Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2022 number 3

The article studies consolidated budget revenues of Russia’s constituent entities. The purpose of our research is to analyze how the pandemic impacts the dynamics of sub-federal budget revenues and to assess contributions from various sources (tax, non-tax revenues, gratuitous receipts, and their components) to their change. From the data on moving annual totals for sub-federal budgets and their components with a one-month shift, we construct linear time regressions for 86 constituent entities of the Russian Federation from 2015 till March 2020. They are used to forecast non-pandemic revenues of local budgets during the pandemic (April 2020 till June 2021). By decomposing deviations of the actual revenues from the forecast ones, we determine the contribution of different sources to changes in local budget revenues amid COVID-19. The entities of the Ural Federal District and a few other oil-producing regions showed the greatest vulnerability to the pandemic. At the same time, an abnormally high growth in budget revenues was observed in some regions of the Far Eastern Federal District. Tax revenues had the greatest negative impact on the change in sub-federal budget revenues, where income tax provided most losses. Smaller disbenefits were associated with corporate property tax and special tax regimes. Personal income tax partially compensated for their shortfall. The change in taxes on goods and services was extremely uneven. Non-tax budget revenues followed tax ones, and the use of state property and sale of assets generated the largest losses. Interbudgetary transfers compensated for both the shortfall in own revenues and the growing regional expenditures. Their distribution reveals three motives: pandemic mitigation, regulation of interregional imbalances, and political preferences. Entities of the North Caucasian Federal District and some other lagging republics received a large fraction of additional transfers. Their structure is marked by a significant increase in the share of subsidies and other interbudgetary transfers, which reflected the state’s active participation in national projects and creating public goods. A decrease in the share of equalization grants implies a reduction in non-targeted aid allocated in accordance with uniform rules. This testifies to the state’s ever-growing dirigiste function in the economy. The results obtained are applicable to governing budgetary revenues in Russian regions, as well as regulating interbudgetary relations during crises.

The article is a scientific review to summarize the results of existing international and domestic studies on the development peculiarities and patterns typical of Russian regions during and after crises. It shows that the theoretical basis for studying this issue is the regional resilience concept, which has been rapidly evolving in foreign research since the 2010s, and analyzes its features in relation to regional growth theories and economic security studies. The factors influencing the regional resilience to economic crises are summarized as follows: features of the regional settlement system (urban to rural population ratio) and their place in the settlement system (position in relation to large urban agglomerations), the structure of regional economy (degree of its diversification, specialization, and employment structure), innovation potential and quality of human capital, cohesion of local communities, and quality of public administration. We discuss the stability of differences between regions in terms of their resilience, including how the features of regions’ spatial development in the current COVID-induced crisis are compliant with previously identified patterns, as well as the negative consequences of crises as regional divergence and a reduced inclusiveness of economic growth. The article examines ways to transform the state policy of spatial development during crises and possibilities of managing regional resilience.

Growing since the early 1990s, the heterogeneity of Russia’s Asian regions in terms of economic activity has reached high levels. Today, the economic space of Asian Russia is largely polarized, and the degree of socio-economic inequality in the regions of Asian Russia exceeds the degree of inequality in those of its European part. The purpose of this study is to analyze the polarization process in the regions of Asian Russia by economic activity indicators in 2000-2019 and to obtain extrapolation forecasts of economic activity distribution there in the long run. The study relies on methods of analyzing distribution dynamics, using the theory of Markov random processes with discrete time and continuous state space. The application of these methods made it possible to achieve the following: assess the actual distribution of indicators of economic activity in the regions of Asian Russia at the beginning and end of the period under consideration and conclude about its increasing polarization; obtain an extrapolation forecast of economic activity distribution in the regions in the long run, i.e., a forecast of long-term spatial equilibrium; identify and characterize groups of regions forming “convergence clubs" in the long run. The analysis suggests that the capacity to further intensify economic space polarization is not yet exhausted. If the current trends persist, the identified “clubs" of regions will become more dissimilar. The study’s findings should be considered when deciding upon regional policy measures.

One of the key factors in the socio-economic development of the region is higher innovation activity. There exist many methodological approaches to the study of regional innovation subsystems. However, the problems of their development have not been sufficiently covered from the point of view of the internal content of the innovation process in the region. According to the authors, a regional innovation subsystem should be considered from the standpoint of the continuity and effectiveness of the innovation process. This allows for the convergence of the resource-oriented approach to the formation of the elements in a subsystem and the process approach to its development. The proposed process-resource approach is based on the following idea. Long-term effective development of a regional innovation subsystem is only possible under the condition of the innovation process continuity, related to the sufficiency of resource provision and the effectiveness of its every stage.

The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis of changes in transportation behavior of Saint Petersburg and Beijing residents that occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research is meant to identify the factors that had the greatest impact on citizens’ transportation behavior during the pandemic in Saint Petersburg and Beijing. Based on the residents’ survey data, we find out that similar quarantine measures had different effectiveness in the two cities, depending on characteristics of transportation behavior that city dwellers exhibited. The research methodology involves the analysis of open data, as well as of descriptive statistics on the primary data. Our deductions can be used while designing urban transportation policy aimed at changing the characteristics of citizens’ transportation behavior, including quarantine regulations. The main conclusion of the study is that the effectiveness of quarantine measures taken by the city authorities depends to a large extent on citizens’ behavioral pattern developed before the pandemic.

