Bioindication Methods Research Articles

Assessment of Aerotechnogenic Effects of Industrial Emissions of Arkhangelsk Pulp аnd Paper Mill by Bioindication Method

Assessment of the aerotechnogenic impact of the Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill on the environment was carried out. It is based on an analysis of the functional stability of representative bioindicator objects according to a set of biochemical parameters: enzymatic activity, content of phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid. The urbanized territory was mapped according to the degree of influence of the APPM on the components of forest ecosystems in accordance with the tendency of accumulation of sulfur compounds as marker pollutants of emissions of Pulp and Paper Mills. By the correlation analysis, it was shown that changes in the biochemical parameters of bioindicator objects are the manifestation of adaptive responses to the multifactorial effects of anthropogenic, technogenic and climatic impacts.

The ConSoil project: An integrated framework for monitoring plant protection product residues in agricultural soil

AbstractPlant Protection Products (PPPs) are widely used to maintain high productivity and protect crops, but can have unintended toxic effects on beneficial non‐target soil organisms. To avoid unacceptable adverse effects of PPPs on soil organisms, a prospective risk assessment is carried out, which focuses on individual substances and their effects on a few individual species or groups. However, the reality of agricultural soils consists of complex networks of organisms exposed to mixtures of several PPP active substances. It is therefore essential to monitor PPP residues in soils. This paper describes the ConSoil project and its proposed framework for monitoring PPP residues in Swiss Agricultural soils which includes and integrates (1) risk‐based reference values for PPP residues in soil and (2) indicators of their effects on long‐term soil fertility. For risk‐based reference values, a proposal has been developed to derive Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) for PPP residues and a mixture risk assessment concept is being developed. Regarding indicators, a toolbox of ecological and ecotoxicological indicators will be proposed to reflect the protection goal of long‐term soil fertility in agricultural soils. For this objective, standardised and/or well‐established bioindicator methods will be selected for the key soil organisms that support soil fertility. To integrate SGVs and the biomonitoring toolbox, an adapted TRIAD approach is proposed, where generic SGVs are used as a screening tool to identify monitoring sites potentially at risk and to trigger more detailed monitoring. Detailed monitoring will refine the SGVs based on site‐specific characteristics and implement the bioindicator toolbox to measure the effects of PPP residues and their risk to long‐term soil fertility. As a novel integrated framework, it is essential to use the data generated in detailed assessments to calibrate and refine the SGVs and bioindicator tools and improve the monitoring over time.

The Influence of Arctic Conditions on the Formation of Algae and Cyanobacteria Diversity and on the Water Quality of Freshwater Habitats on Kotelny Island, Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve, Yakutia

The significant interest in the islands in the Russian Arctic has been in terms of available oil reserves, which determine the direction of economic development and associated environmental risks for this sector of the Arctic in the near future. Kotelny Island is the largest island of the New Siberian Islands Archipelago included in the protected zone of the Lena Delta Nature Reserve, which is located at 76° N, washed from the west by the Laptev Sea, washed from the east by the East Siberian Sea in a permafrost zone, and characterized by harsh climatic conditions defined by the northeast winds that prevail in vegetative season. January sees temperatures ranging from −32 to −35 °C, and July from +6 to +8 °C, which causes a short growing season. Samples were taken between August 3 and 8, 2018 in 12 freshwater bodies where 210 taxa were revealed. Aquatic communities were dominated by zygnematophycean and diatom algae, grouped in the basins of two rivers and associated with the position on the island’s landscape, which suggests the influence of cold north-east winds, leading to the avoidance of habitats in open and high places, which was revealed by statistical methods and also confirms the high individuality of taxa composition. Bioindication methods showed that water bodies are slightly alkaline, with low ion concentrations, with the presence of sulfides in low-lying habitats, and average saturation with organic matter. The mesotrophic status of the studied water bodies was evaluated through an assessment and the type of nutrition in the communities of algae and cyanobacteria indicates they formed there as true autotrophs, which corresponds to the status of a protected area and can serve as a reference level for monitoring anthropogenic impact.

