TITLE:
Ecological and Functional Properties of Steppe Soils under Moderate Anthropogenic Impact
AUTHORS:
Clement T. Ngun, Yekaterina V. Pleshakova, Michael V. Reshetnikov
KEYWORDS:
Heavy Metals, Hydrocarbons, Soil, Dehydrogenase, Catalase, Peroxidase and Invertase Activity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment,
Vol.9 No.4,
September
10,
2020
ABSTRACT: Steppe soils of a small industrialized city with moderate anthropogenic
impact for example Krasny Kut, Saratov region were analysed to ascertain their ecological and functional
state. In the course of this work, the concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Cu,
Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd) was determined in the soil samples, including the hazard
coefficient (Kо) and the total
contamination coefficient (Zc). Magnetic susceptibility, magnetic coefficient (Kmag), thermomagnetic effect
(dk) of the soil samples were
analysed together with the activity of soil enzymes (dehydrogenases, catalases,
peroxidases and invertases). Using ecological and geochemical analytical
methods, a widespread excess of maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of
mobile forms Ni, Pb, Cu and Zn was recorded in the soil samples of Krasny Kut,
and a single excess of MPC was observed for Cr and Cd. According to Zc indicator values, 4 samples were classified as soils with moderately dangerous
levels of contamination and 2 samples with
dangerous levels of contamination. Using petromagnetic analysis, a few samples
were observed to contain a moderate amount of introduced technogenic magnetic particles
and one sample with a hazardous amount of introduced technogenic magnetic
particles. Medium, high and very high levels of dehydrogenase, catalase,
peroxidase and invertase activities were recorded in the soil samples,
indicating the absence of ecotoxicants inhibiting the enzymes. The observed
peculiarities in the ecological and functional state of soils, representative
of the steppe zone of the Eastern part of the European territory of Russia will
be required for monitoring, reducing and forecasting the anthropogenic burden
on soil ecosystems.