qualifiers. The recognition of Dolomitic/Calcaric qualifiers for the Kastanozem reference soil groups is suggested, considering that the carbonate present in the calcic horizon may be diverse.

MORPHOGENESIS URBORENDZYN OF THE OLD CASTLE KAMYANETS-PODILSKY STATE HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF THE RESERVE

The appearance of the soil, i.e. its morphology, is a reflection of its internal features, such as mineral composition and physico-chemical characteristics. External qualities of genetic horizons reproduce the material composition of the soil, and in their professional analysis can give an idea of the nature of the regimes that determine the modern processes of soil genesis. Morphogenetic characteristic properties of soil are formed in the process of soil formation. There is a number of works and publications regarding the morphogenesis of soils of beligerative complexes, but due to certain difficulties in their research, the available factual information is insignificant, insufficiently systematized and generalized. Researchers have difficulty classifying and diagnosing research objects when studying such soils. Discussions on these issues continue to this day. The old castle of the Kamyanets-Podilsky State Historical Museum-Reserve is a long-lasting self-regulated military fortification beligerative landscape complex of the slope type. Located in the canyon part of the valley of the river Smotrych. The total area of the Old Castle is about 4.5 hectares. The initial soil surveys within the Old Castle were conducted in 1932 by Professor VV Akimtsev, as a result of which the morphogenetic properties of the soil formed on the open terrace of the “Denna Tower” were described in detail. The article analyzes the available scientific works and publications on the morphogenesis of modern and buried soils of beligerative complexes. A comparative analysis of different morphogenetic features of urborendzin formed on the “Denna Tower” of the Old Castle in Kamianets-Podilskyi region is carried out. Detailed descriptions of morphogenetic characteristic properties of the studied soil are given. Much attention is paid to differences in morphological descriptions. The dynamics of changes in morphogenetic parameters is established. The comparison of indexing systems of genetic horizons of the studied soil used by different researchers is given. The classification of the FAO system (WRB, 2006) in combination with the substrate-functional classification of anthropogenic soils O. B. Vovk and the profile-genetic classification of M. M. Stroganova were used. The following scientific methods were used in the process of research of morphological features of beligerative structures soils of the Kamianets-Podilskyi Old Castle: morphological, cartographic, source, problem-chronological, comparative-geographical, and archeological. Key words: beligerative complex; morphogenesis; soil, urborendzin; the “Denna Tower”.

Rare Earth Elements of Ajali Sandstone, SW, Anambra Basin in Nigeria: Implication for Soil Genesis

The Ajali Sandstone, South-western, Anambra Basin, was studied for Rare Earth Elements (REEs), using a Phillips 45 channel Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Emission Spectrometer. The standard deviation of the REEs (Dy, Er, Eu, Y, Yb, La and Nd) averages 3.5 mg/L, 0.34 mg/L, 0.32 mg/L, 3.93 mg/L, 1.96 mg/L, 4.02 mg/L and 2.24 mg/L respectively for each of the sampled locations. The REEs concentrations showed both positive and negative concentration anomalies. The enrichment or depletion of the REEs is generally attributed to their tendency to be incorporated into plagioclase preferentially over other minerals. The Ajali Formation is predominantly sand/sandstone, with clay occurring only as intercalations/thin beds of clay drapes with the increasing particle size of the sand grains, makes the rate of adsorption and distribution of REEs in the soil low, and explains the low values of REEs concentration. Soil organic matter (SOC) plays an important role in the adsorption and migration of REEs in the Ecosystems. The SOC is linearly associated with REEs Concentration as it increases with increasing content of SOC. The Ajali Sandstone studied falls in the vicinity of abandoned cropland to cropland in a lower/gentle slope region, correspondingly low in soil organic matter content and as such slow rate of distribution and migration of REEs concentrations in the Ajali Sandstone. The sesquioxides such as Fe oxides increases as REEs contents increases. The 0.46 mean value of Fe2O3 in the Sandstone of the area studied implies a low REEs adsorption rate and subsequently the very low REEs concentrations of the soils. The istribution of REEs within the Ajali Formation soils were grossly affected by the factors that influenced the adsorption and migration rate of the minerals during magmatic fractionation process, hence the low REEs concentration of the Sediments.&#x0D; Keywords`: Sansdstone, Anambra Basin, Rare Earth Elements, Magmatic fractionation

Edaphological and water quality conditions that limit agricultural development in semi-arid zones of Northeastern Mexico.

