Eastern Belarus Research Articles

Over the barriers: the transformation of linguistic stereotypes in the multicultural environment of the Western Region and neighboring regions in the 1920s – 1930s

The article is devoted to the analysis of the linguistic situation on the ethnocultural borderland, which in the 1920s and 1930s turned out to be the territory of the Smolensk Province and (since 1929) the Western Region of the USSR, which included territories that previously belonged to the Smolensk, Bryansk, Kaluga and Tver provinces. This region, bordering Belarus to the west, has always been distinguished by a variety of ethnic, confessional and cultural traditions. The article examines the ethnic and language stereotypes that existed in the Russian-Belarusian-Polish environment, their transformation under the influence of state policies (change of administrative borders, processes of Russification, Belarusization); the situation with the Yiddish language that developed in the western parts of Smolensk region and in eastern Belarus deserves special attention. For the population of the border regions, language is the most important ethnocultural marker and a way of (self)identification, which is reflected in popular ideas about the different status of different languages, in the choice of the language of communication and education, in interlanguage interaction (lexical borrowings). In the chronological period under consideration, the self-reflection by various groups, expressed in the form of statements and narratives about their own and the “others” language, became the object of attention of Communist party and state security organizations, which was reflected in the secret documents of the relevant institutions and organizations. The article is based on materials from the State Archive of the Smolensk Region and the State Archive of the Modern History of the Smolensk Region, reflecting various aspects of linguistic, ethnic and confessional interaction between representatives of various ethnocultural traditions in the territory of the Smolensk Province and the Western region of the USSR.

Estimation of Carbonaceous Aerosol Sources under Extremely Cold Weather Conditions in an Urban Environment

The present study investigated the characteristics of carbonaceous species in an urban background site. Real-time measurements of inorganic (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, chloride, and black carbon [BC]) and organic submicron aerosols (OA) were carried out at the urban background site of Vilnius, Lithuania, during January–February 2014. An aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM, Aerodyne Research Inc., Billerica, MA, USA) and co-located 7-λ aethalometer (AE-31, Magee Scientific, Berkeley, CA, USA) were used to analyze the chemical compositions, sources, and extinction characteristics of the PM1. Extremely contrasting meteorological conditions were observed during the studied period due to the transition from moderately cold (~2 °C) conditions to extremely cold conditions with a lowest temperature of −25 °C; therefore, three investigation episodes were considered. The identified periods corresponded to the transition time from the moderately cold to the extremely cold winter period, which was traced by the change in the average temperature for the study days of 1–13 January, with T = −5 °C and RH = 92%, in contrast to the period of 14–31 January, with T = −14 °C and RH = 74%, and the very short third period of 1–3 February, with T = −8 °C and RH = 35%. On average, organics accounted for the major part (53%) of the non-refractory submicron aerosols (NR-PM1), followed by nitrate (18%) and sulfate (9%). The source apportionment results showed the five most common OA components, such as traffic and heating, to be related to hydrocarbon-like organic aerosols (HOAtraffic and HOAheating, respectively), biomass-burning organic aerosols (BBOA), local organic aerosol (LOA), and secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Traffic emissions contributed 53% and biomass burning 47% to the BC concentration level. The highest BC and OA concentrations were, on average, associated with air masses originating from the southwest and east–southeast. Furthermore, the results of the PSCF and CWT methods indicated the main source regions that contributed the most to the BC concentration in Vilnius to be the following: central–southwestern and northeastern Poland, northwestern–southwestern and eastern Belarus, northwestern Ukraine, and western Russia. However, the potential sources of OA were widely distributed.

Деятельность органов НКВД−НКГБ−МВД−МГБ СССР по обеспечению общественной безопасности на территории Западной Белоруссии в (1939−1953 гг.)

