Home – Home – Jornals – Chemistry for Sustainable Development 2013 number 2

The article throws light on the ups and downs of the lawyer V.P. Lamansky’s life during the Civil War in Siberia. His vicissitudes were due to the fact that at the beginning of 1918 by order of the Anti-Bolshevik underground organization this young man worked in the Soviet judicial bodies for counterrevolutionary purposes. After the overthrow of the Soviet power in Siberia he faithfully served in the Anti-Bolshevik administration of the Kansk uyezd. However, the attitude of the Kolchack’s authorities (especially of the military circles) to Lamansky made him play a tragic role of being “a foe among friends”.

The article explores the history of unions of consumers’ cooperatives formation in Siberia in 1911-1920. The study focuses on the activities of district and regional consumers’ cooperative societies aimed at creation of the All-Siberian Union of urban and worker co-operation. The author concludes that the process of centralization of the cooperative movement deformed free and active institution-building of the consumer’s co-operation.

The paper deals with living conditions and legal status of women in Siberia in the 1920s. The author describes the judicial bodies’ activities in Siberia aimed at defending women’s personal rights and rights of property.

The article considers competence, staff, principles of organization, forms and methods of work of the Bureau of the RKPb (VKPb) Siberian Regional Committee – Sibkraikom – the superior body of the Bolshevik Party in Siberia. Based on a wide range of archival sources and materials from the periodical press the author characterizes relations between the regional center, the Central Committee and local party organizations. Bureaucratization of the regional party apparatus is traced. The role and place of the Sibkraikom’s Bureau in the system of party leadership in Siberia is determined.

The article is devoted to a commemorative component of October celebrations held in the cities of Western Siberia (Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Omsk, Barnaul) in the 1930s. The author reveals origins of the October holiday practices, describes their implications for representation of certain forms of collective memory and expression of political solidarity. She also explains the festive commemoration’s specificity in the 1930s compared to the previous decade.

The paper characterizes the role of young people aged 15 – 25 in the development of various components (demography, military mobilization, migration, labor, sociocultural aspects) of human potential of Siberia on the eve of World War II. In particular, the author shows the youth’s effect on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the age and sex structure of the population (structure of male population subject to military conscription during the war; local population involved into migration processes; working-age and literate population). The author concludes that during the period under consideration the youth played one of the leading roles in human capital formation in Siberia. This demographic factor served as an important prerequisite for an intensive use of youth as a major military manpower and labor resource during the World War II.

The authors introduce into scientific use a document originated in the Special Settlements Department of the UMGB (Ministry of State Security Directorate) of the Irkutsk oblast. It is a typical annual report of one of the special settlements’ regional headquarters belonging to the 9 ^th department of the UMGB of the Irkutsk oblast. The document shows reporting procedures as well as regulations of the deportees’ life in special settlements. The shorthand report of the special settlement commandants’ meeting on March 28, 1952 serves as a commentary to the above-mentioned document.

The article considers locations and methods of nuclear waste disposal in the Kara Sea; analyzes measures undertaken in order to study the radiation environment as well as their results. The growing topicality of this problem is connected with further development of the Northern Sea Route (including the international consignments) and the area around the Belyy Island in the Kara Sea, where one fourth of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves, gas and condensate are located.

The process of population formation in urban settlements of Western Siberia during the post-war period is considered in the article. Quantitative changes in the structure of urban contingents are studied. Having analyzed different types of urban settlements (small, average, large) the author reveals qualitative characteristics of urbanization in 1959 – 1989 and its specifics.

The paper studies eschatological views shared in the 1980s by the “Tokarevtsy” – a branch of the Pomortsy Old-Believers’ consent. The author analyzes links with the Pomorian tradition in the XVIII-XIX centuries; shows how the original theoretical schemes of the Tokarevtsy reflected the XX century realia.

The article deals with researching Siberia’s representations in a weekly journal “Worldwide Illustrations” in the second part of the XIX century. The author determines subjects of the texts about Siberia, characterizes the circle of their authors, soundly argues for the specifics of the region’s representations in the illustrated weeklies.