Salinity is one of the main causes of soil degradation, which reduces the capacity for biomass production. Naturally, saline soil is related to climatic, hydrogeological, and edaphic processes. Evaporite rocks are a potential source of gypsum and anhydrite in climates where annual rainfall does not exceed 400 mm. Like any salt, anhydrite contributes to salinity processes that reduce osmotic potential in plants, giving rise to water stress that reduces turgor in plants. In the Zona Media of San Luis Potosí, soil salinity is not homogeneous but rather varies spatially and is associated with soil genesis, agricultural irrigation water quality, and climate. Water sodicity (% Na), toxicity (pH, B3+ y Cl-), and salinity hazards were evaluated by applying agricultural water quality indices. Low sodicity hazard was found at all sample points; chloride and boron did not pose toxicity hazards, but high sulfate concentrations can lead to toxicity and calcium and magnesium deficiency. The salinity hazard was high, identified using OP, EC, TDS, ES, and PS indices. This condition is related to the region's evaporite soils and semi-arid climate.

Soil: the key to the past, the present and the future

Soil Research is an international journal of soil science publishing high quality research on: soil genesis, soil morphology and classification; soil physics and hydrology; soil chemistry and mineralogy; soil fertility and plant nutrition; soil biology and biochemistry; soil and water management and conservation; soil pollution and waste disposal

Water-Soluble Components in Soils of Heterolithic Conjugate Landscapes in the Southern Taiga Subzone

This paper discusses the composition of soil–water extracts prepared from soils developing within a heterolithic geochemical landscape of the Klyazma River basin at the upper reaches of the river. The main factors determining the content of water-soluble components are the soil genesis and position in the series of elementary landscapes. The content of water-soluble macro- and microelements in soil profiles not affected by anthropogenic impacts is determined by the eluvial–illuvial structure of these soils. In a superaqual landscape withdrawn from the floodplain regime and featuring a complex soil cover, the distribution of water-soluble components in the soil profile is determined by calcareousness of soil–ground waters and their occurrence depth. Another factor affecting the soil solution composition is peat deposits underlying the soils. It is shown that calcium is one of the key elements determining the specificity of the studied heterolithic landscape. The performed cluster analysis confirms the identified differences in the composition of water-soluble components in each of the studied soils.

Роль орошаемых вод в генезисе современных сероземных почвах и некоторые свойства древних погребенных палеопочв Ферганской долины

Роль орошаемых вод в генезисе современных сероземных почвах и некоторые свойства древних погребенных палеопочв Ферганской долины

Indicators of Pedogenic Processes in Red Clayey Soils of the Cape Martyan Reserve, South Crimea

Specific red clayey soils on the eluvium of limestone, which are traditionally associated with Mediterranean terra rossa, have been described in the Cape Martyan Reserve in south Crimea. Though such soils are well studied, there are several open questions related to the genesis of the red-colored soils of Cape Martyan. Many researchers consider them as surface paleosols combining features formed in the previous epochs and those of current processes. Based on the analyses of the physical and chemical properties, composition of the clay fraction, and micromorphological features of red soils, we have shown that almost all soil-forming processes, except for the long-term dissolution of calcareous rocks and rubification of residual silicate clay, are slightly pronounced, because the compact clay parent material is low sensitive to pedogenesis. Evidences of the fact that past pedogenesis differed from the modern one are almost absent in the soil profiles, which corresponds to the data on the climate stability in this area since the Pliocene. The studied soils may be assigned to Vetusols—ancient soils formed under relatively constant bioclimatic conditions.

