Triad method for assessing the remediation effect of humic preparations on urbanozems

Abstract

The data on the pollutant content, ecological toxicity, and structural and functional specifics of soil microbial communities in urbanozem sampled in the city of Kirov were used to describe the remediation effect of humic substances (lignohumate and nanomagnetitohumate). The integral index of environmental risk on contaminated and background soil sites was calculated using the triad method. Based on varying Chemical Risk Index, Ecotoxicological Risk Index, and Ecological Risk Index, this method proved that humic substances are able to reduce ecological toxicity and transform the ecophysiological indices of biota in urban soils. The most vivid effect of humic products has been revealed on introduction of 0.0025 and 0.01% mass. The biological activity of nanomagnetitohumate and lignohumate, rather than their ability to bind tox icants, is apparently the principal factor controlling their remediating effect.