Carbon and nitrogen in the ground waters of the Tellerman forest (European southern forest steppe)

Under the upland forests growing on the Dnieper loamy soils at 150–160 m above sea level, sandy aquifers are found at ~120 and ~140 m above sea level. The general mineralization of groundwaters (GWs) and the concentration of SO ₄ ^-2 increase upon approaching the foundation of fluvial glacial sediments. The concentration of C supplied to the local GWs is 10–12 mg L^–1 per year^–1. The concentration of C(CO ₃ ^-2 ; HCO ₃ ^-1 ; NO ₃ ^-1 ; NO ₂ ^-1 ) in the DSW is consistent with the C balance of upper biogeocenoses and the rate of groundwater migration. The concentrations of N(nh ₄ ⁺¹ ) are unrelated to the filtration of biogeocenosis moisture. They are identical both under sodic grassy glades and highly productive tree stands. The main part of N-containing ions in situ is synthesized and destroyed by anaerobic microorganisms living in the GW.