Importance. Interest in the events taking place on the territory of Western Belarus in the period 1939–1953 is supported both by the complexity and inconsistency of the processes that are taking place today in the Russian Federation and abroad, and by the insufficient degree of study of certain issues related to the activities of law enforcement agencies in the history of our state. Topics related to the activities of the NKVD−NKGB−MVD−MGB of the USSR bodies on the territory of Western Belarus in 1939–1953 are currently not sufficiently studied in detail by historical science, which leads to the falsification of historical events of those years. The purpose of the research is to reveal the historical events taking place on the territory of the western regions of Belarus and the activities of the law enforcement agencies of the Soviet state to ensure public safety in 1939–1953 in this region. Materials and Methods. The research is based on declassified archival materials of the Republic of Belarus, the State Archive of the Russian Federation and the Russian State Military Archive. Party materials of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus (CPB), Minsk, Brest and Pinsk regional committees of the CPB, the Political Department of the Red Army, documents of the Belarusian headquarters of the partisan movement and the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR – the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR (1934–1960) are studied. Both general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as synchronistic and problem-chronological methods are used. Results and Discussion. The German aggression against Poland in 1939 contributed to the reunification of Western and Eastern Belarus, and also put before the state authorities of the USSR the restructuring of all spheres of life of the local population. The features and directions of restructuring the activities of the NKVD−NKGB−MVD−MGB of the USSR to ensure public safety in the specified historical period on the territory of Western Belarus are investigated. Specific measures that were carried out by the law enforcement agencies of the USSR to ensure public security in the western regions of Belarus in the period 1939–1953 are considered. Considerable attention is paid to the activities of the NKVD−NKGB−MVD−MGB of the USSR to eliminate the nationalist underground on the eve of the war and in the post-war period on the territory of Western Belarus. Conclusion. The joint activities of law enforcement agencies and state authorities played an important role in ensuring public safety in the territory of Western Belarus in 1939–1953.

Białorusini w utworach Michała K. Pawlikowskiego

Belarusians in Michał K. Pawlikowski’s novels, essays and articles are the subjects of research by the author of this article. Michał K. Pawlikowski (1893–1972) was a Polish writer who spent his childhood and youth in eastern Belarus. He immigrated to America for thelast thirty years of his life where he dealt with literature. In Poland his Works were unknown. His novels and essays have been published for ten years. Since then,, the author has been researching Pawlikowski’s work. As an anthropologist, he notices many interesting things in it. Literary anthropology is also interested in the descriptions of various nations. Pawlikowski’s Works also contains descriptions of Belarusians. The author found them and put them in order. It was not easy, because there are very few references to Belarusians which are scattered in various works by the writer. Pawlikowski sees mainly pasants in Belarus. He is fascinated by their language and culture. He hardly notices their national aspirations. However, he notes that they live in harmony with the Poles. нак, што беларусы жылі ў згодзе з палякамі.

Распространение стрекоз-люток рода Sympecma burmeister, 1839 (odonata: lestidae) на юго-востоке Беларуси

The brief data from our research on distribution of Common and Siberian Winter Damsels in South- Eastern Belarus are analysed in this article. As a results of observations, it was found that S. paedisca is much more widespread than previously assumed, and a new habitat of S. fusca was discovered in this region.

Potential of Energy Willow Plantations for Biological Reclamation of Soils Polluted by 137Cs and Heavy Metals, and for Control of Nutrients Leaking into Water Systems

Abstract Willow is a low-maintenance crop that has potential for energy production and enhancing the local environment. The area of commercial plantations of willow in Europe is mostly concentrated in Sweden, with more than 20 000 ha. Willow trees are used not only for energy production, but also for reclamation of polluted soils because a plantation may grow for 20–25 years, with a three-year period of harvesting. Our research covers issues of reclamation of soils contaminated by radionuclides and heavy metals, and decreasing of eutrophication of water ecosystems with using willow plantations. The field studies of phytoremediation of soil contaminated by 137Cs by willow plants were conducted in eastern Belarus, in the area where agricultural activity was banned after Chernobyl disaster. This region is heavily polluted with 137Cs (from 185 to 555 kBq/m2) and heavy metals. The transferring factors of accumulated 137Cs and heavy metals from the soil to willow biomass were determined. The field experiments showed that willow does not accumulate actively Cd and Pb, but it accumulates Zn, Cu and Mn intensively. The potassium application decreases the accumulation of 137Cs in willow biomass and increases accumulation of Cu, Zn and Mn, but has no influence on accumulation of Cd and Pb. Our results confirmed that soils polluted with radionuclide and heavy metals could be used for willow cultivation as energy crop, if adequate management is applied. The different potential of the willow species concerning heavy metals accumulation was also established. The yield of willow biomass on polluted soils achieved 11.5–12.8 DMg ha–1 per year, depending on variety, that is competitive with the ordinary yield of willow on mineral fertile soils. Willow plantations also may be used for accumulations of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds. It enables to decrease impact for water ecosystems and to control eutrophication.

