Home – Home – Jornals – Geography and Natural Resources 2020 number 1

For the first time, a monitoring was carried out for assessing the volume of the ice of the Peretolchin Glacier in the Munku-Sardyk mountain range (Eastern Sayan) using georadar profiling both directly to measure the thickness of the ice and to refine the parameters of mathematical models for determining the volume of the glacier. Based on results of the area radar survey, the volume of the various structures of the glacier (firn, the main icy body, and bottom moraines) was assessed. 3D models of these components of the glacier have been constructed. It was found that, in comparison with results of georadar profiling for other glaciers, the modern bed of the Peretolchin Glacier consists of deposits of the previous glaciation which ended 11 ka. Measurements of the ice thickness on the northern Peretolchin Glacier were made in June 2014, and in May 2016 and 2017, with a constant increase in the study area using the Oko-2 radar with the ABDL Triton antenna unit at 100 MHz. Maps of the ice thickness of the Peretolchin Glacier were updated, and its volume was determined, equal to 0,007 ± 0,0001 km ³ . The section of the glacier of direct study (the lower open part) measures 0,00297 km ³ . The method of sections, taking into account the relief of the glacier from additional profiles, proved to be the most accurate. In the surveyed portion, the proportion of firn, the ice and the bottom moraine makes up 25 %, 29 and 46 %, respectively. On the other hand, the proportion of the clean ice reduces from the middle part of the glacier to its bottom. Over more than 100 years, the Peretolchin Glacier (northern) has decreased in length, area and volume by factors of 1,75, 2,9 and 3,71, respectively. It has been established that the rate of reduction of the Peretolchin Glacier has been increasing since 2009.

This research focuses on Holocene polygenetic burozems on red residue (Rikord Island). We determined the particle-size distribution, analyzed the spore-pollen composition of genetic soil horizons, and obtained burozem radiocarbon datings. It is shown that the upper part of the profile is dominated by the fraction of coarse silt whose content gradually decreases down the profile, followed by a marked increase at depths from 145 to 180 cm. This indicates an active cyclonic activity and sheet wash in the Late Holocene, which is also confirmed by a high level of adventitious Pinus densiflora pollen in AYEL horizon spore-pollen spectra. Profile distribution patterns for silt and clay fractions give evidence of clearly pronounced argillification of the lower part of the profile caused by intense processes of weathering at the period of formation of the ВМС and С horizons (LU 7127:4530 ± 180 BP). Silica accumulation in the AYEL horizon is due to podzolization in the cold climatic conditions of the Late Holocene (LU-7563:1550 ± 110 BP), which was reflected in the composition of spore-pollen spectra: a decrease in the amount of pollen from broad-leaved species and an increase in pollen from small-leaved species (birch). Palynological data indicate that the C and BMC horizons of the profiles under study largely formed in warmer (compared to the present time) climatic conditions of the Middle Holocene, whereas the BM horizon formed in the latter part of the Middle Holocene in cli matic conditions similar to the present-day conditions. The AYBM, AYEL and AY horizons formed in colder (than present-day) climatic conditions of the Late Holocene, as indicated by recent deluvial deposits overlying red residue and giving rise to poly genetic burozems. The O horizon (leaf litter) formed under present-day climatic conditions, with a general trend in climate warming.

Presented are the results of experimental studies into the interaction between the surface and subsurface water in 16 moun tain river basins of East Sayan and Lake Baikal as carried out by the Irkutsk-based Institute of Geography during 1984-1990. The research program included regular measurements of the thickness, area and volume of the surface and underground ice along the entire length of the valleys, pressure in closed lenses of underground waters, daily measurements of water discharges and chemical composition throughout the channel network. It was found that at the end of winter about 80-90 % of the area of the valleys of the rivers under study are covered by aufeis and by the seasonal subsurface ice of a different genesis. Furthermore, about half the volume of the seasonal ice corresponds to the surface ice (river ice and aufeis), and the other half to the subsur face segregated and injected ice. It was further shown that the period of formation of the main bulk of ice begins and ends earlier in the sections closer to the mouth. The “wave” of maximum intensity of ice formation gradually moves the river upstream. The ice volume is the last to form in the upstream components of the river network. At this time, the ice formation of the other area of the watershed has terminated or its main part has formed already. A cryogenic barrage phenomenon occurs, as a result of which the channel network receives subsurface water which, under normal conditions, is not drained by the river. The winter river runoff increases from 50 % in the sections close to the source to 5-10 % at the mouth of the river.

We examine some issues related to the application of the Monte Carlo method for estimating of errors in calculations of numerical characteristics of the river flow from available series of observations. As a result, it is shown that the adopted Monte Carlo algorithm, which served as the basis of official recommendations for calculating the numerical characteristics of the flow, leads to a significant exaggeration of the negative bias of the numerical characteristics of the dispersion. It is found that the implementation of the above algorithm does not take into account a number of questions, and these authors suggest that special attention should be given to them. Among them are the following four: the first question is related to the fact that the tables of ordinates of the binomial probability curve are used for statistical testing of samples of different durations, which are often not applicable for a large number of tests due to extrapolation beyond the data given in the tables. The second question implies that, in some cases, the Pearson type III probability distribution curves, constructed for time series of the annual flow, negative values are obtained from modeling, which contradicts the physical essence of the river flow. The third question is related to the applica tion of the method of normalization and linearization of G.A. Alekseev’s connections without taking into account the smoothing effect of this method, which leads to an increase in the negative shift of the scattering characteristics. The fourth question is due to the lack of research on the issue of accounting for the spread of empirical points relative to theoretical curves, and the influ ence of the above effect on the final result of modeling. In this context, it is concluded that there is a need for substantial clari fication of these points set out in the four questions as well as for the development of appropriate recommendations.

