Home – Home – Jornals – Geography and natural resources 2016 number 6S

In recent years, most climate change research have focused on determining patterns of exogenous processes activation and natural environmental and climate variability. This paper presents materials resulted from a comprehensive analysis of historical data, dendrochronological and geotechnical monitoring. The latter was conducted on the Ulaanbaatar geodynamic test site (polygon) (2012-2016) taking into account the geological and geomorphological conditions and using techniques for morphometric analysis of the relief. Some regularities in the development of the gullies and ravines network within the polygon area have been established, specifically, in Ulaanbaatar city and its immediate vicinity. The ongoing natural environmental and climate changes have been estimated according to dendrochronological observations at 26 stations located in most of the territory of Mongolia, except for the Gobi Desert. Activation of exogenous processes is in direct relationship to weather conditions and climate changes. Time series analysis was conducted using the mathematical statistics methods. The verification of the results obtained was underpinned by historical data on the flooding, droughts, and dzud events reported earlier and still occurring in the region, which have always been causing disastrous environmental and socio-economic consequences. The dendrochronological series was 500 years in length, or more, while historical chronology is spanning a period of 400 years. Based on the statistical analysis, the frequency of adverse events was established, and statistical models of weather and climate changes were built, which include predictions of future trends in the course of natural environmental processes until 2050.

A comprehensive study of unconsolidated deposits in the Nikolsk section allowed to reconstruct exogenetic and pedogenesis processes developing within the Tugnui Depression (the Selenga Middle Mountains), with the sedimentary strata accumulation dynamics restored at different time intervals. The phases of erosion-accumulative and eolian processes activation have been established (12,9-11,7; 10,2-8,6; 2,1-1,8 cal ka BP), which permitted reconstructing chronology and specific features of the pedogenic stages. Soils indicating stabilization stages of the relief-forming processes are represented by chernozems. Concurrent stages of pedogenesis and sedimentation processes benefited the formation of light- and dark-humus stratozems due to gradual washout and inwash of material in the uppermost soil horizons persistently affected by pedogenesis. Chronologically, the most pronounced phases of pedogenesis are associated with the time intervals of 11,7-10,2; 8,6-2,1 and 1,8-0,6 cal ka BP. The dynamics of sedimentation stages, phases of their stabilization and intensive pedogenesis have been determined primarily by climatic and environmental changes over the past fifteen thousand years in the study area. The obtained results are in good agreement with the stages of pedogenesis and manifestations of exogenetic processes in the adjacent territories of Russia and Mongolia. A polychronous development of exogenetic and soil-forming processes controlled by the landscape-climatic heterogeneity of the study area has been revealed, which makes itself evident in better pronounced stages of enhanced sedimentation in more arid southern areas of the Selenga Middle Mountains, while in more humid environments of their central part the periods of pedo genesis tend to be more extended. The structure of the pedo-sedimentary series of Nikolsk section thus demonstrates the alternating periods of pedogenesis and more intense exogenetic processes and represents changes of regional landscape and climate occurred over the last fifteen thousand years.

The Southern Baikal region is situated close to the industrially highly developed part of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia, which therefore makes its oil and gas potential profoundly relevant. The lack of discovered large deposits of oil and gas here can be explained only by the extremely low level of exploration maturity of the geological structure and its complexity. Meanwhile, the existing favorable preconditions indicate the occurrence of hydrocarbon deposits in this area. These include the presence of marginal depressions, within which thickness of the subsalt clastic section tends to increase, as well as the distribution of Vendian-Cambrian carbonate reef formations. The study of Riphean deposits is of particular significance, as they form here many kilometers-thick intervals with enhanced reservoir properties. Caused by the lateral pressure of Baikal rift, an extended thrust structure developed at the marginal areas of the platform, to form a broad front encircling Patom Highlands. Here, both sediments of the upper overthrust structure and autochthonous rocks are considered highly potential for hydrocarbons. A pronounced dislocation of the upper part in the section of the platform margins re duces the quality of seismic data, which requires improving the methodology for oil and gas geological and geophysical prospecting. In this respect, the most appropriate appears the approach involving integration of seismic and electromagnetic studies, development of multi-wave seismic survey with large spacing and increased multiplicity factor, and the use of detailed geophysical data on the upper part of the structure for an adequate account of its irregularities. The paper shows that the development of the Southern Baikal region as a base region for the study of marginal basins in the south of the Siberian platform, will ultimately allow to assess its oil and gas potential and form a reliable methodological basis for the development of this kind of studies in the context of a similar geological structure of Cis-Patom and Cis-Sayan depressions.

Among energy infrastructure objects in the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory, coal-fired boiler-houses exert the greatest anthropogenic impact on the environment. According to calculations made, the total annual air emission of pollutants from such boiler-houses is estimated at 23 thousand tons, with their largest share (80 %) accounting for particulate matter. The ranking of central ecological zone by the extent of anthropogenic impact has revealed that 90 % of the total boiler-house emissions in the southern and northern parts, specifically, in the Slyudyansky, Kabansky and Severo-Baikalsky districts. The most substantial proportion of emissions is observed in the towns of Slyudyanka, Severobaikalsk, and Nizhneangarsk urban-type settlement. The use of natural gas will significantly mitigate the anthropogenic impact from heat supply facilities on the environment in the central ecological zone. The most attractive scenario of boiler-house gasification in the southern part of the zone would be the construction of the main gas pipeline, providing thereby natural gas supplies to the area. In the northern part of the zone, an autonomous gasification is only possible by setting up deliveries of the INK LLC (Irkutsk Oil Company) production (also called propane-butane mix) from its gas-processing plants. The projected volumes of gas consumption by all boiler-houses converted to gas in the most challenging areas are estimated at 56 and 69 million m ³ /year for the southern and northern parts of the central ecological zone, respectively. Taking into account the environmental and economic aspects, it appears feasible to convert only small boiler-houses to gas. In this case, their total air emissions will be reduced by more than half. Despite the unconditional ecological efficiency of converting coal-fired boiler-houses to gas in the central zone and available prerequisites for its utilization, this measure is somehow limited by uncertain terms of fields development, and construction of gas transportation infrastructure in the region.

