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HomeAP 26103455 (superviser Zhambakin K.)

AP 26103455 (superviser Zhambakin K.)

Brief description of the project

(2025-2027)

Project title: IRN AP 26103455 «Evaluation of the ecological state of soils in the zones of technogenic pollution of metallurgical enterprises by studying their enzymatic activity and microbiome composition».

Relevance. 

Under conditions of intensive technogenic impact, the application of approaches aimed at assessing the degree of soil degradation under natural functioning conditions is of particular importance. Given the high adaptive capacity of microorganisms to changing environmental conditions, it is crucial to investigate soil microorganisms that function in close proximity to zones affected by technogenic pollution.

The main research approaches include:

  • qualitative and quantitative analysis of pollutants in industrially contaminated areas;
  • assessment of soil enzymatic activity as an indicator of ecological status;
  • determination of molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the resistance of soil microorganisms to technogenic factors;
  • isolation and characterization of heavy metal–resistant microbial strains with potential application in the bioremediation of technogenically impacted areas.

The goal of the project:

To assess the ecological status of soils in industrially contaminated zones of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Metallurgical Complex (UMC) and the Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) through the determination of pollutant composition, microbial community structure, and biochemical activity of the soil microbiome.

Expected results:

  1. Qualitative and quantitative composition of pollutants in soils affected by industrial contamination from UKMC and UMP will be determined;
  2. Spatial interpolation maps of heavy metal distribution in industrial contamination zones will be generated using QGIS 3.36.2;
  3. Soil enzymatic activity will be evaluated as an indicator of ecological condition in technogenically impacted and control areas;
  4. Molecular and genetic characteristics of soil microorganism resistance to technogenic stressors will be identified;
  5. Heavy metal–resistant microbial strains will be isolated and characterized for potential application in bioremediation of contaminated areas;
  6. A model of microbial ecological succession will be developed based on comparative analysis of the obtained results;
  7. One Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) will be trained;
  8. Research results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Scientific Supervisor of the project:

Zhambakin Kabyl Zhapаrovich, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor

Research group: 

  1. Zhambakin Kabyl Zhapаrovich — Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  2. Shamekova Malika Khabidulaevna — PhD, Associate Professor
  3. Daurov Dias Lamzarovich — Master’s degree
  4. Abilda Zhanar Kassymkhankyzy — Master’s degree
  5. Kanat Rakhim — Bachelor’s degree
  6. Sapakhova Zagipa Beisenovna — PhD, Associate Professor
  7. Sadykova Assel Dulatovna — Higher education
  8. Choi Khanylbek — Bachelor’s degree

List of publications of the project’s participants

  1. Method for phytoremediation of soil. Innovation Patent of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 2008/1108.1 (06.10.2008).
  2. Method for identifying pesticide-contaminated soils. Innovation Patent of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 2008/1260.1 (14.11.2008).
  3. Method for bioindication of plant resistance to pesticides. Innovation Patent of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 2008/1261.1 (14.11.2008).
  4. Method for utilization of pesticide-contaminated phytomass. Application No. 17069 (10.10.2011).
  5. Digital platform for seed quality control “E-Tukym”. Certificate No. 45900 (16.05.2024).
  6. Accounting system for seed potatoes and fruit planting material in Kazakhstan. Certificate No. 40039 (31.10.2023).

1.         Daurov D., Daurova A., Sapakhova Z., Kanat R., Akhmetzhanova D., Abilda Z., Toishimanov M., Raissova N., Otynshiyev M., Zhambakin K., Shamekova M. (2024). The Impact of the Growth Regulators and Cultivation Conditions of Temporary Immersion Systems (TISs) on the Morphological Characteristics of Potato Explants and Microtubers. Agronomy, 14(8), 1782. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081782. Квартиль – Q1, Процентиль – 84.

2.         Daurov D., Lim Y.H., Park S.U., Kim Y.H., Daurova A., Sapakhova Z., Zhapar K., Abilda Z., Toishimanov M., Shamekova M., Zhambakin K., Kim H.S., Kwak S.S. Selection and characterization of lead-tolerant sweetpotato cultivars for phytoremediation. Plant Biotechnology Reports. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-024-00900-w. Квартиль – Q2, Процентиль – 69.

3.         Toishimanov M., Abilda Z., Daurov D., Daurova A., Zhapar K., Sapakhova Z., Kanat R., Stamgaliyeva Z., Zhambakin K., Shamekova M. Phytoremediation properties of sweet potato for soils contaminated by heavy metals in South Kazakhstan. Applied Sciences. 2023. 13. 9589. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179589. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 2.44, Квартиль – Q2, Процентиль – 83.