Integral assessment of the environment using the bioindication methods

Integral assessment of the environment using the bioindication methods

VALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF ENCAPSULATED MINERAL FERTILIZERS ON PLANT GROWTH KINETICS

The work investigated the effect of encapsulated mineral fertilizers on the growth and development of plants for 45 days. As a mineral fertilizer, nitroammophoska was used, which was encapsulated by a shell of different compositions: sample KD1 – a mixture of polystyrene, lignin, and carbon; sample KD2 – a mixture of polystyrene, lignin, and zeolite. The bioindication method was used to determine the effect of encapsulated mineral fertilizers on plant growth kinetics. Based on the study's results, the average rate of germination of ryegrass in the experimental samples and the average rates of the main plant parameters (stem height, root length, plant weight) were determined. It was established that the highest rate of germination was in the sample with encapsulated mineral fertilizer KD1 — 100%, and the lowest in the sample GD — 85%. The highest average indicators of measurement of the main parameters of ryegrass were in samples KD1 and KD2. The highest average indicators of measurement of the main parameters of ryegrass were in samples KD1 and KD2, and the lowest in the control sample (soil). It was established that on the 45th day, the mineral fertilizer in the KD1 sample was fully absorbed by the plants.

Additive singular spectral model of a dendrochronological signal

Relevance. Allocation of structural components in a dendrochronological signal of annual rings of coniferous trees expands the possibilities of the bioindication method and allows obtaining information about changes in environmental conditions in the past for extended territories. Aim. Creation of an additive singular spectral model based on the frequency trigonometric components of the dendrochronological signal; reconstruction of changes in the total ozone content in the atmosphere in the past, affecting the level of ultraviolet radiation in the B range radiation. Objects. Time series of total ozone content in the atmosphere (data from 1932), width and density of annual rings (data from 1686–2004) on the example of the territory near the observatory in Arosa, Switzerland, time series of stable oxygen isotopes δ18Oc, France. Methods. Time series analysis (decomposition of a time series, identification of model parameters, prediction of a time series), statistical analysis (F-criterion, χ2 – Pearson criterion), experimental measurements of the percentage components of the wood of annual rings, correlation analysis, spectral singular analysis. Results. Decomposition of the dendrochronological signal of individual chronologies into trigonometric components in the Caterpillar program. Correlation analysis of the sensitivity of trees to atmospheric effects. Reconstruction of the ozone level in the stratosphere using the first trigonometric component of the dendrochronological signal. In cellulose, the first low-frequency component of the signal and the structural component of wood, a reliable response of trees to long-period fluctuations in the total ozone content is recorded. This allows assessment of the impact of the stress factor on conditions of exploitation of forest resources. The use of data on the width of the annual rings allows you to expand the territorial boundaries of the method.