Some material and data on the aquifer system in the vicinity of Listvyanka municipality are provided, along with stratifica tion of hydrogeological section of the key site - Krestovaya valley. Listvyanka settlement is situated at the joint of the Irkutsk artesian basin and Baikal mountain-folded hydrogeological region. The peculiar hydrogeological conditions are caused by a combination of the environmental factors: the composition and jointing of water-bearing rocks, height above the Baikal level, position of the valley channels, and permafrost distribution. Fissure, fissure-formation, pore-fissure and pore-formation under ground waters occur in crystalline and fine-grained deposits. They are calcium or magnesium hydrocarbonate in chemical composition with salinity not exceeding 0,5 g/L. Atmospheric precipitation is the main source of underground water recharge. Lake Baikal drains the underground waters as evidenced by their table which is inclined in its direction. The underground waters recharging the Baikal do not disturb the chemical stability of its water body owing to their low salinity, and chemical composition similar to that of the Baikal water. Permafrost is found in the form of small islands under swamps in the valley floors. The permafrost thickness is 15-30 m at most. In severe and dry winter the permafrost can barrage the groundwater flow and prompt the icing formation.

This paper presents evidence on the quality of ground and surface waters in the Krestovaya Valley used for community water supply. Ground water of HCO3 Mg-Ca (Ca-Mg) composition with TDS ranging between 71,0 and 514,5 mg/L is com monly available in Listvyanka settlement. It was analyzed how the water components comply with the requirements of the threshold level value for potable water, and thereby established that the content of all components in the local ground water sources does not exceed critical concentrations. However, some water wells have been found polluted. The main pollutants are nitrates, ammonium and silicon, originated from discharged residential wastewater of numerous hotels situated along the Kre stovka River banks. The threshold level values of nitrates and ammonium in the groundwater are found to be 1,1-5,9 and 6,3 times higher, respectively. Given that silicon content of both the riverine and ground water is almost equal, it may be taken as the natural background content, despite their pollution level is in excess of permissible limits. The problem of potable water de silication through water treatment processes should be solved on the basis of socio-hygienic monitoring and eco-epidemiological studies. To monitor ground and surface waters quantity, a depth-to-water map of the valley has been compiled which shows the stream underflow course from watersheds toward the Krestovka River and Lake Baikal. The stream underflow is formed at the confluence of groundwater of crystalline rocks of bed-rock massifs and groundwater of Quarternary alluvial deposits.

Listvyanka settlement (Southern Baikal) was the first area to provide some evidences of ecological crisis on Lake Baikal. This is the most visited place on the lakeshore, with more than one million people coming to visit Listvyanka every year. However, there is practically no nature protection infrastructure in the settlement. Its ground waters are affected by anthropogenic influences to the largest extent. The electrical resistivity tomography method has revealed dimensions of the saturated groundwater flows coming from the littoral zone to discharge into the lake. The conducted integrated studies have revealed that chemical and microbiological pollution of the ground waters is higher versus that of the surface water flows, which shows an insignificant increase in the content of biogenic and potentially anthropogenic elements within a stretch from the outlet to the mouth. Subaquatic discharge of ground waters polluted by waste water from tourist infrastructure facilities occurs at depths of greater than 2 m, which is responsible for both ecological stress and catastrophic transformation of aquatic biocenosis in Lake Baikal.

The Pre-Baikal quartz-bearing province holding the second largest quartz resources amongst all known geological and commercial types of quartz deposits in the Russian Federation is of considerable scientific and practical interest for manufacturers of high-purity quartz concentrates. Quartzite deposits of the Gargansky terrain with the discovered ten occurrences of new non traditional high-purity raw quartz should be of primary concern. The Bural-Sardyk «superquartzite» and fine-grained quartzite display a number of favorable features distinguishing them from other geological-commercial types. Weakly-metamorphosed chemogenic-sedimentary quartzite-silicite regarded as an original rock for «superquartzite» and fine-grained quartzite appear highly promising in terms of expanding the mineral resource base. The unique chemical, technological and production properties of these rocks are of great value. Quartzite of the Gargansky terrain has a low initial content of chemical impurities whose concentrations decrease several times during the enrichment process, which ranks this quartz equal to such known products as IOTA-quartz, quartz of the Kyshtym Mining and Processing Plant and others. Basic mineral impurities for these types of raw material include micas for «superquartzite» and carbonates for quartzite-silicite which can be easily removed during the enrichment processes. Technological feasibility of this quartz type is underpinned by such components as a deposit size (hundred thousand tons of resources), close proximity to transport networks, stable qualitative characteristics of a useful component through the whole thickness of productive beds. Eastern Siberia possesses sufficient resources for quartz enrichment and concentrate production necessary to optical glassmaking, manufacturing of readily marketable quartz ceramics and solar power application.

