Assessment of health of soil in different climatic zones of European part of Russia depending on elemental composition

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess of health of soils in different climatic zones of European part of Russia depending on elemental composition. We investigated 31 types of soils related to 6 climatic zones and combined them into 3 groups, more specifically true steppes, dry steppes and semi-deserts, and forest and meadow soils. The gross content of 19 elements was estimated in the soil as part of different compounds. The soil state was assessed by physicochemical parameters (pH, С_soc, particle size distribution) and biological indicators (the activity of catalase and dehydrogenases and the total number of bacteria). Among forest and meadow soils, the highest content С_soc and enrichment with enzymes and bacteria were found in mountain-meadow sod and brown forest gley soils; among soils of true and dry steppes, these indicators were intrinsic to ordinary chernozems and leached chernozems. Along with this, in dark gray soils, a whole group of elements (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) was contained in minimal quantities. A significant excess of Ca was characteristic of underdeveloped chernozems. The maximal composition of elements among semi-desert and dry steppe soils was found in chestnut and light chestnut soils (Ti, Fe, Co, Cu, As), as well as in dark chestnut soils (Al, V, Mn, Ni). The results of the study can be used to assess the quality and health of different types of soils in the corresponding climatic zones.