Home – Home – Jornals – Humanitarian sciences in Siberia 2022 number

The Tuva segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt is characterized by the ubiquitous presence of conglomerates few tens of meters to a kilometer in thickness in early Paleozoic volcanosedimentary sequences. We present the first results of geochemical, isotope-geochemical (Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr), and U-Pb geochronological studies of granitoid boulders and pebbles from the conglomerate sequence of the early Cambrian Bayan-Kol Formation of the Systyg-Khem depression. These studies made it possible to establish several sources of clastic material as a result of the destruction of granitoids of different ages and isotope-geochemical compositions. At least two complexes of granitoids were denuded in the pre-Ediacaran tectonic block in the early Cambrian: (1) middle Ediacaran (~590 Ma) and (2) early Ediacaran (~630 Ma); the latter resulted from the melting of pre-Ediacaran island arc crust formed from a depleted mantle source (εNd(T) = +8.0 to +8.6). At present, no granitoids of this age and with such isotope-geochemical characteristics have been found within the Tuva segment. Probably, the granitoid complexes reconstructed from the results of study of clastic conglomerates are eroded or buried beneath younger deposits and do not expose. Thus, the study of clastic conglomerates from the Bayan-Kol Formation provided the first information about the Precambrian history of the tectonic block whose destruction led to the accumulation of this terrigenous sequence.

Marly limestone, marble, and gabbro samples from the Kochumdek contact aureole are studied in order to estimate to which degree the spurrite-merwinite ( T = 750-900 °C) metamorphism at the site was isochemical. The 3 m wide zoned Kochumdek aureole is located at the contact between the Early Triassic trap intrusion of the Kuzmovka complex (νβT₁kz) and the overlying Llandovery marine marly limestones (S₁ln) of the lower Kochumdek subformation in the right side of the Kochumdek River (tributary of the Podkamennaya Tunguska, East Siberia). The Kochumdek rocks are remarkable by the lack of prominent skarn or vein mineralization in marbles and autometasomatism in gabbro. The samples have been analyzed for major, chalcophile, rare-earth, and high-field strength elements. The Kochumdek marbles and marly limestones share similarity in major-element patterns that record mixing of fine siliciclastic material with biogenic and chemogenic CaCO₃ components. The major-element chemistry of marly limestones has been controlled by the compositions of fine clastic material transported from the provenance (Trans-Angara part of the Yenisei Ridge) and by the deposition environment of the early Silurian marine basin. The contents of Cu, Ni, Co, V, Mo, Se, Cr, and U in marly limestones and marbles correspond to marine sediments deposited in a low-productive oxigenated environment. The Ni/Co, V/Cr, Cu/Zn, V/(V + Ni), and U/Th ratios in spurrite marbles at the intrusive contact remain within typical limestone ranges but differ from those in gabbro, which have higher V and Cu enrichment and moderate contents of Zn, Ni, and Co. Marly limestones and spurrite marbles show identical REE+Y patterns and average ΣREE contents. The major- and trace-element similarity between marbles and the protolith limestones, along with the absence of gabbro trace element fingerprints in the metamorphic rocks, indicate that the thermal metamorphism was nearly isochemical. The reactions occurred without any large-scale transport of major and trace elements across the sill/sediment boundary. The conditions were unfavorable for metasomatic alteration due to low fluid saturation of the Kochumdek intrusion and its structural setting, as well as to the lithological, mechanical, and thermal properties of the sediments.

Two cores of the Dulikha peat bog deposits, 4.0 and 5.2 m thick, were studied in detail. The reduction type of diagenesis has been established. Decomposition of the organic matter of the bog deposits begins already in the upper intervals of the section at the earliest stages of diagenesis. Microbiological studies of the peat bog revealed numerous organotrophic, ammonifying, nitrifying, and phosphate-mobilizing microorganisms as well as Fe-Ox and Mn-Ox microorganisms and showed the almost complete absence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (except for the lower intervals of the peat section). The processes of the nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycles are more active than the sulfur cycle processes. The chemical composition of the bog water changes during diagenesis. The contents of HCO₃^-, NH₄⁺, PO₄^3-, NO₃^-, and TOC (Total organic carbon) increase in the peat bog section, which is the result of the destruction of organic matter, leading to the transition of the most mobile and labile components into the bog water. The results of physicochemical modeling show that the high content of organic matter significantly changes the chemical composition of the bog water. The enrichment of the latter in Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, As, Si, Al, and Pb indicates a diagenetic transformation of the bog deposits. A change of oxidizing conditions by reducing ones in the peat bog leads to the reduction of oxidized Fe (III) and Mn (IV) forms to mobile Fe (II) and Mn (II) forms and their subsequent migration from the solid phase of deposits into the bog water. With depth, the reduced S (II) forms become predominant in the peat, which indicates more reducing environmental conditions. The concentration of SO₄^2- decreases in the pore water of the peat-underlying mineral deposits, which marks the beginning of sulfate reduction. This process, however, is very slow in the bog deposits because of the acid environmental conditions and the lower degree of transformation of organic matter.

More than a hundred lakes, groundwater, rivers, and precipitation of their catchments have been studied in Transbaikalia. The chemical composition of natural waters and the mineral composition of rocks and lacustrine bottom sediments have been analyzed. The isotope composition of waters, the isotope ratios in dissolved and deposited carbonates and in bacterial mats, and the content of heavy oxygen in the aluminosilicate fraction of bottom sediments and rocks in catchments have been determined. It is shown that all secondary minerals inherit the oxygen isotope composition of water, but their oxygen is isotopically much heavier than the water oxygen, because the water-rock interaction leads to the fractionation of oxygen and the transition of its heavy isotope into secondary carbonates and aluminosilicates. Bacterial mats using oxygen of carbon dioxide ions for their vital activity are also enriched in its heavy isotope. We have established that the water of soda lakes, being less saline than other lake waters, is more enriched in heavy oxygen isotope. Mineral analysis of lacustrine bottom sediments and material from sedimentation traps revealed chemogenic carbonates and secondary aluminosilicates. The performed thermodynamic calculations confirm their possible formation in lakes. It is shown that the lake water is in equilibrium not only with carbonates, clays, and hydromica but also with zeolites, and the most alkaline and mineralized water is in equilibrium with albite. The bottom sediments of soda lakes have a greater portion of clays and carbonates than those of fresh, chloride, and sulfate waters. The enrichment of salt lake waters with heavy isotopes is due not only to evaporation but also to the water-rock interaction. The contribution of aluminosilicate hydrolysis to oxygen fractionation is confirmed by the direct dependence of the “oxygen shift” value on pH, whose value is determined by the degree of the above interaction. We have established that the diversity of the chemical and isotope compositions of lake waters is due to their multifactorial formation related to the different degrees of lake water evaporation, the different mineralization of organic matter, and the different duration of the interaction of lake waters and groundwater with rocks.