BIOTESTING OF SOIL CONDITIONS AT THE TERRITORIES ADJACENT TO AIRPORTS

The development of civil aviation is accompanied by a constant increase in man-made load on the environment. The application of methods of bioindication and biotesting of anthropogenic and technogenic influences on the ecosystem components is one of the possible options for monitoring the state of the environment at territories subject to technogenic stress due to the activities of environmentally hazardous enterprises. To study the level of man-made impact of airport activities on the state of the soil (namely, phytotoxicity), at the territory adjacent to the airport "Kyiv" named after I. Sikorskyi International Airport from the upper and lower levels at different distances from the airport runway (from 5 m to 2 km) soil samples were taken using the envelope method. As a control (conditionally clean soil), a soil sample collected at the territory of Holosiiv Park (soil type: dark gray forest soils) was used. In total, six soil samples were analyzed. On the third day of germination the growth characteristics of Allium cepa seedlings were determined. Test parameters that were used to determine the phytotoxic effect: the percentage of seed germination, namely the energy of its germination, the length of the root and the length of the stem. The analysis of the obtained data on the germination of Allium cepa seeds showed that the lowest germination was recorded for the soil samples that were taken at a distance of 5 and 1500 m from the runway, which indicates an increased level of phytotoxic impact due to the activities of the airport.
 The greatest phytotoxic effect for the stem of Allium cepa seedlings was observed for the soil sample located at a distance of 5 m from the ZPS. For soil samples taken at a distance of 5 m to 1000 m, i.e. with distance from the runway of the airport, a decrease in the level of phytotoxicity of the soil is observed. Only when approaching the highway (at a distance of 1,000 m to 2,000 m) there was observed an increase in phytotoxicity of the soil again.
 Among the investigated samples of meristem tissues, the presence of mitotic activity of cells was observed in the meristems of root tip samples of onion seedlings germinated on soil samples that were taken at a distance of 5 m, 1500 m and 2000 m from the airport. The determined mitotic indices (MI) for these soil samples are as following: for a soil sample taken at a distance of 5 m, it was 2.9 %; for a soil sample taken at a distance of 1500 m was 2.6 %; for a soil sample taken at a distance of 2000 m was 2.6 %. The research results confirm the need for constant monitoring of the soil condition at these technogenically loaded territories, in order to increase the level of environmental safety of these territories.

Evaluation of the effect of antibiotics on the growth reactions of higher plants - potential phytoremediants

The relevance of the work is due to the need to study the assessment of the toxicity of antimicrobial drugs for environmental objects. The simplest and most obvious methods of assessing the impact of antibiotics on the environment are bioindication methods, in particular, the assessment of phytotoxicity of drugs. The study presents the results of the analysis of the cytotoxic effect of antibiotics of different nature in relation to herbaceous plants of various systematic groups in a laboratory experiment. The phytotoxic effect of the considered antibiotic samples was determined by comparing the indicators of the test function of the seeds of the control and experimental groups. The dependence of the magnitude of the phytotoxic effect on the pharmaceutical group of the antibiotic is shown. The data obtained are the basis for further research to assess the negative impact on the environment and the development of technologies for phytoremediation of environmental objects. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of antibiotics on the growth reactions of higher plants - potential phytoremediants.

ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ОЦЕНКА СОСТОЯНИЯ ПОЧВ МЕТОДАМИ БИОИНДИКАЦИИ

Biotesting of soils in various districts of Bishkek was carried out. The sections of the western, eastern and southern parts of the city, characterized by different traffic congestion, were surveyed. Test cultures of freshwater crustaceans Daphnia magna and ciliates Paramecium caudatum were used to determine soil toxicity. Cultivation water was taken for control. The experiments were carried out in triplicate. The cultures were placed in a climatostat for 120 hours. The survival rate and sensitivity of test cultures were determined. Mathematical integral calculation methods were used to determine the degree of toxicity in the soil. Survival of bioindicator organisms varies from less toxic to acutely toxic to test systems. The cleanest area is the territory of the southern part of the city, in which there is a park area. The methods of bioindication of the state of soils used in this study make it possible to obtain preliminary reliable information on the state of soil ecosystems and are one of the aspects of the Triad approach in assessing environmental pollution.

Potentially toxic elements in soil and air along an altitudinal gradient in Tatra National Park

With a growing number of tourists, national parks are facing high pressure in terms of production and spreading the potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Car parks, roads or civil amenities have become a source of PTEs, which are spreading not only in their immediate vicinity, but can contaminate much wider surroundings. Total content of Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn was determined in soil samples and, also in mosses and lichen samples, which were used as bioindication method for air pollution monitoring. Soil pollution was evaluated by contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd) and the pollution load index (PLI). The impact of pollution on selected soil characteristics (soil enzymes, soil respiration, total nitrogen, organic carbon, soil pH) was also evaluated. Content of PTEs in moss and lichen samples was expressed by relative accumulation factor values (RAF).The most serious soil pollution was recorded at the first (lowest in terms of altitude) sampling point, but soil contamination reached significant values also at higher altitudes. All evaluated soil properties showed decreasing tendency under the soil pollution, with exception of soil pH, which showed positive correlation with PTEs. The ability of mosses and lichen to accumulate pollution in their insoles varied depending on the toxic element. High levels of PTEs have also been captured at higher altitudes due to their ability to spread, transport and accumulate in the environment.

