Arctic Zone Of Russia Research Articles

Formation and development of digital economy in Kazakhstan

The article discusses the current stage of transition to digitization, the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the industrial revolution, gives a brief description of technological structures in the world of technical and economic development. The natural resource-based economies of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation are quite similar; therefore, it is appropriate to take into consideration positive aspects of development and share of experiences between the two countries, including that in the field of forming and developing digitization. The main condition for the transformation of the national and global economy into an electronic format is the level of development of the ICT industry. In the article the level and dynamics of the basic indicators of the functioning of the ICT sector in Kazakhstan are analyzed. The analysis of the share of production and services in the ICT industry in relation to GDP in dynamics is presented. GDP dependence on production volumes and ICT services is analyzed using economic-mathematical modelling. Recommendations on using the research results for other territories, including the Russian Arctic zone are given.

Fuel and energy complex of the Arctic zone of Russia and its transport infrastructure

In modern conditions of globalization, one of the main functions of the state is to ensure the economic security of the country, which implies the development and effective use of the national resource potential, increasing the competitiveness of the country, ensuring the integrity of the territorial and economic space, creating the necessary conditions for the balanced development of national territories. The most important tasks of the modern development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation include overcoming transport and energy restrictions that impede the increase of the economic development of the Arctic, stimulating the priority development and implementation of energy-saving and energy-efficient technologies. The aim of the study is to summarize the current regulatory support for the strategic development of the fuel and energy complex and its transport infrastructure in the Arctic zone in the context of the strategic goals and objectives of the development of the Russian Arctic zone adopted at the state level. Achieving this goal led to the formulation and solution of the following tasks: to study the regulatory framework of spatial development of Russia, highlight the current trends; describe the main program goals and directions of socio-economic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation related to priority geostrategic territories; analyze national incentive measures for the development of energy in the Arctic zone and characterize the dynamics of their financing. The solution of these problems will make it possible to understand the system of program-goal and regulatory instruments of managing the development of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation that have developed over the past ten years and, in particular, its transport infrastructure. Ways for further improvement of these instruments in the existing internal and external conditions for the development of the fuel and energy complex of Russia are proposed in this study.

Problems of food security in the Russian Arctic

The purpose of this article is to analyse food security of the Russian Arctic regions’ inhabitants. International context consideration allows to show some contradictions in food security concept understanding, that FAO and Russian political elite have. Social disproportions in economic affordability and physical availability of food, consumer preferences and behaviour are revealed. The article addresses original empirical data, statistical regression and factor analysis to examine consumers’ behavioural features, associated with economic inaccessibility of vital food products. It is noted that families with three or more children constantly economize, not buying the necessary amount of meat and meat products, fish and seafood, fruits and berries. Research results indicate that the governmental food security policy should be adapted to the realities of Arctic region inhabitants. We pay special attention to the need to shift the food security concept from external threats and hunger to threats that local population face every day. This problem is particularly relevant for the Russian Arctic zone residents.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ ГЛОБАЛЬНОГО КЛИМАТА С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ ВЕЙВЛЕТНЫХ ФАЗО-ЧАСТОТНЫХ ФУНКЦИЙ, ФАЗО-ЧАСТОТНЫХ И ФАЗО-ВРЕМЕННЫХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК ГЕЛОКОСМИЧЕСКИХ И КЛИМАТИЧЕСКИХ ПЕРЕМЕННЫХ ЧАСТЬ 2

Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью установления истинных причин и закономерностей изменений глобального климата на Земле. Цель: применить разработанный в первой части статьи метод анализа изменений климата с вычислением временных вейвлетных фазо-частотных функций, фазо-частотных и фазо-временных характеристик переменных с использованием непрерывных вейвлетных преобразований для установления закономерностей изменений глобального климата; в частности, согласованности изменений гелиокосмических переменных с самоорганизованными Тихоокеанским декадным, Североатлантическим и Южным/Эль-Ниньо колебаниями, изменениями озонового слоя в стратосфере и потеплением в Арктической зоне России, тектоническими процессами Земли. Объекты: временные ряды изменений гелиокосмических и климатических переменных, индексы Североатлантического и Южного/Эль-Ниньо колебаний, Тихоокеанского декадного колебания, ряды изменений тектонических процессов Земли, ряды изменений озонового стоя в стратосфере и температуры воздуха в Арктике. Методы: непрерывное прямое вейвлет-преобразование исходных данных с использованием комплексного вейвлета с вычислением временных вейвлетных фазо-частотных функций, фазо-частотных и фазо-временных характеристик переменных, кластерный анализ; оценка и анализ плотностей распределений фазо-временных характеристик; оценка и анализ коэффициентов корреляций между фазо-частотными и фазо-временными характеристиками переменных в равных интервалах времени. Результаты. Вычислением матриц корреляций между вейвлетными фазо-частотными характеристиками переменных, построением совместных графиков фазо-частотных и фазо-временных характеристик этих же переменных в заданных интервалах времени получено, что изменения гелиокосмических переменных, солнечной активности, вулканических извержений Земли, концентрации в атмосфере двуокиси углерода СO2, озонового слоя в стратосфере, землетрясений, цунами и природных катастроф, изменения скорости вращения Земли и продолжительности земных суток принадлежат к одному классу изменчивостей переменных. Эти изменчивости обусловлены изменениями расстояния Солнца от барицентра. Установлена тесная взаимосвязь между колебательными процессами гелиокосмических переменных, солнечной активности и вулканических процессов на Земле, изменений концентрации двуокиси углерода СO2 в атмосфере с самоорганизованными процессами Североатлантического, Тихоокеанского и Южного колебаний/Эль-Ниньо, связанная с изменениями скорости вращения Земли и продолжительности земных суток. Обосновано, что рост вулканической деятельности Земли в современности приводит к снижению озонового слоя в стратосфере, усилению солнечной радиации и росту приземной температуры. В особенности эти процессы сильно проявляются в Арктической зоне России. Показано, что изменения приземной температуры на Земле обусловлены изменениями солнечной активности, парниковым эффектом, изменениями теплосодержания океана и температуры воздуха над сушей и океаном. Построение изображений временных вейвлетных фазо-частотных функций фазо-временных характеристик переменных позволяет визуализировать историю изменений переменных во времени и в фазо-частотной области и прогнозировать эти изменения на некоторый временной горизонт на характерных частотах.

Microbiomes of the initial soils of mining areas of Yakutsk City (Eastern Siberia, Russia)

The microbiome of initial soils formed at the heaps and bottoms of surface sediment quarries in the surroundings of Yakutsk City(Eastern Siberia,Russia) has been characterized for the first time. In the initial Entisols, we detected Alphaproteobacteria (represented mainly by the family Rizobiales), Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes (mostly Chitinophagales), Deltaproteobacteria, and Chloroflexi. The lower soil horizons had a more homogenous species diversity taxonomy that was dominated by Gammaproteobacteria. The morphologically different horizons did not differ microbiologically. This is caused by the limited soil development and relatively slow rate of revegetation of the spoil banks and heaps of the quarries under the severe climatic conditions of the Eastern part of Russian Arctic zone. Based on our findings, we propose that the soil microbiomes in such recently abandoned quarries are characterized by low diversity, which is a characteristic feature of the polar soils surrounding Yakutsk. Data obtained can be used for elaboration of reclamation strategies with taking into account the information about key microbial drivers of soil processes.

Occupational diseases of chemical etiology at the enterprises in the Russian Arctic

Chemicals are among the most common harmful production factors causing occupational pathology among workers in various industries. The purpose of the study was to investigate the conditions of development, prevalence and structure of occupational diseases of chemical etiology among employees of enterprises in the Russian Arctic. Materials and methods. The analysis included results of the monitoring study «Working conditions and occupational morbidity» of the population of the Arctic zone of Russia in 2007–2018. Results. It was established that in 2007–2018, at the enterprises in the Arctic, the share of chemicals in the structure of harmful production factors was 8.0 %, and their impact was associated with the development of 7.7 % of cases of occupational pathology mainly among metallurgists of nickel and miners of mining enterprises. The risk of contact with harmful chemicals in 2007 was higher than in 2018: RR = 1.40; CI 1.38–1.43; p < 0.0001. Most often, the development of occupational diseases was caused by water-insoluble nickel compounds (40.6 %) and nickel hydroaerosols (27.2 %). The structure of the pathology of chemical etiology was dominated by chronic bronchitis (43.2 %), intoxication with metals and gases (19.3 %) and bronchial asthma (19.0 %). Acute forms of intoxication occurred mainly in miners exposed to carbon oxides (84.6 %), and chronic ones when in metallurgists exposed to nickel compounds (88.2 %). In 2007–2018, there was a decrease in the number of occupational diseases of chemical etiology. The risk of their development in 2007–2009 was higher than in 2016–2018: RR = 1.49; CI 1.21–1.83; χ2 = 14.7; p = 0.0001. Conclusion. To reduce the risk of occupational intoxications, first of all, it is necessary to reduce exposure to nickel compounds and carbon oxides by means of the technical modernization of production and use of modern personal protective equipment for workers.