Ecologo-geochemical conditions of surface water and groundwater are considered in the case of one of the industrially most developed states of India, West Bengal, within the Damodar river basin near Damodar City. The observations were made in the pre-monsoon period of March 2019, a period with the worst conditions of wastewater dilution. To analyze total chemical composition of water samples a standard set of analytical methods was used; trace elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Data obtained indicate both the unsatisfactory water quality and the intense self-purification processes. The waters under study are, in general, characterized as freshwaters (except for the stream receiving wastewater from the chemical plant where the water is “brackish”), HCO3-Ca or HCO3-Na (except for the water in the stream near the chemical plant, which is Cl-Na , and groundwater, which is Cl-Ca ). In most cases, the waters are oversaturated with carbonates, compounds with humic acids, quartz and undersaturated with primary aluminosilicates. The main pollutants are organic compounds according to the values of permanganate demand and chemical oxygen demand, Al, F^-, NH4⁺, Fe and Mn . Phosphates, As, Pb and some other chemical elements are also presented in significant concentrations. It is shown that most pollutants settle in bottom sediments of the streams receiving wastewater from industrial enterprises within a few kilometers from the wastewater discharge points. The mechanism of water self-purification is, possibly, associated with co-precipitation and sorption of a great number of substances on particles of poorly soluble carbonates and hydroxides of Ca, Fe and some other metals at relatively high pH values associated with the consumption of carbon dioxide by microorganisms.

The 250 ^th anniversary of the birth of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), the great geographer, traveler, honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society was widely celebrated in 2019. Special emphasis is placed on the famous travels of the German scientist to Ural, Siberia, and to the Caspian Sea in 1829. An analysis is made of A. Humboldt’s expedition which promoted the achievement of the planned targets. Among them are a highly skilled accompaniment and support from local authorities in regions of Russia, a good transport and route support, a careful preparation of objects for study, a gratuitous availability of samples and cartographic data, command of the German language by most of the respondents, and a wealth of expedition experience by A. Humboldt and his fellow-travelers. The main results of the travel promoting the development of national science and education are considered.

This article is devoted to the geo-economic processes in modern Eurasia and their impact on the dynamics and localization of marine economic activity in the Russian Federation. The relevance of this issue is associated not only with the increasing influence of the marine factor on the economy and settlement patterns but also with the almost universal projection of the Eurasian integration processes onto regional socio-economic development. Priority is given to the most important trends in the evolution of the Russian marine economy during the post-Soviet period (including its internationalization, structural shift in favor of the port and logistics sector, clustering and concentration in a limited number of development corridors). It is emphasized that the increased marine economic activity not only enhances the conjugation between the coastal and landlocked territories of the country, but also intensifies the cross-border regionalization along the entire contour of its border regions (Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Arctic Sea, and Pacific Russia). It is shown that the formation of ‘Greater Eurasia’ (as a trans-Eurasian mega-project) and Russia’s participation in it as a significant raw material resource and communication-transit territory, and also the consis tent inclusion of the coastal (border) regions of the country in the multi-vector cross-border interactions are directly related to a further ‘marinization’ of the socio-economic space of Russia. This requires increased attention to the multiple effects of marine activity (not only economic, but also social, environmental and geopolitical ones).

An assessment is made of the lake resources of Russia in particular regions identified on the basis of the genetic principle, i. e. an approximate even-aged origin of most lake basins within the territory. It was determined that a little less than two-thirds of all water bodies are located on the coastal plains of the seas of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, which account for one-fifth of the country’s area. The climatic conditions of the coastal zone are favorable for the existence of lakes, most of which owe their origin to relatively recent (on a geological time scale) marine transgressions. The total water surface area of the coastal plains makes up about 40 % of the total area of all water bodies of Russia; however, they contains only 1.3 % of the total water volume of the country because most of these water bodies are shallow. The territories that were previously under the cover of the Valdai glaciation occupy about 4 % of the country, their water surface area is about 18 %, and the number of water bodies located there makes up 6 % of the total number for Russia. The lakes remaining on the site of the Valdai glaciation contain more than 5 % of the total volume of the country’s waters. About 90 % of the entire lake waters are concentrated in mountainous regions, where a significant part of the deepest and most capacious lakes including Baikal are located, but the number of water bodies is only 5.6 % of the total number in the country, and the water surface area is 13 %. It is shown that since the origin of the lakes is primarily determined by the geological history of the region, their distribution over the territory is rather weakly dependent on climatic factors. An increased lake percentage is observed in regions that had ridded themselves of sea waters and glacial cover at the interface of the Lake Pleistocene and the Holocene; within these regions, changes in lake percentage are governed by differences in sculptural landforms.

A natural resource zoning of the Far Eastern macro-region within the boundaries of the modern Far Eastern Federal Dis trict (Okrug) has been carried out. The zoning is based on identifying territorial combinations of natural resources from the presence of two types of inter-resource links: direct and indirect links of resource-containing components in natural geosystems, and indirect links of resource-containing components through components of territorial socio-economic systems that are formed in the process of extraction and development of natural resources. The following algorithm for natural resource zoning was worked out and used. On the basis of physical-geographical zoning, a relatively integral natural geosystem is identified, in which resource-containing components are distinguished, including areas of land and forest resources. Next, geosystem inter-resource links are determined, including the links of certain natural resources with the largest ones. As a result, the territorial combinations of natural resources existing in this natural geosystem are revealed. After that, the inter-resource relations, formed in the process of extraction and use of certain natural resources through transport links and settlements, are determined. Taking them into consideration, the more complete territorial combinations of natural resources as the basis for natural resource areas are distin guished. In coastal areas, in-land natural resources can be interrelated with marine natural resources. This means that the maritime boundaries of such areas remain open.

Geographical space is considered as a dual system of subspace of geophysical coordinates and subspace of component coordinates of the geosystems states. The theoretical and mathematical models of the interaction of these subspaces in terms of vector fields, wave equations and functions, eikonal equations and local sheaves of linear dependencies of meteorological parameters are developed. The climatic zonal norms are reconstructed in the form of points of the global manifold of indicators links according to the positions of the sheaf centers. This model implements the principle of geometrization of geographical knowledge as the horo logical approach to justifying the local regularities of the interaction of natural characteristics in the geographical environment. The logical and statistical interrelation of the geographical phenomena of planetary and local levels is studied. Calculations used the average daily values of the scalar fields of atmospheric absolute temperature and specific humidity on the isobaric AT-700 hPa sur face for different months of 2014 according to logarithmically converted NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis Data. Latitudinal environmental invariants of air temperature and humidity are identified, and a map reflecting the zonal and azonal heterogeneity of the geographical environment is presented. This determines the main theme of earth science as the identification of the projec tion of space and global cycles onto the local system-forming patterns, which is necessary for the development of the theory, models and methods of scientific analysis of the correlation of scalar fields of geographical characteristics and spatial processes that cause them.

