Identification of Technogenic Disturbances of Urban Ecosystems Using the Methods of Bioindication and Biotesting

Oksana Anatolievna Pospelova, Yulia Alexandrovna Mandra, Elena Evgenievna Stepanenko, Svetlana Vasilievna Okrut, Tamara Georgievna Zelenskaya

Stavropol State Agrarian University, 12, Zootechnicheskiy Line, Stavropol, Russia 355017

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1897

ABSTRACT: The research was aimed at identifying disturbances of urban ecosystems components using the methods of bioindication and biotesting. Soil phytotoxicity, fluctuating asymmetry of Betula pendula, complex of traits in Pinus sylvestris in functional areas of the city located in various geomorphological conditions were studied. The integral coefficient of preservation has been calculated for the studied territories. The greatest degree of ecosystems degradation caused by anthropogenic loads was identified in the major industrial area and in residential neighborhoods located on the slopes of the river valley, with relatively low degree of vehicle load and complete absence of industrial enterprises. This type of landscapes is downslope. Such landscapes are characterized by inflow of chemical elements with lateral solid and liquid runoff. Elements are removed not only with the seepage water in vertical water exchange, but also along the slope with surface and groundwater, circulating water, falling and slipping down soil and rocks. The research has identified a considerable increase in soils phytotoxicity, changes in the fluctuating asymmetry on the slopes of river valleys. The obtained data indicate the fact that the manifestation of non-directional asymmetry of leaves may depend not only on the atmospheric transport of pollutants, but also on their migration with surface runoff, which therefore requires additional studies, including chemical analysis of soils.

KEYWORDS: Phytotoxicity; fluctuating asymmetry; ecosystem; industrial zone; residential area; landscape  

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