Changes in working conditions and character of occupational pathology in enterprise workers in the Arctic

Introduction. Labor in the Arctic is associated with an increased risk of developing occupational diseases.The purpose of the study was to identify changes in risk factors, structure, and prevalence of occupational pathology among employees of enterprises in the Arctic during 2007-2018.Material and methods. The analysis of the data of socio-hygienic monitoring “Working conditions and occupational morbidity” of the Russian Arctic zone population was carried out.Results. 72.6% of workers at enterprises in the Arctic were found to have contact with harmful occupational factors. Within 12 years, the proportion of individuals exposed to noise and chemical factors decreased (p <0.001), while the proportion of those exposed to whole-body vibration, fibrogenic aerosols, and having increased severity of labor increased (p<0.001). In 2007-2018, the number of occupational pathology cases among employees of mining enterprises increased significantly (from 38.8% to 62.8%, p <0.001), while in metallurgical plants-it decreased (from 33.2% to 7.3% (p <0.001). In the structure of occupational pathology, the shares of radiculopathy (p <0.001) and vibration disease (p <0.001) increased due to a decrease in the shares of chronic bronchitis (p <0.001) and mono-polyneuropathy (p <0.001). Also, characteristic features of occupational pathology were an increase in the number of diseases associated with the severity of labor (from 20.7% to 46.9%, p <0.001), diseases diagnosed in one employee (from 1.006 ± 0.004 to 1.396 ± 0.030 cases, p < 0.001) and the number of men among occupational patients (from 87.3% to 94.7%, p <0.001).Conclusion. It is necessary to continue both improve working conditions at enterprises in the Arctic, and study the reasons for the low efficiency of prevention of occupational diseases, caused primarily by increased severity of labor in the mining industry.

Особенности жизненных стратегий молодежи в условиях Арктики

Цель работы — представить региональный контекст социализации молодых людей, проживающих в особых условиях, детерминированных рядом объективных обстоятельств, а также субъективными факторами. В качестве теоретико-методологической рамки работы выступил рискологический подход Ю.А. Зубок, на основе которого сделан акцент на социальной обусловленности жизненных стратегий молодежи Арктической зоны РФ. Последние рассматриваются через средовые факторы риска макро- и мезоуровня в условиях Арктики, а также через деятельностные факторы риска, реализующиеся на микроуровне через планы, установки, ориентиры, выборы и другие элементы жизненных стратегий. Представлен обобщающий анализ статистических данных и материалов социологических исследований по теме жизненных стратегий, проводимых во всех регионах, входящих в Арктическую зону РФ. Эмпирическую базу статьи составили результаты социологических исследований, проведенных методом анкетного опроса среди различных групп населения, в том числе и молодежи, в Мурманской области в период с 2014 по 2018 гг. под руководством авторов статьи. В результате исследований получены систематизированные данные об отношении молодежи к проживанию в регионе, миграционных установках и наличии миграционного опыта, ожиданиях и притязаниях молодежи в различных сферах, социально-групповых и статусных характеристиках молодых северян. Выявлены основные противоречия между управленческими решениями органов власти федерального и регионального уровней, отраженными в основных документах, и фактическим положением дел, представленным статистическими показателями и результатами социологических исследований. С одной стороны, в стратегических документах декларируется отказ от вахтовой модели освоения Севера в пользу комплексного социально-экономического развития, в том числе направленного на удержание и привлечение человеческих ресурсов, на повышение качества и уровня жизни населения. С другой стороны, отмечается неуклонное снижение численности населения, преимущественно за счет миграционного оттока молодежи, что демонстрирует низкую удовлетворенность условиями жизни в регионе, возможностями самореализации в различных сферах.