The pattern of current crustal stress in central and southeastern Asia has been reconstructed from earthquake focal mechanisms by inversion Rebetsky’s method of cataclastic analysis. The inversion provides constraints on principal stress directions, as well as on relative magnitudes of maximum shear and effective isotropic pressure. The crust of the High Asian mountainous province is subject to horizontal extension or shear in plateaus (East and South Pamir and Tibet) and to horizontal compression or shear in mountain ranges. The relatively high horizontal compression in the ranges is apparently due more to denudation and exhumation than to the pressure from the Indian indentor. Denudation and removal of clastic material from the Himalayan slopes has been a key agent that may compensate for the N-S crust shortening in central Tibet and the W-E stretching in eastern Tibet. The current stress field of High Asia has been mainly controlled by vertical buoyancy forces that arise by thickening of lighter crust and detachment of heavier lithosphere.

Lacustrine sediments, related subaerial aeolian sands, as well as fluvioglacial sands enclosed in ablation moraines in the Chuya River valley between the Chuya and Kurai basins in Gorny Altai, have been dated by optically stimulated (OSL) and infrared stimulated (IRSL) luminescence. The OSL and IRSL dates indicate that the formation of the lake, which spread into the Chuya Basin, was caused by the Sukor rockslide that dammed the Chuya valley. The rockslide was triggered by a large earthquake (shaking intensity at least 9-10) generated by an active fault in the Kurai Fault Zone about 16 ka, which is the oldest known date for its activity. Thus, large landslides or rockslides can remain geomorphically expressed for at least 16 ka in the climate and landscape conditions as in the Chuya and Kurai basins. The lake existed till ~10 ka BP and then was gradually drained. The Kuyuktanar glacier reached its greatest extent in the early marine isotope stage (MIS) 2, and its ablation moraines formed about 25 ka. Judging by the age and good preservation of moraines left by the glacier, the hilly terrain in the area of the Sukor rockslide, and the presence of lacustrine sands in the vicinity of the lake dam, no catastrophic flooding events in the Chuya and Katun valleys have occurred since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ~20 kyr BP). The water table of the glacier-dammed lake that occupied the Kurai Basin around the LGM could not have exceeded 1750 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Higher lake terraces traceable till elevations of 2100-2200 m a.s.l. should be attributed to more ancient lake stages. Archaeological sites in the area of the junction between the Chuya and Kurai basins were formed in the post-lake period, the oldest dating back to the latest Late Paleolithic time.

The article analyzes the expedition organized by Evgeny Andreevich Ashchepkov, well-known specialist in folk architecture, to study the Russian population architecture in Kamenskoe Priobye of the Altai Region. The authors state that it has never been a research object, moreover there is unreliable information in scientific literature. The study’s main sources are the documents of E.A. Ashchepkov’s personal archive in Novosibirsk Regional State Archive. The research relevance is determined by the fact that the field materials collected by E.A. Ashchepkov are little used in his summarizing monograph on Altai, and are still not in demand by other investigators of old-timer culture of the Russian population. Therefore, the research objectives and tasks are focused on revealing the terms and routes of expedition; analyzing the sources kept in Novosibirsk Regional State Archive to determine their potential for studying traditional culture of Russian Siberians. Using reconstruction and biographical methods, the authors managed to identify the terms of expedition - August of 1944, and reconstruct the route of his field research. The article describes the main ways of recording the information (black and white pencil sketching with further drawing in color, photographic recording, charting). E.A. Ashchepkov’s professionalism as an architect contributed to fixing multicultural information, not limited by architecture only. That, on the one hand, makes this information available to different social-humanitarian specialists, especially ethnographers, art historians and cultural studies scholars; on the other hand, due to notes left under the materials, it is possible to suppose that the geographical frames of his «personal» field voyages were much wider and included other regions of Altai Region and the Republic of Altai. The authors conclude that the revealed unpublished expedition materials make it possible to better understand both folk architecture, and other household traditions of old-time residents of forest steppe in Kamenskoe Priobie as well. The expedition materials concerning the territories bordering on the Altai Region allow reaching the comparative level of local variants of Russian Siberians’ culture under different geographical and ethnic-cultural conditions.

The work objective is to characterize the image of the ferret in the Buryat traditional culture. Its novelty is determined by the lack of research on this topic in Russian ethnography. The study is based on written and field sources and carried out with a structural-semiotic and comparative methods. The paper’s first section provides a general description of the ferret image in the Buryat traditional culture. It shows this animal’s place in the folk zooclassification, reveals its utilitarian use. Lexical data from languages of Buryat and northern Inner Asia peoples indicate the general Mongolian origin of the Buryat names of the ferret. The article pays attention to the edibility criterion of this animal; notes that the Buryat vocabulary and folklore reflect the ferret’s main biological characteristics. The work’s second section examines the ferret image in the Buryat folklore and rituals. There is an interchangeability of the images of the ferret and Siberian weasel in the Buryat epic. The ferret is associated with the motif of werewolf, which manifests itself in the plot of the cultural hero’s successive reincarnation into different representatives of the marten family. In general, a predominantly negative connotation of this predatory animal is revealed in the Buryat vocabulary and folklore. This animal’s positive connotation, its sacralization can be traced in the Buryat traditional shamanic rituals. Ferret fetishes are credited with a function of a shaman’s assistant spirit, a guide to other worlds. In the Buryat family ritual they act as a talisman for family members, primarily for children, they are also endowed with a therapeutic function. The author concludes that the ferret image has an ambiguous characteristics in the traditional Buryat culture.

