The main objective of the study is the distinguishing of the ecosystem-forming role of the sparse areas of Antarctic soils in the environments of the Antarctic oases.
Tasks:
1. Studying the pedogenic factors and their combinations that determine the trends of pedogenesis and form soils of different taxonomical groups in the extreme environment of the Antarctic oases;
2. Determine the specific influence of pedogenic processes that form the structure of vegetation cover, soil meso- and microbiota (including fungal associations);
3. Studying the geochemical role of the Antarctic soils in the processes of accumulation, transit and redistribution of biogenic elements and contaminants, organic matter stabilisation, primary minerals alteration and secondary minerals formation.