Phytotoxicity of Irkutsk and Angarsk Urban Soils

Abstract

In 2022–2023 some properties of urban soils of Irkutsk and Angarsk were studied. To do this, field studies were carried out in these territories. Morphological description of field soil profiles was performed. Samples of soils, rocks and vegetation were taken for physical and chemical analyses and determination of soil properties in studied areas. Soil sample preparation was carried out according to various methods, soil phytotoxicity analysis was carried out in accordance with GOST R ISO 22030-2009 “Soil Quality. Biological methods. Chronic phytotoxicity to higher plants”. The obtained results were processed: the percentage of germinated oilseed radish seeds (Raphanus Sativus) in the upper soil horizons of key areas of the cities of Irkutsk and Angarsk was detected, the length of the processes and the length of the roots in the soils of the studied samples were determined. The article provides morphological descriptions of field soil profiles of key areas. According to the data received, in the city of Irkutsk, the banks of the Irkut and Ushakovka rivers are the cleanest, and the most polluted area is the shore of the lake (Novo-Leninsky swamps). The soils of forest belts and parks in Angarsk were the least polluted, as can be judged by the high percentage of sprouted seeds of oilseed radish. The soils of passing streets and courtyards are polluted. On average, according to the results and methodology obtained, the soils of the city of Irkutsk and the suburbs turned out to be less toxic than the soils of the city of Angarsk. The average length of shoots and radish roots in soil samples of the city of Irkutsk and its suburbs turned out to be an order of magnitude higher than the values in the city of Angarsk. However, it should be noted that in the conditions of the city natural landscapes are preserved with the help of various environmental-forming and medium-protecting objects – parks, groves, forest plantations, etc., the soils of these areas turned out to be the most non-toxic.

Acknowledgements: The study was carried out at the expense of a state assignment (No. State Registration of Topic AAAA-A21-121012190055-7 (No. FWEM-2021-0002).