Eastern Kazakhstan Research Articles

Combined study of Au-bearing arsenopyrite of orogenic gold deposits (NE Asia): High resolution 3D X-ray computed tomography, LA-ICP-MS, and EMPA data

The distribution of gold in small acicular arsenopyrite of a pyrite-arsenopyrite association from Suzdal (Eastern Kazakhstan), Olympiada (Yenisei Ridge, Russia) and large pseudorhombic arsenopyrite crystals from Bazovskoe (Yakutia, Russia) orogenic-type deposits were investigated. On orogenic gold deposits in NE Asia, occurring mainly in black shales, two productive stages of ore deposition are distinguished, which correspond to two morphological varieties of arsenopyrite. At the early stage, fine-grained acicular-prismatic arsenopyrite with invisible gold was deposited; at the late stage, tabular arsenopyrite in association with free visible gold was formed. The samples of gold-bearing arsenopyrite were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Electron Microprobe Analyses, Atomic Absorption and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in combination with High Resolution 3D X-ray Computed Tomography (HRXCT). HRXCT does not destroy the studied mineral during the investigation. That technique permits to do an estimation of the amount of gold inclusions in minerals or host rocks and draw reasonable conclusions about the gold content of the ores, to study in detail the distribution patterns of metal inclusions (associated with certain minerals, cracks, crystal growth faces, etc.) and to determine the form of the gold. It can be used to understanding of the genesis of productive mineral associations, and to developing optimal technological schemes for gold extraction.

Leucogranite intrusions in Eastern Kazakhstan: age, composition and mechanisms of formation

There are several large intrusions composed of 70–75% leucogranites within Eastern Kazakhstan. Information on the age of the intrusions is provided, the features of the composition of the rocks are considered, and conclusions about the petrogenetic mechanisms of forming of leucogranite magmas are drawn. Two stages of leucogranite intrusive magmatism have been established – in the Early Permian and in the Early Triassic. Their formation occurred in an intraplate geodynamic setting. Leucogranite magmas were formed as a result of partial melting of crustal substrates under the thermal influence of mafic magmas. Geochemical differences in leucogranites were due to different compositions of crustal substrates and different degrees of their melting.

Sedimentary provenance supports a mid-paleozoic tectonic connection between the Junggar and Altai terranes in central Asia

The provenance of Precambrian detritus in the Junggar and Altai terranes provides crucial constraints on the peri-Siberian accretionary tectonic evolution in the middle Paleozoic. The Precambrian detrital zircons have no coeval magmatic equivalents in the Junggar terrane but show U–Pb age spectra and εHf(t) values comparable to those in the Altai terrane. The correlations suggest that the old detrital materials in the Junggar and Altai terranes were most likely derived from the Siberia craton and adjacent Tuva-Mongolian microcontinent. Paleozoic zircons in the Junggar terrane display a εHf(t) pattern from large spread to dominantly positive values at ca. 420–410 Ma. Such an abrupt change points to an accretionary tectonic transition from an advancing to retreating mode during mid-Paleozoic time, synchronous with similar tectonic switch occurring in the Altai terrane. Taking into account the temporal and spatial relations in sedimentation, tectonism and arc magmatism, we propose that the Junggar terrane had once collided onto the peri-Siberian Altai terrane to receive abundant old detritus from the Siberian continent in the Silurian–early Devonian. They were subsequently separated at ca. 420–410 Ma, possibly due to the slab rollback of the subducting Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) plate. These results constrain an Early Paleozoic tectono-paleogeographic boundary of the CAOB along the North Tianshan–Solonker suture zone, and also imply a long-lived PAO subduction was responsible for the Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic accretionary orogenesis at the margins of southern Siberia, eastern Kazakhstan, and northern Gondwana.

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS APHIDUROMYZUS UMAROV ET IBRAIMOVA, 1967 (HEMIPTERA: APHIDOMORPHA: APHIDIDAE) FROM KAZAKHSTAN

Aphiduromyzus dzhungaricus Kadyrbekov, sp. n. is described from the South- Eastern Kazakhstan (Dzhungar Alatau). The new species differs from A. rosae Umarov et Ibraimova, 1967 by ratios of processus terminalis to base of VI antennal segment, length of siphunculus to length of cauda, and ultimate rostral segment to base of VI antennal segment, by the presence of marginal tubercles only on the pronotum, I‒IV and VII abdominal segments and quantity of setae on the cauda. A key to apterous and alate viviparous females of the genus Aphiduromyzus Umarov et Ibraimova, 1967 is provided.

