Estimation of soil organic carbon stocks of the territory of cities of the center of Rostov agglomeration

The article presents the results of the study and calculation of specific reserves of organic carbon in the residential, recreational and industrial zones of the cities of the Rostov agglomeration core. The results are based on the analysis of soil samples taken from more than one hundred soil pits and boreholes, as well as more than 500 samples from the surface ten-centimeter layer. The carbon content was determined by dry high-temperature catalytic combustion. The average content of organic carbon for the upper soil horizons was determined (3.89 ± 1.11%). Its change depending on belonging to a certain functional zone was recorded. The highest content was noted in the soils of the park and recreational zone (city parks, squares and forest parks) – 4.24 ± 0.85, the lowest in the residential zone and fallow areas of the agglomeration (2.35 ± 0.92 and 2.80 ± 0.64, respectively). The analysis of its specific reserves (per unit area) was carried out, the most and least provided with organic carbon soil combinations of various functional zones were identified. The park and recreational and industrial zones of the city have the largest specific reserves, and the residential zone has the smallest – residential. It was found in it when comparing soils of different types of land use. Comparison of carbon reserves in the meter-thick soil layer of the city with literary data on chernozems of the steppe zone show similar values. The results of the study in the future will allow us to assess the role of urban soils in the regional carbon balance and the need to take them into account when planning measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.