Articles

This article compares the earthen kurgan constructions and building technologies of seven kurgans of the Bronze Age Yamnaya culture in the Orenburg region. We conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine the source materials for kurgan construction and the primary earthen building techniques used to create kurgans, focusing on macro-, meso-, and micromorphological properties. It made it possible to prove that ancient people did not simply pile up earthen materials in a chaotic manner but always used specific building plans, skills, and technologies available. We have noted the similarities and differences in the structure of earthen constructions, using the results of studying the kurgans of the Yamnaya culture from the beginning of the developed stage A to the end of the developed stage B (3300–2600 cal BC). Some of the identified differences are because of even slight changes in environmental conditions and, consequently, in the available raw materials that affect construction materials and technologies. Based on the analysis of all the kurgans, the primary way of their building has been identified — the creation of a “pestrotsvet” (patchy-colored material) and the techniques used for this — kneading, tamping, and inclusion of artificially introduced material. Local soils formed the primary material, to which various inclusions were added (river silt, bones, coals, etc.). Kurgan size, the original material's particle-size pattern, and its resulting cementing properties determined whether the material was extensively kneaded and tamped, or if a more complex design was employed.

The paper focuses on the preliminary description of the paleosol profile (microprofile) of Late Proterozoic (Vendian) age. The profile was found on the left bank of the Kosva River downstream of the Shirokovskoe water reservoir (Gubakha District of the Perm region). The upper part of this profile (genetic horizons of B and BC) is dissected by vertical tracks of desiccation. The lower part of the profile (siltstone of the horizon C) contains fossils of soft-bodied metazoan organisms including pinnate forms (Petalonamae), bilateral movable benthic forms (Proarticulata), medusoids and cyano-bacterial films. A model of organization of the studied facial and paleoecological loci is proposed. The paleosuccession is reconstructed on the basis of the sections studied and discussed. The matrix containing the paleosol profile formed in conditions of near-coast shallow-water basin. The siltstones of the matrix with the lumpy structure and small spherical concretions were exposed in aerial conditions, what influenced on structure of initial sediment from stratificated layer to lumpy soil matrix in a result of vertical cracking of the initial sandy-clayey matrix. After that, the conditions of shallow-water marine or lagoon basin came back, and the biota of soft-bodied organisms had developed there. Then, after shallowing of the basin, the deposited sediments exposed in aerial conditions again, perhaps in zone of wave dropping near the littoral. Presence of water let the bacterial-algal community to develop. Atmospheric agents together with insolation led to cracking of upper surface of the forming soil microprofile FPS-Sh1.

Paleopedological studies were conducted on the territory of the Kostenkovsko-Borshchevsky district. The K12 ancient human site is a reference section for regional studies of paleopedology, paleoecology, geological and cultural sequences. K12 contains a complete series of cultural layers related to the first part of MIS-3 in the range of 53–42 thousand years BP. This study is a continuation of previously conducted work on the K1 site, located on the opposite side of the “Pokrovsky Log” balka. In excavation K12, 16 lithological layers were identified, differing in structure, composition and properties. The material composition of the sediments is represented by chalk eluvium, which forms the sides of the balka, and loess-like loams of the watershed. Deposits with different proportions of chalk and loam were formed in the aqueous and aerial phases of sedimentation. In the excavation, about 5 m deep, three buried soils were found. The age of the lower one is about 50 thousand years BP. Cultural layers are confined to paleosols. Paleosols are an indicator of breaks in sedimentation. Four soil-sedimentary complexes were identified in the excavation. A description of the processes and the chronological sequence of their formation is given. The conducted research opens up new aspects in the study of buried soils of gully sedimentary complexes.

The discovery of Pleistocene paleosols, including a level corresponding to the previous interglacial (MIS 5e), in the north of Western Siberia is of fundamental importance for Quaternary stratigraphy and paleoecology. This paper presents, for the first time, the results of a study of a pedocomplex found in the Belaya Gora section (Valley of the Vakh River). The period of its formation, established through uranium-thorium dating and taking into account paleobotanical and paleontological data, spans from the end of MIS 6 to MIS 4 inclusive. Morphogenetic analysis at the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels, as well as data on granulometry, mineralogy, and humus composition — including the humic acid/fulvic acid ratio and the proportions of the main structure-forming elements (C, H, N) in humic acids — made it possible to reconstruct the succession of pedogenetic, sedimentary, and cryogenic processes. Based on the obtained comprehensive geological record and considering previously published paleontological data, a paleoecological reconstruction was carried out, along with the chronostratigraphic attribution of all pedocomplex levels. A paleosol subprofile corresponding to the warmest substage of MIS 5e — the Kazantsev thermochron was identified. At the same time, it was shown that the permafrost-gley (cryohydromorphic) stage, which marks the end of the formation of each paleosol level and took place during the cold substages of MIS5, exerts a dominant influence on paleosol morphology and masks the features of preceding, warmer phases. An unexpected finding of neoformed gypsum crystals in combination with ferruginous nodules was explained by the oxidation of previously formed pyrite and was also attributed to the cryohydromorphic phase of paleopedogenesis. An interregional correlation of the studied profile with pedostratigraphic schemes of the loess formation in adjacent regions — the East European Plain and the south of West Siberia — was carried out. For most elements of the studied pedocomplex and the overlying sedimentary and cryogenic units, correlative levels in loess-paleosol sequences were identified, with the exception of the paleosols from the end of MIS 6 — the Taz cryochron, indicating a gap in the South Siberian loess-paleosol record.

