Abstract: Spitsbergen is the territory with unique landscape, geological and biological diversity under threat of degradation as a consequence of air temperature dynamics and permafrost area and thickness decrease. Additionally, nowadays in Spitsbergen the mining activity continues (coal, metal ores, hydrocarbons) and the quantity of tourists rises yearly. These reasons unavoidably lead to ecosystem transformation processes. In 2024 field studies of soils and natural waters at Western Spitsbergen cryogenic landscapes took places around Green-Fjord (Barentsburg) and Colesbay (Polar station). 19 soil profiles were described and classified as 8 types. Soil were described according to classification and diagnostics of Russian soils. Soil peats studies were carried out by the landscape-geochemical (catenar) principle. In soil cover structure of the elevated geomorphological levels – I and II marine terraces (including those covered by deluvial shields), – gleyic cryozems and humified petrozems dominate. Soil surfaces on these levels are complicated by nano-polygonal cryogenic microrelief. Soil diversity of lower geomorphological levels – river floodplains and low (periodically flooding) accumulative sea coasts, – is presented by pelozems, petrozems, and sulfide solonchaks, developing in conditions of shallow dense rocky layer depth. Major part of studied natural waters is characterized by moderate oxidation-reduction potential around 100-250 mV, acidity rate vary within 6.5-9.5. Mineral-peaty gleezems developing in the lowlands with the periodical flooding by sea waters are characterized by the highest acidity rates and compose negative oxidation-reduction potential (down to -3 mV) and high mineralization (between 3-5 g L-1). Soils of these landscapes are most perspective from the point of lateral matter migration in catenas of the Spitsbergen maritime cryogenic landscapes for the reason that contrast lateral geochemical barriers are able to form here.

Keywords: Acidity, Natural waters geochemistry, Buried soils, Petrozem, Lithozem, Cryozem, Cryogenic processes, Permafrost, Mineralization, Oxidation-reduction potential

Abstract: The subject of the study is the content of iron compounds and their radial differentiation in the profiles of cryogenic soils of the Chara River valley (Transbaikalia). The studied soils belong to post-pyrogenic permafrost gleyzems, the depths of the seasonal active‐layer of these soils are from 34 to 44 cm. Macronutrient concentrations, with the exception of Si, rarely exceed 5.0%, while the silicon content reaches 24.3%. Si is also characterized by removal from the upper part of soil profiles and accumulation in permafrost soil horizons. The highest concentrations are characteristic in the O horizons (Mg – 4.8 and Ca – 1.5 mg/kg) for a significant part of the macroelements. The trace elements, Sr and Zr are distributed vary contrastingly (from 5.0 to 29.7 and from 5.6 to 47.1 mg/kg). Values of the R coefficient from 0.3 to 0.9 indicate the initial stage of post-pyrogenic restoration of soil properties, and the active accumulation of Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe, Sr, and other elements in the upper part of oxidized-gley permafrost gleyzem observed in the profile is a sign of active restoration. The soils contain about 3.4% iron, which more than 60–75% is the silicate group of compounds (Feс). The moisture content of soils and the prevailing reducing environmental conditions contribute to the formation of monotonous distributions in their profiles, and in soils without signs of stable hydromorphism, permafrost horizons contain almost 2 times more Feox and Feextr.

Keywords: seasonal active layer, permafrost, profile distributions, iron compounds, microelements, macroelements, radial differentiation, cryogenic soils, Chara basin, Northern Transbaikalia