4.         Daurov D., Zhambakin K., Shamekova M. Phytoremediation as a way to clean technogenically polluted areas of Kazakhstan. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia. 2023. 83. e271684. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.271684. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 3.05Квартиль – Q3, Процентиль – 61.

4          Sapakhova Z., Raissova N., Daurov D., Zhapar K., Daurova A., Zhigailov A., Zhambakin K., Sweet potato as a key crop for food security under the conditions of global climate change: A Review. Plants. 2023. 12. 2516. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132516. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 2.55, Квартиль – Q1, Процентиль – 83.

5          Sapakhova Z., Islam K.R, Toishimanov M., Zhapar K., Daurov D., Daurova A., Raissova N., Kanat R., Shamekova M., Zhambakin K. Mulching to improve sweet potato production. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 2024. 15. 101011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101011. Квартиль – Q1, Процентиль – 78.

6          Gritsenko D., Daurova A., Pozharskiy A., Nizamdinova G., Khusnitdinova M., Sapakhova Z., Daurov D., Zhapar K., Shamekova M., Kalendar R., Zhambakin K. Investigation of mutation load and rate in androgenic mutant lines of rapeseed in early generations evaluated by high-density SNP genotyping. Heliyon. 2023. 9(3). e14065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14065. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 0.41, Квартиль – Q2, Процентиль – 86.

7          Daurov D., Argynbayeva A., Daurova A., Zhapar K., Sapakhova Z., Zhambakin K., Shamekova M. Monitoring the spread of potato virus diseases in Kazakhstan. American Journal of Potato Research. 2023. 100(1). 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-022-09895-y. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 0.55, Квартиль – Q3, Процентиль – 76.

8          Daurova A.K., Volkov D.V., Daurov D.L., Zhapar K.K., Sapakhova Z.B., Shamekova M.Kh., Zhambakin K.Zh. Improvement of breeding-valuable traits of rapeseed (Brassica napus) using mutagenesis. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 2022. 28(4). 219-227. https://doi.org/10.17957/IJAB/15.1973. Квартиль – Q3, Процентиль – 56.

9          Daurova A., Daurov D., Volkov D., Zhapar K., Raimbek D., Shamekova M., Zhambakin K. Doubled haploids of interspecific hybrids between Brassica napus and Brassica rapa for canola production with valuable breeding traits. Oilseeds and fats, Crops and Lipids (OCL). 2020. 27. 45. https://doi.org/10.1051/ocl/2020041. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 0.33, Квартиль – Q2, Процентиль – 68.

10        Daurov D., Daurova A., Karimov A. Tolegenova D., Volkov D., Raimbek D., Zhambakin K., Shamekova M. Determining effective methods of obtaining virus-free potato for cultivation in Kazakhstan. American Journal of Potato Research. 2020. 97. 367-375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09787-z. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 0.40, Квартиль – Q3, Процентиль – 76.

11        Daurova A., Daurov D., Volkov D., Karimov A., Abai Z., Raimbek D., Zhapar K., Zhambakin K., Shamekova M. Mutagenic treatment of microspore-derived embryos of turnip rape (Brassica rapa) to increase oleic acid content. Plant Breeding. 2020. 139(5). 916-922. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbr.12830. Индекс цитирования (FWCI)– 0.35, Квартиль – Q2, Процентиль – 73.

Results for 2025:

Spring and autumn field expeditions were conducted to collect soil samples. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of soil pollutants were performed. Cadmium, copper, and zinc were identified as the primary pollutants based on significant exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) detected through chemical soil analysis.

The highest exceedances were observed for cadmium (2–56 MPC), followed by zinc (2–50 MPC), while copper exceedances ranged from 1.2 to 25 MPC.

Catalase activity was determined by titration of hydrogen peroxide using 0.02 M KMnO₄. Soil enzymatic activity corresponded closely to contamination levels:

  • severe contamination — approximately 40% activity;
  • moderate contamination — 50–55%;
  • low contamination — approximately 55%;
  • control sites — highest activity (~65%).

A soil-free blank was used as the reference standard.

At the current stage, DNA was extracted from soil samples using the DNeasy PowerSoil Kit and further purified with AMPure XP magnetic beads to achieve the required DNA quality. Sequencing was performed using the PromethION platform. Soils from areas with low, moderate, high, and very high ecological risk were sequenced.

Bacteria belonging to the family Pseudomonadaceae, genus Pseudomonas, specifically Pseudomonas mendocina NK-01, were identified. These aerobic bacteria exhibit relatively low pathogenicity compared to closely related taxa. In addition, poxviruses were detected, which are animal viruses with potential pathogenicity for humans.

Publications (2025): no publications