The article analyzes the problem of European and Asian Russia railways development as a dual-use system: 1) as a basic element in the economic development of Siberian and Far Eastern territories, still having focal development, and 2) as military-strategic communications in case the collective West attempts to shift from the “cold" to the “hot war" methods against Russia, specifically in the Arctic regions therein and the adjacent waters of the Arctic and Pacific oceans. Our objects of analysis are options for the organizational design of the country’s railroad transportation, which arise from the choice of a large-scale project as an implementation priority in macroregions east of the Urals. A group of experts evaluates these options at a pre-investment feasibility stage, supported by a specially designed software system. The proposed apparatus for assessing and selecting the most preferable organizational design in the long term has been tested for efficiency and adaptability to the existing practice of making complex investment decisions at the macrolevel under uncertainty.

The article sets forth the results of a study on the current state of agriculture of the Tyva Republic (Tuva) with respect to investment and innovation. First, we outline problems hindering the further development of agriculture in Tuva and analyze how primary branches of agricultural production faired in 2015-2020 inside a multi-structured economy. The roles that farms of various categories play in agricultural production are defined next. We also show the volumes and dynamics of investment attracted to agriculture over the considered period and emphasize how important the state is in investment support for agriculture. The paper examines problems of agricultural development along with the contribution of agricultural science to advancing innovation and draws a conclusion about the need for innovative development of agriculture in the region.

The lack of generally accepted understanding of the essence of green tourism and the mechanism of switching tourism to green economy constitutes a scientific problem. By analyzing both domestic and foreign tourism clustering theory and practice, as well as the rapidly emerging green economy conception, we have managed to put forward a hypothesis about the possibility and expediency of integrating the processes of clustering and tourism ecologization, and the ability of a green tourism cluster to operate as one of the tools in the mechanism of green tourism transformation. The purposes of the study are as follows: to develop a conceptual model of a green tourism cluster as a tool for tourism ecologization, to identify possible influence of its activities on the processes of environmentally oriented transformation of the sectoral and regional economy. The study uses a methodological approach to greening tourism, integrating clustering and ecologization processes with a broad understanding of green economy as applied to the tourism sector. The paper concludes as we define and draw a conceptual model for the green tourism cluster. That includes the structure of a simulated system, participants, main internal and external connections, goals and principles of interaction, and expected system effects resulting from the green tourism cluster’s activity. Whether the cluster approach is applicable to the problem of tourism ecologization is poorly studied, which determines further prospects of research. The conceptualization of green tourism clusters will allow improving the efficiency of already established tourism clusters, ensuring their competitiveness by entering new, green markets, and creating regional-level entities actively transitioning to green economy.

Despite Sino-Russian cooperation developing fast universally in the 21^st century, the level of trade and economic cooperation does not correspond with that of the other spheres. The initial goal was to reach trade turnover at 100 billion USD by 2015 and 200 billion USD by 2020. Till now, both sides have failed to achieve this for the following trends prevail in Russia: simple trade, low level of investment and inter-banking relations, as well as poor international trade-related infrastructure. The article describes the current situation in Sino-Russian trade and economic cooperation and proposes improvement measures.

This paper examines the development of Russia’s urban system from 1991 to 2020 and explores the impact of external and internal factors on urban growth. Our methods of analysis include descriptive statistics and regression equations for the dependence of city size and urban growth rates on internal and external development resources. The analysis shows no rapid increase in urban population or skyrocketing growth of the largest cities in Russia. The paper proposes and tests the hypothesis that, due to how controversial the impact of agglomeration factors on urban growth is, weak changes in the urban system are consistent with the presence of and are resulting from market mechanisms. The indicator of market potential, which acts as an integral characteristic of the capacity and availability of external markets, is used as a measure of market size and the possibility of agglomeration effects. We distinguish three types of external markets: 1) cities within the home region; 2) rural settlements in the home region; and 3) other constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Econometric evaluations have shown different components of market potential to contribute oppositely. Competitive effects dominated in interaction with other areas, and interregional market potential was a negative factor for the city size and growth. The market potential of the home region was only used effectively in rural areas. Connections with markets of cities within the region were less significant, which further reduced the sources of development. In addition to external markets, the level of specialization, availability of housing, and social infrastructure were all significant factors for the city growth. The obtained results argue for the government support of initiatives and institutions of interregional and intermunicipal cooperation, economic and technological partnerships between cities and regions, projects of wide scope across several territories, as well as institutions and organizational mechanisms to manage them.

The article studies contemporary problems of managing regional socio-economic development amidst digital economy and proposes new methodological approaches to governance at regional and municipal levels, including promoting the idea of a strategic approach to governance, designing elements of a new governance mechanism based on digital technologies, implementing effective methods of state regulation of the regional economy, forming a regional information infrastructure, and providing integrated solutions to social and economic issues. We show that regional and municipal levels of governance are ill-prepared when it comes to switching to new forms of digital economy and information society growth. Based on generalized experience of how regional and municipal authorities operate, assessment of governance efficiency, and strategic planning procedures, we suggest ways of improving regional and municipal governance to increase its efficiency, strengthen the innovative orientation of governance via digital technologies and enhance the cooperation between state and market institutions in regions.

