Home – Home – Jornals – Avtometriya 2023 number 2

A method of adaptive quantization of discrete wavelet transform coefficients in the JPEG2000 standard, based on the algorithm of search and identification of small image structures, which are distinguished by human vision, is proposed. The method of image block classification by structure features and the identification algorithm of coefficients of block transformation in sub-bands of the discrete wavelet transform are described. A description of the adaptive quantization algorithm and recommendations on tuning the quantizer parameters for high image sharpness are given. Experimental estimates of the efficiency of compression of photorealistic images with different detail are provided, which allow conclusions about the advantages of the new method in comparison with analogues to be drawn and recommendations for its further development in intelligent video systems to be given.

We analyses the issues with processing data obtained from a 3d X-ray microtomograph when dealing with problem diagnosis and classification of defects in radio-electronic devices. It is proposed to use neural network methods and regularizing splines for solving the problem. A comparative analysis of neural network and spline methods is carried out in solving problems of recovering heavily noisy signals. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is studied by numerical simulation methods and in the processing of real data.

In this paper, the maximum detection range of the various chessboard corners detection algorithms is compared. The requirements to the minimum square size for detecting the internal corners of a chessboard are determined. Formulae for determining the maximum distance to a chessboard of a known size and the smallest detectable size of a chessboard for a given distance are proposed

A method is proposed for fast selection of bandwidths of kernel functions in the nonparametric estimation of a two-dimensional random variable with dependent components. The method is based on the results of the analysis of the asymptotic properties of the Rosenblatt-Parsen kernel probability density estimation. The properties of a fast algorithm for bandwidth selecting in the considered nonparametric estimation of the probability density are investigated.

A model of the formation of a hyperspectral image by a space-scanning system due to the translational motion of the unmanned aerial vehicle on which it is installed is considered. The relationship between the angular deviation of the aircraft roll and the nature of geometric distortions of the hyperspectral image lines formed is determined. An algorithm of correction of introduced distortions according to the data of the inertial navigation system is presented. The results of modeling and processing of real images reveal acceptable correction quality and computational simplicity of the developed algorithm.

A new method of high-precision positioning of mobile objects moving along program trajectories, based on the processing of satellite navigation measurements using robust filtering algorithms, has been proposed. The method is based on the possibility of approximating (in particular, using electronic maps) the program trajectory of an object with a set of trajectory intervals with known analytical dependencies of navigation parameters, as well as the use of robust stochastic filtering methods that take into account the characteristic dynamics of the object and the uncertain nature of the type of interference distributions of Doppler and code satellite measurements. Integration of electronic map information providing high accuracy of trajectory binding and algorithms of robust nonlinear filtering of satellite measurements optimal by the criterion of the minimum nonlinear function of measurement mismatch determined by the class of interference distributions of Doppler and code measurements has been carried out. This makes it possible to significantly reduce computing costs, while significantly improving the accuracy of object positioning. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated by a numerical example.

It is found that, for some non-autonomous methods of navigation in space, there are autonomous methods “symmetrical” to them, in which all measurements are carried out only from the board of the spacecraft whose position is determined. In this case, the measurement results obtained in the corresponding non-autonomous methods are reproduced. Since the instant of obtaining the same type of measurements, processing in both "symmetric" methods is carried out according to identical algorithms. Two pairs of such methods are considered. The difference in the degree of "symmetry" and the possibility of using intermediate data for processing observations are discussed.

A single-position hybrid method of bearing-free passive location of a moving source of pulsed periodic radio signal emission is proposed. The method takes into account temporal and energy measurements. The method is valid for all directions of target motion along both straight-line and curvilinear trajectories. No current estimation of the Doppler frequency is required; the time shift and relative power generated by the period evolution and signal level at the observation point serve as measured parameters. Issues related to determining the range and other parameters of motion, computational correctness, and accuracy characteristics are considered. Practical considerations and a numerical example are provided.

