Lithogenic Potential of Soils Formation in Technogenic Landscapes of Siberia

Abstract

The results of long term research on the influence of rocks stored in dumps during coal mining on the rate of soil processes during the regeneration of technogenic landscapes are presented. An approach to assess the lithogenic potential of soil formation as an integral indicator of the ability of technogenic substrates to ensure the formation of a climate-appropriate soil profile was developed and applied. It is shown that the main properties forming the potential are the density, rockiness and texture of rocks. The rockiness decreases in the upper part of the profile and the manifestation of signs of an eluvial process and the formation of a finely dispersed fraction during biochemical weathering was noted. The dependence of the processes of profile differentiation on the properties of the substrate and on hydrothermal conditions has been revealed. It is shown that the optimal conditions for the developing of the substrate by soil processes are formed on the dumps of coal and brown coal deposits in a humid climate. Further development of soil-forming processes limits by the increase in climate aridity and the degree of rock metamorphism.