Ecological State Research Articles

АГРОЛАНДШАФТНО-ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ РАЙОНИРОВАНИЕ КОРМОВЫХ ЭКОСИСТЕМ РОССИЙСКОЙ АРКТИКИ

The key principle of the Arctic development should be nature-saving nature management. The agro-landscape-ecological zoning of the Far North fodder ecosystems developed at the V.R. Williams Federal Research Centre for Forage Production and Agroecology is aimed at this very goal. About 90 % of Murmansk District is occupied by reindeer pastures, in some places disturbed as a result of their irrational use by reindeer herders, mining, construction, and transport; the ecological state of the territory is tense. In Yamal District, reindeer pastures occupy 65 % of the area; the ecological state of the ecosystems is tense or even critical in some places. The area of lichen tundras has decreased by 3,5-4 times, total fodder reserves in lichen-moss tundras, in those areas where they are still preserved, have decreased by 3-10 times. The total reserves of green grass fodder and shrubs has decreased by 1.5-2 and 2-8 times, respectively. Desertification of highlands (bare sands occupied about 6 %) and waterlogging of lowland areas is going on. Technogenic impact on tundra ecosystems disturbs soil and vegetation cover, hydrological regime. Waterlogging of lowlands due to thermoerosion is starting. It is necessary to find compromises between economy, ecology, social and national interests.

Структура и динамика гидробиоценозов (фитоперифитон, зоопланктон, зообентос) рек Карельского побережья Белого моря.

This paper summarizes the results of the studies of biota structural organization and dynamics of small rivers of the Karelian White Sea coast. The chemical features and the structure of biological communities in the watercourses were investigated. Analysis of the species composition, abundance and biomass of phytoperiphyton, zooplankton, and zoobenthos was carried out. Variations in the structure of aquatic communities primarily are due to specific hydrographic and hydrological characteristics of river stretches. The paper discusses the main principles of the changes in a structure and functioning of hydrobiont communities in rivers. The trophic status of the rivers, their saprobiological state, and the significance of individual communities and biotic indices for bioindication of the ecological state of the rivers,are estimated. We concluded that the consideration of three groups of organisms enables a more comprehensive and reliable monitoring than the assessment based on a single group.

Food web trophic control modulates tropical Atlantic reef ecosystems response to marine heat wave intensity and duration.

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are episodes of anomalous warming in the ocean that can last from a few days to years. MHWs have different characteristics in terms of intensity, duration and frequency and generate thermal stress in marine ecosystems. In reef ecosystems, they are one of the main causes of the decreased presence and abundance of corals, invertebrates and fish. The deleterious capacity of thermal stress often depends on biotic factors, such as the trophic control of predators on prey. Despite the evidence of thermal stress and biotic factors affecting individual species, the combined effects of both stressors on entire reef ecosystems are much less studied. Here, using a food web modelling approach, we estimated the rate of change in species' biomass due to different MHW characteristics. Specifically, we modelled the mechanistic link between species' consumption rate and seawater temperature (thermal stressor), simulating species' biomass dynamics for different MHW characteristics under different trophic control assumptions (top-down, mixed trophic control and bottom-up). We find that total reef ecosystem biomass declined by 10% ± 5% under MHWs with severe intensity and a top-down control assumption. The bottom-up control assumption moderates the total ecosystem biomass reduction by 5% ± 5%. Irrespective of the MHW characteristics and the trophic control assumption, the most substantial biomass changes occur among top, mesopredators and corals (5% to 20% ± 10%). We show that reef ecosystems where predators exert top-down control on prey are prone to suffer species abundance declines under strong MHW events. We identify food web trophic control as a crucial driver that modulates the impacts of MHWs. Overall, our results provide a unified understanding of the interplay between abiotic stressors and biotic factors in reef ecosystems under extreme thermal events, offering insights into present baselines and future ecological states for reef ecosystems.