The paper considers works by hegumen Theophylact (Savkin), a writer of great originality who belonged to the Belokrinitskiy monkhood. Based on the extant epistolary heritage of the Siberian monk the author defines stages of his creative life; analyzes his epistles; determines key trends in the outer- and inner-Old Believers’ polemics of the Siberian “Austrians”.

The article considers mass protest actions of Siberian soldiers called up for the military service in the course of mass mobilization in July, 1914. The author reveals causes of protests and describes pacification measures undertaken by the authorities.

The article is devoted to a little-known aspect of history of Revolution and Civil war in 1917–1920. On the basis of archival materials and published sources the author studies activities of “the Whites” civil authorities aimed at agricultural crop harvesting in Ukraine in 1919.

The study is aimed at describing the traditional and new means of transport in the North-Eastern areas of Siberia during the socialist modernization based on the materials from S.V. Obruchev’s book “To the Unexplored Lands”. The author characterizes specifics of the means of transport used by the indigenous population and surveyors (mapping and spatial scientists); shows adaptation of the aboriginal peoples to the environmental and climatic conditions in terms of using the means of transport. Attention is paid to the fact that S.V. Obruchev’s scientific expeditions used up-to-date means of transport (aerosleigh, motor boats, steamboats, airplanes) and introduced traditional Russian means of transport to the aboriginal population.

The study reconstructs the process of creation and development of the Soviet system of cattle breeding management in the late 1920s-1930s. It is clear from the documents that during the period under consideration this system was unstable, permanently reformed, multi-layered and suffered from administrative parallelism.

The paper analyzes understudied problems of agrarian and economic history of the USSR in the second half of the 1960s – first half of the 1980s, connected with the state’s efforts to boost production in the kolkhozes and sovkhozes by limiting regulatory dictate in the sphere of agricultural production and procurement planning. Using the data on Western Siberia the author proves that in the second half of the 1960s the mechanisms of economical incentives led to increase of agricultural production while the growing administrative pressure on farms in the early 1970s made for the low rate of future agricultural growth.

Methods of theoretical and experimental investigation of bistatic optical communication schemes are discussed in the present article. A laboratory model of optoelectronic communication system has been developed for experimental investigation. As a source of signals, radiation of copper vapor laser at a wavelength of 510 nm is used. Test demonstration experiments have been carried out in the outdoor atmosphere through atmospheric channels with a reflecting surface and dense nonstationary aerosol-molecular formation. To perform theoretical investigations, software has been developed intended for numerical statistical estimation of the energy and transfer characteristics of the bistatic atmospheric communication channels by the Monte Carlo method.

Atmospheric transmission for high-power laser pulse radiation under the conditions of passing through a region of measurements of atmospheric cold front is analyzed. It is noted that for the forecast estimations of such radiation transmission it is necessary to record an aerosol component including submicrometer fraction directly before start of radiation.

IR-absorption spectra of TNT, RDX and PETN molecules in a vapor state have been analyzed over a wide range of frequencies (3500–500 cm^–1) and temperatures (293–383 K) with assignment of the observed bands. Modern methods of quantum chemistry were employed for determination of equilibrium geometrical configurations of explosive molecules and calculation of fundamental vibrational frequencies. Magnitudes of cross-sections and absorption coefficients have been estimated for the most intensive bands in IR-spectra of TNT, RDX, and PETN in a vapor state. With a view of improvement of the physicochemical processes occurring during heating and evaporation of TNT, RDX, and PETN, as well as determination and identification of their characteristic volatile components, subTHz- and mass-spectra of these explosives have been studied.