The previously developed methodology for constructing automated process control systems for the production of coaxial communication cables extends to solving the problems of synthesizing digital controlled systems for automating technological processes for the manufacture of radio frequency cables, including data cables, on which structured cable wiring systems are built for the implementation of local computer systems. The methodology of a new approach to optimizing the control of multilevel "bottom-up" systems, implemented on in-loop and inter-loop digital controllers, providing global optimization by generalized indicators of control quality, is described. These criteria, in contrast to typical optimization criteria, make it possible to achieve the best performance characteristics of the manufactured cable products, which is ensured by the optimal tuning of digital regulators according to the simulation model of the controlled system.

To study specific features of stabilization of optical radiation in a turbulent atmosphere, a model of jitter of the image formed by radiation in the focal plane is created. The image is characterized by wavefront slopes. Approaches to modeling the wavefront slopes and methods for estimating the image formed by radiation in the focal plane of the recording device are outlined. Statistical studies include the calculation of the coordinates of the energy center of gravity of the focal spot by various algorithms depending on the parameters of a random phase screen that defines turbulent inhomogeneities, their intensities, and locations on the radiation propagation path. The results of experiments on stabilization of optical radiation on the stand of an adaptive optics system are presented.

The spectrum of the ¹⁵N¹⁶O molecule in the region 5200-5500 сm^-1 is recorded and analyzed. As a result of the analysis, 150 Λ-doublets of vibration-rotational lines are found in the 3-0 band of the main transitions between the ²Π_1/2 and ²Π_3/2 electronic states. For 108 of them, when the splitting value was greater than 4.5 × 10^-13 сm^-1, it was possible to obtain the positions and relative intensities of each component of the doublet, while the self-expansion parameter was fixed to the value from HITRAN2020, and the intensities of the components e and f were considered equal. The maximum of the rotational quantum number J was 30.5. The frequencies of the transitions recorded, weighted in accordance with the experimental uncertainties, were processed by the program code using the non-linear least squares method. As a result of processing, the spectroscopic constants for the v = 3 vibrational state of the ¹⁵N¹⁶O isotopologue are found. The Λ-doubling constants for this state are determined for the first time. The results are compared with the well-known database of spectroscopic information HITRAN2020.

Today, the gas-adsorption porosimetry technique is standard for determining the pore sizes of nanoporous materials. However, it requires liquid nitrogen, and measurements take a long time. We have suggested a spectroscopic technique for determining the pore diameters of nanoporous silicon materials from the absorption spectra of water adsorbed in a material (Atmos. Ocean. Opt. 2021. V. 34, N 6. P. 542-546). In this work, this technique is used to measure the pore size of zeolites. The pore sizes of five samples are estimated with the use of the regression analysis. The values obtained by the spectroscopic technique are in a good agreement with measurements by the standard one: the error of the spectroscopic technique is less than 10%. In terms of speed, the spectroscopic technique exceeds the standard one by dozens of times. The spectroscopic technique can also be applied to determining the static water capacity of materials.

The results obtained at Institute of Atmospheric Optics SB RAS and abroad in studying the broadening and shifts of H₂O absorption lines by monatomic gases He, Ar, Kr, and Xe are reviewed. The experimental studies at IAO SB RAS were carried out in the spectral range 3200-11200 cm^-1 using a Bruker IFS 125 Fourier spectrometer. The broadening and shift coefficients were measured for the lines of 24 vibrational bands with maxim of vibrational quantum numbers v₁ = 3, v₂ = 6, and v₃ = 3 and of rotational quantum numbers J = 14 and K_a = 8. The calculations were carried out by the semiclassical method using effective vibrationally dependent potentials. The experimental and calculated values of the broadening and shift coefficients are compared. Using the analytical model γ(sur), available experimental data on the broadening coefficients are analyzed, and their incompatibility is revealed in some cases. The model parameters γ(sur) are determined which allow generating the coefficients of broadening of H₂O absorption lines by He, Ar, Kr, and Xe atoms in the range 350-14000 cm^-1.

