Ecological-Geochemical Role of Magnetic Fraction of Soils of the Middle Cis-Urals.

An urgent environmental problem in the Perm region is the increased concentration of some heavy metals in soils. This paper presents the results of studying the ecological and geochemical role of the magnetic fraction of soils in the Middle Cis-Urals. The study used magnetometry, geostatistical and geochemistry methods. It has been established that the magnetic fraction is a geochemical barrier in soils and accumulates potentially toxic elements (Mn, Ni, Cu, Co, and Pb). The total content of Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co, and Pb in the soils of the agricultural landscapes of the taiga-forest zone of the Middle Cis-Urals exceeds the clarke of world soils. The ecological-magnetic subprofile of the studied soils is subdivided into ecological-magnetic layers: accumulation, destruction, and stable state of magnetic particles. The environmental organizations of the Perm region are recommended to use methods of ecological magnetism for carrying out soil-ecological monitoring and identifying land contaminated with heavy metals. The obtained information about the elemental chemical composition of soils of the Middle Cis-Urals can be used in the management of land resources and the development of the concept of land policy in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]