Abstract
The article gives an ecological assessment of the influence of heavy metals on the biological properties of light-chestnut soils in the southeast of Kazakhstan. Heavy metals significantly affect the abundance, species composition, and vital activity of soil biota. They inhibit not only the processes of mineralization and synthesis of various substances in soils, but also the biological activity of soils. The results of the study expand the information base on the specifics of soil biological activity indicators; provide an opportunity to optimize research when planning environmental monitoring of contaminated soils, as well as expand the possibilities for interpretation obtained during monitoring. The paper presents data on the study of the effect of heavy metals on the biological activity of soils. A review of literature data on the content of heavy metals in the environment is given, and the negative impact of some of them on the biological properties of light-chestnut soil is described. The species of soil invertebrates were identified, as well as soil enzymes that should be used as bioindicators for monitoring the contamination of light-chestnut soils with heavy metals. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu, Zu, to their special chemical and biological properties, tend to bio-accumulation. It has been established that some soil invertebrates show potential resistance to soil contamination with heavy metals. Soil fauna is a good indicator group for assessing the degree of disturbance of light-chestnut soils. The results obtained will expand knowledge about changes in the biological activity of light-chestnut soils under the influence of HM pollution in the ecosystems of southeastern Kazakhstan.