The spatial distribution analysis of parameters characterized fluorescence of dissolved organic matters (DOM) of various types in seawater are presented. Samples were taken in the Japan (East) Sea and in the Sea of Okhotsk in the areas of different nutrient status and in the areas influenced by rivers and/or anthropogenic activity. The measurements were carried out by hyperspectral multiwavelength fluorometer Varian Cary Eclipse immediately after sampling. Spectral ranges of measurements were 230–500 nm for excitation radiation and 240–750 nm for emission radiation. The relationships between fluorescence intensities at different excitation and emission wavelengths were analyzed. The signals of phytoplankton-like, protein-like, humic-like, and anthropogenic fluorescence were identified. The correlation analysis was carried out, explanation of possible DOM origins was done, and the spectral ranges impacted by each fluorescence type were determined.

The paper presents the approach to isolation of the regular component of daily behavior of the aerosol optical depth and columnar water vapor of the atmosphere. The average diurnal dynamics of these parameters in Tomsk is compared with that in suburb background area, as well as in other regions: Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Yakutsk, Ussurijsk. General features of the dynamics are observed in the regions of Tomsk, Yekaterinburg, and Irkutsk. Some individual peculiarities caused by local factors are characteristic of Yakutsk and Ussurijsk. The parameters of approximation of the average diurnal behavior of AOD of the atmosphere are presented for Tomsk, Yekaterinburg, and Irkutsk.

The ionic composition of water from four South Baikal tributaries (Utulik, Solzan, Khara-Murin, and Snejnaya Rivers) during the main hydrological phases in 2001–2010 was studied. The concentrations of the major ions: НСО₃^–, Cl^–, SO₄^2–, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ were determined. Water chemical composition dynamics and results of a comparative correlation analysis are showing. The geochemical model for southern tributaries of Lake Baikal is proposed.

Particularities of structure formation of integral light scattering phase functions differing in sizes and refractive indices of particles which model terrigenous constituents of natural suspensions are shown. The problems of applied realization of integral scattering phase function method have been investigated in detail. Influences of components of measuring equipment and ways of their correction have been proposed. Numerical calculation are performed with Mie computation and Rayleigh–Gans–Debye approximation.

The integral distribution method for determining the aerosol microstructure from spectral measurements of the aerosol optical depth is developed. A numerical algorithm for solving the inverse problem is presented. The software package based on this algorithm is described. The special feature of the algorithm is allowance for a low information content of the solution in the fine aerosol region. The integral cross section size distribution function is restored as output software package computation. The volume concentration and mean particle radius are calculated both for the total ensemble of particles and its submicron and coarse fractions using the restored size distribution function. The user interface of the software package is presented. The software package is easy-to-use when processing large arrays of experimental data and does not require specific knowledge from the user.

Microstructure parameters of the atmospheric aerosol restored from spectral measurements of the aerosol optical depth are considered. The experiments are carried out in summer season in Tomsk. The results have been obtained using two algorithms for solving the inverse problem, basic one and its version presented in the first part of the paper. The integral distribution method is implemented in the basic algorithm. The modified algorithm possesses the advantages of the integral distribution method and enables one to increase the accuracy of the estimated contribution of the fine particles in the aerosol microstructure. The statistical data on restored parameters are presented. These data are obtained for the whole particle ensemble and for its submicron and coarse fractions. It was established that the modified algorithm allowed the volume concentration of the submicron aerosol to be taken into account additionally up to 47%. At the same time the solution correction in the fine fraction range results in the decrease of the mean radius of the submicron particles from 0.16 to 0.10 micrometers.

The total ozone plays an important role in understanding the processes occurring in the atmosphere and climate changes. In the spring, between March and April 2011 in the city of Tomsk (56.5°N, 85.1°E) reported anomalous ozone losses. In comparison with the long-term mean values ​​of ozone reduction the ozone losses reached 30–35%. Based on the analysis of measurements of a ground-based spectrophotometer Brewer MKIV S/N 049, satellite and balloon data of ozone sounding in Salekhard (66.5°N, 66.7°E), the analysis of the observed anomalously low values of the total ozone was given. Analysis of the temperature data of the lower stratosphere indicates that the observed negative anomaly of total ozone in March–April 2011 over the northern parts of Russia was connected with the movement of air masses with abnormally low values of ozone in the polar stratosphere, relocation and displacement of the polar vortex from the Arctic to midlatitudes in Western and Central Siberia.