The ethnographic expeditions took place in Pritom’e (Chebulinsky, Tyazhinsky, Mariinsky districts of Kemerovo Region) in 2018-2021, where the author managed to work with the descendants of the Old Believers (who called themselves Kerzhaks) retaining a stable cultural identity to this day. The article objective is to identify the stable identity reasons of the Old Believers in the XX century. The main source of research was the story by A.V. Lepshakova, born in 1955, a resident of Prokop’evo village, Tyazhinsky District, Kemerovo Region, whose maternal relatives were Old Believers. Besides, materials collected from informants, whose ancestors were Old Believers as well, were added. The author used the interview method (in-depth interview) and audio recording at the stage of field study. The methodology is based on an ethnocultural approach to understanding identity, where an important marker of the latter is the continuity of the cultural choice of a group united by a common memory, belief, common material and spiritual culture. The study applies descriptive and comparative-historical research method as well. Old Believers of Prokop’evo village, despite the active processes of the family and social life transformation in the XX century, show the stability of cultural identity. The reason for this was the Old Believer’s religious beliefs, which left their mark on the social and family way of life. Kerzhaks did not marry people of another faith, distanced themselves from the outside world (they settled in a separate village, then a separate street), were distinguished by household cleanliness and the long-term preserving a large patriarchal family. The policy of the Soviet leadership (attracting women to social and cultural activities, joint work of the Old Believers and Russian settlers on the collective farm, the younger generation mobility, etc.) led to the loss of cultural markers by the Old Believer’s descendants and their mixing with Russian settlers through marriage. However, the descendants of the Old Believers (being such only through one parent) retained their identity under such conditions that should be explained by the prestige of the Old Believer identity in their families.

The study is devoted to the local calendar customs formation of the Russians in the Altai region in the 1920-1960s. The author examines in detail the adaptation mechanisms of traditional culture in the region at different stages of this period (under the conditions of a new ideology, the cultural policy of the Soviet state, anti-religious propaganda, etc.) of the Russians in Altai. The research objectives are to identify the main causes of transformational processes in the festive calendar of Altai Russians in the 1920s-1960s, characterize the features of some holidays of the “new Soviet ritual”, designate elements of customs and rituals of traditional calendar holidays included in the scenarios of new Soviet holidays. The study aim is to trace transformations of socio-cultural processes in terms of adaptation of traditional culture to the new, crisis conditions of existence. The research novelty is to solve the problem at the specific regional level (district, village). As a result, the author has recorded important changes in the system of traditional calendar holidays, such as violation of the ban to work on holidays, shifts and transfers in performing rituals, changes in the recipe of festive dishes, and others. The article notes that many informants born in the 1940s and later do not remember the meanings of performing certain ritual actions, cannot explain their purpose yet. The author managed to establish some borrowings from traditional festive rituals regarding «new holiday rituals»: for example, curling birch branches with ribbons when rewarding a collective farm unit, decorating cars with birch branches (Holiday of the Russian Birch). There were a number of adaptive forms during the period of ritual rounds of courtyards on Christmas time, Maundy Thursday, Easter and Radunitsa, Trinity. The study confirms that since the late 1920s - early 1930s there was a division of views of the older and younger generations, which was expressed in relation to the «old» and «new» holidays («your» and «our» holidays). These processes influenced the formation of a new Soviet identity of people later called «Sovieticus». The study is based on the author’s field research in 2014-2022: interviews with descendants of old-timers and settlers of Altai Region, employees of rural Houses of Culture, teachers of rural schools, librarians, leaders of folklore ensembles, etc. Besides, it uses materials from the State Archives, Pospelikha Archives of the Altai Region.

The article objective is to analyze the administrative initiatives and proposals prepared by Orenburg civil governors and presented to the supreme power in the first half of the XIX century. The solution of this research problem will help to reveal fully the administrative mechanisms of the Orenburg Province, where a special model of power functioned based on the interaction of the military and civil governorship institutions. The article subject field involves the content analysis of proposals and initiatives of Orenburg civil governors, features of their consideration and implementation. The work source base are legislative acts; paperwork materials: presentations and reports of Orenburg civil governors to the military governors, the Minister of Internal Affairs, annual all-subject reports of the chiefs on the situation in the Province, results of a review of provincial and county government offices, official correspondence. The analysis made it possible to conclude that the proposals and initiatives of Orenburg civil governors in the first half of the XIX century were determined by their competence and degree of power, affecting primarily the institutions of local government subordinate to them - the provincial government, the office, the police, and since 1842 - all provincial institutions. According to the procedure established by law, they were sent to the military governor for consideration, then - to the Committee of Ministers, and to the Emperor. Unlike the projects of Orenburg military governors, which were of a comprehensive, large-scale nature, affecting the military, civilian, border parts in the region, which corresponded to the subjects of their jurisdiction, proposals of the civil governors provided only individual measures to improve the local government system. In those cases when the representations of Orenburg civil governors were initiated by the government or the military governor, they concerned the order of work, the states of government offices. A number of notes and projects of Orenburg Province heads arose as results of a direct appeal to the government to clarify the opinion of the governors about the upcoming reforms, changes in states. The civil governors’ proposals, which were drawn up on their own initiative, concerned minor economic issues - improving the fire station, constructing new buildings for hospitals, almshouses. An analysis of the civil governor proposals allows us to conclude that in the administrative space of the state there was a constant dialogue between the central and regional authorities in the first half of the XIX century.