New developments in the regulations of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation: continuity and change

ABSTRACT Since the beginning of the 21st century, Russia has repeatedly attempted to regulate the socio-economic development of the Russian Arctic zone. The 2020s are marked by the adoption of a series of new policy documents and laws related to the development of this territory. The previous legal and conceptual basis of Russia’s AZRF strategy became obsolete and inadequate to the changing realities and needed to be updated and refocused. This article critically reviews the recent conceptual and legal documents on the AZRF and identifies the distinctive features of the current regulations on the AZRF socioeconomic activities. The overall aim of this article is to examine whether the new acts reflect the adoption of a new approach to the regulation of the Russian Arctic zone. The study identifies distinctive features, some pros and cons of the 2020 Federal law ‘On the State Support of Entrepreneurial Activity in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation’. The author concludes that Russia has refused the idea of adopting a comprehensive law establishing the integrated regulation of the Russian Arctic zone. Instead, Russia relies on laws aimed at regulating specific issues of the socio-economic development of the Russian Arctic. In the final part, the article evaluates the possible effect of the 2020 Federal law ‘On Tax Incentives for Hydrocarbons Production in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation’. The possibility of creating a new state corporation Roshelf is analysed.

Features of the organization of fuel supplies to the Arctic regions of Russia: assessment of transport conditions

Maintaining the stability of territorial fuel and energy supply systems is an important task for state authorities. The problem of fuel supply in the Arctic zone of Russia is caused by the factor of its insufficient transport and infrastructure development. There are no large facilities of petrochemical industry, as well as a network of transport and energy communications, which leads to high logistics costs associated with the need for seasonal delivery, storage and distribution of fuel resources. To the foregoing, the subject of research in this work is the sphere of material and technical supply of consumers of the Arctic territories of Russia. The object is the process of formation of regional subsystems of fuel supply. The purpose is to investigate the organizational processes of the formation of the fuel supply system in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and also to determine possible ways to solve the problems of its modernization. As basic methods of research a systems analysis and some elements of the methodology of the territorial approach are used. As a result of the work were recommendations on promising ways to modernize regional fuel and energy subsystems.

Energy-saving technologies in the operation of oil fields

The analysis of peculiarities for functioning of the enterprise aimed at the development of an oil field located in the Arctic zone of Russia is presented. The specific energy consumption for oil and oil-containing liquids production, preparation and transportation of a marketable product are identified. Based on the assessment of the facility’s energy systems condition and world experience in the field of energy saving in the operation of oil fields in severe northern conditions, the used and potential energy-saving technologies have been analyzed. A more complete use of the energy of associated petroleum gas, taking into account its significant contribution to air pollution, based on the utilization of exhaust gases heat, will reduce heat pollution and excessive diesel fuel consumption in boiler houses for facility heating. From the point of view of increasing energy efficiency of the heat supply system, it is proposed to increase the heat-shielding performance of facilities, in particular the rotational field camp, the use of modern automated heat points with weather control. According to the study results, when generating electricity with the use of a gas-turbine drive, a non-regenerative cycle is used accompanied by releasing high-temperature exhaust gases. It is proposed to use gas turbine units with a regenerative cycle during the development of oil fields and to consider the possibilities for using a combined cycle. To increase the energy efficiency of pumps responsible for the formation pressure increase and oil transportation systems, it is recommended to implement a variable frequency drive. To reduce inefficient energy consumption, it was proposed to install additional temperature sensors in the electrical heating system for oil pipelines. As well as the possible options for energy consumption reduction through the use of wind generators, cogeneration based on solar energy and heat pumps are described.

Problems of socio-economic development of the Karelian Arctic and ways to overcome them, taking into account spatial and economic features and the legal status of the region

The economic and legal regime of the Russian Arctic is currently in its nascent stage of development. The Arctic has acquired the status of a special object of government control. However, not only new management tools are being formed to enhance the socio-economic development of the region, the borders of the management object themselves are changing - new territories are being included in the Arctic zone. Thus, the formation of the economic and legal regime of the Arctic zone and the incorporation of new territories into its spatial and economic structure not only go hand in hand, but are also of an interdependent nature. In addition, the historically established system of resettlement and distribution of productive forces and the resource potential of the territory should be considered and analyzed based on the new circumstances, strategic development goals and tasks of the spatial organization of the economy of the Arctic zone region. The purpose of this article is to identify urgent problems of the socio-economic development of the municipalities of the Republic of Karelia included in the Arctic zone of Russia, and to develop directions for overcoming them within the strategic priorities for the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. To achieve this goal, we analyzed the current stage in the formation of the economic and legal regime of the Russian Arctic, examined the features of the socio-economic development of the Karelian Arctic and the spatial organization of the economy, identified areas for improving the spatial organization of the economy of the region in the context of integration into existing projects for the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and its legal regime. The conclusion was made about the need to expand the Karelian Arctic in order to form an economic space that determines the complex development of the territory. An alternative is the integration of the Karelian Arctic into the emerging support zones of neighboring regions.

