Vestnik MGTU (Jun 2018)
On formation of substance flows in aerotechnogenically degraded forest landscape
Abstract
A retrospective analysis of the formation of substance flows in aerotechnogenically degraded forest landscape has been carried out based on the results of testing the atmospheric, soil and stream waters in the vicinity of the Severonickel Combine. The composition of the stream waters draining the aerotechnologically transformed landscape is compared in the period of the greatest volumes of the plant's emissions (1987–1990) with the chemical composition of the stream waters in 2014 and 2016. The current composition of the watercourse is determined using ion chromatography, potentiometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The influence of forest litter of different stages of decomposition on the structure of waters infiltrating into mineral horizons of soils has been shown. The decrease in Ni concentrations in the litter on the fallow as compared to Ni in atmospheric precipitation is not reliable, however the Ni flow (mg/m2) from the litter is reduced. The Cu flux from the litter on the fallow is almost eight times less than the atmospheric flow of Cu. In the zone of intensive exposure to emissions in the absence of stagnant moistening, the organic material can be a source of nutrients for vegetation, even if the Cu and Ni content in the waters seeping through this material is hundreds of times higher than their baseline values, but under the condition of multiple dominance of Ca concentration above the content of Cu and Ni in these waters. On steep slopes where the soil is eroded to mineral horizons, and moisture cannot be retained in the biologically active area of the landscape, the development of vegetation is impossible without meliorative measures. A reconnaissance survey of the territory has shown that in the zone of destroyed forests and technogenic wastelands, in areas where there is running water and there are outcrops of groundwater in the form of springs, vegetation develops, renewal of deciduous and coniferous trees begins. In the stream waters draining the aerotechnologically transformed landscape the concentrations of SO42–, Cl– and K have decreased, and HCO3– and Si have increased. Concentrations of Ni and Cu and Al, Fe, Mn as well according to the Mann – Whitney test have not changed. It has been assumed that this is due to increasing the size of man-made wastelands in the autonomous positions of the landscape.
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