The article aims to reconsider the sources that reflect the Siberian episode of V.A. Artsimovich biography, an outstanding statesman of the Russian Empire, from the point of view of imperial studies and personal history. The study base includes two groups of sources. The first one comprises documents from the revision of the administration of West Siberia led by Adjutant General N.N. Annenkov, and notes by V.A. Artsimovich, preserved in his collection of documents. Their textual similarities, found while studying revision documents and V.A. Artsimovich’s notes, confirm the author’s hypothesis that some documents signed by N.N. Annenkov were initially prepared by V.A. Artsimovich. Moreover, these documents played a major role in establishing the 2^nd Siberian Committee. This fact is crucial for understanding the essence and the evolution of Artsimovich’s worldview and opinion on the Siberian region problems and future, to assess his personality adequately. The second group of sources is private correspondence and memoirs (or semi-memoirs). Letters by Ya.S. Skropyshev to V.A. Artsimovich show him as the most educated, trusted, and close person to the governor. Comparing the texts of Skropyshev’s semi-memoir essay on the Tobolsk Province of the 1850s with letters of V.A. Artsimovich’s relatives demonstrates that the content and nature of the essay, characteristics of Tobolsk Governor himself, his relationship with the Governor-General of West Siberia G.Kh. Gasford, Senator M.N. Zhemchuzhnikov are largely influenced by views of Artsimovich’s family members. It was they who initiated the creation of essay by Skropyshev and provided him with materials from the family archive and contributed to the publication of notes in “Vestnik Evropy”, and then in the collection of documents “Viktor Antonovich Artsimovich. Memories. Characteristics”. These circumstances should be taken into account when referring to Skropyshev’s essay on the Tobolsk Province, which is widely used by researchers. The explicit, frank and constant patronage of M.N. Zhemchuzhnikov towards V.A. Artsimovich reflected in the correspondence of family members can serve as a clear and illustrative example of relations common within the empire administrative apparatus.

M.M. Speransky, an outstanding state figure of the XIX century, the Siberian Governor-General (1819-1822), left a significant mark in the administrative-political organization history of the outskirts of Russia, which was an important plot of the domestic imperialism building, and became the subject of close attention of researchers. At the same time, the Soviet and post-Soviet historiography emphasized mainly the content and results of M.M. Speransky’s reform activities in Russia and Siberia, as well as the important episodes of his personal biography during the rapid career growth (until March 1812). Much less attention was paid to the description and scientific-research reflection of the personal traumatic experience of the highest imperial official in circumstances of exile and “disgrace” (1812-1816), as well as to the understanding of Speransky’s self-feelings in the subsequent years marked by his activities as Penza Civil Governor and Siberian Governor-General. A prominent contribution to this problem statement and development was made in the 1870s by representatives of Siberian regionalism (V.I. Vagin, G.N. Potanin, N.M. Yadrintsev). They drew attention in their journalism and private correspondence to the consonance of their own socio-political biographies with the life experience of an outstanding Siberian reformer, that allowed them to reproduce the personality and activity of M. Speransky taking into account the experienced psychological trauma. Appealing to the modern interpretations of the “trauma” concept and ways to overcome it made it possible to reveal the ideas of Siberian regionalism on M. Speransky’s personal feelings and experiences at different stages of the reform activities in Siberia, the adaptive behavior strategies of the official, dependence of decision-making on the psychological state in a difficult life situation. Based on the ego-texts of the Siberian regionalism leaders, the study reveals, that implementing the administrative and management mission in Siberia by M. Speransky fell into victimized and resilient stages in psychological terms. In their frames, there was a gradual overcoming of trauma and changing the world perception of the reformer, which formed a positive background for regional transformations.

This article deals with the establishment and development of the state education system in East-Siberian Governorate-General in the first half of the XIX century. Historiographic analysis reveals that the history of national education in Eastern Siberia of the mentioned period is poorly studied. The paper attempts to study comprehensively the system of public education in the Eastern Siberia in the first half of the XIX century based summarization of historical research and analysis of management documentation introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The study uses chronological, formal legal methods based on T. Parsons’ structural-functional approach. As a result of complex analysis, the author has determined that the state education establishment in Siberia began simultaneously with the general imperial system development in a period of Catherine II reforms in the late XVIII century. Main and small folk schools in Siberia were opened under the Charter of 1786. Further development of the system is associated with the reforms of Alexander I. Provincial gymnasiums, county and parish schools were established in the region. The author reveals that in East-Siberian Governorate-General established in 1822 a significant number of state educational institutions were concentrated in the Irkutsk Province. The parish schools were opened by the initiative of the public and held solely at public expense that affected their number. The great distance from the center led to the removal of educational institutions from the Imperial system of government and contributed to establishing a specific control system based on the subordination to visitators, civilian governors, and since 1841 - to the Governors-General. The author concludes that a predominantly state education with a special centralized form of control was established in Eastern Siberia, which ultimately slowed down its development.

Old Believers were persecuted both in the Soviet and Imperial periods. Therefore, traditional distancing of this broad movement’s followers from the authorities has long internal and external reasons. The chapel consent representatives form the most striking and massive group that preserved both the Old Orthodox rite and classical Old Believer attitudes of worldview and practice. Members of this group are mainly settled from the Urals to the Far East, and from Argentina to Alaska. However, the spiritual center of this Old Believer church is located in Yenisei Siberia and presented by a network of remote taiga monasteries. They were brought here from Western Siberia between 1917 and 1940, and made up three skete groups - Verkhovsk (located in Tuva), Bezymyansky and Dubchessky (located in the west and north of Krasnoyarsk Region). Due to the Tuvan People’s Republic entering the Soviet state after the anti-religious struggle peak and against the background of indulgent confessional policy in wartime, the Verkhovsk sketes were not subjected to a total pogrom. This fact allowed N.N. Pokrovsky and other Novosibirsk scientists in the 1960s to make the famous “archaeographic discovery” of Siberia just there. Dubchessky monasteries had a different fate: they were devastated in 1951, which was similar to the pogroms of the skete centers undertaken by the authorities during the Imperial period. This dramatic plot was reflected in both the historical memory, culture of chapel harmony, and external reflections. This research gives the analysis and comparison of different views on this pogrom history. First, this is the perception of the Old Believers themselves embodied in their prose and poetry, visual arts, individual and collective memory. Second, the view of the repressive side including the operation participants, whose letters are at the disposal of scientists. Third, the view of secular writers turned to this story - A.I. Solzhenitsyn and M.S. Perevozchikov. The study concludes with the analysis of stereotypes created by these sources and influencing expert and public opinion.

