Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan

Sholpan Umbetova; Umirbek Umbetov; Galimzhan Kurmanbayev; Nurlan Kulmurzayev; Zeinegul Baimakhanova; Zhanna Assanova; Mukhtar Gani; Aizere Khikmatullayeva

doi:10.18393/ejss.1861931

Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan

Abstract

Soil salinization and alkalinity constrain irrigated agriculture in arid regions, particularly where shallow groundwater and limited drainage promote salt accumulation. Ozonation is increasingly applied for water treatment as a strong oxidant and disinfectant, yet its implications for soil chemical dynamics under field irrigation remain insufficiently documented. This pilot field study assessed short-term soil-profile responses to irrigation with ozonated groundwater under an arid production system in Tasboget, Kyzylorda (Kazakhstan). Groundwater (12–18 m boreholes) was conveyed through the same hydraulic line for all treatments, with ozone injection controlled at set-points of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg O₃ L⁻¹. Water was treated in a contact tank with an average hydraulic contact time of ~7 min. Baseline soil sampling was conducted in spring 2024 before fertilization, and post-treatment sampling was performed 21 days after initiation of water treatments (four irrigation events). Composite soil samples (five subsamples per depth) were collected from five depth intervals (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100 cm). Soil pH, salinity indicators (including ECe), humus, macronutrients and saturation extract ions were determined using relevant GOST/standard protocols. Across the 0–100 cm profile, soil pH decreased with increasing ozone set-point. In the 0–20 cm layer, pH declined from 8.30 under the control to 7.81 at 2.0 mg O₃ L⁻¹, while at 80–100 cm pH decreased from 7.52 to 7.31. Salinity indicators tended to improve under ozonated irrigation; for example, ECe at 80–100 cm decreased from 3.210 dS m⁻¹ (control) to 3.020 dS m⁻¹ at 2.0 mg O₃ L⁻¹. Mineral N increased under the highest ozone set-point (e.g., 28.6 to 39.7 mg kg⁻¹ at 0–20 cm), whereas available P₂O₅ and K₂O showed modest topsoil decreases at the highest dose. These findings suggest that controlled ozonation may influence soil chemical status indirectly (e.g., via redox/carbonate equilibria and leaching dynamics) rather than by changing conservative salt loads in irrigation water. Given the short duration and aggregated treatment means, longer fully replicated seasonal trials with residual ozone/ORP monitoring are required to confirm agronomic relevance.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Project Number

AP26199445

Thanks

The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the grant funding program for scientific and (or) scientific and technical projects for 2025–2027, Project No. AP26199445 (“Development of an intelligent water treatment system by ozonation”). The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their careful evaluation and valuable recommendations, which helped strengthen the manuscript.

References

Bektayev, N., Mansurova, K., Kaldybayev, S., Pachikin, K., Erzhanova, K., Absatova, B., 2023. Comprehensive assessment and information database on saline and waterlogged soils in Kazakhstan: Insights from Remote Sensing Technology. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 12(4): 290-299.
Bulanbayeva, P., Shomantayev, A., groundwater blending for irrigation Daldabayeva, G., Shegenbayev, A., Otarbayev B., Absatova, B., Baimakhanov, O., Kuspangaliyeva, K., 2025. Optimization and evaluation of wastewater and in arid regions of Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14(4): 359-375.
Daldabayeva, G., Shomantayev, A., Umirzakov, S., Tauipbayev, S., Baimanov, Z., Shegenbayev, A., Kopen, M., Berdibek, A., 2025. Agroecological soil properties changes and treated wastewater management in arid regions: A case study from the Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14(4): 386–397.
Devkota, K.P., Devkota, M., Rezaei, M., Oosterbaan, R., 2022. Managing salinity for sustainable agricultural production in salt-affected soils of irrigated drylands. Agricultural Systems 198: 103390.
Díaz‑López, M., Galera, L., Bastida, F., Nicolás, E., 2024. Tomato growth and physiology as well as soil physicochemical and biological properties affected by ozonated water in a saline agroecosystem. Science of the Total Environment 906: 167472.
GOST 17.4.4.02-84 Nature protection. Soils. Methods for sampling and preparation of soils for chemical, bacteriological, helminthological analysis. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-16844-gost-174402-84.aspx
GOST 26205-91. Soils. Determination of mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium by Machigin method modified by CINAO. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-55169-gost-26205-91.aspx
GOST 26213-91. Soils. Methods for determination of organic matter. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-52750-gost-26213-91.aspx

