Biological activity of soil is an important factor of productivity from agronomy and ecology standpoint as well as sensitive indicator of anthropogenic impact. Present day concern regarding a great attention for its investigations in World, because that connected with rapid anthropogenic destruction of soil, attached to a pollution of atmosphere and emissions of motor transport, a waste disposal and etc. Four soil sites to highway Vilnius - Kaunas - Klaipėda, near Giraitė (Kaunas district) and Kryžkalnis (Raseiniai district) have been selected for experiment: 20 m form roadside and heavily influenced emissions of motor transport (I and III objects), 350 m form roadside and background pollution (II and IV objects). Soil samples for analyses of soil biological activity were taken from soil profile at depth 0-10, 20-25, 39-43, 56-61, 78-83 and 95-100 cm, according genetic soil horizon. United soil samples for replication were taken from soil site at same depth. The experimental data showed that in both soils a significantly decrease of urease activity in soil under the influence from highway: 20 m from roadside it was 2-3 times lower then 350 m. However, the activity of sacharase and dehydrogenase was influenced less. On contrary, soil respiration intensity increases when distance to highway decreases. Comparison of both soils biological activity shows that oxidation - reduction processes were more intensive in Luvisols (Giraitė, Kaunas district) and hydrolysis processes... [to full text]

Subject of research: different parts – roots, stems, leaves, berries – of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), growing near the A1 Vilnius – Kaunas – Klaipėda highway (the 94th kilometre, right side of the road). Objective of research: to determine the amount of lead in different parts of bilberries. Methodology: for research the samples of bilberries were picked near the A1 Vilnius – Kaunas – Klaipėda highway at the 15 – 20 km distance from Kaunas, at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 70 m distance from highway. For experiment – at 100 m distance from highway, bilberries were replanted in laboratory and were grown in the soils of different lead concentration four months. The soil was sprinkling with lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) solution of different concentration. The samples of plants were desiccate. The mineralization of different part the plants was carried out, as well as the analysis of soil was made (pH, ratio of hygroscope humidity, concentration of lead in soil). The amounts of lead in plants and soil were determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrometer. Research carried out in accordance with legally approved methodologies. For the statistical evaluation of differences the ANOVA and STATISTICA has been applied. Results of research: by carrying out the research, the amount of lead in different parts of the plants was determined; the dependence of lead amount in different parts of the plant upon the lead amount in solution was analysed; it was evaluated the... [to full text]