Oimahmad Rahmonov

Chemical composition of the leaves of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. and soil features in polluted areas

The study was conducted on six sites that are dominated by Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) and that vary in the level of industrialization and habitat transformation by humans. The aim of the research was to investigate the chemical-physical features of soil under a closed and dense canopy of R. japonica, the chemical composition of the R. japonica leaves, and to compare the content of certain elements in the soil-plant-soil system. The soil organic carbon (Corg) content varied from 1.38±0.004% to 8.2±0.047% and the maximum in leaves was 49.11±0.090%. The lowest levels of total nitrogen (Ntot) in soil were recorded on the heavily disturbed sites (till 0.227±0.021%). Soil pH varied greatly, ranging from acidic (pH=4.0) to neutral (pH=7.7). Heavy metal content differed significantly among the study sites. At all of the sites, both in the case of soil and plant leaves, Zn was a dominant element and its concentration ranged from 41.5 to 501.2 mg·kg−1 in soils and from 38.6 to 541.7 mg·kg−1 in leaves. Maximum accumulations of P (2103.3±15.3 mg·kg−1) and S (2571.7±17.6 mg·kg−1) were observed on the site that had been influenced by agricultural practices. The results obtained showed that R. japonica is able to accumulate high levels of heavy metals.

Features of Abandoned Cemetery Soils on Sandy Substrates in Northern Poland

Morphological and chemical features of cemetery soils (Necrosols and undisturbed cemetery soils) have been studied with Northern Poland as an example. Special attention has been given to the contents of the total phosphorus (as an indicator of the anthropogenic impact); the organic carbon; the total nitrogen; the calcium carbonate; and the changes in the acidity and total Ca, Na, K, Al, Fe, Mg, Zn, Cd, and Pb. The soil profiles have been compared to the control soil (a Brunic Arenosol according to the WRB classification) occurring beyond the cemetery area. The changes in the studied burial soils are mainly manifested in their morphology: the disturbance of the primary genetic horizons and the presence of mixed soil horizons and artifacts (bones, coffin remains, limestone-concrete debris of the cemetery infrastructure). Such changes in the chemical properties as an increase in the contents of the organic carbon and total nitrogen and the soil reaction were observed. Our studies have shown that the highest Ptotal concentration is observed in the A horizons of the anthropogenic burial horizons and undisturbed cemetery soils. The content of phosphorus in the Necrosols is significantly higher than that in the control soil profile, as is observed for the Cgrb layers of burial Necrosols. The morphology and chemistry of the undisturbed cemetery soils are very similar to those of the control profile.

Selected Chemical Properties of Necrosols from the Abandoned Cemeteries Słabowo and Szymonka (Great Mazurian Lakes District)

Abstract The paper shows the occurrences of cemetery soils and the physico-chemical features of soils in the cemeteries Słabowo and Szymonka (Great Mazurian Lakes District). Necrosols are anthropogenic soils and belong to Urbanosols. They form only in the area of cemeteries. Four soil profiles (Necrosols) were investigated in terms of morphological description and chemical properties especially phosphorus (Pt), organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (Nt). These profiles were compared with the reference profile (Rusty soil, according to WRB 2007 Brunic Arenosol) made outside the cemetery. On the basis of research Necrosol has been defined as a soil formed by special human activity in cemeteries and burial grounds with specific soil horizon sequence, and also physical and chemical properties.

Characterization of the soil organic matter and plant tissues in an initial stage of the plant succession and soil development by means of curie-point pyrolysis coupled with GC-MS

The composition of the soil organic matter in soil developing under the influence of vegetation during the primary succession in the poor sandy area was investigated. The Curie-point pyrolysis method coupled with gas chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric identification of pyrolysates was applied during the investigation. A comparison of occurrence and diversity in composition of organic compounds in plant tissues and humus horizon of soils under the communities of coniferous forest series in the initial stages and phases was carried out. A large diversity of organic compounds under Algae-Cyanophyta communities, biological soil crusts and Polytrichum piliferum was noticed. A clear differentiation in the composition of the soil organic matter at different phases of succession under predominating communities with cryptogamous and vascular plants was observed. The analysis of organic compounds in plant tissues was found to facilitate the determination of origin of various groups of organic compounds in the soil. The results obtained from the Curie point pyrograms in the humus horizon (A) under grasses (Corynephorus canescens, Koeleria glauca) differed from the pyrolysates obtained under Algae-Cyanophyta communities. The polysaccharide derivates are more frequent in the pyrolysis products under algae, grasses (Corynephorus canescens, Koeleria glauca) and mosses than under Pinus sylvestris. In the beginning of the terminal stage of succession, lignin, phenols and aliphatic substances, prevailed over the polysaccharide derivates in the humus horizon.