EFFECT OF THE CONCENTRATION OF THE PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON IN VITRO SHOOT GROWTH OF BLACKBERRY

Berry fruit species, such as Ribes nigrum, are highly esteemed in numerous countries for their biological and economic value, being regarded as important species of small fruits. Ribes nigrum, indigenous to northern Europe, and northern and central Asia. Conserving species like blackcurrant, as highlighted in the International Scientific reports, is crucial due to their potential health benefits and contributions to maintaining vascular health, especially in postmenopausal populations. The discovery that blackcurrant extract, rich in phytoestrogens, shows promise in preventing elastin degradation and pathological vascular remodeling underscores the importance of preserving this species. In Kazakhstan, the preservation of Ribes nigrum includes various factors, such as ecological significance, local economic value through agriculture, and conservation priorities since blackcurrant plays a significant role in the country's biodiversity and traditional uses. The potential of in vitro propagation for rapid mass production of valuable species is substantial. Our study addresses biodiversity conservation by employing this approach. Specifically, we aimed to investigate the impact of nutrient media and growth regulators on shoot multiplication of Ribes nigrum. Our findings reveal that the optimal concentration of plant growth regulators (PGR) significantly influences both the number and length of shoots. Notably, the highest multiplication rate for Ribes nigrum was achieved on MS with a combination of BAP at 0.5 μ/L and GA 0.5 μ/L. In conclusion, our study elucidates the effects of manipulating PGR concentrations in culture media on Ribes nigrum. We recommend optimizing these concentrations to enhance the growth of Ribes nigrum for potential reintroduction efforts and biodiversity conservation. The research is being conducted as part of program BR21882166, which focuses on the scientific and practical aspects of reproducing, conserving, and utilizing fruit and berry plants from the natural flora of Western, Eastern, Central, and Northern Kazakhstan to ensure food security. This program is financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the period 2023-2025.

SCREENING OF NEW SOYBEAN CULTIVARS AND CULTIVAR SAMPLES TOWARDS COMMON DISEASES IN KAZAKHSTAN

As part of the strategy to diversify cultivated areas and increase the profitability of agricultural enterprises, oilseeds, including soybeans, represent a promising direction for the development of the agricultural sector in the country. Kazakhstan is among the top 20 soybeanproducing countries globally. However, significant damage to soybean crops in the region was affected primarily by fungal diseases, leading to 20-50 % yield losses. This article presents field experiments conducted in the arid submontane agro-climatic Zhambyl region, focusing on the resistance of the global soybean collection. The study used 276 soybean varieties from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, North America, East Asia, and Kazakhstan. Screening of world soybean collection from 25 countries for field resistance towards various pathogens demonstrated a total of 197 soybean sources resistant to Cercospora sojina, 260 resistant to Septoria glycines, 76 resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum, and 174 resistant to Peronospora manchurica. Among the tested samples, 24 soybean varieties of different origins exhibited high resistance to all pathogens, accounting for only 8.79% of those evaluated in the field during this experiment. These findings highlight the importance of identifying and utilizing disease-resistant soybean varieties to mitigate the impact of fungal diseases and improve soybean production in the region.

Analysis of antiparasitic activity of wild plants of Eastern and Northern Kazakhstan

Analysis of antiparasitic activity of wild plants of Eastern and Northern Kazakhstan

Ornamented stirrup from the elite early Medieval burial at Balyk-Sook (Central Altai)

The article presents an ornamented iron stirrup from a rich and noble early Medieval burial in the Balyk-Sook area in the central part of the Russian Altai. This burial is unique not only for South Siberia, but also for neighbor-ring regions, as within it, with the warrior, four horses and protective armour were found. During the course of restoration work, it was established that the arcs and the plate loop of the stirrup were originally gilded and en-graved with complex floral ornamentation, the stirrup foot was decorated with gold wire inlay in the form of floral curls. This is the first find of such type in Altai. The burial containing the stirrup was radiocarbon dated to the sec-ond half of the 7th — third quarter of the 8th c. The author provides a wide range of similarities among the “status” or “ceremonial” stirrups from funerary and memorial sites of nomadic nobility, including the Kagans from South Siberia, Central Asia, and Eastern and Central Europe, including the such sites of Kagan status as Shoroon Bumbagar in Central Mongolia and Yeleke sazy in Eastern Kazakhstan, Uibat and Tashebinsk Chaatases in the Minusinsk Basin, the Pereshchepinsk hoard and the Voznesenka memorial complex in Eastern Europe, rich Avar burials in Central Europe, and others. Massive and high stirrups with a plate loop were specifically considered during the Medieval period as “status” stirrups, and in some cases they were additionally decorated with orna-mentation. They could be cast in gold or silver, covered with gold or silver leaf, decorated with complex ornamen-tation in various techniques, or decorated with shaped cuts in the stirrup foot. While Avar stirrups, based on Byzan-tine coins in burials, are dated to the late 6th — early 7th c., radiocarbon dating and analogies show that Central Asian stirrups belong to a later period — second half of the 7th — 8th c., and in some cases to the 9th c. Highly ornamented stirrups from the monuments of South Siberia and Central Asia were probably made on order by Chinese masters for the Turkic-speaking nobility, or may have been received as diplomatic gifts from Tang China.