GOST 26483-85. Soils. Preparations of salt extract and determination of its pH by CINAO method. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-50090-gost-26483-85.aspx
GOST 26488-85. Soils. Determination of nitrates by CINAO methods. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-50388-gost-26488-85.aspx
GOST 28168-89. Soils. Sampling. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-15829-gost-28168-89.aspx
Li, Y., Xiao, J., Lei, Y., Qin, D., Cai, W., Chen, X., Ma, C., Zhu, X., Zhang, S., Sun, Q., 2025. Impacts of reclaimed water irrigation on soil salinity, nutrient cycling, and landscape plant growth in a Coastal Monsoon Environment. Water 17(3): 337.
Liu, P., Zhang, G., Cui, S., Nie, Z., Cui, H., Wang, Q., 2023. Effects of groundwater level control on soil salinity change in farmland around wetlands in arid areas: A case study of the lower reaches of the Shiyang River Basin, China. Water 15(7): 1308.
Meiramkulova, K., Kydyrbekova, A., Kydyrbekova, A., Daldabayeva, G., Bauyrzhan, O., Shegenbayev, A., Khalkhabay, B., Baikenzheyeva, A., Bulanbayeva, P., Mkilima, T., 2024. evaluating the long‑term effects of recycled wastewater irrigation on soil health, crop yield, and ecological sustainability in arid regions. Journal of Ecological Engineering 25(12): 10–25.
Naushabayev, K., Seitkali, N., Karayeva, K., Mazkirat, S., Toilybayev, M., Vassilina, T., 2024. Effective strategies for reclaiming soda-saline soils: Field experimentation and practical applications in Southeast Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 13(3): 263 - 272.
Peker, A.E., Öztürk, H.S., Mamedov, A.I., 2024. The effect of sodic water type on the chemical properties of calcareous soil in semi-arid irrigated land. Soil Systems 8(1): 10.
Rakhmanov, D., Šarapatka, B., Alibekova, K., Černohorský, J., Hekera, P., Smanov, Z., 2024. Assessment of agricultural land salinization via soil analysis and remote sensing data: Case study in Pavlodar region, Kazakhstan. Soil and Water Research 19(2): 111-121.
Rakhmanov, D., Šarapatka, B., Bednář, M., Černohorský, J., Alibekova, K., 2025. Salinity of irrigated and non-irrigated chernozems and kastanozems: A case study of causes and consequences in the Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan. Soil Systems 9(2): 57.
Rau, A., Koibakova, Y., Nurlan, B., Nabiollina, M., Kurmanbek, Z., Issakov, Y., Zhu, K., Dávid, L.D., 2023. Increase in productivity of chestnut soils on irrigated lands of Northern and Central Kazakhstan. Land 12(3): 672.
Rowell, D.L., 1996. Soil Science: methods and applications. Longman, UK. 350p.
SanPiN 1.2.3685-21. Hygiene Standards and Requirements for Ensuring Safety and/or Harmlessness of Environmental Factors for Humans.
Tahamolkonan, M., Ghehsareh, A.M., Ashtari, M.K. Honarjoo, N., 2023. Soil physicochemical (colloidal) properties affected by ozonated water and organic fertilization. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 13: 6133–6143.
Tanirbergenov, S., Saljnikov, E., Suleimenov, B., Saparov, A., Cakmak, D., 2020. Salt affected soils under cotton‑based irrigation agriculture in southern Kazakhstan. Zemljište i Biljka 69(2): 1–14.
Yang, X., Yu, R., Yu, G., Bai, Y., Li, M., Liu, Z., Qu, S., Miao, P., Ma, H., Zhang, T., Jia, Y., 2025. Revolutionizing salinized farmland: How salt-controlled irrigation transforms microbial diversity and soil organic matter in a salt-alkali soil. Agronomy 15(4): 956.
Zhao, Q., Xin, M., Ai, P., Ma, Y., 2025. Effects of continuous saline water irrigation on soil salinization characteristics and dryland Jujube Tree. Agronomy 15(8): 1898.
Zhu, C., Ding, J., Zhang, Z., Wang, J., Chen, X., Han, L., Shi, H., Wang, J., 2023. Soil salinity dynamics in arid oases during irrigated and non-irrigated seasons. Land Degradation & Development 34: 3823–3835.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sholpan Umbetova This is me
0000-0001-7716-9822
Kazakhstan

