Environmental Protection Measures Research Articles

Новый подход к оценке выбросов от горных предприятий с учетом углеродного следа

Introduction. Regions with developed mining and mining processing industries are characterized, as a rule, by intense anthropogenic impact on the environment. It is necessary to assess the scale of the environmental impact taking into account a number of factors, such as: geographical location, climatic conditions, quantity and quality of extracted minerals, as well as technological indicators of their development. The negative impact on the environment during the extraction of minerals can be local, regional and global in nature. If local problems may be solved directly within the framework of a mining enterprise by applying environmental measures, then regional and global impacts need to be addressed taking into account many factors. An example of the regional and global scale of the impact of a mining enterprise on the environment is its impact on atmospheric air. Significant amounts of dust and gas emissions can spread beyond the territory of the sanitary protection zone, resulting in the migration of pollutants into water bodies and soils, and chemical transformations in the atmosphere will lead to the formation of acid rain, destruction the ozone layer and the emergence of the greenhouse effect. To ensure environmental safety in mining regions, it is necessary to reduce atmospheric air pollution, the effectiveness of which is assessed taking into account the results of a geoecological assessment, evaluation of the natural potential of the territory, analysis of anthropogenic load, protection of the territory of mining areas. In the geoecological assessment of anthropogenic impact, it is necessary be aware of the scale of the environmental impact of mining enterprises and apply a regional indicator that should take into account the specifics of enterprises and the effectiveness of environmental protection measures. The purpose of the work. Carrying out an assessment of territories subject to geoecological changes in the environment, consider the results of a geoecological assessment, evaluation of the natural potential and protection of the territory, analysis of anthropogenic load and a regional indicator that takes into account the scale of impact, the specifics of the enterprise, technological features of field development and the effectiveness of environmental protection measures. Methodology. The research was conducted on the basis of an analysis of literary data from Russian and foreign sources. Methods of geoecological assessment, patterns of interrelation of gas and dust emissions from mining facilities were considered, patterns of distribution of emissions in the air were evaluated, taking into account the specifics of the relief and climate of the mining region, and technological features of field development. The paper proposes a general concept of geoecological regulation by determining the composition and volume of pollutants from the technological process, taking into account the carbon footprint of the enterprise, assessing the relationship between gas and dust emissions from mining facilities and the patt erns of emissions in the air. The purpose of the research. Assessment of methods for determining the composition and volume of pollutants from the technological process, taking into account the carbon footprint of the enterprise, assessment of the regularity of the spread of emissions in the air, considering the specifics of the relief and climate of the mining region, as well as technological features of the field development. Results and discussion. As a result of the work, patterns of emission of gas and dust emissions into the atmosphere from technological processes at a mining enterprise have been established, taking into account climatic conditions and terrain. It is proposed to conduct a geoecological assessment of a mining enterprise taking into account the natural potential and protection of the territory, to form a structure for estimating specific emissions, which allows further taking into account the carbon footprint for the enterprise. Conclusions. It is proposed to use specific direct and indirect emissions of the enterprise when conducting a geoecological assessment of the impact of mining enterprises on atmospheric air, which will allow further use of data to assess the carbon footprint of the enterprise.

A Review of Literature Studies on Employee Green Behavior

In light of escalating environmental degradation and growing emphasis on sustainability from both governmental policies and consumer expectations, enterprises are increasingly adopting environmental protection measures and sustainable development strategies. Central to the effectiveness of these initiatives are the enterprise employees, whose green behaviors are pivotal in actualizing organizational environmental goals. This paper critically reviews existing literature to define the concept of employees' green behavior and explore the multi-level factors influencing it. By synthesizing research findings, the study aims to clarify the role of employee behavior in the success of corporate environmental policies and identifies gaps for future research. This review not only elucidates the conceptual framework of green behavior within the corporate context but also highlights the importance of fostering an environmentally conscious workforce as a key component of sustainable business practices.

