QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CONDITION OF SUBSOIL GEOCHEMICAL MESOBARRIERS IN KURSK

Abstract

Aim. The approbation of quantitative assessment of contrast of the acid-base barriers and capacity of humus geochemical barriers and the assessment of capacity of subsoil barrier with use of geochemical Mn-containing incrustations. Methods. The сlay loamy and sandy soils of representative geochemical catenas of Kursk with different degree of anthropogenic transforming were under analysis. Results. It is revealed that the anthropogenic transformed soils of industrial and residential zones (urban grey soils, urbanozem) can be characterized by the alkaline barrier. In clay loamy and sandy soils of sanitary protection areas of the city acid and alkaline barriers are presented. The contrast of acid (-0.017 m-1) and alkaline (0.008 m-1) barriers in clay loamy soils is much higher than in sandy soils. Values of geo chemical the Mn-containing soil incrustations for the illuvial horizons in Kursk are received. Alluvial gley soils are characterized by the maximum absorbing ability of heavy metals on the Mn-containing soil incrustations. Conclusions. The new indicator of quantitative assessment of capacity of humus horizon – placement rate of organophile heavy metals on the barrier (Khum) is offered. The placement rate represents the ratio of the product of depth of horizon and degree of humus content to the content level of an element in the horizon. The capacity of a humus barrier increases if the value of placement rate is higher.

Keywords

• geochemical barrier
• heavy metals
• placement rate
• soil
• catena
• kursk