The main types of soils in the northeastern part of the Sakhalin Island have been studied in conditions of oil pollution (1 year and 10 years), as well as their background counterparts. The regularities of hydrocarbons transformation in oil-contaminated soils are revealed, the possibility of launching self-purification processes based on the results of an assessment of the composition of petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is shown. The analysis of n-alkanes as markers of TPH biodegradation showed a change in their content and composition, depending on the degree and age of soil contamination by TPH, as well as the sorption capacity of soils. During the first year, the mechanisms of soil self-purification are triggered, leading to a change in the composition of n-alkanes: light fractions volatilized, alkanes C16–C23 undergo to biodegradation. Under conditions of 1-year oil contamination of soils, the composition of petroleum hydrocarbons undergoes significant changes, expressed in an increase in the proportion of microbial n-alkanes (ΣC20–25). An increase in the content of high molecular homologues ΣC26–C34 has been found in comparison with the initial state of oil-contaminated soils and the composition of oil. The calculations of CPI (coefficient of oddness), Ki (coefficient of biodegradation) and Kw (coefficient "degree of waxiness") demonstrateв the transformation of the composition of n-alkanes and, in general, the transformation of petroleum hydrocarbons in time. The use of the sum of odd n-alkanes C27, C29, and C31 as a diagnostic indicator is a solid base for selecting background soils in the area of hydrocarbon deposits.

The paper presents the results of grouping the lands of the Educational and Experimental Soil and Ecological Center of Lomonosov Moscow State University "Chashnikovo" territory according to the degree of erosion and the need for anti-erosion measures. The work uses an express method of mapping the studied territory using a 1:5,000 scale topographic base, a soil map and an on-farm land management plan. The grouping of the lands of the territory was carried out for the territories of field crop rotations № 1 and 2. It has been established that the lands of the second (46.3%) and third (38.1%) categories of erosion hazard predominate in the territory of crop rotation № 1 (total area 75.6 hectares). An analysis of the land distribution of field crop rotation № 2 (area 67.2 ha) showed that the land categories were distributed as follows: the first — 37.5%, the second — 26.5% and the third — 29.3%. The main recommendations for the rational use of crop rotation areas are given, taking into account the application of anti-erosion measures on lands of 4 categories. No special anti-erosion measures are required in the territories assigned to the first category of Class "A" lands. On lands of the second category, preventive measures are needed to reduce surface runoff and soil drainage (carrying out basic and auxiliary soil treatments across the slope or close to the horizontal). Lands of the third category — it is necessary to carry out a complex of anti-erosion measures aimed at reducing surface runoff and soil washout (contour plowing, soil deepening, formation of artificial microrelief). On lands of the fourth category of erosion hazard, the introduction of a soil-protective crop rotation is required, in which row crops are excluded. The share of perennial grasses (2/3 of the area) and grain crops (1/3 of the area) is increasing. Increased doses of fertilizers are required on lands of the third and fourth categories. The doses are increased for lands of the 3rd category by 15%, 4 — by 30% compared to the doses for the 2nd category.

This study is focused on the erosion losses of heavy metals and other elements, as well as their redistribution in large soil aggregates. An erosion-prone slope in the zone of sod-podzolic soils (Educational and Experimental Soil and Ecological Center of Lomonosov Moscow State University "Chashnikovo") was selected as an object. In the selected samples, the gross content of the main soil trace elements and macroelements was determined using X-ray fluorescence analysis. It was noted that Zn, Sr, Fe and Rb were removed from the soil at the foot of the slope, moreover, these elements were mainly accumulated in aggregates 5‒2 mm in diameter. In turn, Zr, Nb, Ti, Cr, Al were also actively washed out at the foot of the slope, approximately equally distributed among all groups of aggregates. There are also elements for which the influence of the studied factors (location relative to the slope and size of aggregates) was not observed: Cu, Ni, Ga, As. A unique behavior was recorded for manganese, it is the only element for which an increase in the content was reliably recorded at the foot of the slope, moreover, in small aggregates <2 mm in diameter (p-value <0,05), the most prone to erosion washout. According to the results of dispersion and correlation analyses, we are assuming that erosion processes influence the distribution of zinc, strontium, chromium and manganese, and the distribution of other elements is influenced by the factor of parent material, anthropogenic input and/or podzolic process.

