Soil analysis - a comprehensive assessment of the state of the soil cover

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Soil is one of the elements of the biosphere that ensures the circulation of all chemicals in the ecosystem around us. This applies to both endogenous and exogenous chemicals that enter it with sewage, emissions from industrial enterprises, road and air transport, as well as mineral fertilizers.

Due to man-made activities, the soil becomes a place of storage of a large amount of harmful substances. Since it, unlike other natural environments, does not have mobility, it is much more susceptible to pollution. In addition, getting into the soil, many compounds as a result of microbiological and chemical transformations become even more toxic than they were originally.

The danger lies in the fact that the soil can become a source of contamination of air, water, food and other elements of the biosphere with radioactive and carcinogenic substances. That is why it is important to carry out regular monitoring of the soil shell, and first of all, analysissoil, which is a set of laboratory studies to determine the physicochemical, chemical, mechanical, biological and agrochemical properties.

Main types of soil analysis: microbiological, chemical, mineralogical, mechanical (granulometric). Their main goal is to determine the amount and type of pollutants, as well as to determine their source. However, sometimes soil analysis is performed to detect the presence of pathogenic parasites in it. Such an analysis is called bacteriological, and its main task is to detect various pathogens of diseases in humans and animals.

A more complete sanitary and bacteriological study is being carried out for a deep and detailed characterization of the suitability of the soil for housing, children's institutions, recreation areas, water supply facilities, for epidemiological studies, to determine the general sanitary condition of the soil.

One of the most necessary types of research is the chemical analysis of the soil, with the help of which it is possible to identify the content of metals in it, including heavy (C, Mg, Fe, Co, Cr, Zn, etc.), chemicals (carbonates, sulfates, chlorides). It is very important from the point of view of ecology.

In order to determine the level of soil fertility, an agrochemical analysis of the soil is carried out. It allows you to assess how plants are provided with nutrients, whether there is a need for fertilizers, chemical reclamation and otherevents. These indicators help to determine the potential of the fertile layer.

A complete soil analysis includes many studies. To assess a specific piece of land, the results obtained are compared with the optimal standard indicators of the content of elements that were experimentally established for this type of soil and tested under production conditions. The analysis of the soil ends with the issuance of a conclusion on its actual condition and recommendations for its use and improvement.