Long-term studies of the dynamics of forest ecosystems in different landscape-geomorphological conditions have shown their spatial heterogeneity, the dominance of forests at different stages of restoration. A close relationship with soil formation in the restoration cycles of the forest ecosystem is noted: soil degradation in the phase of climax coniferous forest and restoration in the phase of derivative deciduous forests. It was found that the duration of the succession is the main factor in the sustainability of forest ecosystems. The recovery time is determined by the conditions of the edaphotop, the biological characteristics of the forest-forming species and varies from 150-600 years, which exceeds the duration of regional (secular and intra-secular) climatic cycles. At the same time, the complex structure of the humus profile of soils indicates a change in landscape conditions associated with global climate changes in millennial cycles. Anthropogenic transformations shift the ecosystem out of balance, which significantly delays its restoration or makes it unattainable.

The reference sources on calculation of toxic gas and dust flows in systems of mine roadways are reviewed. It is shown that the calculation should take into account convection and longitudinal dispersion, while molecular and turbulent diffusion in straight-line roadways can be neglected. However, in case of vortex mixture of air in dead-air spaces at junctions in mines, the turbulent diffusion can be comparable with the longitudinal dispersion. The authors propose a calculation formula for the effective longitudinal dispersion coefficient with regard to the influence of air flow velocities in neighbor roadways. The algorithm of nonstationary flow of air pollutants in mine roadways uses the method of splitting by physical processes.

The authors studied theoretically and experimentally the compositions of luminophores in modification of spectral characteristics of anomalously luminescent diamonds to the effect of their recovery. Attachment of a luminophore-bearing composition at the diamond crystal surface takes place owing to the stable aggregation of the diamond, organic liquid and inorganic luminophores by the mechanism of hydrophobic interaction in polar medium. Stability of such aggregates is ensured by intense adhesion of the components having similar surface energy. For diamond and zinc sulfide, the dependence of the wetting angle, generated by the organic liquid drops in the water medium, on the surface tension of the organic phase exhibits the extreme nature. By the coordinate of the maximum of the wetting angle-organic liquid surface energy curve, the surface energy of diamond and zinc sulfide is determined. It is proved that the organic liquids and oil products, which are used as organic collectors and have surface energies similar to the luminophore surface energy, maximize the force of hydrophobic interaction and stability of the diamond-organic liquid-inorganic luminophore aggregate.

The authors undertake a critical analysis of zinc flotation activation mechanisms, namely, ion exchange and electrochemical, and propose a new mechanism of activation of sphalerite flotation by heavy metal ions. Flotation can be activated by physisorption of the collector in the unit event of particle-bubble attachment. The causes of floatability of sphalerite activated by lead ions in the alkali range of pH are disclosed. The characteristic of zinc as a metal-activator consists in high solvability of zinc and xanthate compounds. The conditions of improved floatability of sphalerite after its activation by zinc ions are determined.

The authors describe the studies into nitrate leaching of rare earth elements (REE) from ash and slag. The morphology, texture and structure of surface of ash and slag micro spheres are examined using the methods of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis. The experimental efficient parameters of nitric leaching of REE, which ensure the maximum REE extraction at the level of 50.4% include: the temperature of 130 °С, the nitric acid concentration of 7.2 M, the leaching duration of 180 min and the mineral suspension stirring frequency of 500 min^-1. The REE leaching kinetics conforms with the pore-diffusion model of nucleus shrinkage. It is possible to stimulate REE leaching by preliminary treatment of ash and slag by powerful electromagnetic impulses and ultrasound, which ensures intense disintegration of aluminosilicate micro spheres and, as a consequence, provides increased extraction of REE in subsequent leaching by 1.8-18.2%.

The oxidation-induced alteration of properties of sulfide minerals is analyzed. The air-and-gas content and thermodynamic parameters of mine air are experimentally investigated as a case-study of blind roadways in sulfide deposits at a depth of 300-1500 m. The microclimate conditions of sulfide ore oxidation are determined and used in design of two laboratory testing machines with oxidation in a bubbling chamber. It is found that oxidation of sulfides runs more violently in air saturated with steam than in water saturated with oxygen. The tests included two oxidation scenarios: oxygen sorption in surface layer and sulfur oxidation with leaching of metal. On the surface of sulfide ore samples, heterotrophic and chemolitotrophic bacteria which can absorb oxygen from mine air are detected. The highest number of the bacteria is present on the surface of high-grade ore.

The article presents the case-study of flotation of fluorite ore from Kamarposht mine, Iran. The flotation tests allowed optimization of consumption of chemical reagents. The recommended process conditions enable production of flotation concentrate at fluorite content of 61.4 % and fluorite recovery of 85.88 %.

The main objectives of this study are to determine the highly productive aquifer zones using the GIS-integrated vulnerability technique and to assess the protection of these productive zones from the pollution sources such as industrial and residential areas nearby a river system. This study was performed in Kucuk Menderes River Basin (KMRB) located in the western part of Turkey, which has a significant groundwater potential and includes highly productive agricultural land and some of the largest industrial establishments. According to the results, the western part of the study area has notably high aquifer potential used by industrial and residential areas, whereas the eastern part of the study area has lower aquifer potential used by productive agricultural land. However, urbanization and industrial areas are expanding in high groundwater potential zones. It means that regional water resources will be at great risk in terms of quantity and quality. Therefore, this study is aimed in assisting both the determination of protection zones in the main aquifer system and to help planning the future site selection of land use for the river basin.