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of silica glass produced from quartzite of the Bural-Sardyk deposit on its resistance to crystallization during thermal tests. A method for producing silica glass at a specially modified industrial plants for growing «REDMED10-M» and «REDMED 8» single-crystals is described. Melting of glass samples was performed in a vacuum and vacuum-compression method (with a pressure of up to 6 atm, argon). In order to evaluate the optical quality of the glass obtained from the absorption spectrum of the sample it was checked against the absorption of KI and KU-1 brand of glass. In the course of study, the glass obtained from chemically enriched quartz concentrates subjected to procedure a high-temperature exposure (cristobalite formation) was compared with that produced from quartz and concentrates not subjected to such a procedure. Thus, the objects of studies were glasses obtained from quartz concentrates of the four types: fine quartzite, cristobalite of fine quartzite, «superquartzite» and cristobalite of «superquartzite». A test procedure for resistance to crystallization of various types of silica glass samples is provided. The results of a comprehensive study based on X-ray phase analysis, and electronic and optical microscopy have shown that glass samples obtained from cristobalite grits of «superquartzite» are optically better and more resistant to crystallization than the samples obtained from «superquartzite» grits, fine quartzite and cristobalite of fine quartzite. Phase of cristobalite in glass samples occur at a temperature of 1150 °C in the spectra of X-ray diffraction. It is found that the crystallization of the quartz plates after annealing at 1200 °C during 2 hours is only on the surface.

Quartzites from Bural-Sardyk deposit are considered to be a source of high purity quartz raw material. The contents of fluid inclusions (FI) in quartzite is therefore an important technical characteristic. Fluid inclusions were studied in quartz grains of the most clean varieties of quartzites of the «productive series»: dark grey, grey and light grey fine-grained quartzites, and «superquartzites». The microcryothermometric parameters were measured using Linkam THMSG-600 thermal/freezing stage (Center for Isotopic-Geochemical Studies, IGC SB RAS, Irkutsk). The distribution of fluid inclusions in quartz grains is irregular. Cross fractures in quartz grains contain fluids, form band clusters with dense concentrations and narrow chains that intersect each other, extending in parallel or spaced apart. Two-phase fluid inclusions are observed at room temperature. Fluids that are flat tened, isometric, rounded and complex in shape are nor rare. The fluid inclusions differ in size in various types of quartzites, while the pattern of the distribution and phase composition are the same. It is practically impossible to measure microthermometric parameters in some fluid inclusions because of their minu te size (less than 8 microns). The temperature of ice melting was measured in fluid inclusions with a well-defined liquid phase. The analysis results showed that the salinity of fluid (from 5 to 9 wt.% NaCl-eq.) and its density increase from ultrapure «superquartz ites» to grey quartzites, with the FI sizes increasing in the same direction. It was established, that «superquartzites» are character ized by higher P-T-values of their formation conditions as compared to those of light gray and grey fine-grained quartzites.

The changes in the structural organization of a polymeric matrix of humic substances contained in therapeutic mud, coal and shale which take place in the process of their alkaline hydrolysis have been studied. These humic substances were isolated from some of the Mongolian deposits. Cumulative evidence on the composition and structural organization of humic substances provides a necessary base for creating new humic substances and medicines with enhanced levels of biological activity. The composition of ashy elements in initial and hydrolyzed humic substances of various types has been analyzed, and the results indicate that aluminosilicate present in the matrices belongs to sheet minerals and is identified by X-ray analysis as illite. The functional composition of humic substances has been thoroughly examined by IR and electronic spectroscopy. It is shown that during alkaline hydrolysis, the oxidation level of all samples increases by 15-25 %, and their water solubility exhibits multifold enhancement. Chromaticity coefficients of humic substances isolated from mud and coals increase more significantly after oxidative hydrolysis than those of shales. Functional groups of humic substances are freed from mineral components and become ionized in the alkaline medium. The morphology study of humic substances contained in medical mud, coal and shale has shown that they feature a layer structure with an uneven packing type of. It is noted that in the course of alkaline hydrolysis the morphology of the objects under study demonstrates a homotypic change towards a looser structure caused by reconfiguration of macromolecules. Varied effects of alkaline hydrolysis on the molecular structure of humic substances contained in therapeutic mud, coal and shale from Mongolian natural sources increases their reactivity.

The faulted structure of the crust, one of the components of the Earth’s geographical environment, has been studied in the vicinity of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The study resulted in defining the positions of fault zones and nature of their activity at the recent stage of tectogenesis. The field of epicenters of earthquake events occurred in the area in the period from 2000 to 2014 was analyzed, along with the soil radon activity field forming near the faults distinctly featured in the relief. It is established that seismic activity and radon activity are closely related. Based on this conclusion, a network of 13 active fault zones was discriminated in the vicinity of Ulaanbaatar. They are divided into four systems that have generally inherited the neotectonic faults network, however, they differ in details of the inheritance. The NW and SE-trending fault zones develop along to the youngest faults, while the latitudinal and meridional zones are generally located across such faults. The fault zones of the orthogonal network are markedly distinguished by chains of maximums in the field of earthquake epicenters. This suggest strike-slip faulting in the conjugated planes of shear stresses. Reconstructions for the study area show the recent field of shear stresses with the SW-NE oriented compression axis and the SE-NW-oriented extension axis. This field is a remote result of the Indo-Asian collision and typical of the regions located southwest of Ulaanbaatar. In this paper, the faulting style is characterized as a principal factor that must be taken into account in the assessment of seismic hazard facing the capital of Mongolia which population is over a third of the country’s total population.