Development of human capital in the Arctic regions of Russia

This article considers the human capital development in the Russian Arctic regions as a basis for economic, social and demographic development. The article highlights main human capital theories and changes of its concept undergone over the past years. Human capital components were analysed using demographic resources capital (natural increase, migration growth), health capital (life expectancy, morbidity, mortality), education capital (level and structure of education, level of employment). In the last decade of the 20th century, the Russian Arctic regions lost their attractiveness as a labor market and experienced the negative migration. After the 2010s, the increased state’s interest changed migration trends and natural population growth there. The demographic capital is more prosperous in the Russian Arctic zone than in other Russian regions. It is not typical for other countries and shows little impact of living conditions in Russia (harsh climate, underdeveloped infrastructure) on population growth. The employment structure shows that workers with higher and secondary professional education replace less educated workers. High mortality and morbidity of the population demonstrate low health indicators and problems with health care system in the Arctic regions. In conclusion, summary and recommendations are made to improve the human capital quality in the Russian Arctic regions.

Formation of the region’s subjectivity in the Russian Arctic (To the problem of periodization of the process of forming the administrative-territorial borders of the Kola Peninsula)

The article is devoted to the main stages and results of the process of forming administrative and territorial boundaries on the Kola Peninsula located in the Russian Arctic zone from the 12th to the 20th centuries, during which it became a completely independent entity, with significant natural and human resources, organically integrated into the russian-wide strategic, economic and socio-cultural space. The authors highlight 4 main stagesand the administrative-territorial developmentof the region: the 1st (12th - 15th centuries) - «cross-border», meaning that there are no clear boundaries, both external and internal; the 2nd (16th to 17th centuries) - «border» during which the external (state) border was formed; The 3rd (XVIII to early 20th centuries) is a «state» defined as a stage of existence in the form of a region with low administrative status; 4th (1920th to 1930th) «subjective», that finally defined the external and internal borders and the place of the region within Russia.

Budget as a tool for managing socio-economic development of the Arctic territories

With the proclamation of the principles of strengthening independence and increasing the level of sustainable development of the Arctic regions the role of the budget as the main financial tool in the system of state regulation is increasing. Via the budget the state stirs up investments and innovations, stimulates economic and social development of territories, and ensures meeting public needs. The current research topicality is caused by the fact that a carefully study of the budget nature, its functional properties makes it possible to identify its capabilities and possibilities for organizing budget planning, which is the basis for ensuring efficient management of processes in the budget and other management areas. The work explores the budget functionality in connection to the stages of the budget process, determining the conditions and possibilities for the functioning and development of socio-economic systems. An assessment is made of the degree to which the budget functions are implemented: the content is revealed, the nature of their actions is determined from the point of view of efficiency of the budget functions. The research revealed that some budget functions did not reach the expected efficiency. The effect of the reproductive and regulatory functions of the budget in terms of, for example, changes in the structure of the economy is poorly expressed, which is confirmed by the continued leading role of the raw materials industry in the Arctic regions. The planning function aimed at achieving balanced budgets partially fulfills its purpose - it does not provide full coverage of expenses with budget revenues. The control function is not fully implemented at the stage of development and further implementation of tax tools. As a result, the development of negative processes in the economic and social spheres of the regions of the Russian Arctic zone continues.

Problems of providing Russian Arctic population with high quality drinking water

Regulation of drinking water quality remains the most important area of protecting health and improving quality of life of Russian Federation population, including that living in Russian Arctic. Problems of providing Russian Arctic zone population with drinking water are discussed. We studied laboratory test findings of drinking water supplied by centralized systems in Russian Arctic populated areas and data on population provision with high quality drinking water in 2007-2018. In 2018 provision of Russian Arctic territory population with centralized water supply amounted to 95.4% and almost 100% for urban residents. However, a number of residential communities, especially in Sakha Republic (Yakutia) do not have centralized water supply sources. 89.3% of Russian arctic population was provided with drinking water complying with safety requirements (in Russian Federation it was 91.35%). Satisfactory situation with drinking water is due to the cities and urban-type communities where majority of Russian Arctic population live. The worst situation is reported on Arctic territories of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and Nenets Autonomous District. Regional programs adopted in all Russian Arctic entities for increasing drinking water quality are aimed at improving the situation related to provision of population with high-quality drinking water.