The Resistance of the Jewish Population of Eastern Belarus to the Nazi Genocide in 1941–1944

Abstract The resistance of the Jews of the Eastern Belarus to the Nazi genocide is a chapter of World War II history to which little attention has been paid. This article deals with the position and resistance of the Jewish population of the eastern regions of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) to the Nazi genocide during the German occupation in 1941–1944. The material presented here is the first attempt towards a comprehensive coverage of the activities of Jews concentrated in places of isolation to resist Nazi actions against the Jewish population. Materials from Belarusian, Israeli, German and Russian archives have substantially supplemented data from the author’s personal archive.

Grensk Culture in Eastern Belarus: The Current State of Research

The article deals with the main range of problems of Grensk culture in the Final Palaeolithic and Mesolithic in the Upper Dnieper region. At present, the understanding of the ways and mechanisms of the formation and the time of habitation of members of this ancient culture are rather debatable. Interpretations of the sources have resulted in two completely different research approaches in terms of methodology, bringing together supporters of the indigenous (U. Budzko, V. Kapytsin, A. Kalechyts, G. Sinitsyna, etc) or migration (L. Zaliznyak, U. Ksiandzou, A. Sorokin, etc) ways of the emergence and the development of Grensk culture. It is impossible to understand the essence of the ‘Grensk question’ without considering the nature of its origin, the problem looked at in this article. Key words: Final Palaeolithic and Mesolithic, Grensk culture, eastern Belarus, Upper Dnieper region, asymmetrical shouldered points, Ienevo culture, Pesochny Rov culture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/ab.v25i0.1828

Exceptional preservation of hopanoid and steroid biomarkers in Ediacaran sedimentary rocks of the East European Craton

Thermally unstable hopanes with a biological 17β,21β (H)- configuration (ββ hopanes), hopenes, hopanoic acids and hopanols were identified as important constituents of Ediacaran to Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the East European Craton. Relatively high abundances of ββ hopanes in relation to αβ hopanes were identified in the Petersburg area and eastern Belarus, while in Volyn samples these compounds were found in traces. In addition, polar hopanoids including hopanols and hopanoic acids were found in most of the Petersburg and some Belarus and Volyn sedimentary rocks. The estimated equivalent of vitrinite reflectance for samples of lower maturity, measured based on C31ββ/(αβS + αβR + ββ) ratio is in the range 0.28–0.49% Rr, while for those of higher thermal maturity this parameter corresponds to 0.41–0.57% Rr. The values of the C31 22S/(S + R) ratio are in agreement with above data and are in the range of 0.1–0.3 for the Belarus and Petersburg samples, of 0.3–0.4 for Volyn, and of 0.4–0.5 for Lithuania, where ββ hopanes and hopanols were not detected or are present as traces. Moreover, there is good correlation (R2 = 0.8) between C31ββ/(αβS + αβR + ββ) and C31ENE/(H + ENE) ratio values (defined as ratio of C31 hopenes to αβ hopanes), which proves that less-stable ββ hopanes and hopenes are enriched in the same immature sedimentary rocks. The remarkable occurrence of a significant portion of sedimentary hopanes retaining the biological stereochemical configuration confirms that exceptionally immature Precambrian rocks can be found in some instances when these strata have undergone only a mild burial temperature history.