This study presents the data on first years (2013-2015) of the Boguchany reservoir structural formation, along with evolu tion of the dominant zooplankton community in its the upper portion. The study has been conducted at six stations located on the 130 km stretch in the lower reaches of the Angara River (downstream from the Ust-Ilimsk Dam). Given that both the com position and structure of zooplankton in Boguchany Reservoir, which closes the Angara cascade of hydropower stations (Dams), experience the influences from the Irkutsk, Bratsk and Ust-Ilimsk Reservoirs they appear in many ways similar to the fauna of rotifers and crustacea from these reservoirs located in the upstream part. Baikal Lake endemic Epischura baikalensis, and dominant species of the Irkutsk Reservoir from Notholса and Euchlanis ligulata genera have been detected in the upper portion of the studied reservoir. During first years of reservoir filling, the zooplankton diversity didn’t change, amounting to 28-30 spe cies. Its biomass and quantity is determined by the mass crustaceans typical for the Bratsk Reservoir: Cyclops kolensis, Daphnia galeata, Diaphanosoma brachyurum, and inhabitants of deep-water layers near the dam of the Ust-Ilimsk Reservoir: Cyclops abyssorum, Daphnia cristata, Daphnia longiremis, Heterocope appendiculata. As the Boguchany reservoir was filling with water, the river flow rates slowed down, and the temperature water decreased, while the depth of water increased, which created favor able environmental conditions for the limnofauna in the upper portion of the reservoir. For instance, in the third year (2015) of reservoir filling, when the reservoir water level reached the projected mark (208 m Baltic System), the quantity and biomass of the zooplankton had reached 57 600 specimen/m ³ and 1050 mg/m ³ , respectively, on the Edarma station located 100 km below the Ust-Ilimsk Dam, which is significantly higher than the levels observed in 2014 (13 000 specimen/m ³ and 165 mg/m ³ respec tively).

The investigation concerns with the faulting activity and strain conditions, which allows reconstructions of tectonic stress field for Northern Mongolia, comprising the Selenga, Orkhon and Tola River basins, in connection with the seismic hazard assessment of the area supposedly chosen for the construction of hydroelectric power stations. The study area is situated in the zone of dynamic influence of the eastern segment of the North Khangai strike-slip fault that splits into several branches whose distribution and distribution of stress state type depends on the location relative to major fault plane. The northeastern branch traced along the Selenga River valley is dominated by the left-lateral strike-slip and normal faults, where the extensional and transtensional, and shear tensors paragenetically related to them, were reconstructed. The southeastern sector shows the predominance of the NW right-lateral strike-slip faults, reverse faults and thrusts, and their corresponding shear, transpressional and compressional stress tensors were reconstructed. Within the southwestern sector we discovered the sublatitudinal left-lateral strike-slip faults and reverse faults, with the prevailing shear, transpressional and compressional stress tensors shown in the reconstructions. As a result, it has been found that within a 100-km radius from the power sites planned for future construction of dams on the Selenga, Orkhon and Tola rivers there are 3 to 6 faults with the evidence of the Holocene seismogenic activation. Therefore, the investigated system of faults in the area supposedly chosen for the construction of hydroelectric power stations in Northern Mongolia indicates potential seismic hazard that should be considered in their design and construction.

The results of research carried out in 2016 in winter and summer seasons, considering the current conditions of Listvy anka settlement and its surroundings, are represented. It has been established that geomorphological processes (landslides, earth flows, creep, erosion, debris flows of rare repeatability, and abrasion) are developing within the study area. The processes of peat formation and permafrost heaving are observed on the bottoms of creek valleys. The study of the vegetation showed that there is no irreversible degradation of forests in the settlement’s surroundings, and given that the area is not affected by wildfire the re growth of indigenous larch and conifer and pine forests will be possible. In the settlement and on roadsides, we found cultural garden plants incorporated into the local wild plant communities. The identified general patterns of present-day vegetation dis tribution evidence the domination of secondary communities in the forest vegetation. Results of the snow cover analysis showed minor changes in the acid-alkaline conditions. It was found that the snow cover in the village and in the lake basin contains NH4 ⁺ , Cl ^- , and PO4 ³ ions. The highest levels of particulates are observed in topmost parts of the valley. Hydrological studies and data of chemical water analysis showed the excess of ammonia nitrogen content (on 2-fold average versus the permissible limits adopted for Lake Baikal) in the water of the Krestovka River and Banny creek, where content of suspended solids exceeding the allowable values was also marked. Higher levels of particulates in surface waters are associated with seasonal high water stand (after rainfalls), with disturbed surfaces of watersheds, and due to transformations in watercourses channels.

