Spatial Heterogeneity in the Properties of High-Moor Peat Soils under Local Pyrogenesis in Northeastern Sakhalin

The structure and properties of oligotrophic peat, oligotrophic peat gley, and pyrogenic oligotrophic peat soils identified on a plot 0.5 km² in area in the northeast of Sakhalin Island have been studied. The vertical distributions of physicochemical, chemical, and ecotoxicological parameters in the profiles of some bog soil groups have been considered. An increase in ash content, a less acid reaction, and a deficit of available nitrogen and potassium have been revealed in the upper horizons of pyrogenic soils. No accumulation of mobile heavy metals is manifested in the pyrogenic horizons of peat soils. Statistical parameters of the spatial variation in pH_KCl and total acidity, as well as the contents of ash, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen, mobile heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb), and benzo[a]pyrene, have been calculated for the moss and sublitter horizons. The variation coefficients are 30–100% for most of the studied parameters and reach 100–200% for available phosphorus; ammonium nitrogen; and mobile Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd. An increase in the content of benzo[a]pyrene, although without MPC exceedance, is noted in the moss of pyrogenic soils and the peat horizons untouched by fires.     

Pyrogenic transformation of organic matter in soils of forest bogs

Natural fires on forest bogs significantly affect all the groups and fractions of peat organic matter. The type and intensity of the fires are responsible for the depth of the pyrogenic transformation of peat. In the course of thermal destruction of peat organic matter, humus substances (humic acids in particular) are accumulated, which leads to changes in the type of humus; the humus reserves may increase by 1.5–8 times. Several ways of the formation of humus components related to the intensity of a fire are suggested. The regressive evolution of bog ecosystems caused by fires is a reversible process. The humus status of pyrogenically transformed horizons and their morphology are preserved within the peat deposit as a relic characteristic of the discrete metamorphosis of the soils.     

Spatial variation of peat soil properties in the oil-producing region of northeastern Sakhalin

Morphology and properties of medium-deep oligotrophic peat, oligotrophic peat gley, pyrogenic oligotrophic peat gley, and peat gley soils on subshrub-cotton grass-sphagnum bogs and in swampy larch forests of northeastern Sakhalin have been studied. Variation in the thickness and reserves of litters in the studied bog and forest biogeocenoses has been analyzed. The profile distribution and spatial variability of moisture, density, ash, and pH_KCl in separate groups of peat soils have been described. The content and spatial variability of petroleum hydrocarbons have been considered in relation to the accumulation of natural bitumoids by peat soils and the technogenic pressing in the oil-producing region. Variation of each parameter at different distances (10, 50, and 1000 m) has been estimated using a hierarchical sampling scheme. The spatial conjugation of soil parameters has been studied by factor analysis using the principal components method and Spearman correlation coefficients. Regression equations have been proposed to describe relationships of ash content with soil density and content of petroleum hydrocarbons in peat horizons.     

The problem of fire control on drained peatlands and its solution

Fires on drained peatlands arise as a result of lowering of the groundwater table and the rupture of its capillary fringe from the peat soil horizons. Fires destroy the most fertile soils of the nonchernozemic region, adversely affect the diversity and species composition of the biota and the work of transport, and cause diseases and the death of people. A set of preventive measures against fires on the drained peatlands is proposed. It is important to use these soils only for meadow grass cultivation with rotations enriched in perennial grasses. No cases of “black” crop growing are possible on peatlands. The reclamation of peat soils should be implemented only with the bilateral regulation of the water regime. An optimal system of increasing the fertility of drained peat soils should be applied; their use should also be accompanied by sanding.     