In this study, a miner monitoring system is designed using the Deep Learning (DL) approach and the IoT technology together. It is aimed to determine the area where the miners are located while a possible accident occurs by the proposed system. Experiments were carried out to analyze the effectiveness of the proposed system and the performance evaluations were made. The best result was obtained with an accuracy rate of 97.14%. This rate indicates that the designed miner monitoring system can be used effectively in practice.

The R&D project on the novel method and facilities for ground control is presented. The relevant literature and advanced design efforts are comprehensively reviewed. A simple design of an optical fiber displacement sensor is proposed. Its cardinal difference from the monitoring systems currently in operation in coal mines is the use of a single mode fiber as a sensitive element. The new hardware and software system improves ground control and enhances safety of mining. The geotechnical condition of roadways is identified by means of comparison of light spot apertures.

It has been revealed that in spite of the absence of a state landscape policy in Russia the regulation of several kinds of economic activity includes requirements for rational use of landscapes. The landscape concept is used to manage resource-oriented activities in Russia. Environmental protection, and also the Russian natural and cultural heritage preservation were determined as the key lines of activity. It was found that approximately 40 types of landscapes were regulated by Russian legislation. Nevertheless, only three definitions of them have been legally approved: “landscape”, “natural landscape” and “anthropogenic landscape”. Federal legislation regulates landscape management for almost all types of economic activities listed in this paper. At the interregional and regional level, attention is paid to the use of geosystems in tourism, agriculture, natural heritage conservation and environmental protection. At the local (municipal) level, the landscape concept is used to manage urban planning, the zoning of settlements and classification of lands and to assess their cadastral value. Integral geosystems (rather than individual natural and cultural-historical resources) are the objects for management within the framework of the functioning and development of specially protected natural areas as well as of the protection of cultural heritage. The objectives of their use are mainly mentioned in strategic documents. It is pointed out that a number of features in the state regulation of the use of geosystems in Russia relate to several principles of landscape planning. Among them are hierarchical nature (management of geosystems at all levels ranging from the federal to municipal level), the focus on the environmental aspects of regional policy (landscape management is basically used for the environmental protection), reliance on the ecological framework of the territory (the establishment and management of specially protected areas for the conservation of unique and typical natural complexes which form part of the ecological framework).

The large inland territory, including Russian Siberia and Mongolia, as discussed in this article, has similarities in physical-geographical, and socio-demographic parameters, as well as in the attitude to them as the “resource colonies”. The Siberian and Mongolian components significantly differ politically thus affecting the institutional and managerial characteristics and the formation of territorial nature conservation, which is implemented in the activities of specially protected natural areas. The article provides an analysis of the existing systems of protected areas in Siberia and Mongolia, and of their structure and legislative basis. The similarities and differences of the laws of Russia and Mongolia are consistently considered: on land, on specially protected natural areas, and on territories of traditional nature management. The analysis of the legislation revealed a difference between similar categories of protected areas, management features as well as some aspects of law enforcement. Based on statistical information as of the beginning of 2021, summary tables of protected areas by category and by administrative units have been compiled. On the basis of databases collected by the authors and previously published thematic atlases, maps of protected areas have been compiled, demonstrating their distribution in Mongolia and Siberia. In spite of the differences identified, a converging aspect is shown: the presence and planning of interstate transboundary protected natural areas. It is concluded that the existing system of Mongolian protected areas is more effective. It is characterized by a greater representativeness of landscape diversity, more evenly distributed across administrative units of the country, developed in terms of areal indicators, more homogeneous in terms of representation of various categories of protected areas, and more peculiar due to the presence of transboundary protected areas between aimags. The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is a positive exception in the Russian part of the system.

The consequences of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) for tourism and the state’s attention to the revival of this segment of the economy are briefly outlined. It is shown that the current crisis is the strongest in the entire history of the industry, while crises open up additional opportunities in its functioning, and innovative solutions are used to meet the requirements of consumers. The main trends of post-crisis measures in our country are highlighted. In Russia, the strategic basis for improving the recreation sector is the strengthening of domestic tourism; in this regard, regional strategies for its development are of particular importance. This direction is declared in the industry program and in the Development Program of the Far East into 2035, supported by measures and targets for the creation of its own tourism cluster in each Far Eastern region. It is shown that for the first time in the socio-economic program the Tourism subprogram is allocated for the region. The prerequisites for its implementation are outlined, and the centers of tourist activity revitalization are presented. Taking into consideration the geographical location and size of the region, the formation of cluster policy emphasizes the importance of developing interregional relations, which are currently poorly represented. Even the conditions of the territories of advanced development, which are distinguished by a special mode of doing business, are not used in their establishment. The model of the federal tourist interregional scheme of territorial and spatial planning, with a focus on the creation of a comprehensive tourist development plan, is proposed. The prerequisites, structure, content and conditions of its formation are pointed out. The implementation of the tasks outlined in the scheme is focused on combining the common efforts of all market players in order to form a tourist region as an integral competitive unit.