Presented are the results from investigating the environmental impact of the mining industry in the Baikal region and Mon golia where in accordance with the tripartite international agreements it is planned to create the China-Mongolia-Russia trans port economic corridors. The investigation was made for the areas traversed by the sections of the transport and economic corridors: the Trans-Siberian Railroad, Ulan-Ude-Ulanbaatar railroad to the border with China, and the Karymskoe-Zabaikalsk railroad. The algorithm of the study implies a model in which the mining complex is considered as an intricately shaped natural-techno genic system. Elements of this system are production sites for the extraction of mineral raw materials and the environment in the field of technological impact, including natural and socio-economic components. The cartographic method is used as a key tech nique. Maps serve as a systematic methodology for research and are the result of a component-wise and integral assessment of the technogenic impact of mining on the environment and population. A system of indicators is suggested, which was used in assessing and mapping the technogenic impact at the local (areas of development of deposits) and areal (administrative districts) levels. Methods for compiling maps and their contents are outlined. The problems and prospects of research are identified.

To identify features in natural reforestation after abandonment of land, this paper considers the current state of 21 tracts of fallow lands of the Tunka depression (Republic of Buryatia). On the basis of a geobotanical analysis, the species composition of tree and ground covers was revealed during the overgrowing of arable land on the basis of the geobotanical analysis. The landscape specificity of the main agrarian regions of the Tunka depression was reviewed, and directions for progressive successions occurring in different conditions of the functioning of geosystems were identified. By studying the dependence of demutation features on the state of the biogeocenoses surrounding the fallow lands, it was possible to single out the pine, birch, mixed and meadow varieties of vegetation after the termination of plowing. The dependence of the intensity of spread of tree undergrowth on the degree of remoteness from the forests surrounding the abandoned lands was confirmed. A decrease in overgrowth of tree species with an increase in the distance from the periphery of the deposit to its center was observed. Grazing and hay-mowing are the main factors complicating the process of reforestation. For determining the formation characteristics of the flora in the process of progressive successions, monitoring studies are appropriate.

A landscape stability assessment is made for the major islands of the Empress Eugénie Archipelago. The landscapes are ranked according to groups of stability on the basis of an integrated numerical score for 17 indicators. It was found that the islands are dominated by landscapes of moderate stability, and by unstable landscapes. The islands are characterized by a significant differentiation with respect to the areas of landscapes belonging in different groups of stability. This is due to the in dividual features in the landscape organization of the insular geosystems, and to the degree of their economic transformation. Results of cartographic and correlation analyses showed that a considerable contribution to the integrated indicator of landscape stability is made by the geomorphological structure of the territory, and by vegetation cover. However, correlation analysis did not reveal any unambiguous relationship with the other landscape components. This is accounted for by the natural factor (low mountain relief) and a severe anthropogenic transformation of vegetation, leading to an attenuation of the relationship of the structure of vegetation cover with the other landscape components. A statistical investigation using principal component analysis (PCA) showed the role of the landscape components in the formation of the integrated indicator of stability of insular geosystems. The largest load is experienced by the geomorphological structure, followed by soil and vegetation cover. An individual analysis of island landscape stability by PCA revealed a variation in the loads on the indicators of landscape stability in principal com ponents, which is due to the rate and direction of response of the insular geosystems on homogeneous factors. It is concluded that each insular geosystem has individual characteristics of the formation of an integral landscape matter-energy system, with an inherent set of self-regulation and self-organization mechanisms which arise in accordance with the area of land, physical-geographical conditions and the degree of anthropogenic pressure. Planning of a further development of the insular territories should take into consideration the individual characteristics of the functioning of landscapes and the role of their components in the formation of the integrated stability indicator.

The investigations were made in the zone of influence of the Irkutsk UC RUSAL aluminum smelter. Soil cover on this ter ritory is represented by gray medium and light loamy soils, with a small thickness of the humus profile. The stoichiometric for mulas of solid mineral solutions, humic substances and components of soil solutions formed under the influence of technogenic load are calculated by thermodynamic modeling methods using the Selector software package. The readily soluble forms of ex istence of the components of gas and dust emissions and solid phases accumulating in soils were determined. The most common condensed components are fluorapatite and fluorite (CaF2 and AlF3) . Complex ions (Al(OH)2F⁰, AlF2⁺ and AlF4^-) are dominant in the aqueous solution, a high concentration of which is due to the presence of readily soluble compounds (NaF, KF and NH4F) in emissions. In terms of physicochemical models it was determined that 70-90 % of the total amount of F and Na arriving at the day surface can be fixed in soils exposed to the Irkutsk aluminum smelter. Therefore, in spite of high solubility, these pollutants are sorbed by soil. Technogenic transformation is accompanied by a slight increase in pH (from 5.60 to 5.75), an increase of the amount of mixed-layer aluminosilicates: smectites and chlorites (from 43 to 51 %), and by a decrease in muscovite content (from 14 to 12 %) and humus (from 3.42 to 3.32 %). Simulation modeling was used to assess changes in the phase-component composition of soils under the influence of gas and dust emissions from aluminum production. It was found that in gray soils experiencing the anthropogenic impact, the composition of the soil mineral matrix as well as of organic matter changes. A domi nant main role is played by the process of acid hydrolysis of alumosilicates whose agents are represented by decomposition products of amorphized fluorine-containing pollutants. The most important feature of this process is a change in composition of clay minerals and humus. An increase in fluorine and chlorine contents in soils leads to an increase of the amount of methane in the gas phase, rather than increasing solubility of organic substances.