Method for studying the effect of the mass flow from the particle surface on the drag coefficient in a wide range of Reynolds numbers is suggested. For this, two experimental setups have been developed and used for the study of the effect of air injection from the surface of a solid perforated sphere on the drag coefficient at various values of the velocity of injection flow in the range of Reynolds numbers of the airflow around a particle from 133 to 9900. It is shown that the drag coefficient of the particle decreases with an increase in the velocity of the gas injected from the surface of a solid spherical particle. The empirical equation for calculating the drag coefficient of a solid sphere in the self-similar regime depending on the ratio of the gas injection velocity and the airflow velocity has been derived from the regression analysis.

A method for producing biocomposite fertilizers with increased water resistance, based on the sequential impregnation of supports from pine bark with the solutions of urea and potassium dihydrophosphate is proposed. The structure of supports prepared from pine bark and fertilizers based on them was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The ability of biocomposite fertilizers based on pine bark supports to provide slow outwashing of mineral components with water for a long time was established. The treatment of fertilizers with water at room temperature for 15 days results in the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by not more than 34.4, 74.3 and 58.4 wt. %, respectively (of the initial content), which evidences in favour of the prolonged action of biocomposite fertilizers based on pine bark. It is shown that the use of support obtained through extraction treatment of pine bark with organic solvents allows making a fertilizer with higher stability against nitrogen removal with water in comparison with the fertilizer based on the support prepared by treating pine bark with 1 % NaOH solution. Vegetation experiments on germination of Megion oat seeds revealed the same growth-promoting effect of biocomposite fertilizers based on supports obtained using different methods: the length of sprouts and roots increased by a factor of 1.5 in comparison with the reference experiment (water). The studies demonstrated the high potential of the developed fertilizers as an alternative to traditional water-soluble fertilizers and provided evidence of the possibility to obtain them using either original pine bark or wastes from its extraction processing.

The main properties of copper that determine its preferable application areas are high electrical conductance and thermal conductivity, as well as high stability against corrosion. The mechanical characteristics of metals may be affected by introducing trace additives of inert ceramic materials (modifying agents), which would be crystallization centres, altering micro- and macrostructure. For better wetting with the melt, ceramic particles are to be plated with metals through the joint treatment of ceramic powders and metals in planetary centrifugal activators. To study the effect of modification on copper properties, four molds were prepared to obtain cylindrical samples 30 mm in diameter, with different modifying agents: 1) B₄C/Cu/Cr, 2) (WC/TiC)/Cu/Cr, 3) ferrocerium MTs50Zh6 (an alloy of iron and a mixture of rare earth metals), 4) without additives. The amount of the active phase (ceramics and rare-earth metals) was 0.03 wt. % of the cast mass. It is discovered that samples 1 and 2 exhibit the smallest standard deviations of hardness from the mean values, which may be the sign of more uniform crystallization of the melt in the cases when B₄C and WC/TiC are used as modifying agents. Standard deviations for samples 1-4 with respect to HBW (Brinell hardness) are 1.90, 1.37, 6.29, 2.54, respectively, and with respect to HV (Vickers hardness) - 2.39, 2.89, 6.53, 5.28, respectively. The improvement of corrosion stability in comparison with non-modified sample after exposure for 43 h in 11 % HNO₃ solution was 9.3, 2.2, -10.9, 0.0 %, respectively, and after exposure for 127 h - 13.1, 15.4, 14.6, 0.0 %, respectively. The grain size of samples modified with ceramic refractory particles decreased by a factor of 2.4-3.0 in comparison with the reference sample, while the grain size of samples modified with rare-earth metals, on the contrary, increased by a factor of 1.5-1.7. The size of subgrains in all the modified samples was 1.3-5 times smaller than that in the reference sample.

Analysis of literature data in the field of synthesis and study of the physical and chemical properties of mono-, bi-, tri-, tetracyclic and adamantyl-containing esters of (meth)acrylic acids is systematized and presented in the review. The reactions under consideration involve the synthesis of these compounds by means of esterification of acids with cyclic alcohols, transesterification, as well as the addition of (meth)acrylic acids to unsaturated alicyclic hydrocarbons, etc. The main directions of the practical application of polycycloalkyl-containing (meth)acrylates are indicated. It is stressed that the functionalization of the double bond in norbornene-containing compounds makes it possible to obtain a wide class of functional derivatives with potential chemical activity. The results of studies carried out by the authors of this review on the addition of acrylic acids to the derivatives of cyclo- and polycycloolefins are presented. Studies on the synthesis of the derivatives of acrylic esters of cyclohexene, norbornene, dicyclopentadiene and tetracyclododecene containing hydroxyl, alkoxy, carboxyl, as well as siloxane, isocyanate and other nitrogen-containing groups are considered. It has been shown that these compounds are reactive monomers for obtaining practically valuable polymers used in many industrial areas.

Optimal parameters for determining As by the photometric method have been established. Results of arsenic determination in rocks and soils by means of photometry are presented. This method is distinguished by the low detection limit (0.1 g/t) and economic efficiency in comparison with other modern analytical methods (atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma, and mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma). For rocks and soils containing organic matter, the applicability of the existing methods of acid decomposition and melting was evaluated. The results of As determination by means of photometry were compared with its certified contents in the State Standard Samples of rocks (SGKhM-1, SGKhM-3, SG-3, SZR-2, SKD-1, SGKh-1), and with the data obtained by means of mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma on volcanoclastic greywacke. The parameters of As determination by means of photometry were optimized. It is recommended to use the photometric method for mass determination of arsenic in rocks and soils.

