bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil Biophilic Elements (С, N, Р) and Microbial Respiration Activity in Forest Parks of Moscow and Rural Forests
Authors: Ananyeva N. D. , Khatit R. Yu. , Ivashchenko K. V. , Sushko S. V. , Gorbacheva A. Yu. , Dolgikh A. V. , Kadulin M. S. , Sotnikova Yu. L. , Vasenev V. I. , Komarova A. E. , Yudina A. V. , Dovletyarova E. A.
Published: April 2024

In six forest parks of Moscow and four rural forests (5 plots each, n = 50), soil physical, chemical and microbial properties of the upper 10 cm layer were assessed in combination to vegetation properties. The content of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in soil and microbial biomass was determined. It was revealed that soil density, pH value, content of N–\({\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - },\) Ca and heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn) increase in forest parks compared to rural forests. In the soil of the forest parks, a decrease in the content of microbial biomass C (Cmic), its basal respiration (BR), and microbial C- and N-availability (Cmic/C, Nmic/N, BR/C) was noted. The changes of soil microbial properties are mainly driven by the abundance of leaf litter and the content of available soil C (13–35% of the explained variance). The microbial response to the soil enrichment by low molecular weight organic substrates (carbohydrates, carboxylic and phenolic acids, amino acids, amino sugars) in forest parks and rural forests did not differ significantly. In the soils of forest parks, no changes in microbial mineralization and immobilization of P (Pmic, Pmic/P) were found as well. The impact of urbanization on the forest ecosystems has led mainly to a decrease in the intensity of processes associated with soil C and N cycles. Apparently, such changes are caused by the recreational activity and the management practice of green spaces in the city, which leads, in particular, to a decrease in the amount of forest litter in parks compared to rural forests.
Permafrost Affected Soils of the Alazeya River Basin: Properties, Mineralogy and Classification
Authors: Desyatkin R. V. , Lessovaia S. N. , Okoneshnikova M. V. , Ivanova A. Z. , Platonova N. V.
Published: April 2024

Physico-chemical properties and vertical distribution patterns of clay minerals in the weakly differentiated soils were studied. The soils are located in the Kolyma lowland plain; they have formed in a cold and ultracontinental climate. The study objects cover a broad range of the landscape diversity: the marsh and alas meadows and typical northern taiga landscapes. Despite the fact that weathering processes are weakly developed at high latitudes, mineral transformation represented by chlorite-illite association led to presence of (i) vermiculite in the acidic soil horizons of the alas meadow and the zonal northern taiga landscapes and (ii) iron hydroxide – lepidocrocite in the profile from the marsh meadow. It was shown that classification of the Kriozem located in the open woodland landscapes that are typical in the northern taiga does not cause difficulties based on the profile-genetic approaches of the national classification system. Oppositely, classification of the permafrost affected soils located in the intrazone landscapes of the marsh and alas meadows should be further clarified.
Soil Erosion in the Central Russian Upland: A Review
Authors: Zhidkin A. P. , Komissarov M. A. , Shamshurina E. N. , Mishchenko A. V.
Published: April 2024

This literature review analyzed more than 100 publications on soil erosion in the Central Russian Upland, one of the most erosion-prone regions of Russia. The selection of scientific papers was carried out from open web resources, domestic and international citation databases. The following parameters have been analyzed: time; geographical position; scale and methods of research; soil and geomorphological features; anti-erosion measures; type of erosion and rates of soil washout/accumulation; bibliographic information about the publication. There is a shortage of studies at the small-scale and medium-scale levels. The confinement of large-scale studies to the main watershed of the Central Russian Upland was revealed. There are discrepancies in the estimates of soil erosion by different authors, especially at different scale levels. An analysis of changes in soil erosion over time indicates a decrease in the rate of soil erosion in general on the Central Russian Upland, mainly due to climate change and a reduction in the area of arable lands. A lack of studies of rainfall, mechanical and wind erosion of soils in this area has been revealed.
Soil-Agrochemical Aspects of Remediation of Nickel-Contaminated Soil Using Growth-Promoting Rhizosphere Bacteria
Authors: Shabayev V. P. , Ostroumov V. E.
Published: April 2024

In pot experiments, the effect of introducing rhizospheric bacteria promoting plant growth on the yield and chemical composition of spring wheat when grown in humus horizon of the Luvic Retic Greyzemic Phaeozems (Loamic) soil artificially contaminated with a water-soluble nickel compound was studied. Application of P. fluorescens 20, P. fluorescens 21, and P. putida 23 bacteria increased plant resistance to elevated nickel concentration and increased yields, significantly reducing or completely eliminating heavy metal phytotoxicity. The resistance of plants to impact of nickel stress when using bacteria is due to: a) stimulation of root growth and an increase in the accumulation of nickel in the root system, b) improvement in the mineral nutrition of plants – an increase in uptake of biophilic elements from contaminated soil due to an increase in yield, in general, without significant changes in the content of the most elements in plants, including grain. Application of bacteria increased uptake of nickel from the soil by above-ground organs of plants, thereby enhancing phytoextraction – purification from heavy metal and, consequently, soil remediation. The distribution of nickel in soil in fractions isolated by the method of consecutive selective extractions has been established. In the first half of the growing season, application of bacteria increased the content of nickel in the soil, mainly in the exchangeable and specifically sorbed fractions and, to a lesser extent, in fractions associated with organic matter and ferruginous minerals, and decreased content of the metal in the residual fraction. Increase of nickel accumulation in plants in application of bacteria corresponded to increased heavy metal content in soil, mainly in the composition of compounds associated with exchangeable and specifically bound fractions. At full maturity of plants, no significant changes were found in fractional composition of Ni in the soil. Application of bacteria can be recommended in the development of strategies for remediation of nickel-contaminated soils based on environmentally friendly technologies.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Micro- and Nanoparticles of Zero-Valent Iron in the Detoxification of Technogenic Polluted Soil
Authors: Sergeeva Yu. D. , Kiryushina A. P. , Calero V. K. , Fedorova O. A. , Terekhova V. A.
Published: April 2024