This article presents the results of a study conducted in the coastal zone of Lake Onega. The research is devoted to studying the influence of coastal (abrasion in particular) processes and inflowing rivers on the quality of surface waters of the lake. In October 2019, 47 samples of water (from the surface and bottom horizons), 26 samples of bottom sediments and 16 samples of shore-forming sediments with further determination of metal concentrations were taken on the eastern coasts of the lake in the area of the abrasive (Andomа Mountain key area) and delta (Shal’skoe Onego key area) coasts. The content of the following metals was studied: iron (total), manganese, aluminum, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, lead, cobalt and cadmium. The emphasis in this study is placed on the determination of the dissolved form of metals in water and the mobile form in coastal and bottom sediments. The results showed that the concentrations of metals in the natural environment of the lake as a whole reflect the hydrochemical picture characteristic of this territory with an excess of the current standards of the quality of water up to 20 times for Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb and Al. The collected array of geochemical data made it possible to conduct a correlation analysis of the influence of coastal processes on the quality of coastal waters of Lake Onega in terms of metal content. The results showed the presence of different types of relationships between the content of metals in bottom sediments and water (from “very weak” to “strong”), which are statistically insignificant. In the area of the Andoma Mountain, the key area, there is a «strong» (close) relationship between the Al, Cu and Pb contents in bottom sediments and in water.

Results of quantitative determination of dissolved forms of 55 elements by mass-spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) in the water of small rivers, lakes and in the melt waters of glaciers and snowfields of the Kuragan basin are presented. The influence of climatic and hydrological conditions, the lithological composition of the rocks composing the Kuragan basin predetermine the formation of ultra-fresh, neutral to slightly alkaline calcium waters. In rivers and lakes, a mineralization is 28-7 mg/L, pH is 8.5-6.8; in melt waters of snow and firn, they are 14-2 mg/L and pH is 8.4-6.5, respectively. The total content of dissolved forms of elements does not exceed 11 mg/L in rivers and lakes and 35 mg/L in melt water of snow and firn. P, K, Ti and Ag accumulate in snowfields, while the river water is characterized by a high content of Si, Mo and Te. In some water bodies, the excess of the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of pollutants has been established. In rivers and lakes, the concentrations of Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo and Pb are higher than the MPC in the water of fishery reservoirs, and the content of Al, Fe, Ni and Pb is higher than the MPC in drinking water. In the melt waters of snowfields, the MPCs in fishery reservoirs are exceeded for Al, P, K, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn, and the MPC in drinking water - for Al, K, Mn, Sb and Pb. A statistically significant correlation between all elements in the composition of the water of rivers, lakes (except for W), and melt water from snowfields indicates their input from a single natural source, mainly as a result of leaching from rocks and soils with a slight effect of atmospheric precipitation. High concentrations of toxic elements in water bodies are due to the runoff of substances from the catchment area and to the accumulation of weathering products in snowfields and are not associated with anthropogenic pollution.

Data of experimental studies on the influence of fires on the development of erosion processes in the mountain forests of Cisbaikalia are considered. The quantitative indicators of liquid and solid surface runoff formed on burns, depending on the steepness of the slopes and on the intensity and duration of the fires, are given. It is shown that the violation of the soil-protective plant and organogenic layer of soils on mountain slopes contributes to an intense development of sheet wash of fine-grained earth, which leads to a change in the direction and rate of soil formation under other conditions of the development of geochemical and biogeochemical processes. The water-physical and physico-chemical properties of soils are significantly transformed on burns, leading to a deterioration of their forest-growing properties. The morphological characteristics of pyrogenically transformed soils on the sites affected by fire of different intensity 5 to 8 years ago are given. In mountain conditions, during ground fires of high intensity, the processes of drift and redeposition of fine-grained earth on the slopes are observed, leading either to the formation of simple primitive profiles with thin horizons or to the formation of complex polycyclic profiles, often with buried (relict) horizons. Mathematical models are proposed, which describe the formation of liquid and solid surface runoff on the burns, depending on the main factors that determine this process. Pyrogenic destruction of forest ecosystems inevitably leads to the degradation of mountain soils, which take many decades to restore after ground fires.

The prerequisites for sustainable development of urbanized territories are considered, which are determined by the atmospheric air quality governed by a combination of microclimatic differences and anthropogenic impact. The city of Ulan-Ude, located in the conditions of a valley-basin relief, was studied. To clarify the features in the microclimate of the city, calculations of the amounts of direct radiation on the slopes of the surrounding ridges were performed. Spatial differences in the formation of the ecological and climatic state of the air environment on the upper surfaces, bottoms of the valleys of the Uda and Selenga rivers, and slopes with many valleys of different orientations and planate surfaces are revealed. It is found that the ecosystem functions of the atmosphere of valley-basin territories, limited by the natural and climatic ability to self-purification, impose increased requirements on the volumes of anthropogenic load. It is shown that the decrease in emissions from stationary sources from 2010 to 2018 contributes to the positive dynamics of specific ecological and economic indicators (kg/1000 rubles). Furthermore, specific total emissions (kg/person) are growing, and the atmospheric pollution index remains high and very high due to an increase in emissions from mobile sources and an increase in the concentration of aggressive impurities. To improve the living conditions of the population and sustainable development of Ulan-Ude, it is important to reduce emissions from stationary and mobile sources, which implies improving the quality of fuel and the technical condition of vehicles and road infrastructure, and it is also advisable to transfer existing green zones to protected ones.

