Intraprofile Distribution of Mobile Forms of Some Heavy Metals in Eroded Mountain Chernozems

Abstract

Microelements, which are mainly found in soil, play an important role in plants' normal growth and development. Their excess or deficiency disrupts the normal growth and development of living organisms. Consequently, the study of the content and patterns of distribution of microelements in soils, including eroded ones, is of scientific and practical importance.

The article discusses the distribution and content of mobile forms of microelements, including manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), and copper (Cu), in eroded mountain chernozems. A connection has been revealed between erosion and the content of mobile microelements in the soil. The content of mobile microelements decreases as the degree of erodibility of mountain chernozems increases. In strongly eroded chernozems, compared to non-eroded ones, the reserves of mobile manganese are reduced by 62-89%, copper by 64-95%, and cobalt by 49-94%. The amount of mobile copper in slightly eroded, typical chernozems sometimes increases.

In typical chernozems, the patterns of microelement distribution within the soil profile also change depending on cultivation and the degree of erosion. It should be noted that the copper content in the upper horizons of non-eroded and slightly eroded arable lands is significantly higher (9.9–10.6 mg/kg) than in their virgin counterparts (7.0–7.7 mg/kg). Regarding manganese and cobalt content, typical chernozems under cultivation differ little from virgin soils.