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated based on GIS data of the satellite system ERDAS Imagine, ArcView, ArcGIS to assess pollution of vegetation cover in local rough swamp territories in oil fields under study. Spectral reflectance is a characteristic feature of vegetation and its condition. NDVI values were determined by the ratio of the difference in reflected light intensities in infrared and red regions. The values obtained were corroborated by physicochemical and microbiological analyses of the samples taken in polluted territories during 1999–2007.

In this work we use numerical simulation to estimate possible errors of the differential-absorption retrieval of concentrations of such gaseous biomarkers as СН₄, СО, NH₃, N₂O, С₂Н₆, and H₂S from the three-component gas mixture absorption spectra in the 2–4 mm spectral region. The gas mixture is supposed to simulate an expired air. The absorption spectra were calculated with a resolution of 2 cm^–1 using the HITRAN database. The impact of subtraction of the water vapor absorption from the simulated spectra on the error in retrieved concentrations of the gases-biomarkers was studied. The water vapor concentration in the mixture was determined from absorption at 3800 cm^–1.

Acid catalytic condensation of 1,3-butadiene with para -quinones and the oxidation of resulting adducts can be performed in one technological stage in the presence of the aqueous solutions of Мо–V–P heteropolyacids (HPA) of general composition H_aP_zMo_yV_xO_b. These solutions possess bifunctional catalytic properties being strong Brønsted acids and rather strong reversibly acting oxidizers at the same time. The condensation of 1,4-naphthoquinone with 1,3-butadiene in HPA solutions leads to obtaining 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) in mixture with tetrahydroanthraquinone (THA) and dihydroanthraquinone (DHA). In the course of a single-stage process without organic solvents, the HPA solution is reduced and poorly soluble mixture of THA, DHA and AQ (up to 50 %) precipitates almost quantitatively from the solution. The yield and purity of AQ can be improved substantially due to the use of organic solvents miscible with water (for example, acetone, 1,4-dioxane), as well as high-vanadium HPA of the composition H₁₅P₄Mo₁₈V₇O₈₉ and H₁₇P₃Mo₁₆V₁₀O₈₉. Optimization of the process allowed us to obtain the product containing not less than 90 % AQ. Results achieved in the work open outlooks for the development of low-waste process for the production of AQ from 1,3-butadiene and 1,4-naphthoquinone.

Atmospheric aerosols inherent in two areas of the Far East cities such as the Vladivostok and Ussuriysk were studied. Three of the 21 pairs of the samples of fresh snow and dry air suspensions taken in different parts of these cities exhibited the presence of iron, chromium, lead and zinc nano- and microparticles. Therewith, the nanoparticles were registered for the samples taken near the electroplating production enterprises, whereas the microparticles were observed near the roads with an intense traffic.

Studies were performed concerning the process of obtaining noble metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) and tellurium, involving the following process stages: dissolving the gold and silver alloy in nitric acid solutions in the presence of ammonium nitrate under the gas phase pressure; purifying the leaching solutions via sorption (from platinum and palladium) and via hydrolytic precipitation (from copper and tellurium); electrochemical extraction of silver-containing solutions to produce cathode silver; conditioning and refining the gold sludge; an electrochemical extraction of eluates containing platinum group metals; obtaining tellurium concentrate. The number and type of linearly independent reactions have been found out for the dissolution of the parent alloy, key components for the stoichiometric description of chemical reactions in the system have been identified. A mathematical evaluation of quantitative changes in the complicated heterogeneous system with polyvalent nitrogen is presented.

Accumulation levels were determined for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in naturally occurring objects over the territory of dispersing the emissions of the Irkutsk Aluminum Plant “IrkAZ–Sual”: in the snow cover, soil, pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) and larch needles (Larix sibirica), in water and the bottom sediments of the. Olkha River, as well as in the near-surface aerosols in Shelekhov City. An estimation was performed for the level of contamination with PAH compounds in the area of the Shelekhov City within the framework of the MPC and background levels, a conclusion has been drawn concerning the distribution of PAH emissions from the source over a limited area. Among the isolated fractions of PAHs, using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique there have been identified and determined 14 arenes including those from the list of priority organic pollutants.