We studied the safety of sorbents based on zerovalent iron in the form of micro- and nanoparticles and their detoxifying activity in peat eutrophic soil (Eutric Histosol) polluted by emissions from a copper-nickel (Cu/Ni) plant (Kola Peninsula, Russia). Iron nanoparticles, as well as iron microparticles at a dose of 2%, turned out to be non-toxic according to the results of three standard bioassays based on the reactions of test organisms of different taxonomic affiliation. Toxicity was assessed by the change in the length of the roots of seedlings of plants Sinapis alba L. in uncontaminated peat, by the survival of Ceriodaphnia affinis Lilljeborg and the protozoan Parameciun caudatum Ehrenberg in water extracts of the samples. Fe-containing preparations significantly reduced the ecotoxicity of the soil due to the extremely high content of copper (6877 mg/kg) and nickel (2580 mg/kg). Differences in the remediating ability of the preparations were revealed. According to the results of soil phytotesting, iron nanoparticles significantly outperformed the detoxifying effect of microparticles (iron powder). When analyzing the water extract, the superiority of nanoparticles in reducing soil toxicity was not found. The dependence of the assessment of the detoxifying ability of zerovalent iron nanoparticles on soil properties and the plant species used in phytotesting is discussed.
Heptil and Its Transformation Products in Soils: Sources, Diagnosis, Behavior, Toxicity and Remediation of Polluted Territories (Review)
Authors: Koroleva T. V. , Semenkov I. N. , Lednev S. A. , Soldatova O. S.
Published: April 2024

Highlighting the context of soils, we discussed the issues of environmental safety of using a synthetic highly toxic organic substance – heptyl (or unsymmetric dimethylhydrazine, UDMH), carried out a comparative analysis of Russian methods for its identification, characterized the behavior and interaction with ecosystem components, and summarized the existing experience in soil detoxification. Despite the long-term use of UDMH, analytical methods for its determination in soil are far from perfect, have a number of uncertainties and require further improvement, since the possibility of its reverse synthesis from transformation products during sample preparation does not let assess the degree of danger to ecosystems and humans unambiguously and objectively. Environmental pollution by heptyl during normal operation of launch vehicles is currently negligible. However, large amounts of heptyl can enter ecosystems due to launch vehicle accidents. In acidic peat soils (Histosols) at the regular falling sites of the first stages of launch vehicles in the Arkhangelsk region, heptyl pollution persists for at least 10 years. And in alkaline soils (Arenosols, Gypsisols, Solonetz) at the falling sites in the Ulytau region of Kazakhstan, due to rapid evaporation and transformation, it preserves no more than one year. In Russia, the existing soil remediation techniques can be grouped into thermal, sorption, biological, and others, some of which are based on the oxidation of heptyl with the formation of a number of derivatives, the properties and toxicity of which are poorly understood.
Short–Range Variation of Humus and Carbonate Profiles of Arable Chernozems (Key Site in Belgorod Region)
Authors: Smirnova M. A. , Gennadiev A. N. , Chendev Yu. G.
Published: April 2024

The short-range variation of soil properties is a particular expression of the spatial soil variability; it is non-directional short-periodic (in the range of a few meters) changes in soil-profile features. The short-range variation of soil properties is aimed to characterize the continuum nature of soil cover instead of the discrete (as in the soil cover pattern theory), thus the soil cover is presented by a continuum field of various soil properties, and the boundaries of the selected soil properties ranges may or may not coincide with the soil taxonomic boundaries. The study is based on soil data of three parallel transects (length 240 m) in the watershed, perpendicularly crossing the 60-year-old shelterbelt in their central part. The sampling step was 10 m on agricultural fields, 6 – under the shelterbelt; In total, the features of the humus (the content of organic carbon in the 0–20 cm layer, the thickness of the humus horizon and profile) and carbonate (the effervescence depth, the carbonate content in the effervescence layer and the horizon of maximum accumulation of carbonates) profiles were studied at 75 points. It was revealed that the parameters of the humus and carbonate profiles of soils have periodic changes with a step of 6–10 meters. The parameters of the humus profile are characterized by lower coefficients of variation (less than 30%) than the parameters of the carbonate profile of soils (more than 50%). The growth of trees on agrochernozems (Haplic Chernozem (Aric)) for 60 years led to the formation of new taxonomic components (postagrogenic agrochernozems (Haplic Chernozem)), characterized by a smaller lateral variation in soil properties compared to arable soils. In total, 3 types of soils are found within the studied area: agrochernozem (64 points; Haplic Chernozem (Aric, Loamic, Pachic)), clay-illuvial agrochernozem (7 points; Luvic Chernozem (Aric, Loamic, Pachic) and Luvic Chernic Phaeozem (Aric, Loamic, Pachic, Loamic, Pachic)) and agrochernozems, clay-illuvial quasigley (4 points; Luvic Stagnic Chernic Phaeozem (Aric, Loamic, Pachic)), including 8 subtypes.
Micromorphological Characterization of Soils of the Solonetzic Complex (Dzhanybek Plain)
Authors: Plotnikova O. O. , Lebedeva M. P. , Tsymbarovich P. R. , Devyatykh V. A.
Published: April 2024