Harmonization of the agricultural policy of the Republic of Serbia with the the European Union acquis – environmental protection and impact on the position of farmers


 Agricultural policy is one of the key public policies and has a significant impact on farmers as well as on the population living in rural areas. The policy comprises various development goals and represent the starting point for the adoption of regulations that have a direct impact on agricultural producers and their lives. The paper first analyzes the current agricultural policy in Serbia. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, followed by an analysis of the level of harmonisation of the agricultural policy and regulations of the Republic of Serbia with the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. Bearing in mind that the Common Agricultural Policy is currently undergoing transformation and that the implementation of new measures is expected from 2023, it is analysed how this change will affect Serbia in the coming years, given that the new Agriculture Strategy is to be adopted as the current one expires in 2024. The paper specifically analyzes how measures for environmental protection and climate change will affect the lives of the rural population. Introduction and implementation of new and increasingly complex measures, such as new ways of agricultural production, soil cultivation, reduced use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers, as well as greater representation of organic production bring significant benefits to the environment and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to climate change mitigation. Until now, farmers have been expected to change their former traditional approaches to agricultural production, among which the burning crop residues stands out as important for the environment, and in the future the greater demands will be placed on farmers, especially having in mind climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. As the paper concludes, the key role in this process must be played by the farmers themselves, who are expected to change, often traditional patterns of production and living in rural areas.

ECO-INDUSTRIAL PARKS AS A DIRECTION OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION TERRITORIES

The article discusses the problems and tasks of the environmental direction in the development of modern industrial production in the context of post-war recovery and development of the Ukrainian economy. The success of such a task will depend on the extent to which industrial policy and development strategies at the state and local levels are oriented towards modern global trends - innovative digital and production technologies and environmental standards. At the present stage, the concept of building and developing a network of eco-industrial parks is such a solution.
 Based on the analysis of the world experience in the formation and functioning of eco-industrial parks, the article presents a wide range and various combinations of environmental protection measures and approaches to managing environmental and resource problems in the structure of eco-industrial parks. The main directions of eco-innovations are highlighted: from "clean production" and "green energy" to urban-industrial symbiosis.
 The authors substantiates the relevance of ecological transformation of the domestic industrial sector at the present stage. It is important that innovative sustainable industrial development takes place as a reciprocal process, by balancing the issues of economy, ecology, society and urban planning, where all stakeholders - public and private structures - jointly develop measures for planning, designing and building a network of eco-industrial parks in the country.

Оценка социально-экономического значения и рисков развития горнодобывающего предприятия в Республике Тыва (по материалам ООО «Лунсин»)

The object of the study is Lunsin LLC - one of the first enterprises newly created in the mountainous, inaccessible, border region of Russia for the development of natural resources. In order to assess the impact of the company’s activities on the social and economic development of the region and determine the development risks, data from official statistical sources, government authorities, the company itself and other available information were collected and analyzed. The history of creation, the current state and activities of the company are presented. It is shown that, despite the existing objective difficulties, it was possible to attract significant investments into the economy of the republic to create this enterprise (more than 28,382 million rubles), the company is operating successfully. For the period from 2014–2022 the company paid taxes to the budget of the republic in the total amount of 3.6 billion rubles. The number of employees reached 1,072 people in 2022, net profit was received in the amount of 7.3 billion rubles. It is concluded that the production activities of Lunsin LLC show significant positive efficiency for the social and economic development of the region and, along with the successful development of the richest Kyzyl-Tashtyg polymetallic ore deposit, there are certain development risks associated with the issues of preserving the unique environment of the upper reaches of the Greater Yenisei, i.e. Biy- Hema. Proposals are being made to strengthen environmental protection measures.