This article discusses the tasks and features of the organization of natural parks within the boundaries of the Baikal Natu ral Territory, the phenomenon of which is reflected in Russia’s only federal law of a natural site, Lake Baikal, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, and the main purpose of which implies not only natural environment conservation but also a further development of the infrastructure ensuring visits to natural sites. It is found that the category of protected natural areas of a regional significance, “nature parks”, meets best the aforementioned objectives. An overview of international experience of the establishment of regional nature parks is presented. A classification of nature parks has been carried out, which subdivides them into three conditional groups according to the distance from large settlements, the location relative to the other protected areas, the type of visitors, the quality and level of visited natural, cultural and historical sites as well as the state of the environ ment. The situation with the dragging out the establishment of new nature parks within the Baikal Natural Territory is discussed, in spite of the numerous initiatives and the previously prepared ecological-geographical substantiations for them. Only one nature park, Ivano-Arakhleisky, has been established within the boundaries of the Baikal Natural Territory, and a further two parks, Shumak and Arey, are located in the vicinity of the boundaries of this territory. It is concluded that, in view of high anthropo genic pressures on the coast of Lake Baikal, they will provide access to the other natural territories by establishing the necessary infrastructure thus “drawing” to them the excessively great interest in the lake coast. This paper presents a list of 25 nature parks within the Baikal Natural Territory. Three nature parks in Irkutsk oblast: Nature Park of the City of Angarsk (the Angarsky and Usol’sky administrative districts), Vityaz’ (Shelekhovsky district) and Okunaisky (Swan Lakes) (Kazachinsko-Lensky dis trict) located in the ecological zone of atmospheric influence of the Baikal Natural Territory, are used as an example to show their place in the suggested classification and the characteristic of the organization of future protected areas.

We investigated the distribution of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and cultivated heterotrophic microorganisms in the inter stitial waters of the splash zone and in the surface waters of for the time interval 2011-2019. Generally accepted indicators of fecal contamination, such as thermotolerant coliform bacteria and fecal enterococci, were used to monitor input of wastewater into the splash zone of Lake Baikal. Samples were collected along the entire perimeter of Lake Baikal, and a more detailed analysis was made for Bolshie Koty Bay and the settlement of Listvyanka. The sampling stations were all subdivided into three groups. The first group consisted of stations with adjacent buildings of the private sector; the second group included settlements located more than 500 m from the shore of Lake Baikal or sites with a low level of tourist camping, and the third group con sisted of wildlife stations. Statistically significant differences between the groups under study were revealed. The splash zone of the first group contained a larger amount of FIB when compared with the splash zone of the second group. The third group showed the lowest values of the amount of fecal indicator bacteria. The number of cultivated heterotrophic microorganisms did not differ in the splash zone for the sections of the lake’s coastal zone differing by anthropogenic loads. An uneven distribution of FIB was observed in the splash zone as well as in coastal waters. A clear trend for an increase in concentration of the groups of bacteria under study was revealed in the interstitial waters of the splash zone when compared with coastal waters.

For the first time, the description of soils evolving in the zone of influence of the discharge of thermal mineralized waters of hydrogen sulfide hydrocarbonate-sulfate-sodium type (Kuchiger source) is provided for the Baikal rift zone. Under the influence of the paleo-discharge and modern (active, hidden) discharge of hydrotherms across a large area of the forest-steppe zone in the northwestern part of the Barguzin depression, saline, highly saline and solonetzic soils of sulfate-sodium type of chemistry are formed. The morphological structure of saline soils differs significantly from zonal and intrazonal (floodplain) soils by the presence of turbation processes in them. The areas of active manifestation of the ascending gas-hydrothermal fluids show a high degree of turbation of soils, whereas a low degree of turbation is observed in areas of paleo-discharges. Turbation can be associated with the manifestation of tectonic folding processes in seismically active areas as well as can have a cryogenic origin. Along with sali nization processes, in remote locations, sites of paleo-discharge of a mineral source show the formation of humus-clay revestments, indicating the manifestation of the solonetz process. For the first time for soils of Transbaikalia, an accumulation of crystals of powdery gypsum in solonetz subtypes was observed. Soils of tectonic fault zones with outcropping thermal water are characterized by an extremely high dynamics of soil formation conditions, which is manifested in a contrasting combination of physicochemical properties of soil horizons and heterogeneous granulometric composition. The geochemical uniqueness of the saline soils under study is associated with anomalously high concentrations of S and high concentrations of Ba, Sr, P and Na. The endogenous factor has a considerable influence on the morphological structure and properties of soils, which allows us to identify turbated subtypes unusual for the background soils. According to the morphological structure and material composition of saline soils, they belong to the orders of alluvial soils of the synlithogenous trunk and halomorphic soils of the post-lithogenous trunk.

Modern processes of gully erosion and thermoerosion are clearly pronounced in the permafrost zone in the north of Western Siberia, on the Yamal Peninsula, including in the territories of new development. Under these conditions, knowledge of the gully potential is necessary for the rational siting of buildings and infrastructure in the areas of new development in order to avoid their damage and destruction by newly formed gullies. The gully erosion potential was calculated for one of the valley catchments in the area of the Bovanenkovo gas condensate field. The dynamic model of gully erosion and thermoerosion (GULTEM) was used, which describes the main gullying processes in the permafrost zone and permits a reasonable assessment of the gully erosion potential. The calculations were done in terms of the ArcticDEM digital elevation model, climate data were obtained from the nearest node of the ERA-Interim reanalysis grid, and water discharges were calculated using the hydrological model calibrated with observational data on this catchment. The gully erosion potential was estimated for different values of the critical rate of erosion initiation for the upper soil layer with vegetation. The calculated gully erosion potential was compared with the erosion relief on the catchment. It has been established that the gully potential calculated for severely disturbed vegetation cover corre sponds to the erosion network in the catchment area formed over more than 30 years of its development. It is concluded that the erosion potential of this catchment is mainly developed, with low probability of a further lengthening of the gully network. There fore, only rill erosion can damage the infrastructure of the Bovanenkovo gas condensate field, mainly located on a flat watershed surface, the consequences of which are easily eliminated.