A comparative analysis of physico-chemical and micromorphological properties in samples of 1968 sampling from virgin soils of the dry-steppe saline complex as the starting point of the 1968-2022 chronosequence was carried out. The study of climatic parameters for the period 1914–1968 showed that in the 54 years preceding the sampling, soils developed in relatively stable climatic conditions. Analysis of soil properties showed that on an almost flat area with a height difference of only 3.6 cm at a distance of 229 cm, soils differ significantly in depth and degree of salinity, degree of solonetzization, set of humus microforms and organic matter content, presence and size of clay coatings, degree of mobility of micromass. This confirms the patterns of moisture redistribution described in numerous studies in this area, even with very small elevation differences. Based on the set of available indicators, it can be concluded that soils of the microcatena are belong to different taxonomic units. The soil of the lower part of the microslope according to the USSR Soil Classification (1977) can be attributed to light chestnut soil, according to the international classification WRB (2015) it can be attributed to Haplic Kastanozem (Loamic). Soils with a high content of exchangeable sodium and the presence of clay coatings, located in the middle and upper parts of the microslope, according to both classifications belong to Solonetz.
The Prokaryotic Community Structure of Oil-Contaminated Chernozem during the Introduction of Nitrate and Potassium Chloride
Authors: Vlasova A. P. , Pavlov K. V. , Morachevskaya E. V. , Lipatov D. N. , Pozdnyakov L. A. , Manucharova N. A.
Published: April 2024

The effect of nitrate and potassium chloride salts, on the structure of the metabolically active prokaryotic community of oil-contaminated chernozem has been studied. Molecular biological approaches and bioinformatic methods of analysis were used in the study. The objects of the study were samples of chernozem selected in the Voronezh region (N 51°1′41″, E 40°43′31″). The phylogenetic and functional diversity of the prokaryotic complex of oil-contaminated chernozem was considered when introducing nitrate and potassium chloride under conditions of a slightly alkaline reaction of the medium. Contamination of chernozem with oil in an amount of 5% of the soil mass led to alkalinization of the medium from 7.1 to 7.9. The introduction of nitrate and potassium chloride, both separately and together in a total dose of 2 mmol/100 g of soil removed this negative effect. The combined addition of nitrate and potassium chloride led to a more than twofold increase in the biomass of metabolically active prokaryotic cells and the number of copies of functional genes responsible for the synthesis of alkanmonooxygenase enzymes involved in the decomposition of oil. In the presence of oil, the formation of a specific complex of bacteria was revealed, in which representatives of A-ctinobacteria (Rhodococcus erythropolis) and Alphaproteobacteria (Bradyrhizobium japonicum) prevailed. Rhodococcus erythropolis and Bradyrhizobium japonicum, being autochthonous organisms in uncontaminated soil, began to occupy dominant positions in oil-contaminated samples, and the introduction of nitrates enhanced this effect.
Effect of Fresh Organic Matter of Straw on Microbiological Parameters of Sod-Podzolic Soil
Authors: Nikitin D. A. , Semenov M. V. , Ksenofontova N. A. , Tkhakakhova A. K. , Rusakova I. V. , Lukin S. M.
Published: April 2024

The loss of soil organic matter (SOM) due to agricultural land use has a negative impact on soil properties and is one of the major contributors to the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. An appropriate way for simultaneous restoration of POM stocks and deposition of sequestered carbon is the straw application to the soil. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of straw on the quantitative indicators of different groups of microorganisms in sod-podzolic soil (Umbric Retisol) in a long-term field experiment. Introduction of straw increased microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) by 1.25–2 times, with the greatest increase in microbial biomass observed in the variants without fertilizer. Basal respiration and respiration coefficient (qCO2) increased in the row: control NPK NPK + straw straw. Application of straw increased the gene copy number of fungi and bacteria up to 2 times and archaea up to 1.5 times. Mineral fertilizer application without straw reduced qCO2, fungi biomass and archaeal gene copy number by 1.5–3.0 times. The fungi/bacteria ratio varied from 4 to 15 determined by fluorescent microscopy and from 0.17 to 0.33 by quantitative PCR. The lowest values of fungi/bacteria ratios were found in soils with the application of mineral fertilizers, and the highest – with the incorporation of straw. Thus, the regular introduction of fresh organic matter of straw is an important technological procedure to increase the microbiological activity of soil and leveling the negative impact of mineral fertilizers on soil microbiota.
Fractionation of Manganese Compounds in the Topsoil Layer Effected by a Coal Waste Heap (Central Russian Forest-Steppe)
Authors: Semenkov I. N. , Sharapova A. V. , Lednev S. А. , Koroleva Т. V.
Published: April 2024