Оценка потенциала восстановления экологического состояния природных экосистем, нарушенных при освоении георесурсов, по спутниковым данным

The factors of environmental state restoration of the natural ecosystems disturbed as the result of mining mineral deposits were investigated using the case study of the phytocenosis formed on the enclosing dam of the apatite-nepheline ore processing waste storage in the Khibiny group of deposits according to the technology developed in the Mining Institute of the Kola Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the restoration of disturbed lands through creation of a biologically active environment without deposition of a fertile layer. Based on the data of satellite observations of the monitoring sites during the vegetation period, the impact of relief as well as the heat and moisture availability on the state of the emerging vegetation cover was studied using gradient transects of different exposures along the height of the enclosing dam slope. The spatial resolution of the satellite images was harmonized using the enhanced pan-sharpening procedure with the minimum characteristic size of the dam slope elements and the representativeness of the data obtained when assessing the vegetation cover condition using the vegetation index and the moisture stress index was ensured. Generalization was made of the relationship between the parameters characterizing the vegetation cover state and abiotic factors of its formation using a neural network model. Two artificial neural networks were trained to predict the vegetation and the plant moisture stress indices using the data set obtained from processing of visible, infrared and thermal spectral channels of satellite images of the monitoring sites. The neural network model shows that the vegetation index of the emerging vegetation cover is antibate to the plant moisture stress index - the dominant factor in restoration of the environmental state of the investigated site, and to the surface temperature of the enclosing dam of the tailing dump. Dependence of the predicted moisture stress of the phytocenosis formed ontop the enclosing dam slope on the elevation and exposure was used to assess the potential of its restoration to the forest succession stage corresponding to the phytocenosis of the surrounding natural environment. Zoning of the tailing dump according to the potential for restoration of the environmental state was performed in order to support the decision-making process when planning environmental protection measures.

Болотні оселища масиву Сира Погоня Рівненського природного заповідника та їхня созологічна оцінка

Solving the problem of conservation biodiversity and implementing the basics of sustainable development becomes possible under the condition of using the habitat concept of nature protection, in particular peatland ecosystems, as unique objects of the nature reserve fund. In the article, on the basis of own field research and literary data, the structure of the vegetation cover of the Syra Pogonia massif of the Rivnenskyi Nature Reserve is analysed and three types of peatland habitats are identified. The research was conducted during the growing seasons of 2020–2023, the territory was surveyed by route method; linear transects were laid within visually homogeneous areas of vegetation, on which 141 phytosociological relevés were made. Vegetation descriptions were made according to the ecological and floristic method and processed using the program TURBOVEG 2.0. To define the types of habitats, European and Ukrainian classification schemes were used, taking into account the peculiarities of the research area. The location of different types of habitats is plotted on the map of the studied territory. A description of habitat types is given, which consists of a list of plant species, in particular, diagnostic and rare, their syntaxa of different ranks, ecological features of biotopes, and threats to their existence are determined. A set of measures for the introduction of environmental management is proposed. As a result of research, it was established that the distribution of three types of habitats (raised bogs, drained raised bogs, transition mires and quaking bogs) on the territory of the Syra Pogonia peatland massif and their ecological characteristics indicate the high conservation value of their components (species and communities). The presence of degraded areas was established, probably as a result of both anthropogenic influence and climate changes, which requires the urgent implementation of environmental protection measures to restore their initial state. The obtained and generalized data can be used for the conservation of rare and endangered plant species and their communities and will be useful for the development of a methodology for ecological monitoring of the state of peatland ecosystems.

The Effect Of Article Xx of the General Agreement and Tariff and Trade (Gatt) on Environmental Protection Measures: The Case of Malaysia

The Effect Of Article Xx of the General Agreement and Tariff and Trade (Gatt) on Environmental Protection Measures: The Case of Malaysia

Environmental uncertainty and digital technologies corporate in shaping corporate green behavior and tax avoidance

This study contributes to the field of sustainability by analyzing changes in firms following the adoption of new environmental protection laws to meet community sustainability needs. Focusing on the Chinese context, it examined the relationship between firms' environmental protection measures (i.e., corporate green behavior) and profitability (i.e., corporate tax avoidance). The moderating roles of environmental uncertainty and digital technology application in this relationship were also investigated. The findings offer insights into the complex dynamics linking firms’ environmental initiatives to their business outcomes and financial decisions within the framework of a sustainable community. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance and implications of sustainable practices for both the environment and corporate financial performance. Firms’ environmental behaviors are enablers of sustainable communities by deploying natural resources and creating a more resilient economy through active community participation in green production models.

