Pollution Research Paper

Vol 40, Issue 1, 2021; Page No.(34-39 )

MONITORING OF MERCURY CONTENT IN AGROECOSYSTEMS OF THE CENTRAL CHERNOZEM REGION OF RUSSIA

PYOTR A. CHEKMAREV, SERGEJ V. LUKIN AND SVETLANA V. SELYUKOVA

Abstract

The paper considers the results of the local agroecological monitoring of the agroecosystems of the Belgorod region and the ecosystems of Yamskaya Steppe of the reserve "Belogorye". It was established that the total mercury content in the arable layer of chernozem of a typical heavy-loamy forest-steppe zone is on average 0.022 mg/kg and does not significantly differ from the element content in the black soil of a light clayey steppe zone (0.023 mg/kg). With an increase in the depth of the soil profile, the total mercury content is significantly reduced. Among the studied crops, the maximum concentration of mercury was found in the straw of maize and sunflower stalks (0.0104 mg/kg), and the minimum (0.0028 mg/kg) - in the hay of sainfoin.