Agrochemical Assessment of Productive Potential of Soils of Coastal Depressions of Pulsating Highly Mineralized Chloride Lakes of the Uldza-Torey Drainless Closed Basin

The soil diversity of coastal depressions of pulsating highly mineralized chloride lakes of the Uldza-Torey closed basin within southeastern Transbaikalia is studied by the example of the Lake Bab’e. It has been established that three main soil types dominate here: quasi-gley solonchaks, saline humus–quasi-gley soils, and light-humus saline soils. The studied soils, the quasi-gley solonchak in particular, are characterized by unfavorable physicochemical and agrochemical properties and a high salinity in most horizons with the excessive content of Na+ and Cl– toxic ions. Very high concentrations of N, Ca, Mg, and S, as well as of Na+ and Cl– ions, have been revealed in the upper solonchakous layer (0- to 5-cm-thick) of the quasi-gley solonchak. There is a low content of the most important nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus available for plants, in the soils studied, and humus–quasi-gley saline and light humus saline soils are additionally depleted of biogenic microelements. Therefore, based on the agrochemical assessment of the production ability, both potential and effective fertility of these soils is determined as extremely low. Taking into account the ecological uniqueness and medicinal value of the lake and its lakeside ecosystems, it is recommended to exclude these soils and land resources from agriculture. They must be used as specially protected natural landscape components as part of reproduction areas, nature reserves, territories of medical and balneological resorts, and other health-care facilities.