The work analyzes the spatial distribution of carbon dioxide over the seas of the Russian sector of the Arctic based on the results of the comprehensive experiment conducted in September 2020. It turned out that during the experiment, the concentration of CO₂ increased from west to east. The minimum 396 ppm was over the Barents Sea, and the maximum, over the Chukchi Sea - 4106 ppm. The difference in concentrations between a level of 200 m and the free troposphere reached -156 ppm over the Barents Sea and decreased to -56 ppm over the Laptev Sea. Over the eastern seas, the difference generally became positive, which was associated with the air transfer from Alaska. Above the waters of most seas, horizontal heterogeneity in the distribution of carbon dioxide was observed, reflecting the regional features of its assimilation by the ocean and transfer from the continent.

Carbon monoxide (CO) total column (TC) measurements of the TROPOMI high-resolution orbital spectrometer have been validated by ground-based spectroscopic measurements at sites of the A.M. Obukhov Institute of Atmoshperic Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, in Moscow and Zvenigorod for the period from June 28, 2018, to December 31, 2021. Correlation coefficients ( R ) between TROPOMI orbital data and ground-based stationary data are determined and analyzed. The high values of the correlation coefficient are obtained ( R ~ 0.81-0.97) depending on the observation point, spatial averaging, and filtration applied. For different averaging of satellite data, the dependences of correlation parameters on the orbital angles, underlying surface albedo, and the height of atmospheric boundary layer are investigated. No influence of albedo on the correlation parameters of orbital and ground-based measurements is found for both observation sites. No significant dependence of correlation parameters on the viewing zenith angle is detected either. However, the correlation coefficients depend on the viewing azimuthal angles and the height of the atmospheric boundary layer. An increase in the correlation is obtained during observations at viewing azimuthal angles of less than 40° (up to R ~ 0.97), as well as under an increase in the height of the atmospheric boundary layer (up to R ~ 0.90).

The snow cover pollution in Kyzyl in 2013-2021 is analyzed based on remote sensing data. Software scripts are created in the GEE software environment; NDSI, S3, and SCI indices are calculated. Maps of the annual average value of NDSI are constructed; the degree of contamination of the territory is determined. It is found that the areas with NDSI < 0.3 weakly changed in 2013-2021: it was minimal in 2015 and 2017 and maximal (0.68%) in 2018. The NDSI values from 0.3 to 0.45 (more than 64% of the total territory under study) prevailed from 2014 to 2017.

Quantitative estimates of regional features of the frequency distribution of extreme temperature, precipitation, and wind anomalies in the winter months in the extratropical zone of the Northern Hemisphere associated with atmospheric circulation regimes in the Euro-Atlantic sector are obtained. Using the k-means cluster analysis for the daily geopotential height fields from the ERA5 reanalysis for 1979-2021 four winter atmospheric circulation regimes are identified in the Euro-Atlantic sector corresponding to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in the positive (NAO+) and negative (NAO-) phases, Scandinavian blocking (SCAND), and regime with anomalously high pressure over the North Atlantic and low pressure over Europe (ATL). Characteristic fields and frequencies of occurrence of the regimes are analyzed. The NAO+ and NAO- regimes turned out to be asymmetric in the spatial structure with significantly different frequencies of occurrence (33% and 19%, respectively). Spatial distributions of the frequencies of occurrence of extreme weather anomalies associated with the regimes are also asymmetric. For all regimes, an asymmetric frequency of occurrence of positive and negative temperature anomalies is noted. During the period under study, no statistically significant trends in the seasonal frequency of the regimes and no large areas with statistically significant trends in the average seasonal fields of the regimes near the areas of geopotential height anomalies maxima are found, which can indicate the stability of these regimes under recent climate changes.