Ecological and microbiological monitoring of soils in places of mass recreation

Introduction. There are presented results of a comprehensive ecological and microbiological assessment of soils located in the central part of the recreational zone of the city of Petrozavodsk, located in the middle taiga area. The study of chemical and microbiological properties of the soils of the park zone in the spatio-temporal aspect is of great importance for assessing the current state of soils and the trend of their development in conditions of anthropogenic impact, and can be the basis for urban ecological monitoring also. 
 The aim of the study is ecological and microbiological monitoring of soils in places of mass recreation of the urban population (Petrozavodsk).
 Materials and methods. The object of the study was the soils of the plots located in the central part of the city. The soils located on the territory of the Kivach Nature Reserve were selected as a control. The acid-base properties of soils, the content of heavy metals, as well as the state of the microbiotic component of soils were evaluated. Based on the data on the content of heavy metals, the degree of soil contamination with heavy metals was determined. 
 Results. Based on the data of a comprehensive study, the current state of the soils of the recreational zone of Petrozavodsk has been established. The comparative analysis of changes in chemical and microbiological properties, as well as data on the soil pollution coefficient in the space-time interval revealed a decrease in anthropogenic impact on soils. Changing the category of soil pollution is an important tool of environmental protection measures carried out on the territory of the city.
 Limitations. Work in the field of urban-ecological research is complicated by the lack of local regulatory documents that substantiate the hygienic standards for chemicals polluting the soil; limited monitoring points and work with mixed soil samples, which creates a problem of representativeness of the obtained data. 
 Conclusion. The favourable conditions for the formation of soils in the park zone affect on their soil properties, which generally meet the hygienic requirements imposed on them. The established higher indicators of the soil pollution coefficient in certain areas indicate a high anthropogenic pressure in the past, are the basis for continuing research, the need for periodic work, as well as expanding the range of soil indicators used for early diagnosis of their degradation.

Spatial distribution and source identification of potentially toxic elements in Yellow River Delta soils, China: An interpretable machine-learning approach

Identifying the driving factors and quantifying the sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are essential for protecting the ecological environment of the Yellow River Delta. In this study, data from 201 surface soil samples and 16 environmental variables were collected, and the random forest (RF) and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) methods were then combined to explore the key factors affecting soil PTEs. An innovative t-distributed random neighbor embedding-RF-SHAP model was then constructed, based on the absolute principal component score and multivariate linear regression model, to quantitatively determine PTE sources. Although average PTE concentrations did not exceed the risk control values, PTE distributions exhibited significant differences. It was found that sodium, soil organic matter, and phosphorus contents were the three most important factors affecting PTEs, and human activities and natural environmental factors both influence PTE contents by altering the soil properties. The proposed model successfully determined PTE sources in the soil, outperforming the original linear regression model with a significantly lower RMSE. Source analysis revealed that the parent material was the main contributor to soil PTEs, accounting for more than half of the total PTE content. Industrial and agricultural activities also contributed to an increase in soil PTEs, with average contributions of 19.91 % and 17.44 %, respectively. Unknown sources accounted for 10.83 % of the total PTE content. Thus, the proposed model provides innovative perspectives on source parsing. These findings provide valuable scientific insights for policymakers seeking to develop effective environmental protection measures and improve the quality of saline-alkali land in the Yellow River Delta.