The X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption and step-by-step extraction methods were used to obtain novel data on chemical composition of soils as well as on the forms of the heavy metals Cu, Pb and Zn residing in them. The key areas in the surroundings of the village of Utulik (southern shore of Lake Baikal) were surveyed. It was found that the contents of trace elements in these soils varied mainly within the regional background. However, the soils experiencing anthropogenic load are contaminated with Cu, Pb and Zn. The calculated coefficients of radial differentiation of elements in the soils of the conditionally background area showed an accumulation of lead (R > 1) in the O and E horizons, zirconium in the E horizon as well as chromium and iron in the B horizon. These soils are characterized by the removal of elements Cu, Ni, Co, Zn and Mn (R < 1). In samples soil from the conditionally background area, Cu, Pb and Zn occur mostly in forms poorly absorbed by plants. Furthermore, Zn is weakly fixed in polluted soils and basically occurs in exchange forms, and the role of amorphous hydroxides increases substantially in the fixation of Pb. Because of light granulometric soil composition and low sorption capacity of geochemical barriers, the presence of abundant amounts of Zn and Pb in exchange forms presents a potential threat to their migration to contiguous environments. An assessment of the buffer capacity of soils was made, indicating that the buffer capacity is medium (20.5-24.5 numerical points) or low (<20) with respect to heavy metals. These characteristics should be taken into account when monitoring the soil state and planning any economic activity.

A wide-scale investigation providing insights into the spatial and temporal distribution of sanitary and microbiological indicators of water quality was undertaken in the shallow nearshore zone of Lake Baikal. Water samples were collected along the entire lake perimeter during several years, from 2012 to 2016, and in 2020 (total number, n = 450). Comparison of the abundance of fecal indicator bacteria in the bottom and surface waters at a total depth of 1 m showed that the concentration of sanitary indicator bacteria was generally higher in the surface water layers. The dynamics of water quality indicators as determined from May to November at the monitoring stations in the villages of Listvyanka and Bol’shie Koty did not reveal, according to statistical calculations, any substantial differences in the number of fecal indicator bacteria in most cases for different months of this study. Results of four circum-Baikal surveys at the same stations in June and September 2015 and 2016 also showed no notable differences in terms of the period of sampling. The concentration gradient of the fecal indicator bacteria 100 m from the water edge exhibited an consistent decrease of these microorganisms with distance from the shore towards deeper parts of the lake. An area of sampling was revealed, in which the concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria exceeded considerably the regulatory standards (SanPiN 2.1.5.980-00). The village of Khuzhir was such a site. In the shallow water at the villages of Sakhyurta and Kultuk, the concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria were on the verge of maximum permissible concentration. These data provided evidence of constant and significant water pollution in the nearshore zone adjacent to settlements characterized largely by touristic activities (the recreational activity is increased)

An analysis is made of the long-term data sets on the annual and seasonal water flow and the major ions flux of the Northern Dvina river at the village of Ust’-Pinega where hydrological and hydrometric observations were begun in 1882 and 1947, respectively. Long-term phases of their increased/decreased values were revealed, and their main characteristics were determined. It is established that the difference in the mean annual water flow between the long-term phases of increased and decreased values relative to the values characteristic of the lower flow were 17 % for the annual flow, 16 % for the flood flow, 32 % for the winter flow, and 38 % for the summer-autumn flow. It is concluded that changes in chemical flux during the shift from the phase of increased to decreased water flow was less clearly pronouced. The largest differences in the ion flux in the contrasting phases of water discharge were characteristic for the summer-autumn hydrological season and winter low-water season. During these periods the ion flux increased by 14-17 % and 10-11 %, respectively, whereas during the snow-melt flood period and the whole year, the ion flux was only 5-8 % higher. A relative dynamic constancy of the geochemical load on the White Sea by the Northern Dvina, regardless of its water discharge, is caused by the inverse relationship between water discharge and the concentration of chemicals. In addition, the anthropogenic influence on the ionic composition in the catchment area of the river is insignificant, which makes it possible to maintain established relationships under climate change.

For the first time in the scientific literature, an analysis is made of the channel formation conditions and of the morphology and channel regime of the Lower Ob (within Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Yugra) which in this context, in spite of its important economic and water transport significance, remains largely unexplored. The geomorphological structure of the valley determines downstream of the confluence of the river with the Irtysh the concentration of the river at the right valley side in a common channel producing single branches divided by straight unbranched sections shaped by river flow concentration along the right valley side and formation single branches, divided by straight unbranched sections. It is found that at the village of Pogrebennoe the broadening of the floodplain to 60 km is accompanied by the formation of a bifurcated channel (Malaya and Gornaya Ob), the distribution of water discharge in the main channels (up to four) and by numerous floodplain channels connected with one another and with the tributary, the Severnaya Sos’va river. In this connection, the water discharge of the main branches downstream decreases (by as much as 5 % of the total discharge in the Malaya Ob), there occur changes in the morphology of the channels of the branches of the bifurcated channel and in the parameters of their forms and in the intensity of reconfigurations and caving; the number and shallowness of river bars increase. It is established that the morphodynamic types are different in the common channel and in the branches of the bifurcated channel. The common channel is represented by one morphodynamically homogeneous section, with an absolute predominance of single bifurcations; the branches of the bifurcated channel are mainly meandering, and only the Gornaya Ob in the section along the valley side forms single bifurcations. On the boundary of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Yugra and Yamalo-Nenets Auonomous Okrug the river is concentred in two main branches (Malaya and Bol’shaya Ob). We obtained hydrological and morphological relationships between the parameters of channel bends of the channel of the branches of the bifurcated channel and the branches of single bifurcations and their discharge during floods. However, the relationships are unstable, because they are disturbed due to the variability in water discharge within one form and local conditions.

