Changes in the agrochemical parameters of sod-podzolic soils under the influence of chromium pollution and recultivation measures

Abstract

In the conditions of the Udmurt Republic, field experiments (2017-2021) were carried out on the remediation of  agro-podzolic loamy soil (albeluvisoils) with a high level of chromium contamination (application of 500 mg a.i./kg of soil). Both chemical and physicochemical mechanisms have been used to reduce the degree of mobility of this heavy metal in soil. Ameliorants and fertilizers (limestone and phosphate rock, superphosphate, potassium humate, peat, zeolite) in various doses were studied as ameliorative additives. Various doses of ameliorants and fertilizers were studied as ameliorative additives: limestone and phospharite meal, superphosphate, potassium humate, peat and zeolite. As a result of the research, it was found that all ameliorative additives not only caused a sharp decrease in the mobility of chromium by 40-65 %, but also had a positive effect on the agrochemical parameters of the contaminated soil. The nature and parameters of this influence were determined by their chemical composition, the rate of application, and the period that passed after the application. Limestone flour statistically significantly reduced soil acidity in contaminated soil (by 1.21-3.03 pHKCl units) and increased the total of absorbed bases by 1.7-6.5 times. Phospharite meal (by 2.1-9.1 times) and superphosphate (by 13-43 %) increased the mobile phosphorus content in the soil; peat increased the organic matter content (by 0.28-1.47 abs.%); zeolite increased the total exchangeable bases by 1.4-9.8 mmol/100g or by 12-239 %. The positive effect of these ameliorative additives, especially their increased doses, was traced during all five years of observation, what allows them to be recommended as promising ameliorants for restoring the fertility of soddy-podzolic soils contaminated with chromium.