Beneficiation of ilmenite ores from the Ha Tinh deposit (Vietnam) is studied by means of electromagnetic, electrostatic separation, and flotation. The dependences of the mass of the obtained magnetic fraction on the current strength and on benefication degree are determined for different numbers of the stages of magnetic separation. The conditions for the change in the concentration of the titanium product depending on the voltage on the electrodes in the process of electrostatic separation are studied. It is shown that separation brings the heavy magnetic fraction apart from the waste rock, while subsequent flotation provides a high efficiency of rutile separation from impurity components. For flotation concentration of the product after separation processes, it is established that process efficiency depends on titanium concentration in the product to be concentrated. As a result of beneficiation, ilmenite concentrate containing more than 50% TiO₂ is obtained, which meets the most stringent requirements of the market. The design of the laboratory facility and the fluorination reactor is described, as well as the materials used to manufacture them. The research methodology is described in detail. During the fluorination of the obtained concentrate with elemental fluorine, the dependences of conversion degree on the time and temperature of fluorination are investigated (S-shaped curves). It is determined that the process is complete (conversion degree is more than 98 %) within 5 min at 700 °C. The features of the fluorination of the obtained concentrate are analyzed on the basis of kinetic equations. The activation energy and preexponential factor in the Yander kinetic equation are determined. It is shown that fluorination kinetics are limited by diffusion processes (supply and removal of reagents) rather than by the rate of the chemical reaction itself.

Thorough investigation of the decomposition of eudialyte concentrate by means of sorption conversion in low-concentration sulphuric acid solutions is carried out. The effect of process conditions on the efficiency of decomposition of acid-soluble minerals from the concentrate and sorption of valuable metals and natural radionuclides from the concentrate by the sorbent is studied. It is shown that the sorption of rare earth elements, manganese, uranium and thorium, which are rather stable against hydrolysis under experimental conditions, is achieved within a broad range of process parameters. The optimal conditions for the sorption of zirconium (hafnium), niobium (tantalum) and titanium by the sorbent differ due to different hydrolytic stability of these elements in low-concentration acid solutions. The choice of optimal process conditions should be determined by economic reasonability because it is impossible to achieve a high recovery of all valuable components at the same time.

Two models of deconvolution of the first-order scattering Raman spectra of semi-coking solid products and initial coals of low metamorphism stage are compared. The results obtained by analyzing the spectra within both models are consistent with each other. It is shown that the I _D/ I _G parameter loses its informational value if additional functions describing the vibrations of C-C bonds with different types of carbon atom hybridization are used. Graphitization degree and the proportion of edge defects in graphite planes may be considered as the main numerical characteristics of imperfection in the carbon frame of low-metamorphised coal and the products of its pyrolysis.

Electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the effect of the cooling parameters of the melt obtained by reductive melting of the Chuktukon rare metal ore on the composition of the silicate and metal phases formed. The conditions for ore reduction and melt cooling are established, ensuring the predominant transition of iron, manganese, niobium and titanium into the metallic phase, and rare earth elements concentrating in the silicate phase, which is important for subsequent stages of ore processing. With relatively rapid cooling of the melt, the slag and metal parts of the system are homogeneous. In contrast, with a slow decrease in temperature, the formation of several phases with different chemical compositions is observed in both parts of the system.

The kinetics and mechanism of hydrogen evolution reaction on Mn₅Si₃ electrode in solutions x M H₂SO₄ + (0.5 - x ) M Na₂SO₄, where x = 0.5, 0.35, 0.20, 0.05, are studied by means of polarization and impedance measurements. It is established on the basis of direct- and alternating-current diagnostic criteria that hydrogen evolution reaction on manganese silicide (Mn₅Si₃) in sulphuric acid electrolyte proceeds via discharge - electrochemical desorption route. Both stages are irreversible, and the transfer coefficients of the stages are not equal. Adsorption of atomic hydrogen is described by the Langmuir isotherm. It is assumed that the hydrogen evolution reaction is complicated by the process of hydrogen absorption by the electrode material, proceeding with kinetic control (within the entire investigated potential range). The effect of a thin oxide film on the kinetics of hydrogen evolution on Mn₅Si₃ is noted at low cathodic polarizations. Keywords: manganese silicide Mn₅Si₃, hydrogen evolution reaction, sulphuric acid electrolyte, impedance

The production of many important carbon materials is currently based on the use of aromatic fractions of coal tar - a minor by-product in the production of metallurgical coke for the needs of ferrous metallurgy. Innovations to reduce the consumption of expensive metallurgical coke in blast furnace smelting and the priority development of the coke-free methods of steel production lead to a reduction in the output of coke-chemical products, which destabilizes the prospects for the production of important carbon materials, including those necessary for ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. The relevance of creating alternative methods for obtaining aromatic feedstock is substantiated. The potential of low-temperature coal processing by its thermosolvolysis with the production of concentrates of aromatic substances is shown. The possibility of their use as the raw material in the production of carbon anodes for the process of aluminum electrolysis is demonstrated.

To develop recommendations for the optimal consumption of food items considering the features of the Far North regions and the regional specificity of mineral composition, the content of 25 chemical elements was analyzed in the food items of local origin and those transported to the territory of the Magadan Region. It is determined that a portion of beef from cows grown in Magadan contains substantially higher amounts of calcium, sodium and phosphorus than beef samples brought from other regions. Locally produced beef liver contains higher concentrations of iron, iodine, manganese, and zinc. Locally produced pork contains significantly higher amounts of copper ( p = 0.01) and iron ( p = 0.1) in comparison with pork transported from other regions. Evaluation of microelement concentrations in vegetables in comparison with imported samples shows that local carrots contain higher selenium concentration, local cucumbers - higher potassium, copper, and manganese, beetroot is richer in selenium and zinc, with its portion being able to meet fully the daily demand for manganese. In all the analyzed vegetable samples imported from China, nickel content is higher than in local products. In addition, Chinese carrots contain reliably higher concentrations of boron and cobalt, tomatoes and cucumbers contain higher levels of chromium and vanadium, while silicon content is higher in vegetables from the Magadan Region. At the same time, neither of the examined samples exceeds the permissible levels of toxic elements.