Policy of population informing on perspective territories development of the Republic of Karelia as part of the Russian Arctic zone

The regions of the Republic of Karelia entered the Arctic zone later than the rest of the Arctic regions. Therefore, the important issue is the formation of positive attitudes of the population regarding the “Arctic benefits” of the regions of Karelia. The article presents the results of a study on informing the population about the Arctic status of the territories of the Republic of Karelia and the corresponding expectations of the local population from the assignment of the Arctic status to the territories. The purpose of the study is to determine the level of public awareness of social perceptions regarding the state and prospects of development of the Arctic territories of the Republic of Karelia. For the study, methods of content analysis and sociological survey of the population were used. Local media broadcast the general agenda of the republican media on the prospects for the development of the Arctic regions. However, no information is provided on the individual benefits to the area. Most residents of the Republic of Karelia know that they live in the Arctic zone, but do not associate high expectations for the development of territories with the Arctic status. Informing residents of the Arctic regions and the Republic of Karelia about the possible prospects for the development of the Arctic territories is not enough. Based on the results of the study, recommendations are presented on improving the policy of informing the population about the benefits of the Arctic status of the territories of the Republic of Karelia.

Potential Hydrological Restrictions on Water Use in the Basins of Rivers Flowing into Russian Arctic Seas

Water consumption has been evaluated for the basins of the rivers flowing into the Arctic seas of the Russian Federation and, separately, for the Arctic zone of Russia (AZR). Long-term dynamics of the major characteristics of water consumption are given for the period from the 1980s to 2017 along with data on its structure. The possible effect of the total water withdrawal and consumptive water use on river water inflow into the Arctic seas has been evaluated for the 1980s (a period of maximal anthropogenic load), for 2006–2017 and up to 2030. The volumes of water consumption in limits of AZR are relatively low. Moreover, the water withdrawal has dropped considerably compared with the situation in the 1980s, in particular, by about 30% in the Pechora, Lena river basins, and from the rivers of Murmansk oblast, and by 50% in the Northern Dvina, Yenisei, and Kolyma river basins. It has increased in the Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets AO because of the intense development of the local oil-and-gas complex. Nowadays, according to the authors’ estimates, 21.28 km3/year is being withdrawn in the drainage basins of RF Arctic seas and 2.58 km3/year, within the AZR, or 28.8 and 3.5% of the total volume in Russia. The largest contribution to this value is due to the water-management complexes in the basins of the Ob (14.7 km3/year), Yenisei (2.77), Northern Dvina (0.64), and Murmansk oblast (1.72 km3/year). The volumes of water discharges back into water bodies at the drainage basins of Russian Arctic seas are comparable with the volumes of freshwater withdrawal -71% of water intake. Even lesser is the difference within AZR. The major water users are the industry (with a high proportion of mining plants), thermal power engineering, and municipal economy. But considerable and diverse hydrological restrictions exist at the municipal level and for some water users in AZR. These local hydrological restrictions have been formulated and analyzed in detail, for the first time. They form three large groups. Original maps are given to illustrate the specific features and regularities in the present-day distribution of water-management characteristics over AZR.

Hazardous Ice Phenomena In Rivers Of The Russian Arctic Zone Under Current Climate Conditions And The Safety Of Water Use

The ice regime of the Russian Arctic rivers and its hazardous manifestations under current climate conditions are characterized. The ice phenomena in rivers in the region determine the conditions of navigation, water supply, hydropower station (HPS) operation, and the construction of temporary ice bridges and roads. Data of more than 100 hydrological gages over period from 1936 to 2016 were used to compile various cartographic materials and to analyze the spatial variations of the dates of ice phenomena, the duration of ice-free and ice cover periods, and the maximal ice thickness. Special attention is paid to the characteristics of level regime in periods with ice phenomena. Data on the frequency of floodplain inundation during spring ice run, the hazard of ice jams, and the seasonal features of the passage of maximal annual water level are generalized.The observed changes in ice regime characteristics and ice hazard are analyzed. The years of the start of statistically significant shift of the periods of ice phenomena, caused by both climate changes and anthropogenic impact, are identified. The increase in the duration of the ice-free period was found to be not greater than 3–4 days for East Siberian rivers, 5–6 days for the Middle and West Siberian rivers, and up to 10–12 days for the rivers in the European part. A decrease in the maximal ice thickness is most pronounced in the rivers of the Northern European Russia, where it is 10–15 cm. The frequency of floodplain inundation during spring ice run remains constant.

New Approaches to the Adaptation to Climate Change: The Arctic Zone of Russia

New Approaches to the Adaptation to Climate Change: The Arctic Zone of Russia