Ecological assessment of the condition of the arable layer with the No-till technology on different types of soils of Northern Kazakhstan

Abstract

The article presents the results of the assessment of the arable horizon of different types of soils of Northern Kazakhstan on the content of gross forms of copper, zinc, and cadmium. The authors carried out a calculation of the ecological indicator of total pollution. The article considers an ecological assessment of the soil condition. The studies were carried out on ordinary chernozem, southern carbonate, and chestnut soils with the long-term use of No-till technology. According to the gross forms of heavy metals extracted with a 5 M solution of nitric acid, there was calculated the total soil pollution. The conducted ecological assessment of the state of the arable layer using No-till technology showed an acceptable assessment of the soil contamination index for agricultural use on ordinary and southern carbonate chernozem. Studies conducted on chestnut soils revealed I and II degrees of contamination. Periodic monitoring and accounting of the intake of heavy metals into these soils would be required.