Climate stabilizing value of oak shelterbelts in Zhytomyr Polissia

Woody forest plantations, including shelterbelts, are one of the stabilizers of the optimal ecological state of the environment in agricultural landscapes. Shelterbelts are able to sequester carbon from the atmosphere in their phytomass and generate oxygen for a long time. These processes contribute to the partial but permanent prevention of global climate change. According to the calculations, we determined the volume of tree trunks in the protective strips, the cross-sectional area of the trunk, and the phytomass of wood, bark, and crown in a completely dry state. Based on the research data, correlations were created between the main taxonomic indicators and phytomass fractions, which showed a close relationship between phytomass fractions and the height and diameter of tree trunks. In the course of the research, a regression equation was built between tree phytomass and biometric indicators such as trunk height and diameter. The amount of carbon sequestered by the oak shelterbelts was determined by determining the proportion of carbon in the phytomass in absolutely dry residue. The main soil and climatic indicators were established, which in most temporary test plots were characterized by pH=7.0 (neutral), the level of atmospheric air temperature under the forest protection strips was 2°C lower than in agroecosystems (field), and the soil temperature was 8°C lower than in the studied agroecosystems. Soil moisture was identical. According to the statistical analysis, the sample was homogeneous in terms of height, diameter, and age of the plantation. The obtained results allow for further analysis and construction of regression equations between tree phytomass and biometric parameters — height, diameter. It has been determined that an increase in tree diameter by 1.94% and height by 1.0% has a direct impact on the growth of phytomass of common oak wood. It has been established that the total phytomass of oak in linear plantations is 157.7 kg for a middle-aged tree and 275.9 kg for a mature tree. According to the established value of the conversion coefficient of the carbon-absorbing capacity of field protection strips of oak plantations, CO2 emissions into the atmosphere in the Zhytomyr Polissia zone are annually reduced by 5%. The obtained equation of the conversion coefficient, with a sufficiently high determination index, makes it possible to use the obtained dependence in further calculations.

Ecological State of Industrial Waste from the Kadamzhai Antimony Plant

Sources of release of harmful substances during enrichment are emissions from ore crushing, as well as enrichment tailings. Dusty air from places of dust formation is taken by an aspiration device and purified in a dust settling chamber with wet collection. At a metallurgical plant, there are dust and gas collectors in ore-thermal furnaces. Dust and gases from furnaces are sent for sequential cleaning and collection (water-cooled cyclones, bag filters). At this stage, dust-containing gases leak. A particular danger to the environment is the storage of waste electrolyte accumulated in salt storage tanks. The area of salt storage tanks is 76.1 thousand m2. Salt storage tanks consist of 7 cards with a total volume of 249.95 thousand m3. Currently, the environmental situation in the area of salt storage tanks for industrial waste of the Kadamzhai Antimony Plant remains critical. All the existing 7 salt accumulator cards have expired, are in disrepair, and leak industrial wastewater into the soil. Salt accumulators No. 5 and No. 8, although they have not reached the end of their service life, are also in disrepair.

Repeatability of Hydroacoustic Results versus Uncertainty in Assessing Changes in Ecological Status Based on Fish: A Case Study of Lake Widryńskie (Poland)

Assessments of changes in the ecological state of aquatic ecosystems are always burdened with uncertainty, which results from environmental reasons and poor repeatability of measurement results of elements enabling the assessment. This study determines the uncertainty related to the elements of the assessment of the hydroacoustic structure of fish communities’ (1) vertical target strength distribution (TS) in two-meter layers of water and (2) changes in the area where fish were recorded (which was determined on the basis of maps of their distribution in 2 m deep water layers). The object of this study was a lake (depth: 27 m) in which at the end of June 2016 the O2 concentration was <1.4 mg L−1 below 8 m depth, which resulted in the accumulation of fish to a depth of 6 m. Hydroacoustic acquisition was carried out along transects arranged in the east–west (WE), north–south (NS), and zigzag (ZZ) directions in three repetitions. It was shown that the empirical probability of obtaining statistically different results was 2/9 when (1) Kendall’s τ coefficient, used to determine the similarity of the TS distribution, was less than 0.7—moderate correlation—and (2) fish occurrence areas in two cases (WE and ZZ on the third day of research) in layers 2–4 m and 4–6 m differed statistically significantly from the average area for all repetitions by 10–14% and 56–66% (p < 0.05), respectively. The obtained results indicate quite good repeatability of acoustic measurements; however, in order to reduce the uncertainty, it is recommended that tests be conducted in this type of lake in three series of measurements.

