Features of ecological condition of soils of coastal landscapes of small rivers of the Azov region

The results of the 2025 complex expedition to study the estuaries, lower reaches of small and medium-sized rivers flowing into the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov are presented. It was revealed that the main type of soils in the coastal zone are alluvial soils represented by alluvial, alluvial-meadow and meadow-alluvial soils, as well as layered sandy soils in the estuaries of rivers. After regulation of the majority of small rivers by drainless dams, as well as cascades of ponds and withdrawal of a significant part of runoff for economic needs, the layered soil formation characteristic of alluvial soils has been broken in the soils of coastal landscapes, which makes them much less resistant to the development of negative degradation processes. Deflation, overconsolidation, dehumification and salinization are observed in soils. In particular, the humus content in the upper soil horizons is 1.6-2.82%, which indicates low organic matter content of soils. In the coastal zone of the lower reaches of the Sambek, Erik and Mokry Elanchik rivers, areas of overconsolidated soils and local salinization of upper soil horizons are formed. An important role in the development of degradation processes in soils is played by anthropogenic environmental factors, which include various hydraulic structures, domestic sewage, pasture pressure and other sources of anthropogenic impact. Intensification of human activity is aggravated by long-term low water levels and deficit of river runoff.