A method is suggested for classifying weather forecast ensemble members and identifying the set of the ensemble members which most likely reflects the future state of the atmosphere. The first forecast month of the ensemble is used for the comparison between every selected class and observation data in order to identify the most realistic scenario of the development of atmospheric processes. The best class is used for prediction of the sea level pressure and surface temperature anomaly fields for the next month. The method suggested allows improving the quality of forecasts for north-west of the Russian Federation and the Arctic.

The mechanisms of the formation of ozone mini-holes (OMHs) and their influence on the levels of UV radiation (UVR) over May 22-24, 2021, in the middle and southern parts of the Volga region and the south of the Urals and Western Siberia and over March 16-18, 2022, in the northwest of the European of Russia are studied using data from the AIRS satellite infrared spectrometer and NCEP reanalysis. It is shown that the formation of these OMHs is due to the increase in the tropopause level associated with the anticyclone and the transfer of low-ozone air masses from the subtropics. In the first period of the OMH, negative total ozone (TO) anomalies were up to ~ 20% of the average values from 2003 to 2021, and positive UVR anomalies attained 40-60%, the UV index increased from ~ 6 to ~ 8. In the second period, in the region of the OMH with negative TO anomalies up to ~ -40%, positive UVR anomalies attained 40-60%, and the UV index increased from ~ 1 to ~ 2. Calculations with an original spectral model, which allows solving the transport equation at a single point, confirmed the increase in UVR revealed in satellite observations in the OMH regions.

The efficiency of monostatic and bistatic schemes of the formation of a laser guide staris is analyzed on the basis of the correlation theory of Gaussian random processes. In the focal plane of a ground-based optical telescope, the position of a natural star relative to the measured instantaneous position of a laser guide star is calculated based on Pearson's linear regression. An expression is derived for the correlation coefficient of random angular displacements of images of a natural star and a laser guide star. Based on this expression, the normalized dispersion of uncompensated (residual) angular errors is determined. The results of calculations for monostatic and bistatic schemes of the formation of a laser guide star are presented, which make it possible to estimate and compare their efficiency.

The data inferred from a new key section in the basin of the Vilyuy river allowed us to examine the structural-faces features and absolute age of cross-layered sandy-loam sediments of the D’olkuminskaya series distributed in Central Yakutia in a wide hypsometric range. These deposits had formed in the period from the latest Kargin thermochron to the beginning of the Holocene (between 35 ka and 12-10 ka BP) under the overwhelming conditions of severe desiccation and desertification of the area. During the Boreal optimum of the Holocene, the soil-vegetation cover had largely provided for the stabilization of dune covers. The formation of the contemporary moving-dune massifs had taken place not more than one thousand years ago and had been directly linked with the climatic events of the Little Ice Age.

The study has been focused on the thermal regime of peat soils (fibrist histosols) of palsa bogs and peat plateaus in northern West Siberia. Autonomous loggers recorded temperature for 343 days every hour to a depth up to 60 cm in palsas and 120 cm in hollows (pools, lawns) in four mire ecosystems: the forest tundra hollow and palsa, and the northern taiga hollow and palsa. The data on the mean daily temperature, the mean annual temperature, the extremes, the annual amplitude, the active layer dynamics, the sums of positive and negative temperatures at different depths have been adduced. The established differences in the thermal regimes of soils were due to the differences in the ecosystems of mires, rather than in bioclimatic zones they belong to. The high-latitude mires have the largest impact on the annual amplitude and temperature parameters obtained for the cold period.

Long-term and seasonal variations in major- and trace-element compositions of groundwaters in anthropogenic cryopegs stripped by boreholes in unconsolidated alluvial sediments have been monitored for thirty years at a site within Yakutsk city. Suprapermafrost cryopegs became less saline for the past five to seven years as a result of climate change in many previous years. The obtained data on chemistry and flow dynamics of groundwaters indicate enhanced hydraulic connectivity of cryopegs in the active layer. The ongoing ground temperature warming will lead to general decrease in the contents of highly soluble salts in suprapermafrost cryopegs and to increase in trace element abundances in pore waters.