A study is made of the chemical composition of pore water in bottom sediments and water in the upper part of the Bratsk reservoir (BR) at a different distance from anthropogenic sources. Concentrations of HCO , Cl^-, SO₄ , K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ 3 and their oxidation-reduction and acid-alkaline characteristics have been measured in different aquifers of surface and pore water. It was established that the oxidizing medium typical for the water of BR persists only in the upper layer of bottom sedi ments (0.5 cm) and is replaced by the reducing medium throughout the layer of bottom sediments. Basic ions are distributed evenly in the free waters of BR, except for the areas with direct inflow of wastewater. Concentrations of all studied components are considerably higher in pore water of bottom sediments, which is particularly clearly pronounced in zones of intense sedimen tation, i. e. in the zones with the most severe anthropogenic load and the reservoir bay. Differences in the chemical composition 2 of pore water and reservoir water are associated with an abrupt increase in Cl^-, SO₄ ^- and Na⁺ concentrations, which is par ticularly evident in the middle and lower layers of bottom sediments. With the mineralization in the waters of BR averaging 113,2 mg/L, its value in pore water reaches 5012 mg/L. Layer-by-layer analysis of pore water showed a considerable hetero geneity of its chemical composition. The distribution of basic ions in the pore water of bottom sediments is determined by water composition, the magnitude and time of anthropogenic impact, groundwater input, composition of water-bearing rocks, hydro logical regime as well as by processes of early diagenesis.

Presented are the results from studying the underground runoff of the Oka river basin, including 23 single catchments. Most of the basin of the Oka (a large left tributary of the Angara river) is located within the mountain-folding region and scarcely covered by data of routine observations of the river runoff. The underground runoff for the rivers within the Oka basin was determined by an integrated hydrological-hydrogeological method of genetic separation of river hydrographs having regard to the withdrawal of a part of the runoff for aufeis formation, considering different drainage schemes of water-bearing material by riv ers. Most river basins of the Eastern Sayan are characterized by the absence of bank stream flow control, because even in small river basins the depth of erosional incision exceeds considerably the thickness of the drainage zone which is determined by the occurrence depth of effective crevassing. Under these conditions, almost complete drainage of the massifs by rivers occurs. For the unexplored rivers, the underground runoff was determined by the method of transition coefficients from single water dis charges obtained during the hydrometric survey of the winter low-level water. Within the mountain-folding region, the specific groundwater runoff varies over a wide range from 0.5 to 9.2 L/s/km ² and depends on the landscape-climatic conditions, primar ily on the atmospheric precipitation amount as well as on hydrogeological conditions of particular catchments associated with the occurrence of permafrost and with differences in tectonic activity in different parts of the study area.

An analysis is made of the cyclone trajectories for 2003-2013 in order to gain insight into the influence of their genesis on the generation of the flow of wet depositions of acid-forming substances over the territory of Primorsky krai and a part of the water area of the Sea of Japan. All the cyclones crossing the region of interest during the period under investigation have been considered. Seven types of cyclones have been identified according the location of their genesis and trajectories. Annual and seasonal variability of their number of occurrence as well as variability in pressure at the cyclone center has been shown for each of them. Using precipitation data from EANET monitoring station Primorskaya, concentrations and deposition fluxes of sulfates and nitrates have been calculated for each cyclone type. It is shown that more than half of all sulfates and nitrates deposited at the stations with precipitation caused by the cyclones originating outside the territory of the Russian Federation. A significant correlation of variability in mean annual deposition fluxes of sulfates and nitrates in precipitation of these cyclones is indicative of the common sources of input of acid-forming substances into precipitation of the five cyclone types.

The permafrost and climate conditions of the Anadyr lowland (Chukotka) for the late 20 ^th - early 21 ^st centuries are ex amined. A statistical estimate is made of the trends for an increase in air temperature and precipitation amounts. We summarized the monitoring results on the layer of seasonal thawing in typical permafrost landscapes of the Anadyr lowland in 100 × 100 m areas within the Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) program. The dynamics of active layer thickness and tempera ture is considered in correlation with weather and climate during 1994-2017. With an increase of the mean long-term values of mean annual air temperature by 1.1 ° C (14 %) and of the annual precipitation amount by 102 mm (31 %), the temperature and precipitation variations reached 17 and 27 %, respectively. This corresponds to a medium and significant degree of disper sion of data. An increase in the length of a warm period of a year was by 4 days (3 %), with a variation of the values making up 7 %. It is pointed out that interannual fluctuations are responsible for short fluctuations (3-5 years) in temperature and thickness of the seasonally thawed layer. An increase in the length of a warm period of a year has influence on long-term changes in seasonal thawing. It is concluded that changes in permafrost and climate conditions of the Anadyr lowland do not exceed critical values of secular cycles of temperature fluctuations and the thickness of the seasonally thawed layer in coastal subarctic tundras. Hazardous are the Decadal fluctuations in the depth of seasonal thawing are recognized as hazardous and as causing exogenous cryogenic processes. The amplitude of these fluctuations reaches 15-25 % of the mean long-term values of the thickness of the seasonally thawed layer. Monitoring results confirm predictions of soviet geocryologists concerning secular climatic fluctuations and warming in the Eastern Subarctic from 1980-1990 to 2030-2040.

Contrary to a widely held view of transitional (intermediate) objects as being “noise” in a research process, the idea that transitional objects are essential elements of classifications, regionalizations, periodizations and other structural schemes is sub stantiated. The methodological basis for these propositions is provided by the concepts of descriptive and fuzzy sets and its un derlying multi-valued logic. It is shown that there are several variants for the representation of transitional classes, regions and periods, and some of them allow avoiding “fragmentation” and an excessive increase in the number of transitional elements. It is emphasized that any variants of representation of transitional classes, regions or periods are only the formal (methodological) techniques which serve as a tool that allows more appropriately reflecting the structure of a single object or a set of objects. It is this principle that should determine selection of a particular variant of separation of transitional elements in structural schemes. It is noted that the concepts of the transitional class and the structure of the class lie at the intersection of classification and ordination approaches and allow developing ordination-classification schemes that combine the features of hierarchical classifi cation and ordination. The concepts of transitional elements allowed suggesting new solutions to a number of problems. Com munities of dwarf pine (Pinus pumila) are referred to a special class of formations: “hypoarctic krummholz”. Three separate class formations of open woodland communities (woodland-tundra, woodland-meadow and woodland-bog) are identified. Mac rocomplexes that include the mountain tundra, subgoletz (subalpine) and, partially, boreal-forest belts of vegetation were referred to a separate “goletz (alpine) boreal-forest” class. For the subgoletz belt, on the one hand, its independence as the belt of rank II, and, on the other, its transitional nature between goletz and boreal-forest belts of rank I are confirmed. Such solutions allow representing not only the transitional nature of the objects in question but also their uniqueness at a certain taxonomic level.