Lost in Translation. Abbreviations at the epitaphs of the Jewish cemetery of Beshenkovichi (Belarus)

In the article, we consider such language realities as abbreviations that were found at the Beshenkovichi cemetery in Belarus during the field expedition which was conducted by the “Sefer” Center in 2016. The goal of all the abbreviations is to reduce space on the material and to speed writing. The article describes in detail all kinds of abbreviations (alphabetic, sound and spelling) found in the epitaphs as well as general tendencies and peculiarities of their use on tombstones are revealed. For example, the most common abbreviations are the abbreviations “Here rests” (“Pei-Nun”) and “Tantzevah” (“ה‘‘תנצב — (“the final blessing. They are traditional for the region, but relate to two different types of abbreviations, alphabetic and sound respectively. Per contra, the use of the abbreviation “modest woman” (“שהצנו(י)הא ,(“which does not occur in other burials of Eastern Belarus, is a characteristic feature of the cemetery epitaphs. Its peculiarity is in the fact that both words are written together, and the connecting part represented with the letter “hey” (“-ה ,(“- which semantically is perceived the ending of the feminine gender of the word “woman” (Hebrew האשה (as well as a definite article to the adjective “modest” agreed with it (Hebrew הצנועה.( Thus, the abbreviations found in the epitaphs of the Beshekovichi cemetery were identified and described in the article together with the potential reasons for their use in the texts indicated. However, it is difficult to draw a conclusion on the interpretation of such phenomena (at the same time, both traditional abbreviations and explicit features of the cemetery). This may require further study of the funerary culture of the region.

Between Local and National: the Case of Eastern Belarus in 1917

Between Local and National: the Case of Eastern Belarus in 1917

Between Local and National: the Case of Eastern Belarus in 1917

Between Local and National: the Case of Eastern Belarus in 1917

Spectral analysis of water level fluctuations in Belarusian and Polish lakes

Abstract Data regarding 25 lakes (9 Belarusian and 16 Polish) provided the basis for spectral analysis of water level fluctuations. The obtained output data concerned a 55-year observation sequence covering the years 1956-2010. The selection of lakes was determined by two factors, i.e. data continuity and inconsiderable anthropogenic impact. The lakes were divided into three groups depending on the course of the water level spectrum. The first group included the highest number of lakes (14) which were distinguished by smooth curves with no significant peaks (e.g. Lake Wygonoszczańskie). The second group shows a four-year variability (e.g. Lake Łukomskie). The third group is distinguished by an even peak of three-year water fluctuation (e.g. Lake Łebsko). The location of the lakes categorised into those three groups suggests a certain regionalisation. The first group is represented by lakes of central and northern Belarus, and eastern Poland. The second group includes lakes of eastern Belarus, and the third group - lakes of central and northern Poland. This suggests that alongside local factors, the location of the distinguished groups of lakes may also be determined by regional factors. Presumably, continentalism of climate increasing in an eastwards direction is one of the key factors responsible for the detected regional diversity of lake water level fluctuations.

Образец системного анализа крупной проблемы (рецензия на монографию Г. Р. Винницы "Холокост на оккупированной территории Восточной Беларуси в 1941-1944 годах")

Israeli scientists Gennady Ruvimovich Vinnitsa acquired firmly Reputation of System Analytics in historical research long ago. It has been evidenced by his numerous publications. The subject of this review is the most significant publication of Gennady Ruvimovich - monograph “The Holocaust in the occupied territory of East Belarus in 1941-1944”. This reviews make an attempt to analyze the position of his research in the historiography of the Holocaust. The main result of Gennady Ruvimovich work is that It was carried out systematic reconstruction of the history of the Holocaust in Eastern Belarus for the first time. The most convincing argument of the scientist is factual involvement giant array. The vast majority of the facts were introduced in scientific revolution for the first time. References includes 791 items. The author of the monograph summarized factual array involving both general scientific and special historical methods.

The Dead Bodies of Bobruisk, Belarus 1941–45

This paper traces the massacres of Jews and Soviet prisoners of war in November 1941 in the city of Bobruisk, Eastern Belarus. Sparked by a current memorial at one of the killing sites, the author examines the historic events of the killings themselves and presents a micro level analysis of the various techniques for murdering and disposing of such large numbers of victims. A contrast will be shown between the types of actions applied to the victims by the German army, SS, police personnel and other local collaborators, reflecting an imposed racial hierarchisation even after their death.

