Communities of invertebrates and microorganisms in the soils of filtration fields of the Lgov sugar factory (Kursk region)

The composition of macro- and microbiota in soils formed in treatment facilities (filtration fields) of the sugar industry in the Chernozem zone of Russia was studied. Soil moisture and the abundance and diversity of organic and mineral substances entering treated plants with wastewater have a significant impact on communities of microorganisms and invertebrates. The macrofauna of the soils of periodically operating settling ponds (called checks, or carts) consists mainly of predators and phytophages; the soil of the checks that was decommissioned 45 years ago consists of saprophages, which were dominated by earthworms. All groups of macrofauna in the soils of filtration fields are characteristic of the soils of forest-steppe regions, while their numbers are significantly lower compared to the Chernozems under the oak groves of the Central Chernozem Reserve, but noticeably higher than in the surrounding arable Chernozems. The microflora in the soils of the filtration fields and the background Haplic Chernozem (Pachic) is identical in the composition of physiological groups, but differs in their number and distribution along the soil profile. Differences in the diversity and distribution of microorganisms in the studied soils depend on different water regimes, determined by the frequency and duration of exposure to wastewater and the input of sugar production waste enriched with calcium carbonate, organic matter and biophilic elements.