Based on the automated classification technique for artificial neural networks, an integrated cartographic model of the genetic types of topography and structural and functional zoning of the city of Orenburg was constructed using geomorphometric data to identify spatially homogeneous sections of landscape structures of the urbogeosystem. The spectral classification method without a teacher allows spatial differentiation of the urban technical systems and reliable information that is necessary to improve the environmental components and comfort of urban space. Data on the topography and properties of the underlying surface are inhomogeneous values that are brought into a single discrete form. To do this, at the processing stage, modern effective GIS tools are involved, creating high-precision analytical and cartographic material that is processed and presented in the form of grid structures. Based on the Self-Organizing Map method, a typological generalization of operational-territorial units, a thematic interpretation of classes, and a cartographic model of the urban landscape differentiation of the territory were compiled. The selected sections of the floodplain (high and low) and the terraces are concentrated in the same ordination plane of the Kohonen neural network but are different in terms of the characteristics of the relief (height, slope, exposure, and other morphometric indicators). The identification of the 1 ^st and 2 ^nd floodplain river terraces became possible with the use of field research data and medium-scale geomorphological maps. The verified model of the landscape base is superimposed on the modern scheme of the ecological and functional zoning of the urbogeosystem. The final map reveals the spatial structure of the development of the urban technological system. The suggested method of artificial neural networks makes it possible to update data obtained accord ing to the purpose of typological mapping. A comprehensive landscape classification of urbogeosystems is a reflection of the features of the geographical environment and shows the patterns of anthropogenic impacts, and the development of processes of changing the states of natural and anthropogenic geosystems.

The level of contamination of the surface layer of the atmospheric air in the places of disposal and long-term storage of metallurgical slags has been investigated. It is found that accumulated waste is the source of permanent input of pollutants, heavy metals in particular, into the environment. A calculation of the emission intensity during processing and static storage of ferroal loy slag made by PJSC Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant (Nikopol, Ukraine) thus enabling identification of the magnitude of local dust pollution of the environment and determination of the potential hazard of contamination with heavy metals forming part of dump slag. The intensity of dust discharge during processing (pouring, handling and moving) of manganese-containing waste slag, obtained by calculations, is 0,122 g/s, and the rate of dust discharge during static storage of material on the slag dump is 280 g/s. Among the heavy metals making up the slag, manganese has the highest emission intensity, followed by nickel and cobalt. The lowest value of the emission was obtained for zinc. Data on the intensity of heavy metals discharge when slag is moved correlate with calculations for static slag storage. The content of manganese at the boundary of the sanitary protection zone of the enterprise during static storage of slags on a dump occupying an area of 13,8 hectares is 3 times higher than the normative values, which poses a threat to human health. It is found that the surface layer of the atmosphere receives 0,92 g of manganese from only one dump every second. The data obtained indicate a significant contribution of industrial dumps to the level of atmospheric air contamination in the urban environment.

A general analysis is made of the system of subject headings and the authors of the journal «Geografiya i Prirodnye Resursy» which has published about 4.5 thousand of articles and communications over the past 40 years. The thematic diversity of the journal is represented by publications in nine leading and five additional subject headings. Each issue begins with papers dealing with new theoretical ideas or having broad spatial coverage: Siberia, Russia, and the planet. The heading «Regional problems of environmental studies and natural resources utilization» has the largest contents. The composition of authors in the journal (including more than 500 authors) is considered. The publications are most frequently authored by researchers of V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS as well as of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Limnological Institute SB RAS. The journal publishes contributions of all leading geographers of Russia and many foreign scientists.

An analysis is made of the topics of physical-geographical contributions published in the journal «Geografiya i Prirodnye Resursy» over the last 40 years. They were devoted to the theoretical and methodological questions of physical geography, a further development of V.B. Sochava’s theory of geosystems, regional characteristics of the landscape geosphere, the structure, dynamics, evolution and anthropogenic transformation of geosystems, agrolandscapes, urban landscapes and recreation, assess ments of geosystems and their natural-resource potential, landscape regionalization and forecasting, the issues concerning the securing and optimization nature management, and territorial and landscape planning.

We examine the main development paths of academic landscape-geochemical and soil-geographical research reflected in contributions published in the journal «Geografiya i Prirodnye Resursy». Emphasis is placed on the areas of landscape-geochem ical and soil-geographical research on a comprehensive study into the structure of geosystems of the main types of geographical environment and their natural regimes in expedition-based and station-based investigations. An attempt is made to generalize the areas of research and determine the vector of its changes. The development prospects of the landscape-geochemical direction of modern geography imply a better understanding of the patterns of an integral physical-geographical process and the solution of practical problems having largely an ecological-assessment and forecasting character.

This paper provides a brief overview of the contributions published in the journal during the past forty years, dealing with hydrological and climatological investigations. The publications have presented results from assessing the water-resource potential and hydroclimatic characteristics; the issues related to water use and conform of the climate were considered; results from study ing regional and global climatic changes were provided; attention was given to the specific character of channel processes, and the research on Lake Baikal was presented in a multifaceted manner. Pivotal among them are the theoretical and method ological issues in hydroclimatology, approaches in forecasting and modeling hydroclimatic characteristics, and the problems of air and water pollution and avoiding and preventing adverse hydroclimatic phenomena.