The place of comprehensive environmental and analytical assessment of the impact of the "CRE" system on environmental components in the EIA procedure

Problem. The operation of highways has a wide and multi-component impact on all components of the environment. Environmental Impact Assessment of roads is crucial for assessing the potential environmental consequences of road construction and operation. It is advisable to conduct this assessment based on a systemic analysis using a hierarchical structure for a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the "CRE" system on the environment. Goal. The goal is to present the results of a comprehensive ecological-analytical assessment of the impact of roads on environment, which can be effectively used in the EIA procedure. Methodology. The 'CRE' system was analyzed using system analysis. Prioritization and weight coefficients for each element of the hierarchy were determined using expert-analytical assessments with the use of the MAI software complex. For a rapid assessment of the impact of road operation on the state of environment and the accumulation of heavy metals (HM) in vegetation and roadside soils, natural measurements and atomic absorption spectrometry methods were employed. Results. The expert-analytical research results revealed the contributions of each component within the complex hierarchical structure. Accumulation of HM in the roadside areas, including pollution of vegetation and soil, exceeding the permissible levels, was confirmed. Rank series were constructed: accumulation of HM in vegetation and soil samples, vegetation according to the property of accumulation of different HM in them. Originality. The study proposed a comprehensive assessment of the impact of road operation on the components of environment through an ecological-analytical evaluation of the developed hierarchical 'CRE' structure, resulting in the determination of weight coefficients and priorities of each element in the hierarchy's contribution to the environmental impact through expert-analytical assessment using the T. Saaty AНР method. Practical value. Using the proposed systematic approach in the EIA procedure for roads at every stage of their life cycle can improve control quality and the effectiveness of environmental protection measures, reducing environmental impact.

Environmental threats and the problem of ensuring economic security of Russia

The article touches on current problems of the impact of environmental threats on the level of economic security of the country. In modern conditions, the assessment of environmental indicators helps to identify and minimize environmental threats that can harm the economic security of the state. The aspect under consideration is the object of analysis and discussion at all levels of the social hierarchy, and at the present stage of development it has acquired particular urgency and significance. The severity of the problem of environmental pollution lies in the tangible negative consequences for society and the economy in the event of further neglect of the environmental component. The author reveals the understanding that the sustainable development of Russia and national security will be ensured only if natural systems are preserved, damage is eliminated from increasing economic activity and appropriate support from government authorities. Coordinated interdepartmental efforts are needed aimed at the consistent implementation of a unified state policy in the field of reducing the impact of adverse factors on the environment. The author presents the interactions of the environmental, social and economic subsystems corresponding to modern reality within the framework of the evolution of the concept of sustainable development; the most dangerous environmental threats affecting the level of economic security of Russia have been identified; industries whose development is accompanied by an increase in emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere; the scale of water pollution and economic damage caused to the environment by business structures, as well as natural and man-made emergencies; the dynamics of government spending on environmental protection measures in our country is analyzed. The author focuses on the need to develop ways to improve the state’s environmental policy and proposes the most effective of them for discussion.

Modeling the impact of sulfide ore processing waste disposal facilities on the environment and human health

After the completion of the exploitation of ore deposits, atmospheric migration of sulfur compounds remains an urgent ecological and hygienic problem. The aim of the study was to obtain scientifically sound ideas about the danger of waste from the extraction and processing of sulfide ores of non-ferrous and precious metals accumulated in mining regions for the environment and public health based on the methodology of integrated modeling. The emission of sulfur compounds was studied on a full-scale model of the Ursky dump of barite–pyrite bulk (Ursk settlement, Kemerovo Region), the nature of their combined action was studied in a model experiment on Wistar rats. According to the simulation results, the main components of harmful emissions from the Ursky dump include dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfoxide and sulfur dioxide, the concentrations of which in the air exceeded the normative ones by 129–170, 119–127 and 1,7 times. When exposing experimental animals with a two-component mixture of dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl sulfoxide, a partial summation of the neuro- and hepatotoxic effects of the components was noted, while a three-component mixture of dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfoxide and sulfur dioxide potentiated the irritating effect. The dependences of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the biological effects of the isolated mixtures on the sum of the concentrations of their components and time are investigated. The proven algorithm for modeling the effects of the impact of a sulfide-containing dump on the environment and public health makes it possible to expand the possibilities of environmental expertise of environmental protection measures and assessment of risks to public health in mining regions.

