Modern science is paying increasing attention to microorganisms that form biocrusts – thin films of life that cover the soil surface in various parts of the world. Biocrusts are formed by cyanobacteria, algae, fungi and lichens.

At the Technical University Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany), Professor of the Department of EPET Alexander Kovrov and second-year student Yulia Ishchenko continue biological research on biocrust algae and microorganisms, which has an applied aspect for soil quality restoration.

Measurement of chemical indicators of soil samples

The study of biocrust algae is not only of fundamental importance, but also of practical significance. In regions with degraded soils, biocrust can act as a kind of ‘green shield’ that triggers soil restoration processes. Such natural communities can reduce dust pollution, improve air quality and even serve as indicators of climate change. Although they are barely visible to the naked eye, their role in natural ecosystems is extremely important: they stabilise the soil, reduce erosion, retain moisture and enrich the soil with nitrogen.

Scientists from the Department of Environmental Technology and Natural Resources plan to expand their research on bio-crust algae using modern methods of X-ray structural and genetic analysis. In the future, this will help to create biotechnologies that will be used in the restoration of post-industrial landscapes, quarries and areas affected by anthropogenic stress.

 Experiments on the formation of artificial biocrust, modelling the development of biocrust on degraded and salinated substrates, assessing the effectiveness of soil particle fixation and reducing erosion processes deserve special attention.

Thus, scientists and students of the EPET department are mastering new horizons in biological science and raising the status of Dnipro University of Technology among European universities!