Abstract: The subject of the study is the soil-geochemical features of cryogenic mid-taiga landscapes of the Vilyuy River valley in its middle course, located near Mahatta and the village of Kysyl-Syr of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Morphological descriptions of soil profiles were compiled. Chemical and analytical laboratory work was carried out in order to establish the values of the physico-chemical parameters of soil horizons - pH, the content of easily soluble salts, the content of organic carbon, granulometric composition, fractional composition of iron. The main aspect of the soil-geochemical properties of the landscapes of the middle Vilyui River is the gross chemical composition of cryogenic soils. The gross contents of chemical elements were determined by X–ray fluorescence using portable X-ray diffraction, after which the geochemical coefficients of radial (profile) and lateral (catenary) differentiation of concentrations of chemical elements R and were calculated. In automorphic soils, most of the chemical elements are removed from their surface organic horizons, and in mineral ones they are concentrated. Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn and Zr differ by the highest values of the coefficients R (R reaches 20). The radial differentiation is significantly influenced by acidity, organic carbon content and other soil properties, for example, the increased content of Si, Ca, V and Zn (R up to 1,3–3,7) relative to the horizon of soil parent rocks which is associated with the content of Sorghum. In terms of lateral differentiation, most of the studied elements are characterized by accumulation in the upper part of the soil-geochemical catena. The catenae Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn and Y are most widely distributed in soils (LCa = 0.3–1.8; LMn = 0.1–2.0; LFe = 0.6–2.1; LZn = 0.9–2.9 and LY = 0.3–1.4).

Keywords: Vilyui River, Central Yakutia, middle taiga, lateral differentiation, radial differentiation, concentrations of microelements, concentrations of macroelements, soil-geochemical catena, permafrost, cryogenic soils

Abstract: The subject of the study was the soil and geochemical features of southern tundra cryogenic landscapes on the Khanovei educational and scientific field site located nearby the eponymous settlement in the Vorkuta district, Komi Republic. Morphology of soil profiles were described according to the modern Russian soil classification system. Chemical analytical sample treatment was done to evaluate such physical and chemical parameters of soil horizons as the pH rate, water-soluble salts content, organic carbon content, soil texture, iron fractional composition. The main point among soil and geochemical features of the Khanovei field site was gross chemical composition of cryogenic soils. Gross concentrations of chemicals were measured with the X-ray fluorescence method by portable X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer and then geochemical ratios of radial (profile) and lateral (catenar) differentiation of chemical elements – R and L. Largest R ratio meanings in soil profiles were in gleyic horizons including above-permafrost. Peat horizons without traces of soil mineral fraction were depleted with the most of elements (R = 0,1–0,3) and mineral horizons of soils were differed by increased RFe, RMn etc. The lower part of the catena with soils of mostly sandy texture was depleted by the main part of elements (Ti, Zn, Zr etc.) and predominantly loamy-textured soils in the upper part accumulate these elements and form increased L ratio meanings.

Keywords: Khanovei scientific and educational field site, Vorkuta area, tundra soils, Bolshezemelskaya tundra, radial differentiation, lateral differentiation, macro- and microelements, soil-geochemical catena, cryogenic soils, Republic of Komi

Abstract: The object of the study are the cryogenic soils located within the Chara valley. We attributed soils in a post-pyrogenic sparse larch forest on the terrace of the Chara River, to the type of gleyzems (Gleysols), subtypes - permafrost cryogenically ferruginized cryoturbated and permafrost cryogenically ferruginized post-pyrogenic. The field diagnostics of these two soils is ambiguous, since the soil profiles contain some morphological features that make it possible to identify them as podburs (Entic Podzols): a bright red color of the BF horizon, a sandy loam texture, containing less than 19% of clay particles (< 10 µm). Field diagnostics, together with laboratory studies, indicate that the soils in the section on the stone run at the top of the Udokan Ridge belongs to peat-lithozem (Histic Leptosols). Chemical analyses have shown that the described soils are acidic with pH ranges from 4.9 to 5.4 and relatively slightly saline, TDS ranges from 8.1 to 18.9 mg/L. The carbonate alkalinity is also relatively low: 2.4–4.8 mmol(-)/100 g of soil. The sections are strongly differentiated by the content of organic carbon. Permafrost peat-lithozem contains from 9.3 to 37.8%, permafrost cryogenically ferruginized post-pyrogenic gleyzem is much less enriched in it, the content here does not exceed 6.8%, usually being around 0.9%.