Determination of the macrophyte index MIR as an indicator of water quality in the Pripet river

Introduction. The river basin and the catchments of small rivers within it is a complete ecological, hydrological and economic unit with clear boundaries and a set of natural conditions. Increasing the stability of the geosystem of the river basin is impossible without monitoring the dynamics of the state of natural resources and factors of negative impact. A significant part of the water management complex of the Volyn region is the Pripet River basin which has a significant degree of development. The watercourse forms part of the state border between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus, the tributary basins are located on the territory of both states. The source, lower course and mouth of the Pripet River are on the territory of Ukraine. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the strategic principles of rational nature management to restore and preserve the optimal ecological state of the Pripet River basin. The objective of the work is to assess the ecological state of the Pripet River using bioindication methods and the Macrophyte Index for Rivers (MIR). Methods. Research methods are expeditionary, mathematical statistics, bioindication, and determination of the Macrophyte Index for Rivers (MIR). Results. Four test sites of at least 100 m length each were used to determine the ecological state of the waters of the Pripet River. Research found 48 species of higher aquatic and coastal aquatic plants in the test sites of the Pripet River. All species belong to the division Magnoliophyta, of which 21 species of the class Magnoliopsida (43.75%), and the larger share (27 species, 56.25%) to the class Liliopsida. 35 indicative species of macrophytes were selected in the test sites of the river to determine the Macrophyte Index for Rivers (MIR). According to the MIR classification, the river belongs to lowland watercourses, the macrophyte type M-VIII (organic rivers). MIR calculations established that the river water quality in the test site No. 1 (village of Polozhevo, upper reaches) has a satisfactory ecological state, MIR is 33.84; in the site No. 2 (v. Luchytsi) satisfactory ecological state, MIR is 34.04; in the site No. 3 (v. Liubyaz, border between Volyn and Rivne regions) good ecological state, MIR is 40.6; water quality in the site No. 4 (v. Senchytsi, border with Belarus) has satisfactory ecological state, MIR is 33.57. Conclusions. According to the Macrophyte Index for Rivers, it was established that the Pripet River waters have a satisfactory or good ecological state. This gives reason to state that the research in the test sites and the MIR calculations fully reflect the ecological state of the watercourse, which allows the use of this research algorithm for other rivers of the basin.

The Use of Mosses in Biomonitoring of Air Pollution in the Terrestrial Environment: A Review

Abstract Environmental biomonitoring is an excellent supplement to instrumental methods of environmental quality assessment. The use of biological methods has many advantages (relatively low cost, independence from the source of energy in the field etc.). The limitation in the use of bioindication methods is the inability to compare the results with legal environmental pollution standards. Mosses are commonly used in air pollution monitoring. Mosses exhibit most of the characteristics attributed to effective bioindicators. The advantage of mosses over other bioindicators comes from the fact that the result depends only on-air pollution due to the lack of practical contact with the soil. Mosses are used in air pollution biomonitoring in two basic methods: naturally growing or transplanted to the researched area. They are most often used to assess air pollution by metals and other elements, but also by various organic compounds. A prerequisite for successful application of these methods is strict adherence to a recognised methodology and standardisation of all activities, such as random selection of measurement points. The article presents a critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of biomonitoring of air pollutants, along with a final recommendation for their use, provided that appropriate methodological rigor is maintained. An important advantage of mosses in biomonitoring is their relatively practical ease of application and interpretation of results, resulting in their widespread use.