In the Tula region, to analyze the fractionation of Mn in the soils effected by acid sulfate water, at 11 points (a total of 57 samples), we studied electrical conductivity of the water extract, the granulometric composition, pH, the concentration of total organic carbon and the three mobile fractions (exchangeable, complexed, and specifically sorbed) the metal. Technosols of a waste heap with a predominantly very acidic medium often have sulfate salinity. Acid sulfate water and solid-phase matter from the waste heap form talus, which bury highly productive Chernozems and Phaeozems. In terms of the fractionation of Mn, bared Regosols (Phytotoxic) at the talus are close to the toxic substrates of the waste heap, and plant-covered Regosols are close to the background Chernozems. In the transported material of plant-covered Regosols, the content of Mn mobile compounds increases. The input of acid sulfate water into the A-horizon of Chernozems increases the content of water-soluble \({\text{SO}}_{4}^{{2 - }}\) and Ca2+ and decreases the content of mobile compounds and the total content of Mn.
The Mycelial Component of Eutrophic Peat Soils in the Zone of Active Organic Detritus Decomposition
Authors: Golovchenko A. V. , Gracheva T. A. , Semenova T. A. , Morozov A. A. , Samigullina S. R. , Glukhova T. V. , Inisheva L. I.
Published: April 2024

The analysis of structural indicators (abundance, diversity) of fungal and actinomycete complexes of eutrophic peat soils in the zone of active organic detritus decomposition, represented by litter (layers L and F) and eutrophic peat horizon (TE) was carried out. Samples were taken in swamp forests (black alder forest, pine forest, birch forest, mixed forest) of Tver and Tomsk regions (Russia) in the summer period of 2021.The abundance of mycelial organisms was analyzed by fluorescent-microscopic and plate methods. Species identification of culturable representatives was conducted basing on their phenotypic features. In the litter, the length of fungal mycelium (by 2‒10 times), the number of culturable fungi (by 2‒3 orders), and actinomycetes (by 1‒2 orders) were higher than in the eutrophic peat horizon. The litter enzymatic layer (F) was characterized by the maximum carbon content of the mycelial component (3‒10 mgC/g). The stocks of actinomycete biomass in the zone of active organic detritus decomposition varied from 23 to 60 kg/ha, fungal biomass from 1593 to 3718 kg/ha. The share of litter in the profile stock of mycelial biomass was greater in deciduous forests. Culturable fungi by 70 species of 43 genera and actinomycetes by 42 species from 12 series and 4 sections were isolated from the zone of active organic detritus decomposition. Representatives of genera Penicillium, T-alaromyces, and Trichoderma dominated in the fungal complex, and Streptomyces dominated in the actinomycete complex. The litter was not inferior to the eutrophic-peat horizon in terms of species diversity of fungi and actinomycetes. The species similarity of fungi complexes of the litter and TE horizon was 0.68, and that of actinomycetes was 0.27.
Diversity of Bacteria Cultured from Arid Soils and Sedimentary Rocks under Conditions of Available Water Deficiency
Authors: Cheptsov V. S. , Belov A. A. , Sotnikov I. V.
Published: April 2024

The diversity of bacteria cultured from the soil of the Negev desert (Israel, sample SN2) and the sedimentary rock of the Sahara Desert (Tunisia, sample Alg) has been studied. To assess the ability of bacteria to metabolize at different levels of moisture availability and to reveal bacterial diversity more fully, culturing was carried out on R2A medium with the addition of glycerol to establish a certain level of water activity (Aw) in range from 1.0 to 0.9 (with a step of 0.01 Aw). After incubation, unique morphotypes of cultured bacteria were isolated, described, identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, and tested for the ability to grow in the Aw gradient in pure cultures. After incubation and isolation, 355 strains were identified and tested. Culturable bacteria were found at Aw 0.95 and higher. With a decrease in Aw from 1 to 0.95, the number of cultured bacteria decreased from 105 and 107 CFU/g in samples SN2 and Alg, respectively, to 2 × 104 CFU/g in both studied samples. As a result of culturing, representatives of 34 genera of bacteria were isolated, mainly representatives of the phylum Actinobacteria; representatives of the genera Arthrobacter, Kocuria, and Pseudarthrobacter dominated. At this, 38 strains with low similarity of nucleotide sequences with databases and, probably, being representatives of previously undescribed species of the genera Agrococcus, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Brachybacterium, Cellulomonas, Conyzicola, Kocuria, Microbacterium, Okibacterium, Rathayibacter, and Sphingomonas were revealed. Testing the strains for their ability to grow in pure culture in a gradient of Aw values revealed 18 strains of the genera Arthrobacter, Kocuria, Brachybacterium, Serratia, and Leucobacter capable of growing at Aw 0.91. The study confirms the data that desert soils and rocks are a depository of previously undescribed bacterial species and can also be a valuable source of biotechnologically promising strains.
Dynamics of Mycobiota during Composting of Cow Manure and Straw
Authors: Kurakov A. V. , Bilanenko E. N.
Published: April 2024