The paper presents the estimates of evident ground ice contained in the permafrost of the Tien Shan Mountains based on the available geocryological maps of various scales. The maps represent patterns of permafrost distribution reflected in the regional structures depending on geocryological zonality. Using the data on the areal extent, thickness and ice content of permafrost, the volumes of permafrost and ground ice have been determined. It has been revealed that the largest volumes of ground ice occur in active rock glaciers and recent moraines. The volume of glaciers relative to that of ground ice has been ascertained to decrease signifi cantly due to the glacial degradation.

The spatial distribution of soil СO2 efflux measured at Novyi Urengoy station in southern tundra (Taz Peninsula) is determined by the soil volumetric moisture content and water-extractable organic carbon and with elevations above sea level. The contents of soil water-extractable and microbial biomass carbon are highly variable over the territory. The spatial distribution of the soil microbial carbon content partly depends on organic layer thickness and soil moisture, which are responsible for 19 % and 8 % of its variance, respectively. The environmental factors of active layer thickness, soil volumetric moisture, and soil surface temperature are relatively stable as the soil and vegetation covers are homogeneous while the soil organic layer is thin.

Changes in the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) of glacier systems have been studied in the Suntar-Khayata, Chersky and Orulgan mountains, as well as over the whole territory of Northeastern Siberia, for three periods of time: 1930-1960, 1961-1990 and 1991-2012. Northeastern Siberia has undergone warming in the 21st century which became more rapid than in the previous fi fty years. Records at most weather stations show increasing trends in mean annual and summer air temperatures and in total atmospheric precipitation but a decreasing trend in solid precipitation. The climate change has led to a rise of glacier ELA almost all over the Northeastern Siberia and to an increase in ablation which is in balance with accumulation at this altitude. The ELA rise is from 100 to 450 mm, 200 ± 50 m on average, while the ablation (accumulation) increase is 50 to 250 mm in different periods. The glacier parameters inferred from climatic data are background values, which provide a general idea of current and potential changes in glacier systems in this poorly studied region.

The results of measurement of snow cover density for the period from 2005 to 2017. The data on snow density have been obtained during regular observations carried out on a stationary horizontal sites located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and during field work. 227 snow pits have been sampled, and more than 2,000 values of snow density for different snow layers have been analyzed. Data on distribution of snow density in different landscapes have been compiled and structured. The maximum density of snow is typical for treeless regions with dominating strong winds. Typical densities for specific snow structure have been revealed. The density of snow layers have been found to vary depending on the type of snow in the range from 40 kg/m³ (newly fallen snow) up to 790 kg/m³ (ice crust).

The current structure of the types of forest exploitation is determined having regard to the natural and socioeconomic preconditions as well as highlighting the problems and prospects of their development. The most promising kinds of activity are identified in the sphere of harvesting food forest resources and their processing, recreation, hunting management and hunting and growing of planting material of forest plants. The study revealed the main problems in forest exploitation associated with the existence of definite natural conditions and resources as well as with the socioeconomic characteristics of territorial development, and with the requirements of normative-legal legislation on the protection of Lake Baikal. Emphasis is placed on a significant increase in areas of leased forest ranges (by a factor of 3.2), and in the number of contracts signed (by a factor of 1.3). The process of studying the problems used the method of statistical analysis, collected, summarized and interpreted information and generated the information base for the kinds of activity. The findings can be useful in developing programs of territorial planning, and normative-legal documents on governance of the kinds of forest management in the central ecological zone.