A SOIL BIODIAGNOSTICS METHODOLOGY AND FEATURES OF SOME BIOINDICATION AND BIOTESTING METHODS (REVIEW)

The methodology for biodiagnostics of the ecological state of soils and other environmental objects involves the use of two approaches: bioindicative observations in situand biotesting of samples, carried out according to standard methods in controlled laboratory conditions ex situ. An integrated assessment of soils on an interdisciplinary basis in accordance with the international standard ISO19204-2017 makes it possible to diagnose of soils “health” based on biotic parameters in the course of natural environmental observations, ecotoxicity indicators, which are supple-mented by the results of quantitative chemical analysis (TRIAD methodology). For soils, indicators of the state of higher plants and microbial communities, especially in agroecosystems, are of paramount importance. The article analyzes the advantages and limitations of well-known methods of phytoindication, laboratory phytotesting, soil respiration, structural and functional indicators of microbiota diversity and bacterial biosensors. The responses of living systems to the same pollutant content largely depend on the carbon content of organic matter. The existing regulatory framework for the ecological assessment of the biological state of soil ecosystems practically does not take into account this, as well as the level of mineralization and pH of the analyzed objects. For an adequate assessment of the ecological quality of soils, it is proposed to improve the methods of measuring toxicity by more targeted recommendations for application (for example, for certain gradations of humus content, mineralization, pH).

Phytoplankton Diversity and Bioindication of the Lakes in the Burabay National Natural Park, Northern Kazakhstan

The problem of assessing the impact of pollution in protected areas prompted us to apply a combined method of bioindication and spatial mapping of phytoplankton data from six lakes in the Burabay National Nature Park in Northern Kazakhstan. The issue of monitoring planning was quite acute for this landscape-homogeneous area among the Kulunda steppes. Phytoplankton in each of the six lakes was collected in the summer season of 2019 at a total of 54 sampling stations. In total, 139 species of algae and cyanobacteria from seven taxonomic phyla were found in the phytoplankton of the Burabay Park during the study period. Three phyla were the richest in species: diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria. Based on species richness, abundance, and biomass, as well as bioindicators and calculated indices of organic pollution and toxic effects, the current ecological state of the lake was assessed as being under the influence of pollution, of the mesotrophic type and with a high capacity for self-purification. Statistical mapping, calculated by the correlation of the species composition and categories of indicators, revealed the zones of anthropogenic impact located on the shores of the lake, and the water of the lakes as weakly alkaline, quality classes 2–3. An increase in the number of cyanobacteria in coastal communities was revealed, which may be associated with an increase in the biogenic load on the lake ecosystems. The results of the analysis and mapping of indicators revealed that two major factors regulated phytoplankton: salinity and organic pollution. The sources of organic pollution are mostly associated with the intake of substances from the coastal zone, where resorts, roads, and settlements are located.

Structure of Microscopic Fungal Species in Soils at Amber Mining Territories before and during the use of New Technology of Pine Plantation Formation.