The paper presents the data on specific characteristics of chemical pollution of air, soil and drinking water in rural and urban areas of the Irkutsk Region. These data were used as the underlying foundation for the «Information-analytical database: Assessment of the health and environmental situation and identification of high-risk zones in the Baikal Region». In urban areas, the dominant air contaminants are primarily benz(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide. The quality of potable water that fails to meet hygiene requirements is usually marked in rural settlements because of higher natural content of iron, manganese and anthropogenic pollution by nitrogen compounds. The content of chemical elements in the community soils does not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. However, in the non-ferrous industrial zones there are areas of technogenic pollution where background levels of pollutants are significantly higher. Levels of aggregate risk to public health under the influence of chemicals polluting the environment (air, potable water, topsoil) have been calculated. It has been established that a significant contribution to the systemic toxicity is made by chemicals that people inhale. In the urban areas, the risk of exposure to systemic toxic effects of chemicals through inhalation ranks as very high. The pollution levels in the cities of Bratsk, Irkutsk, Usolye-Sibirskoye, and Shelekhov are found to be record high in terms of cumulative health risks. The aggregate risk in the rural areas of the region corresponds to the allowable level.

According to the resource specialization of Eastern Siberia the city of Shelekhov located in the extreme continental climate is considered as a model territory. The city is a large center of aluminum production where there is not only an aluminum smelter but related manufacturing facilities. Subjects of the research are the ambient air, drinking water, soil, medical and demographic indicators, human biological matrices. A mathematical model was used to identify the most significant contributions to morbidity factor variations. Priority contaminants in Shelekhov include 3,4-benzapyren, formaldehyde, fluorine compounds, suspended substances. The risk caused by inhalation exposure is estimated to be unacceptable level in terms of probable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects. Chemical impurities found in soil near the aluminum manufacturing facilities indicate its contamination to a distance exceeding 50 km, where concentrations of fluorine, beryllium, aluminum, lead, nickel, manganese, chromium are higher than in the baseline points. The fluorine content in the soil cover is associated with its concentration in the ambient air. 32,5 % children and adolescents living in the vicinity of aluminum production have higher fluorine content in their hair than it is allowable. The concentration of fluorine in biological matrices is significantly increased in the older age groups. A contribution of controllable factors to the variation of children morbidity rate is as follows: provision of health care (19,0 % of the variability in incidence), air pollution (16,6 %), social conditions (37,6 %).

We have studied current economic and demographic characteristics of quality of life in the Baikal Region in the context of resource development type of the region’s economy and essential limitations of environmental management in the specially pro tected territories in the Lake Baikal catchment area. The scientific problem of the study consists in the interconnected consider ation of socio-economic development and certain aspects of quality of life in the Baikal Region, namely the level average income and average life expectancy at birth. The existing economic situation exerts its influence on quality of people’s life directly through their incomes which are strongly differentiated in territory, so the income index varies fourfold between municipalities (areas, urban districts). Statistical calculations using the author’s methodology and mapping of the income index through municipalities (16 urban districts and 84 municipal areas) allowed to identify territory-specific income levels as an economic premise of human existence. Relying on results of statistical and comparative analysis, we have revealed short-term conditions, especially in the period from 1990 to 2015, trends and variations in life expectancy in large regions - major subjects of the Russian Federation, namely Irkutsk Region, the Republic of Buryatia, and the Trans-Baikal Territory. The Baikal Region has lower (approximately by four years) life expectancy relative to average levels in the Russian Federation. Within the entire Baikal Region a paradoxical situ ation has developed where the most economically developed Irkutsk Region has the lowest life expectancy, whereas in the least economically developed Republic of Buryatia this indicator is the highest, and the Trans-Baikal Territory occupies an interme diate position between them.

The article provides a rationale for a comprehensive analysis of major investment projects and their impact on natural and social environment of the Baikal Region. The investment projects currently under way in the region have been characterized; most of them deal with resource development and raw material processing. Their impact on the environment largely controlled by their proximity to major zones of displacement of population has been determined. The Baikal Region is remarkable for a combination of abundant natural resources and its unique natural landscapes. This requires a balance between the economic value of a project and its negative impact on the environment. The government must act as an arbiter, providing legislational regulation for any contractual relationships between the production activity, environment and regional community. However, the decline in investment activity and reduced fiscal opportunities could provoke implementation of a project by compromising requirements for the environmental attributes to production activities. Therefore, a critical criterion for evaluating a specific project’s feasibility is to be the impact on public health, which will be assessed in public expenditures for its recovery. This may be benefited by an integrated approach to the assessment of the impact by means of involving medical research institutes in the solution of this common issue. Prom oting green economy principles should become the main direction in economic the development of the territories like the Baikal Region, which makes it possible to preserve the unique ecosystems in conjunction with the industries modernization for the benefit of people living here.

In the central ecological zone of the Irkutsk Region the local population employment is a challenge especially in the settlements located beyond the tourist routes. Small businesses (individual entrepreneurship) are limited by the legislative framework and many are not allowed. The total amount of investments in the capital assets in Olkhon, Slyudyanka, and Irkutsk districts does not exceed 3 % of the total amount financial injections into the region economy. The article briefly outlines business activities of each of the three municipal districts. Olkhon district is the most active in business, with 13,3 companies per 1,000 people registered there. Most of them are service providers (cafes, restaurants, hotels and other places of temporary accommodation). Three core business activities allowed on the analyzed territory have been distinguished (environmentally friendly or safe). It is shown that wild collection and processing as well as herbal tea production are particularly promising for development. A low investment requirement of affiliated enterprises, the readily recognizable “Baikal” brand, diversity of growing plants, mushrooms and medicinal herbs satisfactory for the manufacture of tea, herbal mixtures, tea drinks, and berry syrups make these enterprises feasible for small businesses in the central ecological zone. The existing companies from the mentioned sectors active in Irkutsk Region have been studied. Depending on the product range the main directions of activities and presumably marketable products have been identified.