Keywords: Transbaikalia, Charskaya basin, Chara river, altitude zone, carbonate alkalinity, organic matter content, the content of easily soluble salts, acidity, permafrost rocks, soils

Abstract: The subject of the study are soils on the territory of the Khanovey educational field training site in the Vorkuta district of Komi Republic. Morphological descriptions of soil profiles and diagnostics and classification of soils in the modern Russian system were carried out. Laboratory analysis was carried out to determine soil properties: moisture content, acidity and total content of soluble salines. The study area is located in the southeastern part of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra, it is represented by inclined surface of the right side of the valley of the Vorkuta River valley, composed of alluvial and ancient alluvial sands, overlain by loamy and sandy-loam deposits. Holocene peatlands up to 4–5 m thick are the youngest deposits within the studied territory. Small and large dwarf birch tundras with shrub-green moss and grass-shrub-sphagnum cover are common here. The studied soils belong to the division of organogenic, postlitogenic and synlitogenic soil formation. The first includes oligotrophic peaty soils within a thick peatland (Histosols), the second includes cryogenic and cryometamorphic soils (Cryosols), as well as peaty gleyzems (Histic Cryosols). The third includes alluvial humic soils (Fluvisols). The moisture content of soils varies widely from 2 to 900 %. Soils acidity is from acidic to neutral (pH 4.5 to 7.5). The content of soluble salts in soils varies from about 0 to 300 mg/l.

Keywords: Komi Republic, Vorkuta district, Khanovey educational field training site, palsa, the content of easily soluble salts, organic matter content, carbonate alkalinity, acidity, permafrost, soils

Abstract: The object of this research is the cryogenic soils of the territory located in Central Yakutia, in the middle reach of Vilyuy River nearby Makhatta Tukulan with middle-taiga larch woods landscapes. In July 2021, on the right and left banks of the Vilyuy River, twelve soil sections have been formed, which relate to turf-podzols and turf-sub-units of the illovial-ferruginous, sod and alluvial sod, psammozems and stratozems according to to classification and diagnostics of Russian soils (2004). On the slope of the river valley was also formed the soil catena that included elementary geochemical landscapes of river terraces tops and slopes surfaces, as well as middle and high floodplains on the slopes of thermofusional funnels. Soil sections were also formed in flooded beam bottom and well-drained ravine bottom, on sub-horizontal Makhatta Tukulan surface, bottoms and  slopes of thermo-suffosional funnels. The study involves 46 soil samples for measuring the acidity level (pH), electric conductivity (EC), and concentration of total disolved solids (TDS). The explored soils are characterized with pH ranging from 2.81 to 7.78, with most common fluctuations of 5.5–5.6. TDS rates were often within the limit of 10 mg L-1 and rarely exceeded that threshold, however, there were single valyes higher than 50 mg L-1. Thus, the highest EC values (over 100 μS/cm) were measured in surface and subsurface horizons with high organic matter content, whereas mostly mineral horizons had typical EС values within the limit of 20 μS/cm.

Keywords: dissolved and soluble salts concentrations, electric conductivity, acidity, soil-geochemical catena, elementary geochemical landscapes, Permafrost, soils, organic matter content, Vilyuy River, Yakutia

Abstract: The subject of this research is the soils and soil-geochemical catenae in the area of Yeletsky settlement, located in the northeast of the Komi Republic. Catena were deposited on the mound covered with moss-shrub tundra transect from the interfluve of Usa and Yelets Rivers to a lacustrine depression, complicated by arching permafrost mounds. Within the district of research, the authors laid five soil incisions (EL20-P1, EL20-P2, EL20-P3, EL20-P4 and EL20-P5) that formed a soil-geochemical catena along the slope. Complex land cover found at the periphery. The explored soils were formed on silty loams with permafrost horizon at a depth of 0.5-0.7 m and belong to Cryosols, Turbic Cryosols and Histic Gleysols. Cryosols in the upper part of catena show specific cryogenic granular structure due to lack of soil moisture content. The soils on the slope and in the depression are more saturated with water; therefore, structureless Turbic Cryosols and Histic Gleysols are formed. In the soil horizons, the values of pH and electrical conductivity were measured, the content of organic carbon and soil texture were studied. An increase in soil acidity on organogenic zones by 4.3 - 5.7 was noticed; in underlying horizons the pH values reach 6.9.