Introduction: Ukraine is one of the European leaders in amber deposits. The main deposits of the mineral are concentrated in the forests of the Rivne, Zhytomyr and Volyn regions. As a result of the extraction process, the integrity of forest’s ecosystems is violated, the fertile soil layer is destroyed, and 3.5 thousand hectares of forests have to be restored. Aim: Evaluation of different forest management strategies in degraded soil regeneration. Objective: The study aims to explore the response of soil mycobiota to extreme conditions associated with amber mining and to propose biotechnology to restore the fertile soil layer by methods of regenerative land use, namely the use of biomass of various ways of birch cuts, which is the primary succession to the indigenous pine stands in the region. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on the territory of the Klesiv amber deposit in the Ukrainian Polissya. The bioindication method with the help of soil micromycetes was used to assess the quality of the plant development environment in the conditions of ecosystem restoration after amber extraction. To determine the species composition of hyphomycetes, the method of serial dilutions and direct seeding on agar media of soil suspensions was used. The analysis of soil mycobiota was performed using quantitative ecology methods. The method of correlation groups was used to determine the taxonomic diversity of hyphomycetes. To determine the effectiveness of the restoration of the studied forest soils, the express analysis of the content of essential nutrients using NPK-sensor was used. Standard methods for the determination of mobile phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen compounds were used as controls. Results: The species composition and taxonomic characteristics of soil micromycetes of forest ecosystems disturbed by amber mining have been studied. It was found that in the areas of amber mining, soil micromycetes form linear connections and three-membered structures, which is characteristic of disturbed biocenoses. In the 60-year-old plantation, soil micromycetes form strong six-membered structures that are characteristic of menopausal ecosystems or intact biocenoses. The biotechnology of restoration of the indigenous plantation characteristic of these conditions - pine with an admixture of hanging birch is offered. The result of the application of this technology will allow to reproduce natural forest ecosystems in large areas. Conclusion: For the first time, the structure of fungal complexes in the areas of amber mining has been determined, which indicates that the formation of a stable structure requires time and a systematic approach to the restoration of damaged soils. In the soils disturbed by amber mining, initial linear, three-membered and four-membered structures were formed, the structural genera of which are the “pioneer genera” Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, the species of which were the first to inhabit plant remains. In the process of reforestation in areas affected by amber mining, biotechnology was used for the first time, which involved the formation of natural pine stands by cutting birch, forming the primary succession in the studied areas. The comparison of the results of chemical analysis of soils of the studied areas of the Klesiv forestry before and after the application of birch pruning technology for the formation of pine stands proves the effectiveness of the technology, as in all areas nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were increased in the soil.

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON THE STATE OF PHYTOCENOSES OF HOLOSIIV PARK NAMED AFTER MAKSYM RYLSKYI OF THE CITY OF KYIV

Anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is manifested by disturbance of plant cover, synanthropization of the floristic composition of groups, destruction of plant distribution areas, reduction of biodiversity, and changes in plant growth and development conditions. The degree of anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is a global problem that requires detailed study and monitoring studies, especially in the conditions of urban ecosystems. The natural conditions affecting the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv according to physical and geographical, climatic, edaphic, and orographic features. The influence of anthropogenic activity in the experimental plots was determined and the level of anthropogenic pressure on the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv was carried out by analyzing available sources of industrial production, transport, etc. It has been established that Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi is subjected to constant anthropogenic load, in particular, intensive recreational use, atmospheric air pollution has been established, which leads to the impoverishment of biodiversity in certain areas of the park. The level of atmospheric air pollution in the territory adjacent to the experimental sites was assessed using computational and instrumental methods. It was established that the estimated CO level exceeds the standards by 8 times on Holosiivskyi Avenue and by more than 30 times at the intersection of Maksym Rylskyi Street and Holosiivskyi Avenue. The analysis of the state of the atmospheric air using instrumental research methods did not show an excess of the content of the main pollutants, however, according to the Air Quality Index, it is moderately polluted by the content of dust with a diameter of 2.5 microns. The study of the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylsky of the city of Kyiv within the experimental plots was carried out by studying their floristic composition and evaluating the ecological groups of plants. Because it is the analysis of ecological groups of plants that makes it possible to assess the ecological conditions of plant groups, the place of growth, and phytocenotypes of plant species that are part of the phytocenosis, that is their role in the formation of the phytocenosis. The ecological assessment of the state of phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi of the city of Kyiv was carried out using the method of bioindication and lichen indication (lichen research). These methods make it possible to determine the level of anthropogenic load acting quickly and relatively easily on phytocenoses within the experimental plots. To determine the state of the trees in the experimental plots, the method of assessing the asymmetry of morphological structures was used (using the example of the hanging hornbeam Carpinus betulus L.). A comparison of the floristic composition and the state of the phytocenoses showed that plot No. 1 has a depressed state, plants do not grow evenly, and drying of trees was observed. Plot No. 2 has the best condition, the plants of the plot are characterized by the best indicators of growth and development, the largest number of species, and the frequency of occurrence of species. Site No. 3 did not record significant degradation of the phytocenosis, but there is a certain mosaic of the phytocenosis, which may be due to atmospheric air pollution and significant recreational pressure, in particular, trampling. Plot No. 2 and Plot No. 3 have the highest coefficient of species composition commonality. Common plant species in the respective areas are: Carpinus betulus L., Anemonoides ranunculoides L., Ficaria verna, Trifolium repens and Corydalis solida.