Vegetation pattern and sedimentation changes in the context of the Lateglacial climatic events: Case study of Staroje Lake (Eastern Belarus)

A lake sediment core collected from the Staroje Lake, southeastern Belarus, reveals significant changes of the terrestrial and limnic environmental during the Lateglacial and Early Holocene in the periglacial zone of the Late Weichselian Glaciation. The combination of lithological (loss-on-ignition), palaeobotanical (pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, diatoms) and isotopic (δ18O, δ13C, 14C) proxy parameters was applied for the reconstruction of the vegetation pattern and sedimentation regime. The Lateglacial pre-Interstadial (GS-2) vegetation was dominated by mineral-soil pioneers with scattered occurrence of Pinus and Betula; an Interstadial (GI-1) dominated by Pinus forest with increasing representation of open-ground species since approximately 13,500 cal BP; and Lateglacial Stadial (GS-1) with recurring opening of the vegetation pattern with scattered tree patches including those of Picea. Presence of Pinus stomata confirms the local origin of this plant since the pre-Interstadial. Starting from the Holocene, birch, later accompanied by other deciduous species (Ulmus, Alnus, Quercus, Corylus), took over in the local vegetation structure.Isotopic records (δ18O, δ13C) obtained on bulk carbonates as well as diatom data exhibit several shifts reflecting variations both in terrestrial and limnic environment. Distinct negative excursion of δ18O curve recorded during the first half of the GI-1 event suggests intensive groundwater discharge accompanied by active transportation of detrital carbon in to the basin. Limited basin productivity is also indicated by lithological and diatom records. Since approximately 13,700 cal BP, sedimentation regime in the lake stabilised and productivity of the basin started to increase in positive correlation with LOI data. A considerable decrease in δ18O values punctuated by a rapid jump in the middle of the interval was recorded during the GS-1 Stadial and could be associated with the deterioration of the environmental regime and degradation of the soil layer, increasing erosion activity alongside the rising input of detrital carbonates into the basin. The water table was low, as indicated by diatom data. Recovery of the environmental regime preceded the GS-1/Holocene boundary, as is seen in lithostratigraphical and isotopic data. During the early Holocene, stable isotopes show several episodes with altered levels suggesting instability of the environmental regime, most probably related with the global climatic alterations.

Variability of aerosol properties over Eastern Europe observed from ground and satellites in the period from 2003 to 2011

Abstract. The paper presents some results of the study on aerosol variability in the period from 2003 to 2011 over the Eastern Europe region, with latitude ranging from 40° N to 60° N and longitude from 20° E to 50° E. The analysis was based on the POLDER/PARASOL and POLDER-2/ADEOS satellites and AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) ground-based sun photometer observations. The aerosol optical thickness (AOT) of the studied area is characterized by values (referenced to 870 nm wavelength) ranging from 0.05 to 0.2, except for in the period of July–August 2010 with strong forest and peat wildfires when the AOT typical values range from 0.3 to 0.5 according to both retrievals. The analysis of seasonal dynamics of aerosol loading has revealed two AOT high value peaks. The spring peak observed in April–May is the result of solitary transportation of Saharan dust in the atmosphere over Eastern Europe, infrequent agricultural fires, transportation of sea salt aerosols by southern winds to Ukraine and Moldova from the Black and Azov seas. The autumn peak in August–September is associated with forest and peat wildfires, considerable transportation of Saharan dust and the presence of soil dust aerosols due to harvesting activity. The maximum values of AOT are observed in May 2006 (0.1–0.15), April 2009 (0.07–0.15) and August 2010 (0.2–0.5). Furthermore, the study has identified a distinct pattern of anthropogenic aerosols over the industrial areas, especially in central Ukraine and eastern Belarus as well as Moscow region in Russia. The comparison of the AOT derived by standard algorithm POLDER/PARASOL with those recomputed from AERONET inversions for fine mode particles with radius < 0.3 μm was performed over several AERONET sites. The correlation coefficients for the POLDER/AERONET AOT retrieval comparisons are equal: 0.78 for Moscow site, 0.76 – Minsk, 0.86 – Belsk, 0.81 – Moldova (period 2005–2009), 0.93 – Kyiv and 0.63 for Sevastopol sites (2008–2009). The deviations are explained by the spatial inhomogeneity of the surface polarization that has a stronger effect on aerosol retrieval for clear atmospheric conditions with low aerosol loading when surface impact on satellite observations is more pronounced. In addition, the preliminary analysis of the detailed aerosol properties derived by a new generation PARASOL algorithm was evaluated. The comparison of AOT and single scattering albedo retrieved from the POLDER/PARASOL observations over Kyiv with the closest AERONET retrievals within 30 min of satellite overpass time and with a cloudless day shows acceptable agreement of the aerosol dynamics. The correspondence of those data is observed even for extreme AOT440 value 1.14, which was caused by the forest and peat fires in August 2010.