Keywords: tundra, tundra podburs, cryometamorphic soil, peat-cryozem gley, peat-cryozem, cryozem gley, palsa, permafrost, Eletsky, Komi Republic

Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the ubiquitous organic pollutants. They are formed as a result of incomplete oxidation of organic substance, for example, technogenic fuel combustion, heating system, wildfires, volcanism, and decomposition of organic residues. Special attention is given to pyrogenic factor of the formation of PAHs in soils. The subject of this research is PAHs in the soils of Batagaika thermoerosive carter in Northern Yakutia in Verkhoyansky Ulus in Yakutia. The author examines the peculiarities of two soil sections (indices B-VG-2019/1 and B-VG-2019/3). Both soils are post-pyrogenic and contain visible traces of a recent fire: embers are found in subsurface horizons of the examined sections, which indicate the recent fire. The following conclusion were formulated: 1) in soils, dicyclic PAHs account for 93%, while the proportions of tricyclic and tetracyclic compounds are roughly equivalent (4% and 3%, respectively); 2) the average values of individual PAHs in the upper (up to 30 cm) and lower (deeper than 30 cm) horizons differ. In the upper horizons, their total concentration is 27 ng/g, while in the lower horizons it is 14 ng/g; 3) in this case, the key biomarker of fires is naphthalene and its homologues. The absence of PAHs with considerable molecular weight most likely testifies to the relatively low fire intensity. The highest values of C/N ratio are noted in the bedding horizon: 10.89 and 3.31, and the lower soils are characterized with approximately 1, which is substantiated by the low content of carbon and nitrogen in the soil profile.

Keywords: two-ring PAHs, pyrogenic factor, soil, carbon, nitrogen, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, three-ring PAHs, Batagay, Verkhoyansk ulus, Yakutia

Abstract: The subject of this research is the soil and catena soils in the area of Batagaika crater located in Verkhoyansk District of Northern Yakutia. Soils are usually represented by Cryosols Gleyic and Podzols Entic, which are formed on eluvial and eluvial-deluvial deposits under larch forests. Exploration of soils was carried out in 2017, 2018 and 2019. On the slope to the Batagaika crater is the soil-geochemical catena, which included the ridge-top surface of the slope of Kirgilyah Mountain, the middle part of the slope, as well as levelled surfaces of Batagaika crater. Soil types are described in accordance with the classification of soils of Russia (2004) and the World Reference Base of Soil Resources (2014 WRB). The following conclusions were made: 1) The soil cover in the area Batagaika crater features various types of soils formed on the permafrost rocks, mainly Cryosols Gleyic, found in various landscape conditions, and Podzols Entic are also sporadically distributed in the area. On alluvial deposits in the valley of the Batagaika River may develop Podzols Haplic. Leptosols Lithic are confined to the elevation of the relief with bedrock located close to the surface; 2). The main processes typical for soils in the area of Batagaika crater are: cryogenic structuring, organic matter accumulation, coarse--humus accumulative processes, gleyification; 3) Nearby the horizon of permafrost rocks in the area of Batagaika crater is marked a local minimum of PH level in Podzols and Cryosols.