This paper considers periglacial sediments of the high accumulative Abalakh plain located in the interfluve of the Lena and Amga rivers (Central Yakutia). The genesis of loose deposits is determined, and the role of various sedimentation processes in their formation is revealed. Results were obtained on the basis of the cryolithological description of 94,5-meter borehole drilled in 2018. An analysis was made of the degree of roundedness and frosting of the surface of quartz grains. Diagnostic elements on the particle surface characteristic for different sedimentation processes are identified. An assessment of the relationship in the composition of quartz and feldspar grains was made. It was established that the layer under consideration has an alluvial (Tobolsk and Samara-Taz horizon) and lacustrine-alluvial genesis (Zyryanka horizon). It is pointed out that aeolian processes were also involved in sedimentation of the Tobolsk horizon. The source for deposits in the profile of the Abalakh plain was provided by loose deposits of short-range transport which were processed in the fluvial environment. Evidence for post-sedimentation processes of frost weathering was discover in deposits of the Zyryanka Samara-Taz horizons. It was established that loamy deposits of the ice complex were produced as a result of a complicated set of processes including frost weathering, aeolian transportation in a suspended state, and accumulation in stagnant basin conditions.

This paper presents the results of studies aimed at identifying statistical relationships between the landscape structure and the variability in Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica) increments in the permafrost-hillocky northern-taiga landscapes of Western Siberia (Nadym river basin). Dendrochronologies of Siberian stone pine growing on frost mounds of different types were compiled. Principal component analysis was applied to obtain independent variables that describe the site and landscape structure of the territory. Cores from 512 trees growing on 23 frost mounds were analyzed. The methods used were as follows: crossdating, dendrochronological standardization, and elimination of monotonic trends for each tree. Results of the classification of Sentinel satellite images were used to calculate the proportions of lakes, forests, sparse forests, floating bogs and flat-hillocky peat bogs, with the radius of the vicinity of a frost mound of 100-2000 m. Correlation, dispersion and regression analyses were used in the analysis of the dependence of the median increment on the characteristic of the mound site and landscape neighborhoods. It is established that on high mounds the variability in increments is higher on tops than on slopes, whereas the situation is often the contrary on low mounds. It is also found that the tops and slopes of the frost mounds respond differently to climatic fluctuations depending on the landscape structure and the height of the mound: the close proximity of lakes reduces the variability of phytoproductive functioning on the summit surfaces. It was revealed that the sensitivity of Siberian stone pine growth to temperature fluctuations increases with an increase in the diversity of the facies structure caused by the development of thermokarst subsidence and cryogenic cracks.

In order to identify the features in the dynamics of the soil temperature regime during the post-fire reforestation of the subtaiga light-coniferous geosystems of the Tunka depression, a study was made of the demutation processes in the pine forests of the Badary urochishche the fires that occurred in 2010. As part of monitoring observations in 2011-2020, the specificity of rehabilitation of understory trees as well as of the shrub layer and live ground cover was determined. The period of appearance of the first shoots of undergrowth was noted; the projective cover of species of all forest-growing layers was estimated. By comparing the dominant composition of secondary succession biocenoses with natural plant communities, indicators of the prospects for successful reforestation were identified. An analysis was made of 10-year-long observation data on the soil temperature regime from the surface to a depth of 3.2 m was carried out at the selected sites. Measurements were made all year round in an automatic mode using atmospheric-soil measuring systems. The differences between the soil temperatures on the disturbed and natural sites, which vary over a year, were revealed. Open soils on the site affected by fire are warmer in the summer and colder in the winter. Snow cover acting as a heat insulator on both sites reduces the differences. However, with late snow onset, the contrasts increase. During the observation period, a decrease in microclimatic differences was observed with the regeneration of vegetation cover, which indicates the reforestation of the temperature regime in the pyrogenically disturbed area. The results obtained at this stage, and also the continuation of the monitoring are applicable to the analysis of pyrogenic transformation of subtaiga light-coniferous geosystems in the south of Eastern Siberia and the forecast of post-fire reforestation of light-coniferous forests of the Tunka depression, taking into account regional specifics. The continuation of comprehensive monitoring will allow for a more detailed assessment of the regeneration of the landscape and climatic conditions of the territory in the future.

This article presents a comparative description of the thermal springs occurring on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, in the Priokhotye region. In the northern segment of Priokhotye, their groundwater is salty and brackish, mainly of the chloride class. Only one thermal spring (Khiimskii) is a freshwater spring. The water temperature varies from 22 to 63 °C. In the western segment, the water of the thermal springs is fresh, of the bicarbonate class. It is established that the thermal springs are associated with Quaternary dikes of alkaline basalts. The composition of thermal waters is governed by changes in climatic and permafrost conditions, and by fluctuations in the level of the Sea of Okhotsk in the Late Pleistocene-Holocene time. A consequence of these processes in the northern segment of Priokhotye was the introduction of thalassogenic waters to the bowels of the earth 18-9 thousand years ago. In the zone of their contact with the heated dikes of basalts, ascending jets of thermal chloride water appeared. In the western Priokhotye, the conditions in the Late Pleistocene-Holocene period were favorable for the formation of an extensive zone of fresh groundwater. Its contact with high-temperature dikes gives rise to thermal waters, the composition of which is close to the cold waters of the zone of active water exchange. The process of formation of thermal water springs in the valleys of watercourses takes place in two stages. First, the rising thermal jets are dispersed in the zone of active water exchange. Newly formed minerals colmate cracks and pores, forming a heat-removing vent. In the second stage, this vent contributes to the emergence and functioning of the thermal spring.