Results of the activity of the journal “Geografiya i Prirodnye Resursy” are considered for the past 40 years, with emphasis on the solution of currently relevant geomorphological problems. The main directions and characteristics of geomorphological publications on the pages of the journal are analyzed. The long-term dynamics of the publishing activity of geomorphologists is revealed as well as determining their leaders and the spheres of the greatest interest in the development of geomorphology in different regions of Russia and the world. The chief causes of changes in the temporal structure of publications and the reasons behind their decline at present are identified.

An analysis is made of the development of nival-glacial subjects continually present in publications of the journal «Geo grafiya i Prirodnye Resursy» from 1980 to 2019, i. e. from its very first issue. Short periods of decline in the activity of authors were most commonly due to objective factors of a scientific-organizational nature. This growing body of publications can therefore be regarded as a full-fledged nival-glacial research database.

Presented are the main themes of publications in social geography reflecting changes in research priorities during the past forty years. In different periods of the life of the society, emphasis was placed on problems concerning development of taiga ter ritories and later on the interaction of production with the environment and with public demands. An important milestone in publications on economic and social geography was associated with the transition of the country’s economy to market relations, which involved an increase of the number of contributions on ecological and social subjects.

This paper considers the subject-matter of publications reflecting the various aspects of basic and applied research done in the traditional and new areas of modern cartographic science. The largest number of publications corresponds to the general section and to the heading entitled «Research techniques» accounting for more than 60 % of contributions on this subject-matter. The journal publishes the most fundamental theoretical-methodological papers as well as contributions actualized from the metho dological and practical perspective, authored by Russian and foreign researchers which are concerned with issues related to the development of physical-geographical, socio-economic and ecological mapping and the formation of a fundamental academic direction of atlas mapping and cartographic-statistical and mathematical-cartographic methods of modeling in developing the contents of a broad spectrum of thematic maps.

It is shown that since the beginning of field development, a single natural and historical process of oil and gas generation and accumulation has been accompanied by the transformation of the entire complex of geological, biochemical, geochemical, thermobaric and hydrogeological environmental conditions and modern landscape genesis. Studying this process within the ter ritory of leading oil and gas production regions delivers interesting results in the three aspects of anthropogenic transformation of oil and gas geosystems: geotechnics (infrastructure), geotechnologies (extraction) and geotechnical metabolism (man-made me tabolism and matter cycles). The research done on regional geoecology dictates a need to study all stages of oil production. We determined the parameters of regional geoecology and oil and gas ecology for dealing with the currently important problems of assessing the operation of enterprises of the oil and gas sector in the context of the ecological policy of the Russian Federation. The integrated geographical approach implemented as part of mega-ecology is suggested for forecasting the results of the global process of technogenesis in the landscape sphere and for determining the most crucial parameters of sustainable development of Russia’s oil and gas regions. Ugra, the leader of Russia’s oil production (235,3 million tons, 43,3 %), faces issues with its resource base. Since 2009, there has been a production decline by 43 million tons in the region, with the watercut level in the main de posits reaching 90-95 %. The hydrocarbon indicator was developed and used in ranking 30 oil and gas regions. The most im portant indicators of oil and gas ecology are given to illustrate the situation with the oil and gas sector of the economy: from prospecting, exploration and well stimulation to declining production and closing businesses down. It is established that produc tion and processing of hydrocarbons are responsible for 55 % of atmospheric emissions of pollutants, 33 % of polluted effluents, 35 % of solid waste and 80 % of the total volume of greenhouse gases.

Maximum permissible concentrations for chemical elements in soils (MPCs) of Russia, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands and the USA are compared. In Russia, general sanitary, water-transferred and translocation MPCs are created; in Germany, general sanitary and translocation, and in the Netherlands, the USA and Canada, general sanitary. It is found that Russian MPCs for total contents of chemical elements are adequate for Mn and V, American, for Co, Cu, and Pb; Netherlands, for Pb and Zn; Canadian, for Ba, Co, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, and German, for Cr, Ni, and Pb by taking into account the typical levels of elements in the background soils across the world. The methodologically closest Russian and Netherlands standard rates of total contents of chemical elements are compared in this paper with the typical levels for background Retisols gleic, Phaeozems, and Chernozems in the center of Western Siberia. It is established that use of the Netherlnds MPCs for the soils under study gives fewer cases of false Pb pollution, but in all the soils under consideration the Netherlands MPCs for Ba is exceeded. False pollution by total Zn is observed in the top-soil; by Cr, Cu and V, in subsoil horizons of Retisols gleic as well as by Cr, Ni and V, in most samples of Phaeozems and Chernozems. It is concluded that for the soils under consideration the utilization of Rus sian MPCs gives fewer cases of false pollution by V. But in the background Retisols gleic, Russian MPCs for Mn and Pb ac cumulated in the biogeochemical barrier in the top-soil horizons are exceeded. Russian MPCs for metal mobile fraction are the most correct for Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb. The MPCs for mobile fraction of biogenic Mn and Zn are underestimated. Background levels (mg/kg in subindex) of total concentration (mobile fraction extracted by acetate-ammonium buffer) are proposed for Ba404-515, Co12-19(0.001-0.23), Cr143-188(0.001-0.72), Cu32-41(0.01-0.72), Mn423-874(0.09-64), Ni30-62(0.003-1.3), Pb18-27(0.003-0.87), V112-170 и Zn55-104(0.004-0.42) in Retisols gleic on Tobol Upland, Phaeozems on Ishym Upland, and Chernozems in the Trans-Ural region.