Petrogenesis of A-type leucocratic granite magmas: An example from Delbegetei massif, Eastern Kazakhstan

The genesis of leucogranite magmas is important issue of geodynamics, petrology and ore geology because leucogranites are associated with collisional belts, partial melting of sedimentary source rocks, and may host rare metal (Sn, W, Li, NbTa, and Be) mineralization. To establish the petrogenesis of large leucogranite intrusions, detailed studies of petrography, mineralogy, fluid regime, and the material and isotopic composition of rocks are required. The paper reports results of the studies of the Delbegetei massif of the intrusion in Eastern Kazakhstan. The massif is composed predominantly of leucocratic granites, while syenogranites are subordinate. Rocks of the massif belong to shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline series; demonstrate a predominance of K over Na, high ferroan and high contents of LREE and HFSE; which allows them to be classified as A-type granites. The age of Delbegetei massif, estimated by the UPb zircon dating, varies in the range 249–240 Ma, which correspond the Early-Middle Triassic. The differences in rock composition and in temperatures of zircon saturation allow supposing that syenogranites and leucogranites formed from different parental magmas. Syenogranite magma formed as a result of partial melting of metamorphosed volcanic rocks (andesidacites or dacites) with possible influence of mafic magmas. Leucogranite magma formed as a result of fluid-present partial melting of metaterrigenous sedimentary rocks. Leucogranite magma underwent the feldspars differentiation in the fluid-present conditions. This led to composition variations of leucogranites. Analysis of the geological position, age and composition of the rocks allows concluding that the Delbegetei massif formed at the Early Triassic in an intraplate geodynamic setting and that the activity of the Siberian mantle plume is the most probable reason for their formation.

Microedus LeConte, 1874 (Coleoptera: Staphylindae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini), a new genus for the Palaearctic Region

The genus Microedus LeConte, 1874 (Omaliinae: Anthophagini), previously known only from North America, is recorded for the Palaearctic fauna for the first time. Two palaearctic genera were synonymized with Microedus: Altaiodromicus Zerche, 1992 syn. n. and Liophilydrodes Nakane, 1983 syn. n. (replacement name for Lioplax Nakane & K. Sawada, 1956). The genus Microedus was redescribed, illustrated and its taxonomic relations with other genera of the Hygrogeus group are briefly discussed. Four species are (re-)described and illustrated: M. brevitarsis (Champion, 1925) comb. n. (from Geodromicus) (India: Uttarakhand), M. kastcheevi sp. n. (Altai and Dzhungar mts., eastern Kazakhstan), M. schilenkovi (Zerche, 1992) comb. n. (from Altaiodromicus) (Russia (Altai), Kazakhstan), and M. subtilis (Sharp, 1889) comb. n. (from Liophilydrodes) (Russia, Japan). An additional species from Kashmir remains unnamed due the absence of a male, and is compared with the Himalayan M. brevitarsis. A lectotype is designated for Anthophagus subtilis Sharp, 1889. Several new additional combinations are proposed (all these species were previously attributed to the genus Liophilydrodes): M. flavipennis (Watanabe, 1990) comb. n., M. pullus (Nakane & K. Sawada, 1956) comb. n., M. puncticollis (Nakane & K. Sawada, 1956) comb. n., M. suzukii (Watanabe, 1990) comb. n., and M. yamanakai (Watanabe, 1990) comb. n. The following new synonymies are established: M. subtilis = L. subtilis iturupensis Lafer, 2004 syn. n., = L. troglophilus Nakane & K. Sawada, 1956 syn. n. A key to Palaearctic species of Microedus is provided. Mouthparts and the aedeagus of the Nearctic M. austinianus LeConte, 1874 are illustrated for the first time. A distributional map of Microedus from Middle Asia is provided. Microedus schilenkovi is recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time. A checklist of the genus is presented. The genus Microdeus currently contains 16 species, seven in the Nearctic and nine in the Palaearctic Region.