The need to seek new ideas and approaches in studying the cyclic nature of planetary and regional water exchange is substantiated. Based on systematizing available data and results obtained by this author, an analysis is made of the role of interphase transfers of natural waters in the formation of water exchange cycles. It is stated that the effect of phase mixing is inherent in natural waters. This effect is responsible for the unity of natural waters, and for a high intensity of their interphase transfer. Such a methodological approach was used to specify the scheme of climatic (hydrological) cycle of natural waters. In addition to the known atmospheric (atmogenic) cycle, cryohydrogenic, atmolithogenic, glaciogenic and cryolitogenic cycles have been identified as well as estimating the mass of water annually involved in these cycles, the intensity of water exchange in each cycle and the output of energy liberated or spent. Implementation of this scheme would provide an opportunity to more purpusefuly study water resources and various water exchange cycles.

Using instrumental observation data from meteorological stations located in the Southern Urals, a comprehensive fire hazard index and a forest fire hazard index for the 1978 to 2020 warm season (May-September) were calculated. The analysis was based on the daily values of surface air temperature, amount of precipitation, dew point deficit, average wind speed, as well as gain and number of days after the last rain. A correlation analysis between critical values of fire hazard indices and the forest fire actual data was carried out, revealing a close relationship between the extreme values of fire hazard indices and abnormally hot years. Fire hazard indices reflect the set of meteorological conditions conducive to the occurrence of fires in different ways. The forest fire hazard index, in contrast to the fire hazard complex indicator, in addition to the meteorological index, takes into account environmental factors. The calculated values of fire hazard indices were structured in the form of a database that can be used in meteorological forecasts to assess and predict fire conditions based on weather conditions. Comparison of the present data with results of wildfire space monitoring from the Terra-MODIS satellite are presented. An increase in dangerous meteorological conditions from 1995 to 2000 and a decrease in the number of days with critical values of fire hazard indices from 2000 to 2005 were established.

A method of aesthetic assessment of coastal landscapes surrounded by mountains at the regional level is suggested. Assessment and mapping of aesthetic resources of the territory are based on an understanding that viewing points and perceived landscape sceneries form an aesthetic system based on the geographical location. An aesthetic assessment was made by using geo-referenced landscape photographs taken during field investigations, and from the Panoramio web service database for 11 complex indicators characterizing the perception conditions of sceneries as well as their structure. The analysis of the landscape diversity of open and closed landscape scenes was carried out in a differentiated manner. The landscape diversity of open and semi-open scenes is determined by a combination of the ruggedness of relief and contrast of vegetation cover, while the differentiation of closed forest landscape scenes with a near perspective is based on the characteristics of the elements and components of the enclosing natural landscape (composition and density of the forest stand, the presence, abundance and height of the shrub layer, and the height and variety of ground cover). The assessment of complex indicators was carried out by using a three-dimensional model of the study area in Google Earth Pro, based on thematic layers imported from the Quantum GIS project (satellite images, digital elevation model SRTM, landscape typological and forest inventory maps, database of landscape photographs, etc.) with due regard for the obscuring role of vegetation cover. The contours of the landscape typological map at the level of groups of facies at a scale of 1:500 000 are used as mapping units. The score is assigned to the area from which the landscape is observed.

This study is concerned with the selection of optimal territories for installing solar photovoltaic power stations. The relevance of the research done is explained by the fact that electric energy generated by converting total solar radiation on a horizontal surface consisting of direct and diffuse components of PV cells has low output power; therefore, it is necessary to identify areas with a high power factor for more efficient power generation. However, due to the low efficiency of PV panels (14-18 %) and the low intensity of total solar radiation on a horizontal surface, a large installation space is required to achieve a certain power level. Due to the high cost of installing solar power plants, a comprehensive systematic assessment of the geographic factors of the region is required to select the most suitable location. Our selection of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as the study area is explained by the fact that the radiation level is high compared to other regions of Azerbaijan (1220-1699 kW h/m² per year), and the number of hours of sunshine per year exceeds 2500. Since the creation of solar power plants in regions with high values of total radiation on a horizontal surface depends on technical, economic and environmental criteria, descriptive criteria are used to determine the optimal areas. The Analytical Process Hierarchy (AHP) model, based on Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, was used to identify suitable locations for solar power plants. In the first phase of the study, seven criteria were analyzed to determine suitable locations: total solar radiation on a horizontal surface, slope, land use, buffer distance from areas with high annual solar energy potential to residential areas, proximity to substations, motor roads, and power lines. In the second stage, the level of accessibility and suitability of areas within the framework of certain criteria was determined using the Weighted Overlay tool in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In the second stage, using the weighted overlay tool in geographic information systems (GIS), the level of suitability of territories was determined according to certain criteria. As a result, of the study, it was concluded that 9,5 % (510 km²) of the land of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has high suitability, 12 % (645 m²) - medium suitability, and 24 % (1290 km²) - low suitability for placing solar power plants. The remaining 54.5 % (2930 km²) of the region belongs to the territories that are not suitable for use due to low radiation, high slope, the presence of protected areas, settlements, agricultural areas and poorly developed infrastructure. Optimal locations cover mainly the southern and eastern parts of the region.