Biochemical and physiological alterations caused by Diuron and Triclosan in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

The rise in the utilization of pesticides within industrial and agricultural practices has been linked to the occurrence of these substances in aquatic environments. The objective of this work was to evaluate the uptake and adverse impacts of Diuron (Di) and Triclosan (TCS) on the mussel species Mytilus galloprovincialis. To accomplish this, the accumulation and toxicity of these pesticides were gauged following a brief period of exposure spanning 14 days, during which the mussels were subjected to two concentrations (50 and 100 μg/L) of each substance that are ecologically relevant. Chemical analysis of Di and TCS within gills and digestive gland showed that these pesticides could be accumulated in mussel's tissues. In addition, Di and TCS are preferably accumulated in digestive gland.Measured biomarkers included physiological parameters (filtration FC and respiration RC capacity), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase), oxidative damage indicator (Malondialdheyde concentration) and neurotoxicity level (acetylcholinesterase activity) were evaluated in gills and digestive glands. Both pesticides were capable of altering the physiology of this species by reducing the FC and RC in concentration and chemical dependent manner. Both pesticides induced also an oxidative imbalance causing oxidative stress. The high considered concentration exceeded the antioxidant defense capacity of the mussel and lead to membrane lipid peroxidation that resulted in cell damage. Finally, the two pesticides tested were capable of interacting with the neuromuscular barrier leading to neurotoxicity in mussel's tissues by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. The ecotoxicological effect depended on the concentration and the chemical nature of the contaminant. Obtained results revealed also that the Di may exert toxic effects on M. galloprovincialis even at relatively low concentrations compared to TCS.In conclusion, this study presents innovative insights into the possible risks posed by Diuron (Di) and Triclosan (TCS) to the marine ecosystem. Moreover, it contributes essential data to the toxicological database necessary for developing proactive environmental protection measures.

Removal of multiple pollutants in air pollution control devices of a coal-fired boiler installed with a flue gas condensation scrubber

This work was conducted through field tests on a coal-fired circulating fluidized bed boiler with a condensation scrubber (CS) for flue gas waste heat recovery installed behind the wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) scrubber. Levels of multiple pollutants were investigated along various flue gas devices of the boiler, with the CS being the main focus. The CS demonstrated an excellent effect in removing filterable particulate matter (FPM), reducing it from 10.63–14.00 mg/Nm3 to less than 1 mg/Nm3, providing an alternative solution for ultra-low emission. The CS had the ability to remove SO2, reducing it from 211.8–272.0 mg/Nm3 to 11.1–13.0 mg/Nm3, which could be an aid to the WFGD scrubber. The CS showed an effect on SO3 removal, reducing it from 17.49–17.53 mg/Nm3 to 1.07–1.13 mg/Nm3, which might address the discharge of sulphate aerosols. The CS exhibited an effect in removing condensable particulate matter (CPM), reducing it from 29.68–38.48 mg/Nm3 to 12.18–22.80 mg/Nm3, providing a potential solution for CPM emission control. In addition, the escape of fine desulfurization slurry droplets from the WFGD scrubber could also be mitigated by the CS with the reduction efficiency of 88.30–90.51%. Overall, the synergistic removal of multiple pollutants including FPM, SO2, SO3, and CPM by the CS was verified in this case study. Considering its original function of waste heat recovery, the adoption of the CS is a promising measure for energy conservation and environmental protection.