Results of the investigation of cytotoxic and immunomodulating action of silver nanocomposites Ag15 (7.8 % Ag) and Ag13 (5 % Ag) with poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) and platinum with arabinogalactan on primary and transformed human cells in vitro are presented. It is demonstrated that nanocomposites of metals with biopolymers possess more clearly pronounced cytotoxic effect in comparison with metal nanoparticles and do not induce inflammation in cell lines under investigation. It is established that silver nanocomposite Ag15 possesses selective cytotoxicity with respect to the cells of cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa.

Results are presented concerning the recovery of an oil sludge model from the contamination by means of a complex microbiological and physicochemical method. It is demonstrated that washing with a detergent composition results in a 55–75 % decrease of soil contamination level. The subsequent biodestruction by native microflora further reduces the contamination by 20–30 % per month. In the case of the mechanical part of the sludge, the microflora is worthwhile for stimulation by nitrogen and phosphorus containing mineral substrates, whereas in the case of spent water the mineral nutrition can be provided by the components of the composition. Changing the structural and group as well as the individual composition of hydrocarbons in the spent water corresponds to the initial stage of biodestruction, whereas that in the washed soil corresponds to the middle stage thereof, which indicates a low activity of the indigenous microflora.

The process of methane combustion in a fluidized bed of spherical oxide catalyst containing mixed copper and magnesium chromite on toughened alumina (IK–12–73) depending on the temperature and the concentration of methane in the mixture with air was studied. It has been demonstrated that the conversion level of methane oxidation into CO₂ in the case of the methane content equal to 2 % increases from 72 % at 500 °С to 99 % at 700 °С. Increasing the concentration of methane to 8 % does not causes reducing the conversion level of methane oxidation within the temperature range 600–750 °С. It has been demonstrated that the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the course of methane combustion at the temperature values ranging within 500–750 °С does not exceed 3.5 ppm. The presence of H₂ and CO in the reaction mixture does not causes increasing the conversion level of methane oxidation when the volume ratio CH₄/(CO + H₂) = 4 : 19.

Results of the investigation of cytotoxic and immunomodulating properties of gold nanoparticles of different sizes (12, 16, 22 and 35 nm) on primary and transformed cells in vitro are presented. Their localization and distribution in cells are studied. It is established that gold nanoparticles are not toxic within concentration range 0.06–6 μg/mL for all the cell cultures used, actively penetrate into the cell and get accumulated inside the vacuoles of different sizes, selectively activate the anti-inflammatory immune response depending on nanoparticle size and cell type.

In surface water and bottom sediments of the Gusinoye Lake (the Lake Baikal basin), there were concentration profiles determined for 19 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It has been found that the total PAH content amounts to 7.1–33.7 ng/L for the surface water and 42.6–221.8 ng/g of dry solid matter for bottom sediments. It has been demonstrated that the presence of PAHs in the samples of surface water and bottom sediments of the Gusinoye Lake could mainly be caused by local sources having pyrolytic nature.

In the bottom sediments and surface water of the Gusinoye Lake (the Lake Baikal basin) there were content and profile values for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls determined. An evaluation was performed concerning the ways of coming thereof in the Gusinoye Lake It has been found that the sources of these ecotoxicants are mainly local.

Experimental results are presented on studying the ionic mobility of metals in geotechnogenous solutions from an opencast mine of the Sherlovaya Gora tin-polymetallic deposit in the presence of zeolite-containing rocks taken from the Shivyrtuy deposit (Transbaikalia). A high sorption activity of zeolite-bearing rocks is revealed concerning almost all the metal ions in solution. Concentrating the large amounts of zinc, iron, manganese ions and other elements in the solid phase could be caused replacing the ions of sodium in the structure of clinoptilolite by the mentioned ions.