Geoecological assessment of the state of urban soils and their transformation under the influence of anthropogenic factors

Urbanisation and industrialisation are inextricably linked to the transformation of urban soils, posing a significant problem not only at local and regional levels but also globally. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the ecological state of soils in urbanised areas under transport and industrial pressure. The study of physicochemical soil properties was carried out using standard methods. Soil buffering capacity was assessed using the method by Professor P. Nadtochij. Key statistical characteristics were calculated, and regression analysis of the study results was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A systematic analysis of the geoecological state of urban soils (urbosols) in the city of Cherkasy revealed that a low humus content (ranging from 0.9% to 7.5%, with an average of 3.0%), soil alkalisation (pH = 6.5-10.9, with an average pH = 7.9), unfavourable redox conditions (Eh values ranging from 184 to 287 mV, with an average of 239 mV), nutrient imbalance, and a significant content of toxic salts (36% of the studied soils were slightly saline, 23% moderately saline, and 10% highly saline) can have a substantial impact on the stability of the city’s urban ecosystems. In terms of acid-base buffering capacity, the soils are in an ecologically stable state. The sum of buffering degrees in both acidic and alkaline ranges exceed 70-75%, with an average equilibrium constant K = 1.4. Using the SURFER software package and the Kriging method, spatial interpolation of monitoring data and cartographic zoning of the city territory was carried out based on the main physicochemical soil characteristics. A database and cartographic models of urban soil properties were developed to monitor their spatiotemporal changes, detect critical transformations, and identify zones of ecological and geochemical instability linked to technogenic impact