The study of the dynamics of mycobiota during composting of cow manure and wheat straw using DNA barcoding and culture method was carried out. Using DNA barcoding, fungi of phylla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, Chytridiomycota, Rozellomycota, Aphelidiomycota were found. Cultural method (plating) identified Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota. All the orders of fungi established by the plating method, with the exception of Saccharomycetales in Ascomycota and Mucorales in Mucoromycota, were also discovered using DNA barcoding, but many others were the latter. The coincidence of the species detected by both methods was very rare. Changes in the number of colony-forming and operational-taxonomic units of taxa of different levels during the transformation of manure with straw into compost were traced. DNA barcoding made more fully identify changes in the taxonomic and ecological-trophic structure of the fungal community during composting of manure and straw. They are expressed in a significant increase in the representation of basidiomycetes, especially Coprinus spp., Coprinellus spp., in compost, capable of transformation of lignin, complex organic substances of manure, and a decrease in the proportion of abundantly spore-bearing, “sugar” and cellulolytic ascomycetes dominating in the initial substrates: Sordariomycetes in manure and Dothideomycetes in straw. During composting, significant rearrangements occurred in the composition of coprophilic, epiphytic and phytopathogenic fungi. The importance of toxin-forming, allergenic and thermophilic species of fungi that pose a danger to human health, and the possibility of assessing the readiness of compost for application to the soil as a biofertilizer, taking into account data on mycobiota, are discussed.
Supramolecular Formations of Humic Substance Molecules and Their Fractal Organization
Authors: Fedotov G. N. , Shein E. V. , Ushkova D. A. , Salimgareeva O. A. , Gorepekin I. V. , Potapov D. I.
Published: April 2024

When studying water stability, it was found that when capillary contact of soils with water, spherical particles of several hundred nanometers in size are released from them into the water. Studies have shown that such particles pass into water from any humus–containing objects - soils, peat, humic acids, humates, fulvic acids. Elemental microanalysis of such particles isolated from sod-podzolic soil showed that they consist mainly of organic matter. These particles are previously repeatedly detected supramolecular formations (SF) from specific organic matter of soils. It is known that humic substances of soils are fractally organized, and in water they exist in the form of fractal clusters several hundred nanometers in size (F-clusters) formed by particles-molecules of humic substances about 10 nm in size. This allowed us to assume that the supramolecular formations isolated from humus-containing samples are F-clusters. Based on the high resistance of supramolecular formations of humic substances to decomposition into particles-molecules, it follows that humic substances in soils should have a fractal-cluster organization.
Annual Carbon Budget of Biogenic Greenhouse Gases under Mixed Land Use: Lgov District as a Model Object of the Central Chernozem Zone, Russia
Authors: Karelin D. V. , Sukhoveeva O. E. , Glagolev M. V. , Dobryanskiy A. S. , Sabrekov A. F. , Zamotaev I. V.
Published: April 2024

A comprehensive study of the net carbon balance of Lgov administrative district (Kursk oblast) in the Chernozem zone of the European part of Russia is carried out. The data sources included field estimates of carbon dioxide and methane exchange between soil and atmosphere, above- and below-ground phytomass stocks, simulation models parameterized on these data, official statistical and meteorological information, and published scientific data. Watered filtration fields of waste disposal sites of sugar industry are responsible for 26% of CH4 emissions from the territory of the district, although they occupy only 0.04% of its area. The maximum of CO2 emission is found at volumetric soil moisture of 30%, whereas, with exceeding this value, methane emission begins to rise linearly, reaching a maximum on the open surface of water reservoirs, and among them – on watered filtration fields. Another significant local source of methane is compost storages (22%). However, water reservoirs and ponds are the largest source of CH4 (43%). Amongst the net sources of CO2 the combustion of fossil fuels by transport and agriculture machinery predominates (22.3%). In contrast to methane, which emission is mainly determined by powerful point sources, the input of net fluxes of CO2 positively correlates with their area. Currently observed low rate net CO2 flux in the district area (–6.4 g C m–2 per year), is decisively overlapped by local methane sources (+95 g C (CO2-eq.) m–2 per year). The influence of the types of land use and methods of calculation on the C-balance of the territory in study, and a way of its transformation into a carbon-neutral state are discussed.
Possibility of Using Zoning of Fallow Vegetation according to Vegetation Indices to Assess the Patterns of Accumulation of Organic Matter in Post-Agrogenic Soils
Authors: Giniyatullin K. G. , Sahabiev I. A. , Ryazanov S. S. , Smirnova E. V. , Tishin D. V. , Latypova L. I.
Published: April 2024

