GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS OF GEOLOGICAL FACTORS OF CHERNOZEM DEGRADATION IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Erosion dominates among the degradation processes of chernozems (black soils) in Ukrainian. It covers 32% of the total area of agricultural land � 14.9 million hectares. The development of erosion processes depends on the combined effect of factors: climatic, geomorphologic, geologic (including the characteristics of parent rocks), hydrogeologic and technogenic impact. The purpose of the research is the analysis of natural and technogenic factors of chernozems degradation in Ukraine to develop the principles of preservation and restoration of their fertility. The comparative-analytical method, mechanical-mathematical bases of engineering geology in a complex with approaches of the system analysis were used in carrying out research. Remote sensing data (ALOS PALSAR, Sentinel) have been processed using a geoinformation system to the database of indicators of erosion processes such as relief steepness and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI). The assessment of the development of degradation processes has been done for the territory of polygon �Kherson", Ukraine. The parent rocks are loess, loess loam and sandy loams, eluvial rocks (carbonate), alluvial soils. There is a risk of development of the following dangerous geological processes: flooding, subsidence of loess soils, soil erosion, karst, development of gully network. The degree of erosion (degradation) within the polygon varies from 10-20% to 30-40%. Research methods developed to establish the patterns of erosion processes determined by natural factors will allow the development of zonal systems of anti-erosion measures aimed at protecting fertile soils.