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The Chernevaya taiga is a unique ecosystem formed under the influence of a complex of geogenic and bioclimatic factors located in the foothill border of the southeastern part of Western Siberia. The combination of local climatic conditions and the composition of parent material led to the formation of specific soil conditions on the territory of these habitats. The soils of the Chernevaya taiga have unique morphogenesis. They have a thick podzolized horizon and are fertile, unlike the typical soils of the oligotrophic pine forests of Siberia; however, the microstructure of these soils is poorly studied. The purpose of the research is to analyze the micromorphological organization and microstructure of three types of soils in Western Siberia (two typical soils from the Chernevaya taiga (Greyzemic Phaeozem (Albic) and Albic Stagnic Luvisol (Ochric)) and one from oligotrophic pine stand (Eutric Protoargic Arenosol)). It was found that the soils of the Chernevaya taiga differ greatly from the background (zonal) soils of the region on both the macro- and microlevels. In the Phaeozems and Luvisols of the Chernevaya taiga, there are actively formed organomineral aggregates and the quantity of porous media is more than 50%. At the bottom of the podzolized part of the soil profiles, we noted illuvial processes and a sharp change in the type of microstructure. The presence of pyrogenic materials (charcoal) and coprolitic (vermicular) materials in the humus-accumulative horizon indicates a high rate of material transformation and high biological activity and bioturbation in the soil. The skeleton part of the Chernevaya taiga soils is represented by a quartz–feldspar base with an admixture of sericite; augite; biotite; and a minimal admixture of tourmaline, zircon, and glauconite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface of mountain glaciers is a place of accumulation of various biogenic organomineral and mineral compounds. As a result of intensive mass deglaciation of glaciers due to climate change and anthropogenic activity, this material can significantly affect the transformation of the landscape in the periglacial zone. Thus, this work considers the contamination of the surface of the Arctic, Antarctic, and Caucasian glaciers by priority pollutants. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to analyze trace elements (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb) from cryoconite deposits. It was revealed that the cryoconite dust on the Ray-Iz glacier (Polar Urals) has a high level of nickel contamination, which comes to the glacier from local rock materials as a result of their weathering. The lowest concentrations of trace elements are found in one of the Arctic plots located at Mushketov and Aldegonda glaciers, the Caucasus, and the Antarctic, which is due to their relatively low content in the composition of rocks and the relatively low contribution of long-range transport of matter to the polar regions. Contamination of moraine sediments in the periglacial zone can make a significant contribution to the formation of the soil cover of these territories, the pollution of water bodies near the glacier, as well as affect the quality of life of the people living in the immediate vicinity of the mountain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the ornithogenic factor of soil formation in Antarctic conditions. Since the traditional soil formation processes in Antarctic conditions are very limited, the relevance of studying the role of the ornithogenic factor is increasing. This article provides a comparative study of nutrient content and values of some physico-chemical parameters between ornithogenic and non-ornithogenic soils sampled at terrestrial ecosystems of the Antarctic oasis Bunger Hills (Knox Coast, Wilkes Land). The levels of key biogenic elements content have been estimated with special reference to ornitogenic factor of soil formation. A high content of available forms of phosphorus and potassium in ornithogenic and non-ornithogenic soils was found. According to the results of statistical analysis, we can see that the content of nutritional elements has a close significant correlation relationship (p<0.05). The analysis of variance showed that the content of available phosphorus and potassium varies weakly between soils of ornithogenic and non-ornithogenic genesis. The greatest variability depending on soil-forming processes is noted for basal respiration, pH and available forms of nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]