According to its Russian and International status, the Baikal Region is destined to be a model territory for sustainable development of worldwide importance. Today, the raw material sector plays a key role, which is likely to remain so in the future, in the economies of Irkutsk Region, Trans-Baikal Territory (Zabaykalsky Krai) and the Republic of Buryatia. Given that, how ever, in the past 25 years some of the institutional, legislative and organizational provisions for the mineral resources management turned out ineffective, the achievement of goals of sustainable development has been largely impeded. Among main subsoil users in the Baikal Region are large, vertically integrated companies. The hefty incomes of large holdings have thus far neither risen life standards of the population, nor contributed to the innovative economic development of the regions they have been active in, though. It is critical therefore to improve the effectiveness of the state management in the field of the subsurface use, particu larly in the replenishment of the mineral resource base in the region. At present, the recovery of raw materials is way ahead of their pre-development stage, which will soon grow into an obstacle to the resource development and raw materials production and processing and, as a result, their following redistribution. Large-scale geological mapping of the territory, regional geological prospecting and exploration, and areas licensing should be conducted by the state institutions, e. g. large state-owned specialized holdings. A significant contribution can be made by the Federal targeted programs for geological studies of the subsurface in the centers of the most promising mineral resource occurrences. The sustainable development of the Baikal Region, including its mineral resource base, should imply a continuous rise in living standards of the people residing on its territory, their ecological welfare, as well as an increase in population.

In the context of social and market-based economy, a new type of economic relations has been developing in Russia, as sociated with a fundamentally different approach to the responsibility for the population’s health improvement. Moreover, the society has adopted a new outlook on many traditional things, even established concepts in science are subject to revisiting or changes, and health therefore acquires not only the status of social value, but also an important economic resource (or asset) of the society. Based on the synthesis of the achieved level of quality of life and economic well-being, the public health factor mea sures progress in socio-economic development of the country. The article considers the personnel’s health as a valuable resource and its key role in the development of the Irkutsk Sci entific Center, SB RAS. We conducted morbidity study and analyzed its structure including incidence, prevalence, susceptibility to disease as the main indications of the employees’ health. The analysis results revealed that in the structure of morbidity, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) take the highest rank, being a major cause of morbidity, disability and mortality in most countries; the second leading position in the structure of morbidity is occupied by respiratory diseases, reflecting the environmental factors that contribute to the disease progression. The majority of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by taking reasonable measures against such risk factors as to bacco use, unhealthy diets and obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes and elevated lipid levels. The most effective way to combat the disease have always been its timely diagnosis and prevention. These allow one to dramatically reduce the risk of CVD and increase life expectancy by about 10-15 years. The factors that are potentially dangerous to human health and that promote the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (smoking, overweight, diabetes mellitus, etc.) have been studied, with their prevalence revealed in the group of the ISC SB RAS employees, registered with the ISC SB RAS Hospital for regular health services. The results of a molecular genetic tests that had 30 leading members of ISC SB RAS provided valuable information about their predisposition to various diseases, including CVD. Having revealed subgroups of patients with/no hypertension, it was possible quite confidently differentiate between the groups with chronic kidney disease and with type 2 diabetes. The conclusion to be drawn is that health is governed by both genetic and environmental factors. The research has shown that health problems of the population are multifactorial and a comprehensive approach is recom mended in addressing the problems of public health preservation as a fundamental component of human asset and improvement of the population’s health.

In geological terms the section of the Kovykta gas condensate field and the surrounding areas is composed by three geo electric complexes-the post-salt terrigenous-carbonate; carbonate-halogen; and the pre-salt terrigenous-carbonate, lying at the basement. Within the two lower complexes reservoir horizons are spread regionally, with some of them bearing commercial hyd rocarbon deposits. Due to the presence of conductive saline pore solutions, the reservoirs are characterized by low electrical re sistivity. This leads to the geological effectiveness of the use of electromagnetic methods in the delineation of the zones of reservoir development. Transient electromagnetic soundings in the near field zone (TEM) is traditionally applied in Eastern Siberia in prospecting and exploration of hydrocarbon accumulations. Modern technologies of mathematical modeling and inversion of TEM signals allow to define geoelectric characteristics not only in the intervals whose thickness measures hundreds of meters, but also di rectly in thin reservoirs. Accordingly, the question arises on the accuracy of the electrical resistivity determination in each of the horizons. To solve this problem an original technique was developed consisting in synthesizing and noising of TEM signals and their inversion with estimation of resistivity recovery error of each horizon. Using the proposed method allows to evaluate the accu racy of the of reservoirs prediction in the sedimentary cover from TEM studies. To provide the inversion the automated minimi zation procedure based on the algorithm of the Monte Carlo method was used. The starting models based on the results of manual inversion and optimal scale of layers resistivity variations were used for reduction of the inversion time. The model of the longitudinal resistance of the layer comprising different conductivity horizons, evaluates the integrity of these geoelectric parameters considered. The use of the proposed method allowed us to estimate the accuracy of prediction of the presence of reservoirs in the sedimentary cover, depending on the resistivity contrast their properties and depth.

