ASSESSMENT OF THE CARBONATE PROFILE OF CHERNOZEMS AS RELATED TO THEIRCO2 REGIME

The theoretical possibility for evaluating the CO2 regime in the gaseo us phase of chernozems on the basis of investigations into the soil ca rbonate profile and secondary carbonates is discussed. A joint study o f the carbon dioxide regime and the carbonate profile is thought to be efficient, and a special method of performing such a study is propose d. An attempt to test the method was made in a comparative study of no nirrigated and irrigated chernozems. An approximate estimate of the co ntribution from dissolution of carbonates to the additional CO2 efflux from the soil surface at the beginning of irrigation is suggested.