A wide hybrid zone of chromosome races of the common shrew, Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia), between the Dnieper and Berezina Rivers (Belarus)

Karyological study of 75 specimens of the common shrew, Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758, from 8 localities in the Berezina River basin (eastern Belarus) was carried out. A wide hybrid zone (not less than 100 km) between the northern West Dvina chromosome race (XX / XYY, af, bc, gm, hk, ip, jl, no, qr, tu) and the southern Turov race (XX / XYY, af, bc, g, h/k, i, jl, m, n, o, p, q, r, tu) was revealed in this region. Frequencies of fused-unfused arms comprising four diagnostic metacentrics of the West Dvina race (g/m, h/k, n/o, q/r) were calculated in all capture sites. Taking into consideration the absence of metacentric ip in specimens from six northern localities, the Borisov (Bs) race (XX / XYY, af, bc, g/m, h/k, i, jl, n/o, p, q/r, tu) (Orlov, Borisov, 2009) was distinguished in these sites. Common shrews from two southern localities on the right and left banks of the Berezina River (Berezino vicinity) were referred to the Turov race. The presence of four metacentrics descended from the West Dvina race in the Bs race testifies to the hypothesis expressed earlier that the polymorphic populations of the S. araneus between the Dnieper and Berezina Rivers originated as a result of the West Dvina race spreading from the north and of hybridization between this race and local populations with acrocentric chromosomes.

Willow wood production on radionuclide polluted areas

ABSTRACT: One of the key environmental problems in Belarus is effective use of agricultural lands contaminated by radionuclide due to the Chernobyl disaster. The alternative method to traditional agricultural crops is fast growing willow cultivation. It is possible to use biomass of willow as renewable energy source. The goal of our investigation was the estimation of environmental aspects of willow wood production on polluted areas. The field study experiments (2007-2010) were conducted at Krichev district of Mogilev region in eastern Belarus. This region characterized by high level of Cs-137 contamination as well as high level of heavy metals pollution. In the first stage of experiments, the concentration of cesium-137 in different parts of willow biomass had been measured and transfer factor calculated. The measuring had been done for leaves, roots, and wood. To control cesium-137 accumulation in willow biomass we apply different types (nitrogen N, phosphorus P and potassium K) and dose of fertilizer. The experiments show that potassium mineral fertilizer is the key factor for radionuclide accumulation control. The optimal dose of potassium is 90 kg per hectare. On the base of experimental results the model of cesium-137 accumulation in the wood for a 21 year has been developed. In accordance with calculation to the end of willow cultivation (21 year) concentration of cesium-137 in wood will not be higher than permitted even with the level of cesium-137 contamination in the soil 1480 kBq/m2 (maximum 140 kqB/m2 with permitted level for firewood is 740 Bq/kg.). The concentration of cesium-137 in the roots increases gradually and get maximum in 21 year (3000 kqB/m2). Our results confirm that in the sum about 0.8 million hectares of radionuclide polluted arable lands partly excluded from agricultural practice in Belarus could be used for willow biomass production.

Statistical and probability analysis of frosts in Belarus

Methods of studying May frosts, their time dynamics, and spatial structure in Belarus are considered. The territory of Belarus was divided into western and eastern parts with the help of methods of multivariate statistical analysis, proceeding from the dynamics of a number of frost days in May. Before 1985, the number of frost days prevailed in the western part, while after 1985, in eastern Belarus. A quasi-twelve-year cyclicity is established in the dynamics of a difference between a number of frost days in May in the east and west of the country