The Influence Of Anthropogenic Factors On The Agrochemical Properties And Fertility Levels Of Soils In Tashkent City And Region
Keywords:
Soil Fertility, Anthropogenic Impact, Agrochemical Properties, Serozems, Tashkent Region, Urban Soils, Salinization, Heavy Metal ContaminationAbstract
The soils of the Tashkent region, primarily Serozems, constitute a critical natural resource for Uzbekistan's food security and ecological stability. However, this region simultaneously represents the nation's largest urban agglomeration and a historically intensive agricultural oasis, subjecting its soil cover to immense and conflicting anthropogenic pressures. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of urbanization, intensive irrigated agriculture, and industrial activities on the key agrochemical properties and overall fertility of these soils. A stratified sampling methodology was employed, collecting topsoil samples (0-30 cm) from distinct land-use zones: urban (parks, residential), peri-urban (industrial proximity, small-scale farming), and rural (intensive agriculture). Samples were analyzed for core fertility indicators (humus, N, P, K), fundamental properties (pH, electrical conductivity - EC), and heavy metal contaminants (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd). The results reveal two primary degradation trajectories. Rural agricultural soils exhibit significant fertility decline, characterized by humus depletion (averaging 1.1%) and pronounced secondary salinization (mean EC > 3.0 dS/m), driven by long-term monoculture and inefficient irrigation. Conversely, urban and peri-urban soils demonstrate severe technogenic contamination, with concentrations of Pb (up to 75.8 mg/kg) and Zn (up to 180.4 mg/kg) significantly exceeding background levels, primarily due to transport and industrial emissions. This research quantifies the divergent degradation pathways and underscores the urgent necessity for differentiated land management strategies to mitigate soil degradation, ensure food safety, and preserve the ecological functions of the soil cover in this vital region.
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