Morphology and properties of the soils of permafrost peatlands in the southeast of the Bol’shezemel’skaya tundra

The morphology and properties of the soils of permafrost peatlands in the southeast of the Bol’shezemel’skaya tundra are characterized. The soils developing in the areas of barren peat circles differ from oligotrophic permafrost-affected peat soils (Cryic Histosols) of vegetated peat mounds in a number of morphological and physicochemical parameters. The soils of barren circles are characterized by the wellstructured surface horizons, relatively low exchangeable acidity, and higher rates of decomposition and humification of organic matter. It is shown that the development of barren peat circles on tops of peat mounds is favored by the activation of erosional and cryogenic processes in the topsoil. The role of winter wind erosion in the destruction of the upper peat and litter horizons is demonstrated. A comparative analysis of the temperature regime of soils of vegetated peat mounds and barren peat circles is presented. The soil–geocryological complex of peat mounds is a system consisting of three major layers: seasonally thawing layer–upper permafrost–underlying permafrost. The upper permafrost horizons of peat mounds at the depth of 50–90 cm are morphologically similar to the underlying permafrost. However, these layers differ in their physicochemical properties, especially in the composition and properties of their organic matter.     

Soils of postpyrogenic larch stands in Central Siberia: Morphology,physicochemical properties,and specificity of soil organic matter

Morphological features, physicochemical properties, and specific characteristics of the organic matter of cryozems (Cryosols) under postpyrogenic larch forests affected by fires 2, 6, 22, 55, and 116 years ago are considered. The morphological changes in the soils affected by fires are manifested by the burning of the upper organic horizons with preservation of pyrogenic features in the soils for more than a century after the fire. In the first years (2 and 6 years) after the fire, the acidity of the organic horizons and their base saturation become lower. The postpyrogenic soils are characterized by the smaller contribution of the organic horizons to the total pools of soil organic carbon. In the studied cryozems, the organic carbon content is correlated with the contents of oxalate-extractable iron and aluminum. A decrease in the content of water-soluble organic compounds in the soils is observed after the fires; gradually, their content increases upon restoration of the ground cover.     

Population and biomass of microorganisms in soils of pyrogenic succession in the northern taiga pine forests

In the organic horizons of the Al-Fe-humus podzols under the old pine forests of the northern taiga, the biomass of all the groups of microorganisms, the length of the fungal and actinomycete mycelium, the number of fungal spores, and the bacterial population were maximal (13 mg/g) irrespectively of the stage of pyrogenic succession. The share of fungi (mainly, of basidiomycetes) exceeded 90%. In the mineral root-inhabited soil horizons, the biomass of microorganisms was not greater than 1.0 mg/g. The soil under the lichen pine forest had the smallest biomass of microorganisms as compared to the soil under the pine forests that were not exposed to fire for a long time. At all the stages of the pyrogenic succession, the most favorable conditions for the functioning of microorganisms were in the root-inhabited horizons of the soils in near-stem sites due to the accumulation of nutrients there. In the soils of these zones, the basidiomycete biomass was greater than that in the soils of the gaps. In the mineral soil horizons, buckleless micromycetes demonstrated the same trend. No distinct parcella differences, with respect to the soil nutrient regime, were found only for the prokaryotes. The fungi in the Al-Fe-humus podzols may be used as indicators for the pyrogenic succession stages of forest ecosystems. At the early stages, micromycetes without buckles prevailed, and, in the course of succession, the share of basidiomycetes clearly increased. The density and structure of mycorrhiza were tightly related to the nutrient regime of the soils. The increase in the concentration of available biogenic elements in the root-inhabited soil horizons did not cause the necessity of developing complex mycorrhiza forms.     

Vegetation and pedogenesis on pyrogenic substrates of former peat soils

The role of vegetation and chemical factors in the development of the primary pedogenesis and evolution of pyrogenic formations resulting from fires on drained peat soils was studied. Over four years after the fire, a shallow (1 cm) humus horizon is formed on the surface of the ashy horizon of the pyrogenic formations. For six years, its thickness increases up to 3–4 cm. The dynamics and productivity of the plant cover on the pyrogenic formations were investigated. The dominant plant species were restricted to certain pyrogenic formations. The formation of stable phytocenoses and chemical transformation of substrates are the factors governing the primary pedogenesis on pyrogenic substrates. Four stages in the evolution of the pyrogenic formations were revealed. At the fourth stage, some features appeared that permit us to recognize the development of soddy soils on the pyrogenic substrates (i.e., soddy pyrogenic-mucky, soddy pyrogenic-sandy soils, etc.).     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pyrogenic soils of swampy landscapes of the Meshchera lowland