A study is made of the characteristic features in the soil chemical composition for the main landscape complexes on Belyi Island (Kara Sea): flat watersheds, slopes of the marine terraces, river and lake valleys, and sea coast layda. Soil samples were examined on content of main trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb), total organic carbon and nitrogen, par ticle size distribution and ion-salt composition. It was shown that the landscapes refer to three classes of water migration: acids, acid gleyic and salt sulfidic. Soils of the island are characterized mainly by sand texture and low content of trace elements. The mean values of concentration Clarkes (CC) were 0,2, 0,3, 0,4, 0,4, 0,7 and 0,9 for Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn and Hg, respectively. The lowest content of trace elements was recorded for arenosols of watersheds and the marine terrace slopes, where CC = 0,1-0,4. Content of trace elements is related by a positive correlation with the quantity of clay and silt fractions. The study revealed an increase in the concentration of alphitite, water-soluble salts and trace elements in soils of accumulative landscapes. The Zn content in soils of accumulative landscapes is 12,9-28,9 mg/kg, whereas this value increases to 70 mg/kg in accumulative landscapes of laydas and to 92 mg/kg in superaquatic landscapes. The Cu content in accumulative landscapes, in comparison with autonomous landscapes, increases by a factor of 1,4-8,1, and by a factor of 15 in lake sediments. In the vertical soil profile, the distribution of the trace elements is recognized to be dependent from biogenic accumulation and that on the permafrost geochemical barrier. The radial (lateral) distribution of Mn, Fe, Zn and Pb in the gleysols is characterized by the eluvial-illu vial type: the maximum values were recorded in the superficial biogenic and suprapermafrost layers.

We have examined the geographical features in the distribution and the radiation parameters of radioactive dumps of rocks in the Elkon uranium ore area on the territory of South Yakutia. It is pointed out that the dumps under study are geomorpho logically located on the Elkon horst which is a protrusion of crystalline basement rocks, towering over the territory of the Aldan highlands. It is found that most of these dumps lie within streambeds and in the bottoms of mountain rivers of the zone of hy pergenesis and, geochemically, they are influenced by steep-slope topography, a cold humid climate and mountain-taiga vegeta tion dominating land cover. It is shown that these rock dumps were formed in the last third of the 20 ^th century, during a large-scale and intense geological exploration for radioactive raw materials in this area. Radiation parameters of the dumps under study, such as the gamma radiation exposure dose, the content of ²³⁸ U, ²³² Th and ⁴⁰ K, as well as the effective specific activity of these radionuclides were determined. It is found that the most active rock dumps, in their radiation parameters, approach radioactive ores. The dumps under study were ranked according to the degree of radiation danger to the population on the basis of the particular values of the gamma radiation exposure dose and effective specific activity of these radionuclides. It is established that the main source of radioactive contamination of soil and vegetation cover and the surface waters in the Elkon uranium ore area on the territory of South Yakutia are 40 rock dumps which are unevenly distributed in the total area of about 500 km ² of the mountain-taiga permafrost landscapes. It is determined that more than half of these dumps, in their radiation parameters, are classified as hazardous and specially hazardous.

We have examined the landscape structural features of the Mukhtel lowland and the mountains surrounding it on the southwestern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. An analysis is made of the main formation factors for modern landscapes and for the structure of vegetation as the main indicator of its spatial organization. The influence of the landscape inversion is determined, which manifests itself in the formation of extensive swamps (mari) within the lowland and forest natural complexes in the lower parts of the slopes of the surrounding mountain ranges. The landscapes of hummocky-swale swamps with subarctic components of the flora in the areas of permafrost stretching along the shore of St. Nicholas Bay (Bugristaya Mar’ stow) and landscapes of abrasion-denudation ledges similar in natural conditions to the landscapes of the mountain tundra in the northern part of the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk have been identified. The description is provided for the altitudinal zonality of landscapes of low mountains and azonal landscapes of river valleys and coastal-marine accumulative landforms. A rare (for the Okhotsk Sea region) combination of diverse landscapes is observed in a small area a well as a sharp difference between plain and low-mountain natural complexes. Characteristic features of the distribution of elementary landscapes depending on the exposure of slopes, topography and soil composition were revealed. The 1:250 000 landscape map has been compiled on the basis of a conjugate analysis of thematic maps displaying the topography, soils and vegetation cover.

The economic significance of the historical and cultural potential, including the field-established geographical centers of the regions, is revealed. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods of determining the geographical centers of territories are considered. Their relationship with geoinformation systems is determined. It is found that the software of these systems has the functionality of automatically calculating the geometric center (centroid) of a polygonal object. It is suggested that the centroid can be used as the geographical center of the territories. The water area of Lake Baikal is used as the object for the study of software for geoinformation systems. We collected and systematized the digital topographic maps at a scale of 1:100 000 for the territory of Lake Baikal. A cartogram of digital material used in the experiment is compiled. The criterion is suggested for as sessing the quality of software for geoinformation systems. We calculated the centroids of Lake Baikal (in some widely used commercial software for geoinformation systems and in the software package of one of this article’s authors). The layout scheme of the lake centroids is developed. Based on analyzing the location of the centroids of the water area of Lake Baikal and on assessing the quality criteria, an assessment is made of the possibility of using the commercial software for geoinformation systems in order to determine the geographical center of territories. The coordinates of the geographical center of Lake Baikal are sug gested, which have been determined by authors.

Results of a long-term comprehensive study of the natural environment of Northeastern Cisbaikalia are presented. Some theoretical and practical issues of a cartographic study of topological-level geosystems are considered in terms of Academician V.B. Sochava’s theory of geosystems. The map of geosystems of the North-Baikal and Upper-Angara depressions displaying the ecological-dynamical interrelations of facies is compiled. The geosystems of the depressions of Northeastern Cisbaikalia are characterized by a relatively weak degree of anthropogenic disturbance thereby easing the selection of the natural boundaries of geosystems. Vegetation cover was the main component of the analysis of diversity of geosystems and dynamical processes occur ring in them. The investigation is based on data obtained in the process of field work and complemented by archival material; remote sensing data were also used. The main unit of mapping is represented by groups of facies, the number of which in the map legend totaling 101 without considering the derived units. These communities have an anthropogenic origin; however, the degree of disturbance of such communities is low, and the nature of restoration processes allows their full recovery to be pre dicted. A unified approach is suggested for identifying the classification divisions of different hierarchical levels for different types of landscapes, which permits comparisons of different territories from a variety of geosystems of a similar level. The content of the mountain tundra geom class was updated. The rejection of the use of subdivisions of tree stands in the classification schemes according to the type of limited, reduced and optimal development is considered. The groups of facies are subdivided according to soil thawing cycles and belonging to the types of factor-dynamical series. Emphasis is placed on the prospects and the need for large-scale investigations into geosystems for the purpose of assessing the environmental potential, predicting environmental changes and optiming the economic activities.