An array of Eutric Retisols (Loamic, Cutanic, Ochric)) was studied under a fallow aged 20–25 years, which is in the stage of overgrowth of meadow vegetation, pine and birch. The site is confined to one element of the relief, has no morphological signs of the development of erosive processes and is characterized by a homogeneous granulometric composition. To assess the influence of fallow vegetation type on the formation of soil organic matter (SOM) reserves, vegetation cover was zoned according to vegetation indices calculated on the basis of remote sensing (RS) data. The “k-means” algorithms and the “random forest” method were used for zoning. It was shown that there were statistically significant differences between the types of land cover in terms of reserves of SOM in the upper layer of the old-arable horizon with the allocation of 3 and 4 clusters. It is shown that the most expedient is the allocation of 3 classes of fallow vegetation using the “k-means” algorithm: coniferous woody vegetation, deciduous woody vegetation and herbaceous vegetation. The correctness of the allocation of these classes was confirmed by a field geobotanical survey of the territory. The results of a pairwise comparison of sites occupied by various types of fallow vegetation show the presence of significant differences in the reserves of the SOM only in the uppermost layer (0–5 cm) of the old arable horizon and only when compared with the array occupied by woody coniferous vegetation and herbaceous vegetation. Differences in accumulated humus reserves in the upper layer of 0–10 cm are statistically significant in soils under deciduous and coniferous woody vegetation, as well as between herbaceous and coniferous vegetation. There was no significant difference in this indicator between the areas occupied by woody deciduous vegetation and herbaceous vegetation.
Changes in the Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Properties of Soils after Fires in Pine and Birch Forests of Central Regions of the Zabaikal Krai
Authors: Bogorodskaya A. V. , Kukavskaya E. A. , Kalenskaya O. P. , Buryak L. V.
Published: April 2024

The microbiological and some physico-chemical properties of illuvial-ferruginous soddy-podburs (Entic Rustic Podzols) soils in Scots pine forests and gray-humic typical light loamy soils (Umbrisols) in secondary birch forests of the central regions of the Zabaikal krai have been studied. Fires in soddy-podburs pine forests resulted in decrease in the total exchangeable basis, total nitrogen, mobile forms of potassium and phosphorus, and in increase in the proportion of C : N; while in birch forests, on the contrary, an increase of the mentioned indicators and a narrowing of the C : N proportion in the gray-humic typical soils were observed. The content of humus in the upper soil horizon decreases only in recently burned Scots pine forests after a high-severity fire, while in other sites it increases. A decrease in the soil acidity was observed at all burned sites. High-severity fires lead to a significant decrease in the content of microbial biomass and the intensity of basal respiration, as well as to a change in the structure of ecological and trophic groups of microorganisms in the soils up to a depth of 10 cm of the mineral horizon, while low-severity fires mainly affect the duff. The qCO2 coefficient increased 2–5 times after fires in the duff and 1.5–2 times in the humus horizon only after high-severity fires. In recently burned Scots pine forests, the storage of microbial biomass and microbial production of carbon dioxide significantly decreased up to a depth of 10 cm of the mineral soil layer. In the steppe site formed after the impact of fires in the pine forest, and in the birch forest after a high-severity fire, in the humus horizon the carbon storage of microbial biomass decreased by 15–20%, and the microbial production of CO2 increased by 10–20%, predetermining the predominance of mineralization processes. The considered post-fire transformation of the structural and functional parameters of soil microbiocenosis, as well as a 20–40% decrease in the total carbon storage of microbial biomass in the soils of all sites demonstrate a long recovery period of soils after fires in light coniferous and deciduous forests of the central regions of the Zabaikal krai.
Short-Term Dynamics of CO2 Emission and Carbon Content in Urban Soil Structures in the Steppe Zone
Authors: Gorbov S. N. , Vasenev V. I. , Minaeva E. N. , Tagiverdiev S. S. , Skripnikov P. N. , Bezuglova O. S.
Published: April 2024

Сonstructed Technosols are an important component of urban green infrastructure whose role in the carbon balance of urban ecosystems remains poorly understood. The dynamics of carbon stocks and CO2 emissions of soil structures depend on both bioclimatic conditions and the parameters of the construction – the substrates used, the composition and thickness of the layers. The carbon stock dynamics and CO2 emission were studied on constructozems of different composition established at the “Experimental Station for Study of Soil Constructs” in the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University (Rostov-on-Don). The station consists of 15 self-contained sites, which present 5 different variants of soil constructions created using substrates traditionally used for landscaping and beautification tasks in the cities of the steppe zone. The Haplic Chernozems, located on a placor plot in the vicinity of the Experimental Station, was studied as a background area. Monitoring studies over two seasons (from September 2020 to December 2022) allowed the seasonal dynamics of organic and inorganic carbon content and CO2 emissions to be compared for the different soil design options in comparison with the background. In all constructions created on the basis of humus-accumulative horizons of chernozems, a marked dependence of CO2 emission on air (at p 0.05 for construction 2 r = 0.76, construction 3 – r = 0.82, construction 4 – r = 0.76, construction 5 – r = 0.49) and soil (at p 0.05 for construction 2 r = 0.58, construction 3 – r = 0.74, construction 4 – r = 0.75, construction 5 – r = 0.68) and soil (at p 0.05 for construction 2 r = 0.58, construction 3 – r = 0.74, construction 4 – r = 0.75, construction 5 – r = 0.68) was noted. The biomass stocks of lawn grasses growing on the constructions were determined, and a positive correlation between the CO2 emission and the growth of the above–ground biomass (for construction 2 a moderate correlation (r = 0.48, p 0.05), for constructions 3 and 4 a marked correlation (r = 0.5, p  0.05; r = 0.68, p 0.05), and for construction 5 a high correlation (r = 0.75, p 0.05) was noted. The dynamics of the stock of various forms of carbon in the first year of operation of the structures were studied. Based on the comparison of carbon fluxes and stocks, it is shown that lawn ecosystems in the early stages of constructozem cannot be considered as net carbon stock sites in the temperate continental climate of Rostov-on-Don.
Heavy Metals in Urban Soils of the Volga Federal District: a Conjugate Analysis of Official Data
Authors: Paramonova T. A. , Chernogaeva G. M. , Lukyanova N. N. , Paramonov M. S.
Published: April 2024

