АГРОПОТЕНЦІАЛ ДОННИХ ВІДКЛАДІВ: ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ ТА ВІДНОВЛЕННЯ ЗЕМЕЛЬ

The article explores the agronomic potential of bottom sediments as a promising resource for sustainable agriculture and the restoration of degraded lands. Over the past decades, interest has grown in utilizing sediments from water bodies to enhance soil fertility and improve their physicochemical properties. Sediments are rich in minerals and trace elements, making them a valuable resource for enriching nutrient-depleted soils. The potential for phytoremediation, where plants are used to remove or neutralize toxic substances from the soil, is also examined. A study based on the analysis of scientific publications confirmed that the use of bottom sediments can increase the yield of major agricultural crops, such as maize and wheat, compared to traditional fertilizers. A bibliometric analysis of publications using the Scopus database and the VOSviewer program identified leading research centers and key research directions in this field. Significant attention is given to environmental safety issues, particularly the assessment of heavy metal content in sediments, which is crucial for mitigating potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Furthermore, the article examines the prospects for using bottom sediments to reduce soil degradation and erosion and to retain moisture, which is critically important for arid regions. Research indicates that sediments can improve soil structure by increasing its porosity and aeration, thereby promoting root system development and enhancing plant resilience to stress conditions. Thus, bottom sediments are a promising component of closed-loop agroecosystems, where waste materials can be utilized to boost productivity.