ГОДОВОЙ СТОК РЕК БАССЕЙНА ОБЫ И СЕВЕРНОГО СКЛОНА ХРЕБТА КАЛБА В УСЛОВИЯХ КЛИМАТИЧЕСКИХ ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ

The patterns of formation of the average annual runoff in the basin of the Oba River and the rivers of the Kalbinsky Range were studied, meteorological characteristics were analyzed - average annual air temperatures and annual precipitation according to weather stations in Eastern Kazakhstan. Trends in changes in hydrometeorological indicators, and primarily the norms of these characteristics in conditions of climate warming, have been identified. The average annual water consumption of various water supplies in the modern period has been calculated. The analysis showed that over the long-term period since 1980, the annual flow of the rivers in question has decreased in the river basin. Both are 10.6% and 2.7% of the left bank tributaries of the Ertis. It should be noted that the emerging trend of increasing annual precipitation and average annual water flows of the rivers on the left bank of the Ertis since the beginning of 2010 may subsequently become stable, and in the future should lead to an increase in precipitation in the territory and the flow of the right-bank tributaries of the Ertis.

Model of the Formation of Monzogabbrodiorite–Syenite–Granitoid Intrusions by the Example of the Akzhailau Massif (Eastern Kazakhstan)

Model of the Formation of Monzogabbrodiorite–Syenite–Granitoid Intrusions by the Example of the Akzhailau Massif (Eastern Kazakhstan)

The Oldest Island-Arc Granitoids of the Chingiz–Tarbagatai Region, Eastern Kazakhstan: Substantiation of the Age and Peculiarities of Composition

The Oldest Island-Arc Granitoids of the Chingiz–Tarbagatai Region, Eastern Kazakhstan: Substantiation of the Age and Peculiarities of Composition

Upper Palaeolithic in Eastern Kazakhstan (Based on the Materials of the Ushbulak Site)

Upper Palaeolithic in Eastern Kazakhstan (Based on the Materials of the Ushbulak Site)

Isolation and Genetic Characterization of a Novel Adenovirus Associated with Mass Mortality in Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo).

High mortality in great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) was registered on the Alakol Lake in eastern Kazakhstan in 2021 when about 20% of juveniles died. High-throughput sequencing revealed the presence of a putative novel cormorant adenovirus significantly divergent from known aviadenoviruses. We suggest that this cormorant adenovirus can be considered an emerging threat to the health and conservation of this species.

Leucogranite Intrusions in Eastern Kazakhstan: Age, Composition and Mechanisms of Formation

Leucogranite Intrusions in Eastern Kazakhstan: Age, Composition and Mechanisms of Formation

Chemical composition and physicochemical properties of natural therapeutic mud of Kazakhstan salt lakes: a review.

In recent years, interest in natural therapeutic mud has been growing all over the world. This natural product has a positive therapeutic effect on the skin and has fewer side effects on the human body. There are more than 40 thousand salt lakes in Kazakhstan. Most of them have natural mud sources, the potential of which has not yet been fully explored. The review presents an analysis of the available information on the physical and chemical properties of the main sources of natural mud from salt lakes in Kazakhstan and Kazakh sanatoriums that use natural mud in the treatment. All available publications, presenting the systematic studies, were used for data analysis. A comparative analysis of the mineralization of water, brine, and silt in one reservoir shows that the mineralization of water is not always the least. The available data indicate a point and partial nature of peloid studies, e.g., inorganic composition of natural muds from Western and Southern Kazakhstan is well described in the literature. In turn, there is a lack of these data from Northern and Eastern Kazakhstan. Studies of peloids in these regions seem to be a promising direction of the future research for both local and world scientists. What is more, there is also a big gap in the analysis of organic matter of muds from the Kazakh lakes. Comparing the state of the art, i.e., the studies from other parts of Asia and Europe, the identification of the organic part of muds is another desirable direction as a potential source of biologically active compounds of natural origin.

