the development of the theoretical foundations of the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals, critical analysis of existing approaches to remediation, and the elaboration of science-based effective technologies for the recovery of technogenic areas.

The multidisciplinary integrative research described in this proposal will help sustainable economic and ecological development of the industrial regions of Russian Arctic and Subarctic. Mining and metallurgy in the Kola Peninsula have contributed significantly to the economy for more than 70 years, whilst also dramatically impacting the fragile natural environment in the Extreme North. Large scale anthropogenic pollution and the important role of soils in the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems and human life determine the relevance of research topics. The limitations of soil and plant resources in the harsh conditions of the Arctic makes problem more acute. The main focus will be on alfehumic soils of Kola Subarctic, for seventy years to be affected by the largest in northern Europe sources of atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide and heavy metals - combines “Severonikel” and “Pechenganikel.”

Complex processes that determine the mobility of heavy metals in soils, their bioavailability and toxicity to living organisms under conditions of intense anthropogenic effects are not well understood despite numerous studies. The project will study the main physical and chemical processes and mechanisms that control binding and mobilization of heavy metals in soils, – the adsorption of cations on the surface of the solid phase, the precipitation of low-soluble compounds, complexation with organic matter. The main attention will be paid to the study of the adsorption of metals by soils and ameliorants of mineral and organic origin. In assessing the effectiveness of bioremediation attention will be paid to interactions with lime – traditional agricultural ameliorants for acidic soils, relatively little investigated for heavy metal detoxification. Authors will explore the use of organic materials, including humic and humic-bacterial preparations that received recently a special interest in connection with the problems of remediation of contaminated soils.

A multidisciplinary team of specialists in the field of soil science, soil chemistry, microbiology, geobotany, ecology, physics and mathematical modeling will theoretically analyze and study experimentally the efficiency of different methods in remediation of contaminated soils on the basis of a system approach, using a wide range of field and laboratory methods, including a series of pot and long-term field experiments. Modern instrumental methods of analysis and data processing will be used to evaluate the composition and properties of soil, vegetation and soil solutions and their changes in a result of remediation.

The effectiveness of bioremediation depends on the level of contamination, composition and thickness of the constructed soil layer, the species composition and quality of planting material as well as the related measures to optimize the soil condition on the basis of continuous monitoring.