This study compared the micromorphological and agrochemical metrics in soils from
the quarry dumps and zonal soils, the Central Caucasus. Soil micromorphological
investigations are important tool for evaluation of soil dynamics after anthropogenic
impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. The results showed that the carbon content in the
primary soil of the sand and gravel quarries was lower than that in the reference soil.
The differences detected were statistically significant for both the Urvan plot soils (t =
11.95; p = 0.000) and the Progress plot soils (t = 18.73; p = 0.000). In contrast, in the
quarry with clay bottom substrate (Gerpegezh), no significant difference was found
between the reference and postmine soils. The reference soil around the sand and
gravel quarries was slightly more acidic than the primary soil. In the clay quarry, the
primary soil was more acidic with a strong acidic value, while the reference soil was
neutral. The difference of nutrients (P, K, NH4
+, NO3
-) between the primary and
reference soils were negligible. The only exception was the NO3
- content in the
reference soil of Progress settlement, where it was significantly higher (t = 4.19; p =
0.002) than in the original soil of the site. No difference was observed for the mineral
component of the primary soil. Investigation of key zonal soils of the region. Zonal
Caucasus soils: Phaeozem Gleiyc, Phaeozem and Umbric Retisol are different in terms
of micro texture. Thus, Phaeozem Gleiyc characterizes by microstructure composed by
primary angular mineral forms. Phaeozem and Retisol demonstrated formation of
biogenic structure with alteration of mineral particles. Data obtained show that rapid
self revegetation of the quarries results in initialization of primary soil formation and
transformation of the soil microstructure and organization on the micro level.