The data on the ground temperature up to the depth of 650 m in a well with a restored thermal regime have been obtained for the first time for the Lena-Aldan interfluve. The abnormal permafrost thickness for this territory (750-780 m) has been determined by geothermal measurements. The change of ground temperature with depth displays the nonstationary contemporary regime of permafrost with the negative geothermal gradient up to a depth of 300 m. The permafrost thickness has been estimated and the possible reasons of its difference in relatively nearby areas are considered.

Temperature monitoring of permafrost near underground oil pipelines allow estimating a permafrost thawing depth under structures, predicting the soil temperature over time and predicting the time of emergency, in case the latter one will occur in the future. Permafrost temperature monitoring is carried out in close proximity to the oil pipeline and at depths below the bottom of the layer of seasonal temperature fluctuations. The results of monitoring are processed according to the methodology described in the article.

The results of experimental studies of the tangential frost heaving forces of clay and sandy soils in laboratory conditions on three installations with different single-plane shear rates at constant normal load are presented. The installations made it possible to perform conditionally instantaneous shift, long-term tests with the application of a stepwise shifting load and a shift at a constant speed. As a result of complex studies, the dependences of shear resistance or equivalent tangential forces of frost heaving of sand and loam on water content (from 10 to 28 %) and temperature (from 0 to -10 °C) on the metal surface have been established. An increase in soil water content and a decrease in soil temperature leads to an increase in the resistance to soil shear. The shear resistance of sand is up to 2 times higher than similar values for loam under identical shear conditions, temperature and water content. An increase in soil moisture leads to an increase in the contact area of soil particles through ice layers with a metal foundation and to an increase in the bonds between the particles as a result of an increase in the volume of ice. It is established that the resistance to conditionally instantaneous shear is up to 3 times higher than the values of extremely long-term shear resistance and shear at a constant speed under similar thermal humidity conditions.

The article provides analytical review of existing approaches and specific models for solving problems of freezing, thawing and frost heaving of soils. The authors analyzed about 100 published works of Russian and 100 works of foreign authors, including articles, monographs, dissertations, patents, conference proceedings, scientific reports. Special attention in the analysis of the physical formulation of mathematical models is paid to taking into account the mechanism of heat and mass transfer, ice segregation, phase transitions of pore water, the formation of deformations and forces of frost heaving of frozen soils.

The analysis of differences in the structure of drifting ice ridges and ice ridges in the landfast ice was carried out on the basis of information obtained during research work done by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in 2007-2019 in the Kara and Laptev Seas. The studies were carried out using thermal water drilling with logger recording of the penetration rate. The main attention was focused on the distribution of ice ridge porosity and the thickness of the consolidated layer. The unconsolidated part of the ice ridge keel and its compaction in the process of ice ridge formation under the action of the Archimedes force were considered. It was revealed that the ice ridges in the landfast ice differed from drifting ice ridges in their somewhat smaller geometric dimensions, but in steeper sail and keel slopes, as well as in a different keel/sail ratio (3.1 versus 3.6). In the landfast ice ridges the porosity of the unconsolidated part of the keel was lower than in drifting ice ridges (by 6 % on average). It was confirmed that the gradual decrease in the porosity of the unconsolidated part of the keel of the ice ridges in the landfast ice was caused by the under-ice currents.

The last catastrophic debris flow disaster took place in Tajikistan in the Barsemdara River valley in 2015. The aim of this study was to apply chain modeling to consider debris flow characteristics of 2015 year. This approach has also been applied to assess potential flood prone zones for future debris flows. To consider the characteristics of debris flow in the source, the transport-shift model, developed by Yu.B. Vinogradov was applied. Based on this model, debris flow hydrographs were obtained and used as input data for valley zoning based on the FLO-2D model. So, for scenario I, the debris flow discharge of the forward wave was used as the input hydrograph (maximum -1630 m³/s), the II scenario - the debris flow discharge at the source outlet (maximum 650 m³/s). The digital elevation model ALOS PALSAR (12.5 m) was used as the relief data. Since there are no rheological data, the modeling was carried out using several sets of parameters. The simulated debris flow discharges based on the most realistic option for I scenario varied from 1494 to 2860 m³/s for individual waves. Additionally, the authors carried out modeling using digital elevation model from an unmanned aerial vehicle obtained during the survey in 2019. The results showed that the considered approach makes it possible to estimate the boundaries of both actual and potential flood prone zones.

This paper has described the role and contribution of P.I. Melnikov, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences; N.A. Tsytovich, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences; N.I. Saltykov, Professor, and V.F. Zhukov, Candidate of Technical Sciences, to construction of the Yakutsk Combined Heat and Power Plant. These outstanding figures known for their pioneering researches in different fields of permafrost science and engineering were actively and directly involved in the construction project, including the planning and design, foundation analysis, site investigation, foundation construction, and post-construction monitoring. The foundation condition at the plant site, the causes for talik development and the dynamics of talik distribution during the period of authors’ observations have been discussed. The reasons of the quite stable state of all the plant’s facilities despite the widespread talik occurrence have been adduced.