Based on a conjugated analysis of the official data of Roshydromet on the content of priority heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni) in the soils of 23 cities of the Volga Federal District, as well as Rosstat data on the socio-economic indicators of these settlements, the ecological and geochemical characteristics of urbanozems (Urbic Technosols) and with the help of multivariate statistical analyzes (cluster and factorial), possible relationships between soil pollution parameters and urban features of cities were revealed. For the soils of most cities in the region with average socioeconomic indicators, admissible levels of accumulation of Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu have been established, which, in terms of concentrations, are close to the average abundance of urban soils in Russia. In small and medium-sized cities of the Republic of Bashkortostan, exceedances of APC Ni in soils are recorded, which reflects the presence of a regional geochemical anomaly of natural and anthropogenic nature in the eastern part of the Volga Federal District, but no correlations between nickel pollution and socio-economic indicators of settlements are revealed. The moderately hazardous level of complex pollution in urbanozems with dominant accumulation of Cd and significantly lower concentration ratios of other heavy metals (Belebey, Davlekanovo, Dzerzhinsk) shows no correlation with the demographic indicators of settlements. The more complex profile of soil pollution (Cd–Zn in Penza or Cu–Cd–Zn in Mednogorsk) shows lower values of the total fertility rate and higher values of the mortality rate (compared with the average regional indicators). In general, using the example of the cities of the Volga Federal District, it is shown that the gradients of increasing concentrations in soils of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and the total pollution index Zc are codirectional with an increase in the general mortality rate of the population.
The Influence of Meso- and Microclimatic Conditions on the CO2 Emission of Soils of the Urban Green Infrastructure of the Moscow Metropolis
Authors: Vasenev V. I. , Varentsov M. I. , Sarrzhanov D. A. , Makhinya K. I. , Gosse D. D. , Petrov D. G. , Dolgikh A. V.
Published: April 2024

Against the backdrop of global warming, urban ecosystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate stresses. Strategies for climate adaptation developed for almost every major city in the world pay considerable attention to urban green infrastructure as a nature-oriented solution for carbon sequestration. However, the influence of urban climate conditions on the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of CO2 emissions from urban soils remains poorly understood, which can lead to inaccurate estimates and probably inflated expectations of urban green infrastructure in the context of carbon neutrality. Studies of CO2 emission dynamics with parallel observation of soil temperature and moisture were conducted at three green infrastructure sites in the Moscow metropolis, which differ in contrasting mesoclimatic conditions, in 2019–2022. Plots with different vegetation types were compared for each site, which allowed us to assess the internal heterogeneity of soil and microclimatic conditions. Soil temperature and moisture were determined to 70% of the total variance of CO2 emissions. At the same time, mean annual soil temperature in the center was almost 3–6°C higher and moisture was 10–15% lower compared to the periphery. Soils under lawns and bushes were, on average, 1–2°C warmer and 10–15% wetter than under trees. Soil CO2 emission under lawns was, on average, 20–30% higher than that under woody plantings in the same plot. At the same time, the differences between the plots with the same vegetation in the center and on the periphery reached 50%, which confirms the high vulnerability of urban soil carbon stocks to mesoclimatic anomalies and the high risks of increased CO2 emission by urban soils against the background of climate change.
Simulation Modeling of Forest Soil Respiration on the Example of Entic Carbic Podzol of Coniferous-Broad-Leaved Forest in the South of Moscow Region
Authors: Priputina I. V. , Frolov P. V. , Shanin V. N. , Bykhovets S. S. , Kurganova I. N. , Lopes de Gerenyu V. O. , Sapronov D. V. , Zubkova E. V. , Mjakshina T. N. , Khoroshaev D. A.
Published: April 2024

The paper considers the results of calculations of the heterotrophic (HR) and total soil respiration for Entic Carbic Podzol under a coniferous-broad-leaved forest in the South of the Moscow region (54.89° N, 37.56° E), performed using the soil model Romul_Hum and a new version of the system of models EFIMOD3. The results of soil respiration modeling had a good correlation with the field measurement data. The Romul_Hum model simulates better the intensity of HR of the studied soil in wet than in dry years when it lightly overestimates the HR values. In the spatially detailed modeling of heterotrophic and root respiration using the EFIMOD3, the variability of carbon pools and fluxes associated with the distribution of the litterfall and hydrothermal conditions under the forest canopy was taken into account. The data obtained show that the intensity of HR at the beginning and middle of the growing season differs by about a factor of two, and HR values between different parts of the simulation site at the same time differ by more than 3.5 times. Spatial and temporal variability of the soil respiration affects the accuracy of estimates of C stocks in forest ecosystems. The used models are effective tools to analyze changes in soil carbon stocks, soil respiration, and carbon sink estimation in forest ecosystems, including tasks of forest management.
Soils and Carbon Pools on Shungite Rocks of South Karelia under Different Types of Land Use
Authors: Dubrovina I. A. , Moshkina E. V. , Tuyunen A. V. , Genikova N. V. , Karpechko A. Yu. , Medvedeva M. V.
Published: April 2024