Umirbek Umbetov This is me
0000-0001-6931-7944
Kazakhstan

Galimzhan Kurmanbayev ^* This is me
0009-0002-0683-9926
Kazakhstan

Nurlan Kulmurzayev This is me
0000-0003-1240-1912
Kazakhstan

Zeinegul Baimakhanova This is me
0009-0008-1949-2275
Kazakhstan

Zhanna Assanova This is me
0000-0003-4456-9891
Kazakhstan

Mukhtar Gani This is me
0009-0009-2502-108X
Kazakhstan

Aizere Khikmatullayeva This is me
0009-0007-9090-0836
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

September 29, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1861931

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA22FD69YN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Umbetova, S., Umbetov, U., Kurmanbayev, G., Kulmurzayev, N., Baimakhanova, Z., Assanova, Z., Gani, M., & Khikmatullayeva, A. (2026). Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(2), 158-167. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1861931

AMA

1.Umbetova S, Umbetov U, Kurmanbayev G, et al. Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. EJSS. 2026;15(2):158-167. doi:10.18393/ejss.1861931

Chicago

Umbetova, Sholpan, Umirbek Umbetov, Galimzhan Kurmanbayev, et al. 2026. “Short-Term Soil Profile Responses to Controlled Ozonation of Irrigation Groundwater in an Arid Irrigated Agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (2): 158-67. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1861931.

EndNote

Umbetova S, Umbetov U, Kurmanbayev G, Kulmurzayev N, Baimakhanova Z, Assanova Z, Gani M, Khikmatullayeva A (April 1, 2026) Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 2 158–167.

IEEE

[1]S. Umbetova et al., “Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 158–167, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1861931.

ISNAD

Umbetova, Sholpan - Umbetov, Umirbek - Kurmanbayev, Galimzhan - Kulmurzayev, Nurlan - Baimakhanova, Zeinegul - Assanova, Zhanna - Gani, Mukhtar - Khikmatullayeva, Aizere. “Short-Term Soil Profile Responses to Controlled Ozonation of Irrigation Groundwater in an Arid Irrigated Agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/2 (April 1, 2026): 158-167. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1861931.

JAMA

1.Umbetova S, Umbetov U, Kurmanbayev G, Kulmurzayev N, Baimakhanova Z, Assanova Z, Gani M, Khikmatullayeva A. Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. EJSS. 2026;15:158–167.

MLA

Umbetova, Sholpan, et al. “Short-Term Soil Profile Responses to Controlled Ozonation of Irrigation Groundwater in an Arid Irrigated Agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 158-67, doi:10.18393/ejss.1861931.

Vancouver

1.Sholpan Umbetova, Umirbek Umbetov, Galimzhan Kurmanbayev, Nurlan Kulmurzayev, Zeinegul Baimakhanova, Zhanna Assanova, Mukhtar Gani, Aizere Khikmatullayeva. Short-term soil profile responses to controlled ozonation of irrigation groundwater in an arid irrigated agroecosystem of Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. EJSS. 2026 Apr. 1;15(2):158-67. doi:10.18393/ejss.1861931