The research was carried out within the framework of the “Flora of Uzbekistan” project. In connection with the critical revision of the species of the families Heliotropiaceae and Boraginaceae of the flora of Uzbekistan, the herbarium materials stored in the Herbariums LE, MW, TASH, AA, TAD, NS, NSK, TK, P were studied. Heliotropiaceae is represented by 2 genera and 15 species and the family Boraginaceae by 31 genera and 118 species distributed in 10 tribes. The largest number of species is represented by genera from the tribes Eritrichieae (31) and Cynoglosseae (25). The tribe Lithospermeae (21) is distinguished by the specificity of the species composition. Species of family Heliotropiaceae and small tribes Trichodesmeae (3), Heterocaryinae (6), Myosotideae (9) emphasize the ancient nature of the flora of the republic. Representatives of the tribes Boragineae (8) and Echieae (3) were either introduced in ancient times, naturalized and occupy vast areas, or occupy weedy habitats. When comparing the taxonomic composition of borage in Uzbekistan with the composition of genera and species of the neighboring republics of Central Asia, it was found that the borage flora of Turkmenistan and Tadjikistan is characterized by the closest composition. When analyzing the ranges of all species found on the territory of Uzbekistan, three chorological groups with 14 types of ranges were identified. It is shown that the Iranian-Turanian chorological group determines the specifics of the species composition of borage in Uzbekistan, and the Holarctic chorological group emphasizes the diversity and diversity of both autochthonous and allochthonous representatives of the flora. Ecological analysis shows that landscapes are widely represented in Uzbekistan, found in deserted mountain steppes in black forest, juniper, semi-savannah and shilyak belts at altitudes up to 2500 m. 39 species of borage grow in these communities. On the territory of Uzbekistan, xerophytic and cryoxerophytic lines of evolution were noted in families - 119 species, with a slight participation of mesophytic and cryomesophytic - 14 species. The flora is dominated by biennial monocarpics and ephemera - 70 species and herbaceous polycarpics - 63 species.

Tripolium genus is represented by the only species Tripolium pannonicum (Jacq.) Dobrocz. The individuals of this species feature variable morphological characters due to wide distribution area of the species covering vast territory from the Atlantic coast of Europe through the Pacific Ocean. As a typical halophyte, it grows in azonal communities of several latitude zones. The study was based on the analysis of morphological characters which used to be diagnostic in distinguishing between the closely related taxa: T. pannonicum (Jacq.) Dobrocz. subsp. tripolium (L.) Greuter. (T. vulgare s. str.) and T. pannonicum (Jacq.) Dobrocz. subsp. pannonicum. The significance of morphological diagnostic characters in protologs and subsequent botanical literature is discussed. Such morphological characters as presence/absence of heterocarpy and stem branching pattern are stated to be independent of geographical distribution of populations. They rather represent an adaptive character of propagation in annual plants of Tripolium pannonicum (Jacq.) Dobrocz. under variable environmental conditions of under flooding zone.

Determining the spatial distribution of rare fungal species is critical to understanding the environmental factors that affect them. Maximum entropy (MaxEnt) spatial distribution modeling solves this problem by allowing inferences about species distribution and ecological resistance from occurrence data. Using this method, we mapped the current and potential geographic distribution of the rare species G. melanocephalum. To establish the regularities in the geographical distribution of the studied species in Siberia, we created its distribution models using Wordclim bioclimatic variables and the MaxEnt software. We modelled the species’ habitat suitability under current conditions (~1950-2000 AD) and in a future climate (2100 AD) based on 11 records of the species’ spatial distribution. Most localities of G. melanocephalum in Siberia are 200-500 meters above sea level. The optimal climatic conditions for G. melanocephalum in Siberia are typical of the habitats represented in the Kazakh forest-steppe, South Siberian forest-steppe, and hemiboreal forests of Western Siberia, in the zone of contact between the plains and foothills.

The Russian Far East has large areas of natural and semi-natural ecosystems. With the intensification of economic activity, it is necessary here a new look at the environmental policy with a focus on increasing the value of nature and its resources. The work consisted of converting a geo-botanical map into a habitat map. Habitats are presented in categories of “significance” and “value”. For all habitats are available floristic, ecological and biotope characteristics. The study area is a part of the Amur-Zeya plain. It is limited by geographical coordinates: 128°07 -128°23 north latitude and 51°25 -51°34 east longitude. It is part of the territory of advanced social and economic development “Svobodny”. The vegetation has been largely modified by humans. There are practically no native plant communities left here (pine, oak-pine, black birch-pine and black birch-oak-pine forests with larch). At present, secondary forest communities (oak, black birch, white birch) and their re-generative series grow here. The flora of the studied area includes 430 species of vascular plants. The list of fungi is represented by 267 species of macromycetes. The plant communities include 20 rare species of vascular plants listed in the Red Books of the Russian Federation (2008) and the Amur Region (2020). Plant communities are the main indicator of habitat, and their boundaries mark habitat boundaries. Habitats were divided into 5 groups: valuable, significant, moderately significant, insignificant and disturbed. In addition, the compliance of biotopes with the European habitat classification EUNIS was taken into account. Valuable habitats occupy 3 % of the total area on the habitat map. They include habitats of particular importance for the protection and the conservation of biological and landscape diversity. The significant habitats occupy 17 % of the total area. They include the Upper Amur forests (pine, oak and oak-black birch forests), mari, swamps and coastal aq-uatic vegetation, which have signs of standard natural communities. Moderately significant habitats account for 22 % of the territory. They belong also to natural communities, but have signs of disturbance. The insignificant habitats occupy 21 % of the total area. Species diversity decreases significantly here. Disturbed habitats occupy the largest areas (37 %).

It is reported about 10 new adventive species for the Novosibirsk region: ergasiophytes Berberis thunbergii, Brassica oleracea, Crataegus pinnatifida var. major, Eutrochium maculatum, Malus domestica, Prunus maackii, Sorghum drummondii, Tagetes erecta, and ergasioxenophyte Setaria italica. New localities of xenophytes Lolium multiflorum, Medicago sativa subsp. varia, Silene noctiflora and ergasiophytes Amelanchier humilis, Malus prunifolia, Mentha suaveolens, Physocarpus opulifolius, Tanacetum parthenium, which are rarely found in the Novosibirsk region, have been noted.

The article presents new data on the distribution of two associations of the class Epilobietea angustifolii Tx. et Preising ex von Rochow 1951 in the South Urals (Torilidetum japonicae Lohmeyer ex Görs et Müller 1969, Urtico dioicae-Chamaenerietum angustifolii Likhanova et Zheleznova 2021) and the association Artemisio nitrosae- Puccinellietum tenuissimae Korolyuk 1993 Korolyuk 1993 class Festuco-Puccinellietea Soó ex Vicherek 1973) in Western Siberia.