Assessment of resistance of soddy-calcareous typical soils of the Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus to chemical contamination

Abstract

Based on laboratory modeling, a conclusion has been made that contamination of soddy-calcareous typical soil of the Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus by Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and oil results in its poorer biological properties. The total number of bacteria drops, the activity of catalase and dehydrogenase and celluloselytic activity become smaller, the amount of bacteria of the Azotobacter genus decreases, and the parameters of germination and initial growth of radish become poorer. With respect to the adverse effect on the biological properties of the investigates soil, heavy metals may be arranged into the following series: Cr > Cu ≥ Ni = Pb. Qualitative benchmarks of the regional maximum permissible contents of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and oil in soddycalcareous typical soils of this region were determined on the basis of changes in ecological soil functions.