The study investigates the profile distribution of a complex of pollutants in roadside soils. The research was conducted in the Moscow Region, within the territory of the Educational and Experimental Soil and Ecological Center of Lomonosov Moscow State University "Chashnikovo". Soil samples were collected along a transect perpendicular to the Leningrad Highway at distances of 2 m (roadside), 7 m (a depression in the terrain before the forest belt), 50 m (a field behind the forest belt), and 175 m (the central part of the field) from the road surface, at depths of 0–5 cm, 15–20 cm, 30–35 cm, and 45–50 cm. The 2–7 m zone was characterized by technogenic soils, while the 50–175 m zone consisted of sod-podzolic soils used for agriculture. The contents of heavy metals (HMs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), as well as chlorides (Cl⁻)—key components of deicing agents—were determined. Additional analyses included particle size distribution, organic carbon content, soil pH, and electrical conductivity. It was found that the distribution of different pollutants in the soil profile was not uniform and depended on soil properties, pollutant characteristics, and the landscape design. The 2–7 m zone was characterized by intense contamination with all types of pollutants. PAHs showed a decreasing or bimodal vertical distribution (from top to bottom); HMs showed a decreasing pattern for Cu and Zn, while for Ni and Pb, an increase in concentration was observed in the lower layers or a uniform profile distribution was noted. PHCs showed a decreasing profile, and Cl- exhibited either a decreasing or bimodal distribution. Among soil properties, organic carbon content and particle size distribution were the main factors influencing the vertical differentiation of pollutant concentrations. Exceedances of the maximum allowable concentrations were observed for the mobile forms of Cu and Zn, as well as for petroleum hydrocarbons and PAHs. In the 50–175 m zone, the dynamics of soil contamination were different. Concentrations of all pollutants gradually decreased with depth, reaching background levels. Pollution was detected only in the surface soil layer for PAHs, the concentrations of which slightly (up to twofold) exceeded regional background values. The study highlighted the importance of investigating soil profile contamination near roads. Certain pollutants (Ni and Pb, PAHs, and Cl⁻) may show complex vertical distributions with increasing concentrations in deeper soil layers. It was also shown that the design of the roadside landscape played a crucial role in the distribution of pollutants. An artificially created depression a few meters from the Leningrad Highway can intercept runoff from the road surface, preventing pollutant migration to agricultural areas located upslope. Additionally, a living windbreak in the form of a forest belt reduced the airborne migration of pollutants. Intensive sedimentation of PAHs in front of the forest belt resulted in a nearly 20-fold decrease in their concentrations in soils behind it. Such landscape design can be an effective solution for protecting agricultural fields adjacent to highways. However, the study also emphasized the need for remediation measures to reduce extremely high pollutant levels in close proximity to the road, as surface dust can act as a secondary source of soil contamination near roads and also affect pedestrians and drivers

The distribution patterns of microelements in soils along two soil-geochemical catenas within the "Chashnikovo" territory in Moscow Oblast were studied. The first catena, "Klyazma", is associated with the northeastern slope of the Klyazma River valley and includes eluvial, transit, transit-accumulative, and superaquatic landscapes. Within this catena, a carbonate double-sided biogeochemical barrier was diagnosed at the contact zone between the transit and transit-accumulative landscapes. A distinctive feature of this catena is the modern functioning of the superaquatic landscape in its post-hydromorphic stage of development. The type of this catena is heterolithic due to the transition from cover loams on moraine to alluvial deposits within its boundaries. The second catena, "Kirpichnoye Pole", consists of eluvial and a series of transit-accumulative landscapes with varying hydromorphism degrees. The eluvial landscape is located in the well-drained upper part slope of northeastern exposure. The second site within the transit-accumulative landscape is situated in the contact zone of the partially drained lower part of the slope, influenced by the gully "Krasnyy Voyn". The third and fourth sites of this landscape are characterized by increasing levels of hydromorphism. Throughout the entire length of the catena, soil formation occurs on cover loams underlain by moraine, which allows it to be classified as monolithic. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that the typological differences between the catenas and the presence of a carbonate biogeochemical barrier in one of them allowed us to establish similarities and differences in element behavior under different conditions. Element behavior reflects general features common to soils within the southern taiga landscapes of Moscow Oblast. The distribution pattern of elements in soils is explained by soil-forming processes, past agricultural activities, bioaccumulation processes, and the influx of elements as pollutants due to the proximity of these landscapes to the M-10 highway ("Moscow-Saint Petersburg") and residential buildings. Texture-differentiated soils show correlations between silt fraction content and elements such as V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, and As, while alluvial soils exhibit strong links between medium silt fraction and Mn, Fe, As, Mo, Cd and Hg. Within the studied catenas, the increase in hydromorphism leads to the accumulation of iron-manganese concretions in the soils. The carbonate barrier reduces the overall migration flow primarily of elements belonging to the iron family.