Assessing the ecological security of the Three Gorges reservoir complex ecosystem based on the improved three-dimensional emergy ecological footprint model

The ecological security (ES) of the reservoir complex ecosystem (RCE) is one of the critical components of watershed water security and sustainable development. Hence, accurately assessing the ES of the RCE is of utmost importance. This study proposed a novel ecological security assessment model based on the improved three-dimensional emergy ecological footprint (ESM-IEEF3D), which integrated various emergy flows during the RCE's construction and operation into a three-dimensional emergy ecological footprint (EEF3D) calculation account. The Three Gorges Project (TGP) is selected as a case study to evaluate the ES from 1993 to 2022 comprehensively. The results showed that the Three Gorges RCE mainly showed an ecological remainder state, and the inflow runoff enormously promoted the TGP's sustainability. The EEF3D indicated a fluctuation decrease trend with a mean value of 7.18 × 102 ha, illustrating that TGP's ecological security and sustainability levels are gradually improving. Regarding the ES evaluation indicators, the TGP's resource dependency and ecological pressure on the natural ecosystem and the external socio-economic system are steadily relieved. Furthermore, the Three Gorges RCE's resource utilization condition is safe, the structural characteristics are healthy, and the eco-economic coordination degree is continuously enlightening. Finally, applicable policy implications for improving the ecological security of Three Gorges RCE were provided. This study helps to understand the complex relationship between humans and ecosystems. It provides a novel framework to be used as an evaluation index and policy insights for hydropower ecological security and sustainable development.

Ecological and Geochemical Characteristics of Potassium Industry Waste

The analysis of the ecological and geochemical characteristics of waste from the extraction and processing of potash salts, which determine the ecological state of the areas of development of these deposits, is carried out. Objects are salt dumps, sludge storages, drainage waters formed on the territory of the Verkhnekamskoye potassium-magnesium salt deposit. Under research of chemical composition of waste and the drainage waters of the sludge storage it was determine that high concentrations of mobile forms of chemical elements in drainage sodium chloride waters of waste storage facilities, an increase in the concentration of nitrogen compounds in filtration waters have been established. The active role of salt solutions in the leaching of clay minerals of salt dumps and sludge dumps, clay protective screens is determined, which leads to active filtration of salt solutions through the bed of the sludge dump, salt dump, migration of microelements in a readily soluble form into the environment.

Impact of electric power facilities on natural phytocenotic diversity

The relevance of studying the impact of electric power facilities on natural phytocenotic diversity lies in the necessity to preserve ecosystems due to the increasing number and size of electrical facilities, which potentially can affect the functioning of natural environments. The research aims to investigate the impact of electric power facilities on species diversity. The research is carried out at 46 monitoring sites in the immediate vicinity of the source of electromagnetic and noise pollution within the influence of the Burshtyn thermal power plant, the Bohorodchany solar power plant, the Shevchenkove wind power plant, the Tereble-Rytska hydroelectric power plant, under regional and cross-border power transmission lines. The representation of plant species at the monitoring sites is analysed. In general, 196 plant species are identified. Herbaceous plants dominate (from 74 to 100% of all plant life forms) at all monitoring sites, except for one site. Shrubs are present in 11 monitoring sites (from 5 to 25% of all plant life forms). The trees are represented in 20 monitoring sites (from 4 to 75% of all plant life forms). 179 species belong to the first class of constancy, 12 species belong to the second class and 5 species belong to the third class of constancy (91, 6,5 and 2.5%, respectively). The last plants have been identified as indicators of the influence of power plants. The most common plant families that exist under the influence of electrical installations are established. The largest number of species is represented by the Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Poaceae families — 37, 19 and 15 species, respectively. The species of the third constancy class have the highest representativeness. Daucus carota L., Achillea millefiolium, and Trifolium pratense L. are the dominant plant species in the areas impacted by electric power facilities. 180 species belong to the first constancy class. They cannot be suitable as phytoindicators of the ecological state in the areas affected by power plants. The results can be used to develop environmental protection strategies and measures to reduce the negative impact of power generation facilities on flora