The main oil and gas promising resources of the southern Siberian platform are related to subsalt terrigenous rocks of the Riphean and Vendian-Lower Cambrian age occurring in the lower sedimentary cover, as well as the Cambrian carbonate ho rizons of subsalt and overlying carbonate-halogen complexes. The specific geological framework of the sedimentary cover of the southern Siberian platform is associated with intermittent nature of reservoir distribution and lack of anticlinal structural forms. This causes particular localization of oil and gas accu mulations, and influences the effectiveness of standard geological and geophysical methods used in their exploration. Petrophysical analyses results show that reservoir properties of rocks are most clearly reflected in their electrical resistivity. This provides an objective basis for widespread applications of electromagnetic methods in oil and gas exploration, the near-field transient electromagnetic sounding (NTES) in particular. Modern methods of electromagnetic sounding data interpretation allow estimating conductivity of the geologic intervals containing productive horizons with an accuracy of a few tens of percent. Using resistivity of formation water and available data on the relationships between volume porosity and porosity factor allows estimating capacity of water-saturated reservoir voids by their conductivity. Given the data on average value of the re sidual water saturation factor and average HC-saturated-to-water-saturated reservoir ratio, we can estimate hydrocarbon re sources on a regional scale. The proposed method for reservoir voids calculation by their geoelectric properties can be used as the basis for appraisal of C3 hydrocarbon reserves.

The problem of geological studies carried out in prospective areas characterized by complex landscape-morphological con ditions and their remoteness from infrastructure has been analyzed. The paper provides an overview of available approaches to conducting magnetic surveys, a universal method applicable for geological mapping and prospecting that proved very efficient in various geologic settings. The main technical features of a hardware and software system developed by the authors for unmanned low-altitude aeromagnetic surveys are described. This aeromagnetic system is meant to operate in difficult environment conditions. Some actual problems of developing airborne geophysical systems are considered and their solutions proposed by the authors are introduced. Due to original techniques and procedures the designed aeromagnetic complex provides large scale data, which is achieved due to the low cost of the used components and their high reliability, as well as a possibility for making taking measure ments at extremely low altitudes with a relief flow even in mountainous areas. For this purpose, the authors have developed a geoinformation module named a SibGIS Flight Planner which provides an automated preparation of flight missions taking into account accurate information about a terrain model and its uploading in a data format supported by common autopilot systems. Like the rest of the complex software modules, this plugin is designed for freeware GIS QuantumGIS. It provides a true layout of networks with profiles and measurement stakes, determination of flight altitudes for mission points, setting a large number of flight parameters and uploading resulting files in the *.awm format. Since this software can be used in a wide range of tasks related to professional use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the authors consider it possible to open the source code of the module (https://github.com/raulett/SibGIS-Flight-Planner), as well as provide a link to download the finished plug-in, which now can be used by any interested specialist. We also give some internet links to field exploration videos demonstrating the UAV complex abilities mentioned in the article, in particular a flight at extremely low altitudes around the terrain relief, and activities in difficult weather conditions and at low temperatures.

The article provides an overview of techniques and procedures used in the low-altitude unmanned aeromagnetic survey technology developed by the authors. The main procedure methods are aimed to develop a digital terrain model and prepare flight missions taking into account the relief flow; to pre-verify a flight mission; to perform measurements and data post-process ing. A digital terrain model can be developed based on a combination of global elevation coverage data and conditioned topo graphic maps or preliminary aerial imageries. A flight mission is verified by a lighter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with a camera. The flight mission planner tool is described in the previous part of this article. The authors present survey results obtained by testing the UAV-magnetic exploration technology in solving prospecting and evaluation problems on the black shale type gold objects located within the Baikal-Patom Highland. The technology was tested in adverse weather conditions and com posite topography. Some of the explored objects presented a real challenge to magnetic survey due to low contrast of the mag netic field, which required a high absolute precision and sensitivity of magnetometers. The results obtained by the new unmanned method have been compared with the data of traditional pedestrian survey. It is shown that in complex environment the UAV technology produces good conditioning data, their quality is even better than that of the ground surveys. Productivity and eco nomic efficiency of the UAV magnetic survey technology are therewith significantly higher, the cost is about two times less, and there is no need for deforestation. As a result, we draw a conclusion that it is possible and advisable to replace the traditional pedestrian magnetic prospecting with the new unmanned technology, at least in the surveys of scales from 1:10 000 to 1:1000.

As the information technologies are actively developing, the volume of data that needs to be processed constantly increases, which requires keeping hard- and software technologically advanced and finding new approaches to data processing. Based on the distributed computations model MapReduce, the original method of raster images processing is proposed in this paper. The MapReduce model proposes to split initial dataset into pieces using Map operation, process these data pieces and gather all results using Reduce operation. Service-oriented distributed environment of ISDCT SB RAS also faces problems of large data volumes processing, particu larly processing the raster images. In order to increase the processing speed of spatial data within the service-oriented infrastruc ture, the distribution of raster images among computational nodes was organized. Mapping of the raster images is implemented using the specifications - sets of rules of how the data should be split and gathered. The mechanism of definition and application of specifications is implemented as a part of ISDCT SB RAS Geoportal. The Geoportal allows executing distributed services in a centralized way. The use of specification during the service execution allows to effectively utilize the available computational resources. The proposed approach allows using the instruments for spatial analysis of raster images within the distributed environment without theirs modification. Execution of distributed services that work with large volumes of spatial data within the MapReduce model allows decreasing the overall services execution time and using available computing resources at higher rates.