The use of artificial intelligence in methods of bioindication and monitoring of anthropogenic load on the example of Chat GPT and MS Copilot

The use of artificial intelligence in methods of bioindication and monitoring of anthropogenic load on the example of Chat GPT and MS Copilot

Bioindication of environmental security in urban and rural territory according toBetula pendulaRoth

In the modern era of urbanization, air pollution is becoming a significant cause of changes in the health of the population. The contribution of the complex of atmospheric pollutants to the state of the urban environment can be assessed by the bioindication method. In the article, this is done using the fluctuating asymmetry of the leaf blades of the silver birch on the example of the one and a half million city of Novosibirsk and a rural settlement located 50 km away. Novosibirsk is an industrial center and has a high transport and logistics significance. Bioindication data testify to the critical state of its environment in places of high transport load and industrial congestion and to a significant deviation from the norm when moving away from the park zone. This requires the development of additional measures aimed at minimizing the impact of environmental risks on the population.

Assessment of the current state of the Lake Imandra ecosystem (Russia, Murmansk region) using statistical and bioindication methods

The diatom assemblages of surface sediments of the Lake Imandra were studied. Lake Imandra is the largest freshwater reservoir in the Murmansk region. Significant differences in the composition of diatom assemblages were revealed in various parts of the water area, differing in the type and intensity of anthropogenic load. With the help of bioindication and statistical methods, the main factors influencing the development of certain diatom assemblages were identified.

Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of bioindication methods in monitoring environmental studies in St Petersburg

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of bioindication methods in determining the state of the environment in St. Petersburg on the example of Vasileostrovsky and Pushkinsky districts. The content of chemical elements in soils, poplar bark Populus balsamifera, Tilia cordata and Betula pendula leaves, moss (Sphagnum angustifolium) and lichen (Cladonia stellaris) traps was studied, the integral index of fluctuating asymmetry of linden leaves T. cordata and birch B. pendula was calculated, soil biotesting using Daphnia magna and Chlorella vulgaris was carried out. It is established that the main sources of pollution of the urban environment are motor transport, the Baltic plant in Vasileostrovsky district and the industrial zones "Shushary" and "Pushkinskaya" in Pushkin district. The territory of the park zone of the Pushkin district can be considered as a conditional background for environmental monitoring. The use of fluctuating asymmetry of tree species leaves in bioindication studies is recommended only in conjunction with the results of chemical analysis. Poplar bark seems to be the most convenient bioindicator for assessing environmental pollution over a long period, the chemical composition of the leaves of tree species (linden T. cordata and birch B. pendula) reflects information about the intake of pollutants during one growing season, analysis of the chemical composition of moss and lichen traps allows you to determine the intake of pollutants in a relatively short period of time and identify sources of pollution. To assess the ecological state of the urban environment on the basis of the Harrington desirability function, an integral bioindication parameter BIP has been developed, taking into account the degree of transformation of individual environmental components under the influence of anthropogenic load: a change in the chemical composition of plants relative to clark (background) values; the manifestation of fluctuating asymmetry of tree species leaves compared to the norm. The effectiveness of BIP application for geoecological assessment of the state of the environment in cities is shown.