ҚЫЗЫЛОРДА ОБЛЫСЫНДАҒЫ АУА ТЕМПЕРАТУРАСЫНЫҢ 1961...2020 ЖЫЛДАР АРАЛЫҒЫНДА ӨЗГЕРУІ

The purpose of the article is to analyze the dynamics of air temperature, one of the most obvious indicators of climate change, and to determine the long-term trends of air temperature change in Kyzylorda region. Kyzylorda region is located in the south-west of Kazakhstan, is characterized by arid climate and belongs to the zone of ecological disaster. In this paper, the authors studied the changes in air temperature in the period from 1961 to 2020 based on the nonparametric statistical method of Mann–Kendall. The Mann-Kendall method is used to determine whether there is a monotonic trend in the studied data. The Mann–Kendall test is aimed at increasing the accuracy of the result of time series estimation and allows to determine the presence of a trend. The obtained results are characterized by a significant change in temperature in time series of Kyzylorda region. It is noted that for the selected period, to assess changes in the criterion Sen, the average annual temperature changes increased by 0.02...0.05°C. Seasonal trends showed an increase in average temperatures during the year, and the summer months significantly contributed to the warming observed in Kyzylorda region. The obtained data can serve as a basis for assessing both regional climate change and for assessing the ecological state, as meteorological parameters, namely air temperature is one of the important indicators in the study of atmospheric air pollution in Kyzylorda region.

Intelligent Data Processing Methods for Studying the Influence of the Environment on the Morbidity of the Population in Moscow

Purpose of the study. The purpose of the study is to confirm or refute the environmental determinism of the occurrence of socially significant diseases among the population of Moscow based on the analysis of data on environmental and health indexes in the context of municipal units of the city.Materials and methods. The article analyzes Russian and foreign bibliography on the research problem. Based on collected and processed open data on environmental indexes and population morbidity in various districts of Moscow, various types of analysis were carried out to identify the relationship between these data. To classify socially significant diseases based on environmental indexes of the place of residence, machine learning models were designed. The mathematical basis of machine learning methods is the k-nearest neighbors’ method, multilayer perceptron, and gradient boosting. To create the models, the Jupyter Notebook software tool, which supports the Python programming language, was used.Results. Correlation and regression analysis showed that there is a statistically significant correlation between some selected environmental indexes and the occurrence of socially significant diseases. This result indicates a possible relationship, which is one of the main conclusions of this paper. A web interface has been developed to automate the analysis of new data using constructed machine learning models used to conduct regression analysis to create a binary logistic model (prediction based on collected data of people with socially significant diseases) and a multiclass classification models (prediction based on collected data, which it is the disease that can be detected in a person). The machine learning models used were analyzed and the best model for classifying socially significant diseases was determined.Conclusion. As a result of the study, it was possible to collect comprehensive information about various environmental indexes and the presence or absence of various objects that have an impact on the environment. These data were used not only in machine learning models, but also to form an objective assessment of the environmental situation of municipal units of Moscow city. Since automatic updating of the rating for dynamic data was implemented, this result can be used by ordinary users who do not have sufficient qualifications in ecology and medicine for independent analysis of the ecological state of areas. We believe that such research will certainly lead to effective practical solutions in this area.

Catalase activity as a diagnostic indicator of the health of oil-contaminated soils after remediation.

The work objective was to assess the ecological state of soils by changing the residual oil content and restoring catalase activity after remediation. The soils were selected in various ecosystems: a steppe of the Rostov Region (Haplic Chernozem), beech-hornbeam forests in the Republic of Adygea (Haplic Cambisols), and semi-desert of the Caspian province of the Republic of Kalmykia (Eutric Cambisols). Soil samples were polluted with oil at a concentration of 5% of the soil mass. After that, ameliorants (biochar, nitroammophoska, sodium humate, and Baikal EM-1) were introduced into the oil-contaminated soil. The catalase activity of Haplic Cambisols was stimulated only with the introduction of D2 biochar by 11% relative to the control, and in Haplic Chernozem, catalase was most stimulated with the addition of nitroammophoska D0.5 and D1 by 65% and 57% of the control, respectively. Nitroammophoska in all doses significantly stimulated the enzymatic activity, in Eutric Cambisols by four to six times compared to the control. The range of soil stability determined by catalase activity: Eutric Cambisols > Haplic Chernozem > Haplic Cambisols. Thus, it is most effective to apply biochar in doses of D and D2 and D0.5 and D nitroammophoska during the remediation of oil-contaminated Haplic Chernozem. For the remediation of Haplic Cambisols, it is effective to introduce biochar in dose of D2, and Eutric Cambisols-biochar and sodium humate in dose of D0.5 and nitroammophoska (all doses). The results of the study allow using catalase activity as a very informative and statistically significant diagnostical indicator of the health of oil-contaminated soils after remediation.

