Abstract
This study is devoted to a comparative assessment of the salinity levels and physicochemical properties of soils adjacent to Lakes Keruenkol, Sor, and Shoshkaly, located in the Abai and East Kazakhstan regions.During the study, soil reactions (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), concentrations of the main water⁻soluble cations and anions (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) were determined, and the type of soil salinity was classified based on the anionic composition. According to the results of the study, the soils on all three sites were characterized by an alkaline reaction (pH = 8.0–8.8). The values of electrical conductivity ranged from 7.5–13.2 dS/m, which indicated that the soils belonged to the categories of moderate and severe salinity. High concentrations of sodium, chloride, and sulfate ions were detected: Na⁺ – 1750–3600 mg/kg, Cl⁻ – 1300–2700 mg/kg, SO₄²⁻ – 600–1200 mg/kg. An analysis of the anionic composition of the soil using the classification method proposed by N.I. Bazilevich and E. I. Pankova showed that the ratio of Cl⁻:SO₄²⁻ is in the range of 2,17–2,47, which proves that all the studied areas belong to the sulfate–chloride type of salinity. The relatively lower index at the Shoshkaly site indicates a transitional character close to the chloride type. The results obtained demonstrate that the investigated areas are distinguished by high salinity levels, alkaline reactions, and a predominance of toxic salts, typical of natural solonchak landscapes. These data serve as an important scientific basis for assessing saline lands in Kazakhstan, predicting soil degradation, and effectively managing land resources.