КОНЦЕНТРАЦИЯ ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ-ЗАГРЯЗНИТЕЛЕЙ В ПОЧВАХ ЛАНДШАФТА Р. БЕСЕДЬ

Purpose: to study the distribution and concentration of pollutant elements in alluvial soils of various elements of the floodplain landscape and their relationship with fertility indicators. Materials and methods: the gross content of elements was determined by the atomic absorption method, the soil fertility agrochemical indicators were determined according to generally accepted methods. The variability of the pollutant element concentrations in layers in 5 cm to 20 cm of the studied soils and the concentration clarke were calculated. Results: the decreasing series of concentrations of pollutants have a general similar structure, which is explained by the same type of biogeochemical conditions of the floodplain regime. Some differences are present in the soil of the near-terrace floodplain subsystem, which can be explained by the difference in the water regime and redox conditions of this territory from other parts of the floodplain and by the variation in the horizontal and vertical mobility of pollutant elements. Conclusions: the concentration of pollutant elements in the soils of the floodplain landscape of the Besed’ river does not exceed the clarke value. The exception is Cd in the soil of the floodplain central subsystem and Cu and Cd in the soil of the floodplain near-terrace subsystem. The vertical distribution of pollutant elements in the 0–20 cm layer is determined by the element chemical properties and the genesis of the floodplain subsystem soils and can be uniform or concentrated in separate layers. In the floodplain landscape of the Besed’ river the clarke concentrations of pollutants and their concentrations increase from the near-river to the near-terrace subsystem of the floodplain for Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Co, Mo, As. For Mn and Cd, the maxima were found in the central subsystem of the floodplain landscape. The high clarke concentration of cadmium and lead, which is atypical for the soils of the floodplain landscapes of this region, and the peculiarities of these elements distribution may indicate their anthropogenic origin. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between the content of organic matter, exchangeable cations and Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Pb, Co, As concentration.

Regulation of technological loading on soils: a concept for solving the problem

Аnnotation Purpose. Justify the possibility and feasibility of using the technological standard (Tn) to regulate the technological load on soils to eliminate the conditions of their degradation using the energy assessment of the action of agricultural machinery systems and agronomic measures in terms of the structural-aggregate and humus state, as well as biological activity. Methods. General scientific (field, morphological-genetic, comparative-analytical, agroanalytical, laboratory) and special (determination of the content of elementary soil particles (ESP) and microaggregation by the microscopic method according to Bulygin S. Yu.). Results. Under the conditions of stationary experiments of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, it was revealed that more than 60 years of use of alkaline chernozem soil in a 10-field crop rotation with a field of clover with a traditional tillage system using moldboard plowing against the background of different fertilization options did not significantly worsen any of the parameters of agrophysical and humus state, biological activity, quantitative and species composition of the microbiological pool. More than 40 years of use of dark gray podzolized soil at a full rate of fertilization, applying lime to neutralize hydrolytic acidity and growing green manures after cereal early ripening crops, leaving the non-marketable part of the crop on the field under the conditions of a traditional processing system with moldboard plowing in a 7-field crop rotation , also with a field of clover, did not worsen the main parameters of its fertility. A conceptual mathematical model has been developed for the processing soil conservation agriculture systems based on the studies. Conclusions 1. Agrophysical parameters of soil have different information content and different sensibility. Each hierarchical level of the soil body system is characterized by a certain set of indicators, including agrophysical ones. It has been established that a scientifically grounded crop rotation against the background of moderate doses of mineral fertilizers, necessary chemical ameliorants with the abandonment of the non-commercial part of the crop and the use of green manure after early grain crops guaranteed to hold the agro physical condition of soils from deterioration. 2. The guarantor of a quasi-stable humus state is the stability of the agrophysical framework of the soil system and the harmony of the microbiological pool, the quantitative and species composition of which determines the balance of the synthesis and mineralization of humus and other organic substances. 3. Changing the effective influence of the living soil phase is determined by its agrophysical state, which leads to a change in the humus state – the first iteration passed. Next – the next and next chain of the spiral of the “life” of the soil (thesis-antithesis synthesis by Hegel), until the bottom or the top of the dynamic equilibrium is achieved, which is determined by the level of agriculture culture. 4. The direction (vector and trend) of the soil formation is determined by the energy ratio of the energy of the Sun in the form of a fresh vegetable residue (the second factor of the genesis of soils according to Dokuchaev) to anthropogenic energy, which is consumed in the implementation of crop technologies, which determines the value of the technological regulation (Tn). 5. The energy assessment of technologies for growing crops under the conditions of long-term stationary experiments made it possible to determine technological standards (Tn): for meadow-chernozem soil – 8.6, for dark gray podzolized soil – 7.2. Keywords: technological standard of energy load, elementary soil particles (ESP), coefficient of microaggregation, humus state, microbiological activity, energy assessment of plant technologies.