УТИЛИЗАЦИЯ ШЛАМОВЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ ПРОМЫВКИ ОТСЕВОВ ШАРХИНСКОГО КАРЬЕРА В ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕ СТЕНОВЫХ СТРОИТЕЛЬНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ

Abstract. The effect of semi-dry pressing on the strength of samples has been studied. It is shown that the optimal specific pressure for pressing samples from molding mixtures containing 10, 20, 30% slag-portland cement is 30Mpa. With the help of RCCP, static processing of experimental results was carried out and a regression equation was obtained for the dependence of the strength of the samples on the pressing pressure and the content of slag-portland cement in the molding mixture.
 When examining the microstructure of the samples, it was found that the resulting material is a homogeneous and durable conglomerate, the crystals of neoplasms are evenly distributed over the mass and bind the sludge particles. A pilot test of the semi-dry pressing process of products has established the possibility of obtaining high-quality hollow bricks of the M100-M300 grades with a content of slag-portland cement in the mixture in the range of 10-30% (wt.).
 The subject of the study: sludge products of flushing the screenings of the Sharkhinsky quarry in the production of wall building materials.
 Materials and methods: sludge from the Sharkhinsky quarry and slag-portland cement from the Bakhchisarai cement Plant were used in the work. The structure of the samples was studied using electron scanning microscopy on a REM-106 SELMI microscope. Experimental and industrial tests were carried out on the equipment of the Aggregate company. The physical and mechanical properties of bricks and paving slabs were studied in accordance with the norms and standards established in GOST 6133-2019.
 Results: The microstructure of the samples was investigated and it was found that the resulting material is a homogeneous and durable conglomerate, the crystals of neoplasms are evenly distributed over the mass and bind the sludge particles. Experimental and industrial testing of the semi-dry pressing process of products from molding mixtures based on the sludge of the Sharkhinsky quarry was carried out. It was confirmed that it is possible to produce high-quality hollow bricks marked M100-M300 using slag-portland cement in a mixture in the range of 10-30% (by weight), which fully meets the requirements set out in GOST 6133-2019
 Conclusions: Sludge products from the flushing of the Sharkhinsky quarry screenings can be successfully used in the production of wall building materials, which contributes to waste disposal and improvement of the ecological state of the environment. Effective methods of disposal of sludge products make it possible to obtain high-quality building materials with high physical and mechanical properties and durability.

Submerged macrophyte root oxygen release reduces sediment oxygen demand: A positive feedback loop in shallow lakes

Shallow lakes have two stable ecological states, macrophyte dominated or algal dominated. The macrophyte dominated state is the more desired state as it generally has clearer water that is safe for contact recreation. Whereas the algal dominated state is considered degraded, resulting from high anthropogenic nutrient inputs, with turbid water that is often unsafe for contact recreation. These ecological states are somewhat resilient due to in-lake feedback loops that maintain or enhance conditions for the dominate primary producer. For the macrophyte dominated state, many of these feedback loops are theoretically plant density dependent, but rarely has the plant density required to initiate these feedback loops been identified. Here we illustrate the plant density dependence of a previously unstudied feedback loop present in the macrophyte dominated state. Increased densities of Isoëtes kirkii were able to reduce sediment oxygen demand through their root oxygen releases. This reduction in sediment oxygen demand occurred at 32 plants m−2 in a garden soil and 63 plants m−2 in the sediment of a hypo-eutrophic lake, a disparity likely due to the higher initial sediment oxygen demand present in the lake sediments. In a shallow lake, plants present in the hypolimnion will reduce sediment oxygen demand, increasing the amount of time required before anoxic conditions are created and the resulting release of dissolved reactive phosphorus. This will likely decrease the potential for subsequent algal blooms and the associated shading of submerged macrophytes, thus maintaining in-lake conditions that favour macrophytes.