Migration routes of mute swans (Cygnus olor) in East Asia: First description of the Eastern and Western Chinese populations based on satellite tracking

The distribution and migration routes of the most studied swan species, mute swans (Cygnus olor), in East Asia are largely unknown because most of those studies were conducted in Europe and North America. In 2016 and from 2021 to 2022, we deployed satellite tracking devices on 22 and 10 mute swans wintering at the Ili River, Xinjiang of Western China, and summering at Ulansuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia of Eastern China, to determine their migration routes. Eight environmental factors, namely, human population density, the shortest distance to the nearest transportation route, elevation, aspect, slope, air temperature, wind speed and gross primary productivity (GPP), were used to analyse the environmental differences at the stopover sites of swan populations between Eastern and Western China. Ebinur and Ulungur Lakes in Xinjiang of Western China and Kapchagay Reservoir and Sasykkol and Alakol Lakes in Eastern Kazakhstan were the summering sites for the Western Chinese swan population; for the Eastern Chinese swan population, in addition to the Yellow River Delta being identified as a wintering site, the Hongze Lake Region of Jiangsu and Danaoban Lake of Inner Mongolia in China were also identified for the first time as wintering and summering sites, respectively. We also found that human population density and GPP were crucial determinants of stopover duration in the Eastern and Western Chinese swan populations both in spring and in autumn. Our findings provide basic data for future research on mute swans in East Asia and will contribute to conservation action plan development through current conservation status evaluations of important summering, wintering and stopover sites along the migration routes of mute swans.

Plant height variation and genetic diversity between Prunus ledebouriana (Schlecht.) YY Yao and Prunus tenella Batsch based on using SSR markers in East Kazakhstan.

Genetic differences between isolated endemic populations of plant species and those with widely known twin species are relevant for conserving the biological diversity of our planet's flora. Prunus ledebouriana (Schlecht.) YY Yao is an endangered and endemic species of shrub almond from central Asia. Few studies have explored this species, which is closely related and morphologically similar to the well-known Prunus tenella Batsch. In this article, we present a comparative analysis of studies of three P. ledebouriana populations and one close population of P. tenella in Eastern Kazakhstan in order to determine the particular geographic mutual replacement of the two species. The populations were collected from different ecological niches, including one steppe population near Ust-Kamenogorsk (P. tenella) and three populations (P. ledebouriana) in the mountainous area. Estimation of plant height using a t-test suggested a statistically significant difference between the populations and the two species (P<0.0001). DNA simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were applied to study the two species' genetic diversity and population structure. A total of 19 polymorphic SSR loci were analyzed, and the results showed that the population collected in mountainous areas had a lower variation level than steppe populations. The highest level of Nei's genetic diversity index was demonstrated in the 4-UK population (0.622) of P. tenella. The lowest was recorded in population 3-KA (0.461) of P. ledebouriana, collected at the highest altitude of the four populations (2,086 meters above sea level). The total genetic variation of P. ledebouriana was distributed 73% within populations and 27% between populations. STRUCTURE results showed that two morphologically similar species diverged starting at step K=3, with limited population mixing. The results confirmed the morphological and genetic differences between P. tenella and P. ledebouriana and described the level of genetic variation for P. ledebouriana. The study's results proved that the steppe zone and mountain altitude factor between P. tenella and isolated mountain samples of P. ledebouriana.

Genetic Structure and Population History of the Zaisan Toad-Headed Agama (Phrynocephalus melanurus) Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA.

The agamid lizard Phrynocephalus melanurus is restricted to Northwest China (Dzungar Basin) and the adjacent Eastern Kazakhstan (Zaisan and Alakol basins). To elucidate the phylogeography of P. melanurus, we obtained the mitochondrial DNA COI segments of 175 sampled lizards from 44 localities across the whole distribution. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two main Clades comprising five geographically structured lineages (I, IIa, IIb1, IIb2, and IIb3) that fit an isolation-by-distance (IBD) model. The divergence from the most recent common ancestor was dated to ~1.87 million years ago (Ma). Demographic analyses demonstrated lineage-specific response to past climate change: stable population for Clade I, Subclade IIb1; past population expansion for IIb3 since 0.18 Ma, respectively. Bayesian phylogeographic diffusion analyses detected initial spreading at the Saur Mount vicinity, approximately 1.8 Ma. Historical species distribution model (SDM) projected expansion of the suitable habitat in the last interglacial and shift and contraction in the last glacial maximum and Holocene epochs. The SDM predicted a drastic reduction in suitable area throughout the range as a response to future climate change. Our findings suggest that the evolution of P. melanurus followed a parapatric divergence with subsequent dispersal and adaptation to cold and dry environments during the Quaternary. Overall, this work improves our understanding of the lineage diversification and population dynamics of P. melanurus, providing further insights into the evolutionary processes that occurred in Northwest China and adjacent Eastern Kazakhstan.