The composition and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in organomineral and organic soils of the Meshchera National Park. It was found that the background oligotrophic peat soils unaffected by fires in central parts of the bogs are characterized by the increased PAH concentrations due to their high sorption capacity. The fires of 2007 and 2010 resulted in the transformation of the plant cover and soil morphology, the formation of new horizons, and the change in the PAHs content and composition. Significant burn-off of organic matter was found in oligotrophic-eutrophic soils and resulted in the decrease of PAHs content after fire. Only partial burn-off of organic horizons and intense formation of PAHs were recorded in the soil with initially great thickness of peat horizons. Pyrogenic accumulation of PAHs was identified in organomineral soils of the marginal parts of bogs and of forest sites.     

Lessivage and its relation to the hydrological regime of soils

By the examples of four typical catenas in the East European Plain, the role of lessivage in the development of automorphic and hydromorphic loamy and clayey soils with light-colored acid eluvial horizons and with different degrees of gleyzation has been studied. It is found that characteristic features of lessivage are often observed in the soils without hydrological barriers hampering or preventing the vertical migration of soil water and mass transfer processes. The hydrological barriers may be represented by the shallow horizons of temporarily perched water, or by the ascending capillary fringe of the ground water, or by the water-saturated horizons, in which the volume of free pores does not exceed 2–4%. It is shown that light-colored acid eluvial horizons may be formed in the profiles of loamy and clayey soils without any signs of lessivage. The development of strongly gleyed soils (gleyed soddy-podzolic soils and pseudogley soils (Stagnosols)) is not related to colmatage (silting of their illuvial horizons through lessivage); it is conditioned by the actual hydrological regime of these soils. The role of lessivage, podzolization, and gleyzation in the development of clay-differentiated soils is discussed.     

Actinomycetal complexes in drained peat soils of the taiga zone upon pyrogenic succession

The number and diversity of actinomycetes in peat soils vary in dependence on the stage of pyrogenic succession. In the cultivated peat soil, the number of actinomycetes after fires decreases by three-four times, mainly at the expense of acidophilic and neutrophilic groups. An increase in the number of mycelial prokaryotes (at the expense of alkaliphilic forms) is seen on the fifth year of functioning of the pyrogenic peat soil. The species diversity of streptomycetes in peat soils also decreases after fires. An increase in the range of streptomycetal species at the expense of neutrophilic and alkaliphilic forms takes place on the fifth year of the pyrogenic succession. Parameters of the actinomycetal complex—the population density, species composition, and ecological features—are the criteria whose changes allow us to judge the state of peat soils in the course of their pyrogenic succession.     

基于废弃物的潞安煤矿废弃地改良土壤基质配比研究

为解决潞安矿区煤矸石山、塌陷地生态修复缺土少肥问题,本研究将粉煤灰、污泥与垃圾堆肥以5%、10%、20%体积比例正交混合配制改良土壤基质进行盆栽试验,观测不同配比土壤的理化性质、养分及重金属含量、高羊茅与紫叶小檗生长状况,并用主成分–聚类分析法筛选最优配比。结果表明:添加垃圾堆肥可以提高土壤有效养分与有机质含量,对土壤理化性质改良有明显效果;添加污泥仅提升土壤有效磷含量;添加粉煤灰在降低土壤容重、增大总孔隙度与非毛管孔隙度上效果明显,但对土壤p H、阳离子交换量(CEC)与碱解氮的改良具有显著负效应。各废弃物改良基质的碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、有机质等含量均较高,土壤重金属含量也处在安全范围,而土壤容重、非毛管孔隙、pH、电导率(EC)与CEC等指标性质较优的处理组为粉煤灰∶污泥∶垃圾堆肥∶土=5%∶20%∶20%∶55%、10%∶10%∶20%∶60%、20%∶5%∶20%∶55%3个处理。经过综合筛选,本研究基质最优混合配比为粉煤灰∶污泥∶垃圾堆肥∶土=5%∶20%∶20%∶55%,可作为当地矿区废弃地生态修复客土材料推荐方案。     