Метан и сульфитредуцирующие клостридии как показатели экологического состояния пелоидов гиперсоленых озер

The results of field studies of bottom sediments (peloids) of the hypersaline lakes Belyamin, Baskunchak, Elton and flows into Elton the small Smorogda River are presented. The number of sulfite-reducing clostridia (SRC) in bottom sediments was determined and the perfringens titer was calculated. Based on the perfringens titer, the sanitary and microbiological state of bottom sediments was assessed for the possibility of their use for balneological procedures. Based on the perfringens titer, the possibility of using bottom sediments for balneological procedures was assessed. Research has shown that in samples of individual layers of bottom sediments of Lake Baskunchak and the mouth of the Smorogda River, which flows into Lake Elton, the number of vegetative cells of sulfite-reducing clostridia slightly exceeds the standard values for peloids. The ingress of sewage into the peloids of Lake Baskunchak may be due to the settlements of Verkhny Baskunchak, Sredniy Baskunchak and Nizhny Baskunchak located near the lake. Participation of sulfite-reducing clostridia, along with sulfate-reducing bacteria, in the generation of methane and hydrogen sulfide was noted. The possibility of using data on methane content and the amount of SRC to assess the ecological state of peloids is shown.

Перебіг гаметогенезу у вузькопалих річкових раків (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) в умовах водойм Придніпров’я

Purpose. Detailed study of the stages of reproductive development (oogenesis and spermatogenesis) of crayfish using the example of the narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823 in reservoirs of the Dnieper region. Methodology. The study was conducted during the period of 2022-2023. The material for the study were individuals of the narrow-clayed crayfish A. leptodactilus. A morphometric analysis was performed, after which the crayfish were preserved in an alcohol solution (70% ethanol and 2% glycerol) for the slide of histological cross-sections. Histological slides of crayfish gonads were made in accordance with generally accepted histological methods. The analysis of the cross-sections was carried out using a microscope and a digital camera. Descriptions of the slides were made using atlases of histology of decapods. Findings. It has been found that the gonads exhibited an asynchronous development and were in stages C, D, E, F, with a significant number of oocytes in stage C. The diameter of oocytes in phase D mainly ranged from 195.72 ± 12.43 μm with an area of 38,21 μm². The nucleus had a diameter of 48.14 ± 1.44 μm. In phases E, the size of oocytes reached a diameter of 259.24 ± 76.18 μm and an area of 52,850 ± 5,760 μm². Throughout phase D, the diameter of vacuoles was 18.45 ± 0.86 μm. In phase E, the diameter of vacuoles increased to 26.55 ± 1.24 μm, and as soon as in the transitional phase E–F, vacuoles merged massively with individual non-merging vacuoles having a diameter of 25.22 ± 1.12 μm. At the terminal stage F, oocytes reached definitive sizes and were ready for ovulation. The average size of larvae was 2600 ± 0.093 μm in diameter. The course of spermatogenesis in crayfish males was characterized by synchronous development of gametes. The analysis of sections showed that the area of spermatocytes was 43.14 ± 0.74 μm with a diameter of 7.14 ± 0.23 μm². In turn, the nuclei of spermatocytes had dimensions of 21.64 ± 0.35 μm² and 5.24 ± 0.02 μm in diameter. Originality. A comprehensive analysis of crayfish gametogenesis was conducted for the first time in the zones of the reproductive range of the Dnieper reservoirs. Some features of the stages of oogenesis and spermatogenesis were identified and the impact of the ecological regime on the reproduction of crayfish was studied. Keywords: narrow-clawed crayfish, water bodies, reproduction, ecological state of water bodies, reservoir, eggs, gametogenesis.