Human capital and cooking fuel choices in rural China: Perspective from cognitive and noncognitive skills

Choosing renewable fuels for household cooking is of great significance for environmental protection. Using data from the 2016 China Family Panel Studies, this study empirically explores the impact of the human capital of rural household heads, measured by cognitive and noncognitive skills, on household cooking fuel choices and their mechanisms. The findings of this study are as follows: (1) improving the cognitive and noncognitive skills of rural household heads can significantly promote the use of renewable cooking fuels; (2) these two skills influence household renewable fuel choices through income effects and information-seeking effects; (3) raising human capital significantly increases the consumption of renewable fuels for household heads aged less than or equal to 65; and (4) compared with unmarried household heads, improving the human capital of married ones can significantly increase the use of renewable cooking fuels. Therefore, universal compulsory education, village/community adult training and education, and environmental protection publicity are important measures for carbon emission reduction, environmental protection, and sustainable economic development, particularly for developing countries.

Reducing the negative impact on agricultural land during oil and gas production in the Orenburg region when removing and storing the fertile soil layer

The article discusses the features of removing and storing the fertile soil layer in the context of land management, land reclamation and environmental protection measures to minimize the negative impact on the soil cover at various stages of the development of the oil and gas field. The research presented in the paper was carried out on the example of the Orenburg region. The spheres of human activity in which there is a need to work with a fertile layer of soil are considered. The state of these types of activities in the Orenburg region is considered. The provisions of the working projects of land reclamation on the issue of soil conservation are analyzed. The main normative legal acts regulating the order of storage and use of the fertile soil layer at the state and regional levels are investigated. Based on the results of the work done, a structural and logical scheme of the process of increasing the efficiency of removing and storing the fertile soil layer was formed, revealing the issue of increasing the efficiency of the processes of removing and storing the fertile layer. At the end of the research, an appropriate conclusion and conclusions were formulated.

Legal Regulation of Environmental Protection: Interrelations between Financial and Environmental Law

The paper compares financial and environmental law principles of regulating activities related to environmental protection. The author analyzes the concept of environmental protection and focuses on the complex nature of the legal regulation of public relations that develop in the process of environmental protection. The author points out that historically, the rules regulating environmental relations appeared in order to protect property, in particular financial interests. It is emphasized that natural resources are the main source of income for our state and environmental protection measures are implemented for the common good. Activities related to environmental protection can be effective only in conditions of proper financing. Based on the conducted research, it was concluded that the specifics of the subject and method of legal regulation led to the attribution of financial and environmental law to the number of public branches of Russian law, which means that financial and environmental law regulation is primarily aimed at implementation of public interest. These industries are similar in terms of the method of legal regulation: environmental law, as well as financial law, mainly regulates public relations through the imperative method — the method of power and subordination. Despite the fact that the compared branches of Russian law regulate separate, different areas of public relations, their subjects may overlap. This is due to the fact that financial activities and activities in the field of environmental protection are not opposed, are not mutually exclusive. This is largely facilitated by the fact that financial law is a universal branch of Russian law, and financing is the most effective tool for influencing public relations.

Biodiversity study of the deep-sea ecosystems in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean

The aim of the work was to study some deep-sea bottom communities of the Far Eastern seas of Russia using a remotely operated underwater vehicle.Materials were the data of underwater video and photo profiling, as well as direct sampling, performed in 2011–2013, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021.As results, an extensive array of new data on the composition, structure, and patterns of distribution of deep sea biota has been obtained. A primary description of the benthic communities of the Gamovsky Canyon (Sea of Japan), cold seeps of the Deryugin Basin (Sea of Okhotsk), and Piip underwater volcano (Bering Sea) has been prepared. Some features of the composition and structure of communities are revealed, and vertical zonality is described.Practical value: the results can be used in the development of environmental protection measures and measures of rational nature management in the waters of the Far Eastern seas of Russia and in areas of potential development of deep-sea mineral resources in the ocean.