Biological properties of soils in the Moscow State University Botanical Garden: The branch on Prospekt Mira

Among the urban soils of Moscow, the soils of botanical gardens remain poorly studied. In this connection, the investigation of the soils in the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University (the branch on Prospekt Mira) founded 300 years ago is of great interest. The morphological, microbiological, chemical, and physical properties of these soils classified by Stroganova as culturozems or recreazems are described in detail. These soils (including the buried horizons) have a neutral reaction, 3–4% organic carbon, and an elevated heavy metal concentration. The soils are enriched with Azotobacter (indicating their high fertility) and yeasts (lipomycetes, which are characteristic inhabitants of the soils under forest plantations). These organisms also inhabit the buried horizons. All the soils studied were not toxic with respect to Azotobacter.     

Differentiation of the soil cover in the lower Ob River valley

Specific features of the soil cover in the lower reaches of the Ob River are analyzed. The physicochemical properties and composition of the floodplain soils in different parts of the valley and on different floodplain elements are given. A comparative geographical analysis of the accumulation of macro-and microelements in the floodplain soils as a result of alluviation processes in the middle and lower reaches of the Ob River is suggested. The evolution of the floodplain soils and the results of the development of stratified humus horizons, changes in the hydrological regime, and cessation of floods are discussed.     

Hydrothermic regime,dynamics of organic matter and nitrogen in drained peaty soils at different sanding modes

The rate of biochemical decomposition of organic matter in drained peaty soils has been studied for the black, sand‐mixed, and sand‐mantled farming systems with a concurrent analysis of hydrothermic conditions. The maximum depletion of peat was observed in the plow horizon for the black system and in the plow and subplow horizons for the mixed system. For the sand‐mantled system, two maximums were found for the biochemical decomposition of organic matter (in the plow horizon and in the zone of the open capillary fringe). Sand‐mixed and sand‐mantled cultures enhance the biochemical depletion of peat. An accelerated decomposition of the peat organic matter after addition of sand results in increasing the content of mobile nitrogen in soil and ground waters. Protection against the degradation is associated with control of the ground water table.     

Pyrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of reserved and anthropogenically modified areas: Factors and features of accumulation

The accumulation features of pyrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils were analyzed depending on the type of burning material and the combustion conditions (the temperature, oxygen access, and dispersion of the combustion products). The PAH accumulation features in the soils of three reserved areas of forest, steppe, and peat fires were revealed. The distribution features of the PAHs resulting from the anthropogenic pyrogenic processes (the household combustion of wood and the inflammation of coal dumps) in soils were established. The differences in the qualitative composition of the PAHs arriving to the soils from the different pyrogenic sources were shown.     

Torfeigenschaften und ungesättigte hydraulische Leitfähigkeit von Moorböden

Peat properties and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of peat soils . Drainage of organic soils is closely connected with water supply of plants by the capillary fringe of the groundwater. Unsaturated flow of water was measured by the double-membrane apparatus described by Vetterlein, which was modified for experiments with undisturbed peat samples. The influence of decomposition, nature of peat, ash content, bulk density (consolidation) and flux direction on unsaturated flow of water in peat soils was determined. The correlation to unsaturated water conductivity decreased in the sequence: decomposition, flux direction, ash content, bulk density. A dependence on bulk density exists only below pF 2.     