The field of service-oriented computations is actively developed in today’s world of information science. Tasks, which require use of multiple services, arise constantly. The combination of multiple services for the solution of a problem is called service composition. Dependencies between services can be usually described with the directed acyclic graph (DAG). There are a lot of ways to define service compositions; most of them use the graphic interface software or various markup standards. However, it is a common situation when it is convenient to define the composition of services as a piece of program code, at the same time the processing of intermediate service results and extraction of service dependencies graph should be available. The method of defining service compositions as the JavaScript programs was designed in ISDCT SB RAS in order to ex ecute service compositions. In order to define the composition, user calls services inside of the JavaScript code as regular functions. The intermediate processing of service results and building of complex control structures with standard programming language are available. During the processing and execution of scenarios the services dependencies graph is automatically built. The built graph can be later used, for example, for finding of optimal schedule for services execution in the distributed environment. The method of defining the services composition scenarios with JavaScript programs was successfully tested with real tasks and was integrated into the Portal of ISDCT SB RAS.

A water-soluble silver nanoparticles stabilized by a unique polymer matrix - available natural polymer melanin Inonotus obliquus was synthesized for the first time. The melanin is a multifunctional polymeric matrix whose inherent high electron-ac ceptor ability, presence of stable free radicals in high concentrations pronounced semiconducting properties, and others. A syn thesis of nanoscale zero valent silver composite is the formation of colloidal silver metal particles from silver nitrate solution in the dispersion medium (aqueous alkaline solution of melanin). A sample of the nanocomposite was obtained as the form of a black-brown powder with a silver content of 5,4 %. The composite formation is self-organization of inorganic-organic polymer structures, including the regulation of hybrid fragments sizes on nanoscale level by specific adsorption of melanin on the surface of the growing inorganic nanoparticles. The bulk (as opposed to nucleus) melanin shell formed on particles prevents further ag gregation of nanoparticles, while giving them water soluble properties. The redox reaction of melanin matrix with silver nitrate occurs in the nanocomposite formation. The silver nanoparticle dimensions comprise 8-24 nm, with a predominant content of nanoparticle sizes of 16-22 nm. The silver-melanin nanocomposite thus obtained from renewable raw materials is promising for use in biomedicine and materials science, as there may be synergies pronounced antimicrobial activity of nanosilver with a unique protective (not only absorb different radiations, but also neutralize and detoxify harmful to the cells free radicals formed by the action of ionizing radiation and certain chemicals on living organisms) and the powerful antioxidant properties of melanin. Wherein the prolonged action to be expected due to the presence of the natural polymer matrix.

The results of optical absorption study of silver nanocomposites on a basis of arabinogalactan-oligopyrrole block-copolymer matrix with different length of oligopyrrole branches (1, 3, 10 chains), pure polypyrrole and also arabinogalactan that is natural polysaccharide of Siberian larch wood are discussed. Optical absorption study of silver nanocomposites with arabinogalactan oligopyrrole block-copolymer matrix showed the presence in spectra of three absorption bands that result from arabinogalactan end aldehyde groups, transversal and longitudial components of 0D and 1D nanosilver plasmon absorption. According to transmittance electronic microscopy data, nanocomposite of nanosilver and block-copolymer grafted matrix with unit ratio arabinogalactan-oligopyrrole 1:1 has 73 % of 0D nanoparticles with 21,3 nm mean size and 27 % of 1D nanoparticles with 28,7 nm mean length and 20,9 nm mean width. It was found that width of the arabinogalactan absorption band at 294 nm and plasmon absorption of 0D nanosilver observed for samples with unit ratio arabinogalactan-oligopyrrole 1:1 and 1:3 at 426 and 490 nm respectively increase and become considerably less evident, and the absorption band due to longitudinal component of 1D nanosilver plasmon resonance and polarons of nanocomposite matrix oligopyrrole branches shifts to longer wavelengths with growing the length of oligopyrrole branches (585, 754, 800 nm for the nanocomposite of 1:1 and 1:3 and 1:10, respectively). It was also demonstrated that optical absorption maximum of polypyrrole has long-wavelength shift owing to this conducting polymer passes into weakly doped state under influence of environment air.

Deterioration of the coastal environment of Lake Baikal is an issue of the day, which has been caused by the ongoing significant changes in the coastal benthic community, accommodating most of the endemic species of the lake inhabit. In-depth integrated studies of the coast and nearshore waters of the lake are required to specify the causes of these changes. The paper presents a geographic information system developed by the authors to support research into human impact on the environment of the coastal zone of Baikal Lake. The system is realized as a web geo-portal in the Internet and it allows the researcher to gen erate a common base of thematic and cartographical data within the project framework, as well as to perform start-up of Inter net services to tackle the challenges of geoprocessing and a comprehensive data analysis. The open architecture of the developed geoportal allows to expand its functionality by addition of the new services which are available both locally on the geoportal server, and far off on other servers. The supported standards in the field of geoinfor matics benefit the interoperability of the program systems realizing functions of the analysis and processing of geodata. A spe cific feature of the developed geoportal is an opportunity provided to users to independently operate with their data structures, and also to adjust the start of geoprocessing services, including those that require connection with the «Academician V. M. Matrosov» computing power cluster at the Irkutsk supercomputer center, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science». During the project implementation, the filling of geoportal with thematic and spatial data on results of the conducted research was carried out. The collected data allow to obtain integrated indicators containing information on the anthropogenic influences on the en vironment within a certain time interval.