We examine the scientific problem of studying the interrelationships of population distribution and dynamics and develop ment of the human potential in Cisbaikalia in conditions of the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory. The inter relationships of territorial and functional development of local systems of population distribution are determined. Territorial tendencies and problems of population distribution and demographic development of Cisbaikalia are revealed by using a statisti cal and a cartographic method. The characteristics of the natural and migration movements of the population are compared in the spatiotemporal context. The population dynamics has been calculated displayed cartographically at the level of municipal formations for 2010-2016. The technique, developed by these authors, was used in calculating the Human Development Index both componentwise (education, health, and per capita income) and integrally. An assessment is made of the current human potential of municipal formations in Cisbaikalia as a crucial factor of territorial development. We determined the main tenden cies and problems of changes in the demographic situation on the study territory which imply a decrease in the population size due to the migration outflow beyond the region, and to the gradual ageing of the population.

This paper provides an overview of the main facilities of social infrastructure and considers their distribution in the Irkutsk-related area of the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory. It is pointed out that this territory with a special modality of economic management serves as the life-sustaining environment for the local population requiring adequate living conditions. Attention is drawn to the fact that the social infrastructure is an important sustainability parameter of the population distribution system. It is found that the main elements of the social infrastructure are far from being present in every settlement. It is emphasized that a large number of settlements are at significant distances from services centers so that access to social infrastructure facilities is reduced. Centers and settlements with a different development level of the social infrastructure are identified: district-level centers, grassroots-level centers of municipal formations, settlements with a minimal set of institutions of social infrastructure as well as settlements not having such institutions. Different investigation techniques have been used, namely the statistical and cartographic methods, and field investigations.

This paper focuses on the process of tourism development at Baikal in the competitive field of ecological and economic priorities. The crucial development factors for the Baikal region as a world-level tourist destination: a rapid development of the global system of international tourism, a critical need in the sector for new territories with a high natural-recreation potential as well as the foreign-policy and domestic-economy conditions facilitating domestic tourism development in Russia. Critical indica tors of development of the territorial tourism system are pointed out, among them the volume and structure of tourist flows, characteristics of the tourist infrastructure, including the number and capacity of accommodation facilities. Analysis of data for 1974-2014 bears witness to the formation of the Baikal-centered tourism system. The study identified more than 40 zones of recreational development, most of which are concentrated at settlements with a low population size. A characteristic of the land reserves of the Baikal natural territory is provided according to the development potential of the most suitable kinds of recre ational activity. It is established that an expansion of the tourism system within the boundaries of the central ecological zone would create the conditions for incorporation of territories at a distance from the shores which have been previously considered promising for tourism.

We examine the scientific-methodological foundations and applied issues of territorial planning and determine the principles of tourist-recreational organization of the territory. On their basis, we developed the schemes of planning structure and func tional zoning of the territory of the Sarma scientific-training ground (STG). Identification of the planning elements took into account the natural, historical-cultural, socioeconomic and tourist-recreational characteristics of the territory, and the land owners and users. The STG is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal in Priol’khonie, in the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory. Most of the STG does not form part of the specially protected natural territories but, according to the pattern of use and the regime of environmental protection, it has much in common with national parks. In this connection, the principles of territorial planning being used in national parks is taken as a basis in carrying out the planning organization of the STG. The spaces that do not form part of the specially protected natural territories in the central ecological zone occupy more than half its area and are actively used for tourist-recreational, scientific and educational purposes; however, they are almost no documents on their territorial planning. The documents developed in this study are essential in organizing recreational, ecological-educational and scientific activities not only on the Sara STG but also on other similar sites where special environ mental and economic restrictions are in effect.

We provide an overview of the cultural heritage sites of federal and regional significance within the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory that refer to different historical epochs. A historical-cultural zoning of the central ecological zone is suggested for the first time on the basis of analyzing the landscape and historical-cultural aspects. We consider and analyze the territorial and quantitative distribution of the sites for the Southern-Baikal, Olkhon, Ust’-Selenga, Barguzin and Northern-Baikal historical-cultural zones that are characterized by particularly peculiar landscape features which can be taken into account when developing recommendations regarding the pattern and methods of recreational use. It is established that the cultural heritage sites serve as a major factor for tourism development on the Baikal natural territory. It is determined that a special attractiveness is provided by the cultural heritage sites of federal significance as well as by the sites with clearly pronounced ground-based structures. The study revealed the current importance of generating the database on cultural heritage sites in conditions of formation of contemporary ecologically oriented land use.