Anthropogenically-triggered iron pan formation in some Irish soils over various time spans

Podzolisation, with iron transport and deposition as coloured Bs or Bh horizons, is the fate of acid or decalcified, free-draining mineral soils in Ireland's cool temperate, humid climate. A second generation of iron accumulation, mainly in the form of thin seams (pans, placic horizons) has been studied at several locations in Ireland. These seams generally occur within a former cultivated horizon and within 20–25 cm of the current surface. The time span over which the iron pans developed ranges from a few decades to four or five centuries and invariably involved a change in land-use. The trigger for the new accumulation is a change in Eh/pH relations and/or acid/base conditions. Examples include (1) sudden and massive loading of a parkland pasture with peat debris in the 1950s, (2) acid litter from a single spruce crop (ca. 50 years) in a reclaimed podzol topsoil, (3) slow accumulation of peat debris over a number of decades in a peat fuel storage area, started about 100 years ago, (4) invasion of land abandoned ca. 1850 by heather and other acidophilic species and (5) run down of soil fertility and structure by grazing without amendments (pedogenic age, four to five centuries). The morphological and chemical characteristics of these soils show that where free iron is present in a horizon, any land-use change that establishes a pH or Eh/pH gradient is likely to initiate diffusion gradients and the local accumulation of iron oxides, irrespective of topographic position. This study investigates the effect of organic matter on iron accumulation and on the development of the second-generation eluvial/illuvial horizon sequence as affected by anthropogenic activities.     

Distributions of Heavy Metals and Benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]pyrene in Oligotrophic Peat Soils and Peat Gleyzems of Northeastern Sakhalin

The contents and profile distributions of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, and benzo[a]pyrene in oligotrophic peat soils, oligotrophic peat gley soils (Dystric Fibric Histosols), humus-impregnated peat gleyzems (Dystric Histic Gleysols), and mucky gleyzems (Dystric Gleysols) have been analyzed with consideration for their degree of oligotrophicity and anthropogenic loads. Horizons with the accumulation (O, Tpyr, TT) and removal (Ghi,e) of heavy metals have been revealed. The increase in the content of heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene in the upper layer of oligotrophic peat soils under technogenic fallouts in the impact zone of flare and motor transport has been considered. Statistical parameters of the spatial variation of parameters in organic and gley horizons have been calculated. The variation coefficients of pollutant elements (Pb and Zn) in the surface horizons of soils increase to 100–125%. Positive correlations revealed between the content of some heavy metals in litter indicate their bioaccumulation and possible joint input with aerotechnogenic fallouts. No correlations are found between the contents of benzo[a]pyrene and heavy metals, but a reliable negative correlation with the ash content is noted in the peat horizon.     

Specific features of the development of soils of hydromorphic ecosystems in the northern taiga of Western Siberia under conditions of cryogenesis

Differently directed and heterochronous cryogenic processes have contributed to the contrasting soil cover patterns and spatial heterogeneity of the properties of soils in hydromorphic ecosystems of the discontinuous permafrost zone of the northern taiga in Western Siberia. Frost heave and permafrost thawing within ecosystems of highmoor bogs have led to the development of specific cryogenic landforms, such as flat-topped and large peat mounds. A set of cryogenic soils is developed in these ecosystems; it includes different variants of cryozems, gleyzems (Cryosols), and peat soils (Histosols). The distribution of these soil types is controlled by the local topography and thawing depth, other factors being insignificant. Alternation of peat horizons of different types and ages, whirl-like patterns of horizon boundaries, considerable variations in the thickness of soil horizons, and inversions of soil horizons under the impact of frost cracking, frost heave, and cryoturbation are typical of the considered soils. Thawing depth is the most significant factor affecting the thickness of organic horizons, the soil pH, and the degree of decomposition of peat. As a result of the upward movement of bog ecosystems under the impact of frost heave, peat soils are subjected to considerable transformation: peat horizons undergo mineralization, and the thickness of organic horizons decreases; in some cases, eluvial–illuvial differentiation of the mineral horizons takes place, and peat podzols are developed. However, the opposite process of the return of the soils to the bog stage of pedogenesis with peat accumulation may take place in any time in the case of activation of thermokarst processes.