Azonal organo-accumulative soils (Umbrisols) on shungite rocks and the influence of type of land use on their properties and ecosystem carbon stocks were investigated. Сhanges in soil profile structure, basic agrochemical and microbiological indicators of upper horizons, Corg and Cmik stocks in a meter layer of soils and sites carbon pool structure were analyzed. Pine forest as a control, arable land, hayfield, as well as young alder and middle-aged mixed forest were studied. Land use change does not lead to a significant transformation of the properties of shungite soils in contrast to zonal soils. The removal of stones has the greatest influence, leading to the formation of developed arable horizons. The soils are characterized by a high stony, a weak-divided thin profile, low density values, and a pH close to neutral. The wide range of Corg content values from 1.6% to 11.7% is due to the heterogeneous composition of parent rocks. Agricultural development contributes to the accumulation of exchangeable bases, available potassium and phosphorus, the content of which are initially increased in schungite soils. All sites are characterized by a high rate of organic matter mineralization (C/N ratio not higher than 17). A small content of Cmic (84–245 mg C/kg) was noted in the soils, which may be due to the low availability of substrate because of lithogenic origin of carbon and the increased concentrations of heavy metals and lanthanides in schungite rocks. The structure of Corg and Сmic stocks depends on carbon content, keep of stones and presence of dense bedrock. Soil organic carbon stocks range from 17–251 t C/ha, while Cmic stocks range from 6–43 g C/m2. The total ecosystem carbon stocks are maximum in hayfield (259 t C/ha) and minimum in young forest (74 t C/ha). The stocks of carbon in the sites of arable land, middle-aged and control forests are within 169–211 t C/ha.
Paleocryolithopedogenesis and Evolution Sod-Podzolic Soils of the Taiga Zone Northeast of the East European Plain
Authors: Ovchinnikov A. Yu. , Khudyakov O. I. , Khokhlova O. S. , Makshanov A. M.
Published: April 2024

The results of soil-genetic studies conducted on sod-podzolic soils in the Gryazovetsky district of the Vologda region are presented. The modern soils of the study area are represented by sod-podzolic soils of different variations (Albic Retisols) formed on loamy paleocryogenically transformed soil-forming rocks. The concept of the role of paleocryolithogenic processes that determined the formation and evolution of modern sod-podzolic soils of the north-east of the East European Plain is proposed. The considered set of paleocryolithopedogenic processes in modern zonal sod-podzolic soils allowed us to reconstruct the conditions for the formation of soils located in the periglacial region of the Valdai glaciation. The results obtained have expanded the understanding of the influence of the processes of Late Pleistocene cryogenesis and lithogenesis on the evolution of modern sod-podzolic soils of the northeast of the East European Plain. The obtained data show the processes forming the soils under consideration and for the first time it is proposed to isolate paleocryolithogenic soil combinations in the structure of the soil cover as a result of the combined natural process – paleocryolithopedogenesis.
Analysis of Ecological and Genetic Soil Properties for Forest Ecosystem Monitoring in the Zone of Coniferous-Broad-Leaved Forests
Authors: Koptsik G. N. , Smirnova I. E. , Koptsik S. V.
Published: April 2024

A reliable assessment of the composition and properties of soils in forest ecosystems is the basis for environmental monitoring, including monitoring of carbon pools and fluxes, which is of particular importance in the context of global changes in the natural environment and climate. Ecological and genetic features and classification of soils are analyzed at permanent sites of intensive monitoring in the main types of forest ecosystems of the state nature reserve “Zvenigorod Biostation of Moscow State University and the Sima Quarry” (Moscow Region, Russia). Soil monitoring is organized and conducted on the basis of national experience and recommendations of the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests). Eluvozems and soddy-eluvozems on two-layer deposits dominating in the soil cover of the reserve are characterized by a sandy loam texture (content of clay fraction 0.002 mm 3.3–7.0%), acidic reaction (\({\text{{р}}}{{{\text{{Н}}}}_{{{{{\text{{Н}}}}_{{\text{2}}}}{\text{{О}}}}}}\) 4.6–5.7), low cation exchange capacity, low content of exchangeable bases (30–52 cmolс/kg in organic and 0.6–7.5 cmolс/kg in mineral horizons) and low base saturation (49–67 and 11–51%, respectively). The content of potentially toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn) in the soils of the reserve does not exceed background levels. The ecological state of soils improves in the series of contact-albic eluvozem – pseudofibrous soddy eluvozem – ferruginous soddy eluvozem, determining the stability of forest ecosystems to external effects under conditions of increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate change.