We examine the ecological-economic problems and conflicts in the sphere of land use, water use and recreational activity related to the characteristic features of the normative-legal and administrative regulation of nature management on the Baikal natural territory. Among them are the prohibition of the transfer of lands of forest reserves occupied by protective forests to lands of other categories, including lands of settlements; problems of state registration of the property rights to tracts of land that are included on the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and allotment of tracts of land for dacha non-commercial partnerships; the prohibition of the disposal of industrial and consumption waste in the central and water-protection zone, and other restrictions. The significance of the supporting infrastructure (construction of pollution control facilities, garbage gathering areas, etc.) for the development of tourist-recreational activity is illustrated by specific examples. Problems with the development of the natural environment monitoring system are highlighted.

Presented are the data of monitoring of power generation facilities located in the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory. For specifying the location and classification of the power grid facilities, thermal and diesel electric power plants and boilers we developed the information system for the power generation infrastructure in the central ecological zone. It is found that most consumers in the central ecological zone receive electricity in a centralized manner from the power systems of Irkutsk and the Republic of Buryatia and that there are only some local areas of autonomous electric power supply. It is established that the most severe impact on the natural environment in the zone comes from the boilers, and from the Baikalsk thermal power station. Furthermore, the boilers of Irkutsk oblast use almost all kinds of energy resources. In the Republic of Buryatia, coal is the main type of fuel. On the basis of systematized data on the capacity series of the boilers, and on the type and characteristics of fuels, we calculated the volume and ingredient composition of air emissions of pollutants. Among the areas of the central ecological zone, the largest emissions from the power generation facilities correspond to the Severo-Baikal’skii district of the Republic of Buryatia, and to the Slyudyanskii district of Irkutsk oblast. We compiled the list of a possible mitigation of the anthropogenic load on the natural environment in the central ecological zone, including a modernization of boiler equipment, the transfer to ecologically clean types of fuel (natural gas, and timber processing waste), the use of electric energy for heat-supply purposes, and the use of renewable energy sources (geothermal, solar and wind power stations, and heat pumps).

Presented are the results of investigations made as part of the R&D program «Investigation of the negative impact of emis sions and discharges of harmful (polluting) substances on the Baikal natural territory, and working-out of scientifically groun ded recommendations for their regulation». An assessment is made of changes in the amount of emissions from the organized stationary sources in the settlements of the Baikal natural territory. Motor transport emissions are calculated for settlements and along the federal Irkutsk - Ulan-Ude motor road. It is determined that the, in general, study territory does not show any sub stantial increase in pollutants emissions from stationary sources; motor transport emissions tend to increase because of an increase of the automobile fleet. Pollutions are assessed for the types of economic activity affecting the state of the atmospheric air of Baikal’s ecosystem. It is established that the largest contribution to pollutants emissions on the Baikal natural territory is made by the production and distribution of electric energy, gas and water as well as by transport and communication lines, manufac turing industries, and mining of minerals. We calculated the emissions from stove heating in settlements located in the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory. Mathematical models and snow survey data have been used in assessing the volumes of main pollutants depositing on the lake surface.

For purposes of ensuring the switch-over to the new system of ecological standardization based on setting ecosystem normative of environmental quality and using the best available technologies, we examine the need to improve the techniques and methods of standardization of admissible impacts on the ecosystem of Lake Baikal. A study is made of the negative influence of discharges of harmful (polluting) substances on the unique ecological system of Lake Baikal. The scientific substantiation has been developed for the normative of maximum permissible impacts on the lake’s ecological system and the methods of determining them. On the basis of a statistical processing of hydrobiological and hydrochemical data for Lake Baikal, collection and analysis of initial information on the main components of the chemical balance in Lake Baikal, assessments of the anthropogenic load on the lake, and calculations of the balances of pollutants, we determined the normative of permissible impacts on the ecosystems of Baikal and its hollows (Southern, Middle, and Northern) regarding inputs of chemical substances and suspended solids as well as microorganisms.