Anthropogenic disturbance to vegetation on the polygon-transect in the Kulikalon depression (Tajikistan)

Investigations into the vegetation cover on the polygon-transect in the Kulikalon depression (Tajikistan) revealed the influence of anthropogenic pressure on the ecosystem of archovniks (juniper forests). Archovniks constitute the main landscape component of the Zarafshan geobotanical region. Only small areas occupied by them are not disturbed by human economic activity on the territory of the Kulikalon depression.

Vegetation development on post-industrial territories of the Silesian Upland (Southern Poland)

Destruction of vegetation cover on post-industrial barren lands is considered. The process of ecological succession is governed by the character of substratum, and by the type of emerging disturbance. In the majority of cases, the processes are initiated and conditioned by Calamagrostis epigejos.

Phytogenic hillocks as an effect of indirect human activity

Phytogenic hillocks are landforms typical for areas built of blown sands. They occur in desert areas with hot and dry (desert) climate as well as in sandy areas in moderate humid climate. They are an effect of cooperation of wind with bushy vegetation of specific features. Under natural desert conditions they are created at e. g. participation of tamarisks and they can reach the height of 6–7 m. In moderate climate, e. g. in area of seaside dunes they are formed at participation of other species and reach decidedly smaller heights. They can also originate in areas of blown inland sands, which were uncovered owing to human activity. One of such areas is located in Silesian Upland in southern Poland (so-called Bledow “Desert”), which beginning goes back to the Middle Ages. It is connected with deforestation, mainly for the needs of contemporary lead, silver and zinc metallurgy. Presently this area is covered in result of intentional vegetation introduction as well as by natural vegetation expansion and succession. One of species intensively entering into this area is Salix arenaria. And just at participation of this bushy willow in deflation areas very characteristic phytogenic hillocks of heights reaching up to 1,5 m are here created using more humid clayey insertions of substratum. They are an effect of these bushes covering up, thanks to which this plant spreads and creates larger and larger landforms. In area discussed it is possible to observe different development stages of phytogenic hillocks – from initial through mature to disappearing ones. The oldest from them were started to create in the period 1973–1976, wherefore the youngest – in the years 2000–2002. The age of hills was determined on the base of dendrochronological analysis. These hills have different shapes and heights, which are conditioned by the intensity of aeolian processes. It is possible to state that phytogenic hillocks of so-called Bledow “Desert” are created by natural physicogeographical processes but conditions for their development were prepared by human being. Thus they are the effect of indirect anthropogenic activity.

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

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.

The Consequences of Vegetation Degradation Under the Influence of Anthropogenic Activity in the Territory of the Zarafshan Range (Western Tajikistan)

We examine the richness and diversity of the flora of the Zarafshan Range in Tajikistan by using endemic species as an example. We determined the character and type of ecosystems, and the presence of endemics in a particular biotope. A potential threat to the unique ecosystems is brought by the cutting down of shrubs and juniper vegetation, unauthorized removal of rare plants, gathering of edible plants as well as waterlogging of the territory.

The First Dendrochronological Dating of Timber from Tajikistan – Potential for Developing a Millennial Tree-Ring Record

Abstract We are reporting the first dendrochronological dating of timber from Tajikistan. Thirty samples were collected from two old buildings from a village located in the western Pamir-Alay; eight cores were taken from temple. Most of the construction wood was juniper species. The object chronologies crossdated well with the previously published chronology based on living juniper trees from western Pamir-Alay. The results of dating revealed that investigated structures are composed of wood coming from several periods. The oldest pieces of wood dated back to the 11th and 12th Centuries. Most timber samples come from the turn of the 17th and 18th Centuries, which were probably the period of intense development of the Artuch village. Besides dating of the wood samples from these historic structures, our investigation provides the opportunity to extend the currently existing regional tree-ring chronology for future climate reconstruction of the Pamir-Alay and High Asia. Dated sequences were assembled into a 1012-year chronology spanning the period 945–2014 C.E. and strengthened the replication of its earliest part (with critical 0.85 EPS value since the beginning of the 13th Century).