Sources, accumulation levels and environmental hazard of heavy metals and metalloids in soils and PM10 fractions of Severobaykalsk

Relevance. The need to study the ecological state of the soil cover of industrial cities, which is the main depositing environment for technogenic emissions of heavy metals and metalloids, to identify the geochemical characteristics of the region and assess the impact on public health. Aim. To assess the sources and accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids in soils and their fraction PM10 in Severobaikalsk and to assess the risks associated with them for public health. Methods. Total content of Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Sb, Mo, V, W, Sr, Bi in soil, coal and ash samples was determined by mass spectral and atomic emission methods with inductive-coupled plasma. Geochemical (KK, Kc, Zc), sanitary and hygienic (Ko) indicators were used. Health risks for adults and children were assessed. Principal component analysis was used. Results. In Severobaikalsk, the priority soil pollutants are Sb, Cu, Pb, Mo, Cr. The soils and their PM10 fraction in the transport zone, where Sb, Cu, Pb, Co, V, W, Ni are accumulated, are the most polluted. The greatest influence on the chemical composition of urban soils and PM10 particles is exerted by emissions from railway infrastructure and coal combustion at the Central Thermal Power Plant (22% for soils in general and 48% for the PM10 fraction). The average total level of contamination of urban soils and PM10 fraction corresponds to a low, non-hazardous level (Zc=6). The total non-carcinogenic risk of soil particles contaminated with heavy metals and metalloids. entering the body of children, exceeded the safe level 1 (from 1.60 in a residential one-story zone to 1.81 in a transport zone). For the adult population, HI values were below the acceptable threshold value. For adult health, there is no carcinogenic risk associated with ingestion or skin contact of As, Cr and Pb. For children, a dangerous risk (ILCRingest 5.56*10–4) of ingestion of carcinogenic heavy metals and metalloids was identified.

A Comprehensive Assessment of the Ecological State of the Transboundary Irtysh River (Kazakhstan, Central Asia)

The diverse anthropogenic load on the transboundary Irtysh River necessitates an assessment of its ecological state, which was the goal of this work. We conducted this research in July 2023 in the upper and lower reaches of the Kazakh part of the Irtysh basin. We determined transparency; temperature; pH; salinity (TDS); oxygen, N-NO3, N-NO2, N-NH4, PO4, Mn, Fe, Si, Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, and Hg contents; permanganate index; and zooplankton variables at 27 stations. We assessed the ecological state of the river by comparing the contents of pollutants with their maximum permissible concentrations (MPCfw), Classification Scales, and bioindications. An excess of MPCfw was detected for N-NO2, Cu, and Fe and locally for Cr and Zn. According to the Classification Scales, most analysed variables corresponded to slightly polluted waters; N-NO2, Cr, and Zn corresponded to moderately and heavily polluted waters. Zooplankton was represented by 82 species, with an average abundance of 6728 individuals/m3, biomass of 2.81 mg/m3, Shannon index of 1.99–2.08 bit, ∆-Shannon of 0.09, and average individual mass of 0.0019 mg. The spatial distribution of abiotic and biotic variables indicated increased organic and toxic pollution downstream in the Irtysh. Potential sources of pollution of the Irtysh basin are discussed.

Ecological States: Politics of Science and Nature in Urbanizing China by JesseRodenbiker, Ithaca, NY, Cornell University Press, 2023, xiii + 248 pp.

Ecological States: Politics of Science and Nature in Urbanizing China by JesseRodenbiker, Ithaca, NY, Cornell University Press, 2023, xiii + 248 pp.

Комплексная оценка экологического состояния участка трансграничной реки Нарвы

A comprehensive study of the ecological state on the transboundary Narva River (Russia –Estonia border) downstream of Ivangorod, Kingisepp District, Leningrad Region, was carried out. It included the determination of chemical indicators of pollution of the natural river water, with an emphasis on some heavy metals content in water, sediments and soft tissues of local filter-feeding mollusks; the latter were used as bioindicators of river pollution in this location. Zn was determined in maximum concentrations in bottom sediments, then Cu, to a lesser extent Pb, Cd and Ni. The coefficient of metal bioconcentration calculated in soft tissues of mollusks showed maximum for Zn and Cu, to a lesser extent for Pb, Cd and minimum for Ni. However, such values have no negative effect on local biota as shown by physiological testing of bivalves from study site. The functional assessment of bivalves by non-invasive cardiac rhythm recording made it possible to characterize their functional status and adaptive capabilities as good. The relative abundance of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria in the digestive tract of mollusks from the Narva River has been determined as an indicator of environmental pollution by oil products. It was noted that the number of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria does not exceed the values characteristic of the reference waters of the Eastern Gulf of Finland. Based on the totality of the studies, it was concluded that the river waters in the studied location can be characterized as slightly polluted and its ecological status as of a good quality.