An assessment is made of the hydrogeological situation on the industrial site of the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM) in the mode of operation of the enterprise. A profound transformation of the natural hydrogeochemical and thermal fields has been ascertained, resulting in the formation of contrasting (in mineralization, composition (sulfate and carbonate) and alkali-acid state)) groundwater with a temperature of 20-50 °C. The structure of the hydrogeochemical anomaly has been analyzed. It is ascertained that it undergoes intra-annual changes in the magnitude of mineralization and, partly, in composition. A series of discrete hydrogeochemical logging surveys showed that at the period of infiltration recharge the mineralization decreases to 1 g/L, and the composition approaches a sulfate-hydrocarbonate composition. During production shutdown intervals there occurs a clearly pronounced effect of piston-like displacement of polluted waters by the transit runoff: the maximum of mineralization is shifted right up to the discharge boundary, Lake Baikal. It is found that the transport of pollutants with the groundwater flow to Lake Baikal occurs with an attenuation in depth. Zonal experimental-seepage investigations showed that the profile totaling 50 m in thickness exhibits four approximately equivalent intervals with the effective velocity (from top to bottom) of 1.9; 0.84; 0.30 and 0.15 m/day. Thus it has been determined that 63 % of the most polluted groundwater flow is discharged trough the upper interval, and a mere 10 % through the two lower (least polluted) intervals. It is concluded that the liquidation of the BPPM will lead to the disappearance of the anomalies. Observations at regular intervals and specialized investigations from 1992-2013 testify that in the event that the pollution source is liquidated, the groundwater flow will be cleared of the polluting components to a local background level within a year.

Presented are the results of investigations made in 2013-2014 with the purpose of developing the system of biodiversity monitoring on the specially protected natural territories within the Lake Baikal drainage basin. The investigations used model areas, i. e. specially protected natural territories (Baikalsk State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Zapovednik), Zabaikal’skii State National Park, and Kabansk State Nature Reserve (Zakaznik)). The existing methodological level of biodiversity monitoring is outlined, and an array of scientific and scientific-organizational problems in carrying out observations is revealed. The investigations resulted in the development of the Program of biodiversity monitoring in the state nature reserves and national parks of the Baikal natural territory as well as the methodological recommendations for its implementation. It is shown that the development of a unified program of long-term biodiversity monitoring must be based on the novel methodological approaches and techniques and that there is a need for an obligatory unification of all the main techniques used in collecting data within the «Nature Records» program.

A general characteristic is provided for the foreign and Russian ecological insurance market, and the institutional peculiarities of its formation are considered. Particular emphasis has been placed on a deficit of national normative legal acts serving as the «engine» of generation of off-budget funds by participating users of nature of the contemporary market economy. The Baikal region comprising three constituent entities of the Russian Federation (Irkutsk oblast, Republic of Buryatia, and Zabaikal’skii krai) is regarded as a model territory for analyzing a relatively recently emerging (for Russia) direction of the insurance market. The study revealed structural features (the relationship of the obligatory and voluntary sectors of ecological insurance), and the magnitude (the number of licensed insurance organizations, and the annual turnover) as well as the qualitative potential of the regional ecological insurance market. This market is represented by encompassing the main types of hazardous production facilities on the basis of the effective classification of ecological risks in the form of a table. We initiate the implementation of the regional law «On obligatory ecological insurance» (following the example of a number of other constituent entities), because the future prospects of development of the Baikal region are predetermined by the location of Lake Baikal on its territory, the drainage area of which has a special regime of nature management.