<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Research to evaluate the role of the soil algae in the initiation of pedogenesis in sandy areas and to establish the mineral, chemical and organic composition of soil-algal crusts was done. The investigations area is located in southern Poland in a landscape of drift sand (Bledowska Desert) formed as a result of medieval deforestation related to Ag, Pb and Fe mining activities. Fifteen species of algae (<italic>Cyanophyta</italic>, <italic>Chlorophyta</italic> and <italic>Heterokontophyta</italic>) were identified. In the soil-algal crusts, Corg contents ranged from 0.35-2.23%, Pavail from 9-34 mg · kg−1 and Nt was variable. In investigated area the ground on which soil algae developed was acidic (pH 4.4-5.7 in KCl). Among mineral components in the crust, phases rich in Fe and K dominated (776.5(±2.3) - 2803(±31) mg · kg−1 and 230.5(±3.7) - 696(±22) mg · kg−1, respectively) and elevated concentrations of Zn, Mn and Pb occurred. Soil-crust organic matter includes aliphatic and aromatic compounds, carbohydrate derivatives, phenols, furan and pyrene structures. N compounds have significant contribution in composition of soil-algal crusts - the algae are main source of organic matter in this stage of soil formation. It could accelerate the regeneration of disturbed ecological systems.</abstract>

Research to evaluate the role of the soil algae in the initiation of pedogenesis in sandy areas and to establish the mineral, chemical and organic composition of soil-algal crusts was done. The investigations area is located in southern Poland in a landscape of drift sand (Bledowska Desert) formed as a result of medieval deforestation related to Ag, Pb and Fe mining activities. Fifteen species of algae (Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta and Heterokontophyta) were identified. In the soil-algal crusts, Corg contents ranged from 0.35-2.23%, Pavail from 9-34 mg · kg−1 and Nt was variable. In investigated area the ground on which soil algae developed was acidic (pH 4.4-5.7 in KCl). Among mineral components in the crust, phases rich in Fe and K dominated (776.5(±2.3) - 2803(±31) mg · kg−1 and 230.5(±3.7) - 696(±22) mg · kg−1, respectively) and elevated concentrations of Zn, Mn and Pb occurred. Soil-crust organic matter includes aliphatic and aromatic compounds, carbohydrate derivatives, phenols, furan and pyrene structures. N compounds have significant contribution in composition of soil-algal crusts - the algae are main source of organic matter in this stage of soil formation. It could accelerate the regeneration of disturbed ecological systems.

Role of Soil Algae on the Initial Stages of Soil Formation in Sandy Polluted Areas

Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland, phone +48 32 368 93 06

Faculty of Earth Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, ul. J. Gagarina 9, 87-100 Toruń, Poland

Faculty of Food Technology, University of Agriculture in Krakow im. Hugona Kołłątaja, ul. Balicka 122, 30-149 Kraków, Poland

Ecological Chemistry and Engineering S

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Research to evaluate the role of the soil algae in the initiation of pedogenesis in sandy areas and to establish the mineral, chemical and organic composition...

Role of Soil Algae on the Initial Stages of Soil Formation in Sandy Polluted Areas

Published Online: Jan 22, 2016

Page range: 675 - 690

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eces-2015-0041

Keywords
heavy metals, organic compounds, soil algae, soil-algal crust, soil development

© 2015 Oimahmad Rahmonov et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Role of Soil Algae on the Initial Stages of Soil Formation in Sandy Polluted Areas

Published Online: Jan 22, 2016

Page range: 675 - 690

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eces-2015-0041

Keywordsheavy metals, organic compounds, soil algae, soil-algal crust, soil development

© 2015 Oimahmad Rahmonov et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
heavy metals, organic compounds, soil algae, soil-algal crust, soil development