Keywords: Batagay megaslump, gley-sorption barrier, genetic horizons of soils, heavy metals, trace elements, Entic Podzol, cryosols, Regosols, Verkhoyansk ulus, Yakutia Sakha

Abstract: The subject of this study is the ratio of carbon and nitrogen content in the soil of the lithalsa landscape in the Sentsa River valley. The focus is on the spatial distribution of C/N ratio in the genetic soil horizons: humus (A), illuvial (B), the parent rock(C), as well as in the buried peat horizon (T). The carbon and nitrogen content is analyzed in 70 samples using the element analyzer C, H, N, S –O EA 1110. Sample preparation included drying the soil through a sieve and grinding it with a rubber pestle in a porcelain mortar. It is found that cryogenic concentration of soil solutions, cryogenic heaving, thermokarst, zoogenic turbations, peat burial, and alluvial loam deposition are the main processes determining the peculiarity of soil formation within lithalsa landscapes. The maximum variation in the ratio of carbon and nitrogen content is observed in the illuvial horizon, while in the humus horizon and in the parent rock, as well as in the buried peat horizon, this indicator is of a smaller range.

Keywords: entic podzols, lithalsa, buried peat, parent rock, illuvial horizon, humic horizon, soil, nitrogen, carbon, cryosol

Abstract: Polygonal tundra histosols are among the most widespread soils of the Central Yamal Peninsula (around Bovanenkovo) together with Gleysols and Cryosols. The authors study the trench crossing the peat polygons on the surface of the third terrace near Bovanenkovo village. The authors study the transformation of sub-types of histosols from oligotrophic to eutrophic histic horizons. It is impossible to properly describe the soils of those flat-topped polygonal landscapes, according to the current classification of Russian soils, due to the small variety of organic horizons and strict criteria for their differentiation. The authors assigned Sphagnum horizon to the horizon T, and the underlying layer of eutrophic peat – to the TE horizon. Thus the authors classify such type of soil as eutrophic peat despite the presence of oligotrophic peat components. The age of peat was ascertained using the scintillation radiocarbon methodic. Carbon dioxide emission was measured by a portable gas-analyzer. The content of oxygen, carbon and nitrogen in the peat was measured as well as the composition of carbon stable isotopes . The considered Histosols are aged 2,5 thousand years. At the top of the polygonal mound in the profile the authors trace an increase in sulfur (apparently associated with the darker colored peat layer) and nitrogen content and a decrease in the carbon content. At the same time local maximum of the carbon isotope composition was observed. The carbon content varies in general from 45 to 28%. The carbon isotope composition is from –25.5 to –28 ‰, which is close to the values in organic horizons of soils in the Arctic regions.

Keywords: radiocarbon age, tundra soils, sulfur, carbon isotope composition, Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, the Yamal Peninsula, Histosols, peat bogs, organic carbon, nitrogen

Abstract: The research subject is carbonate dripstones and pendants on the lower surfaces of coarse clastic rocks, typical for the regions with sharply continental arid climate. Calcareous crusts, pendants, are complex bedded bodies, containing both carbonate and silicate materials with thin patches of organic material. The width of pendants varies from 2 to 7 mm. The studied new growths are located within the cryoarid soils’ profiles of the Julikul basin. The key characteristics of isotope and geochemical composition of carbonate pendants are: the oxygen and carbon isotopes composition and the gross number of macro- and micro elements. The research methods include: the mass-spectrometer measurement of the isotope composition, the x-ray and fluorescence analysis of the gross number of macro- and micro elements, the gas-volume method of measurement of disperse carbonates ratio in soils and the method of ion chromatography for the measurement of water-soluble carbonates. The authors characterize the isotope and element composition of carbonate pendants. Carbonate new growths in cryoarid soils are presented basically by calcium carbonates, but the materials of new growths often contain silicon, aluminium and ferrum. Among the measured materials, MN, Sr, Cu and Cr have the most significant concentrations. There is a tendency to the weighing of the isotope composition of carbon and the lighting of the isotope composition of carbon from the internal to the external layers of carbonate pendants. These data prove that the environmental conditions were changing during the pendants formation. 

Keywords: carbonate minerals, lake basins, carbon isotopes, Altai, cryoarid soils, oxygen isotopes, carbonate pendants, stable isotopes, surface water, permafrost rocks