Analysis of Climatic Factors in the Aspect of Development of Salinization Processes in Soils of the Northern Taiga Landscapes

Abstract

The purpose is to analyze natural and climatic factors in the zone of active development of soil salinization processes in the north-taiga landscapes in the north-west of Yakutia on the example of the industrial site of the Aikhal Mining and Processing Plant. Materials and methods. Climatic factors were analyzed using the data set of Shelagontsy weather station for the period from 1985 to 2019, prepared at the Main Geophysical Observatory named after A.I. Voyeykov. The course of multiyear average annual temperatures and the sum of annual precipitation are considered. The humidifi cation coeffi cient, evapotranspiration, aridity index and continentality coeffi cient are calculated. Results and discussion. In the course of works it was established that in the study area there is a reliable growth of average annual and intra-seasonal air temperatures, their maximum growth falls on the spring period (+4.6 ºС). The amount of precipitation along with the wetting coeffi cient have a downward trend with a simultaneous increase in evapotranspiration during the study period. The aggregate of these factors may contribute to salt accumulation in upper soil horizons. Conclusions. The study area is characterized by extreme continental strongly arid climate with negative average annual temperatures, sufficient moisture and well-divided relief. The analysis of natural-climatic factors showed the absence of objective prerequisites for the development of natural soil salinization processes. Spreading of area halogenesis on the territory of the industrial site is technogenic, and the source of salts is waste rock dumps.