Kildin Island Research Articles

Present Understanding of Biodiversity of Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria in the Relic Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, Murmansk oblast, Russia)

The relic Lake Mogilnoe, separated from the Barents Sea by a sand and pebble dam, is located in the high Arctic on the Kildin island (Murmansk region). This lake is a classic example of a meromictic basin of marine origin. The data obtained during the 2018 expedition showed changes in the hydrochemical regime of the lake that have occurred over the past 20 years. Sulfide concentration in the monimolimnion of the lake was as high as 140 mg/L. A tendency for salinization of the surface waters to 7 g/L has been noted. The Lake Mogilnoe is characterized by a discrepancy between the halocline and thermocline levels. The chemocline zone in the lake is below the halocline level. In a narrow oxygen-containing layer between 3 and 7.5 m, aerobic microflora of the marine type and marine fauna were present. The bacterial plate was formed at the boundary of the sulfide layer at ~8 m and mainly consisted of green sulfur bacteria (GSB). Brown-colored GSB species containing bacteriochlorophyll e were predominant. The previously formed concept of anaerobic phototrophic bacteria (APB) biodiversity based on morphological characteristics was modified using metagenomic data obtained by analyzing DNA from two samples of lake water in the chemocline zone, and was also supplemented by identifying new GSB species. Molecular diagnostic data confirmed the absolute dominance of the brackish species of GSB Chlorobium phaeovibrioides. This is the first on isolation and identification of brown- and green-colored Prosthecochloris aestuarii morphotypes from Lake Mogilnoe and identified, as well as of bacteriochlorophyll c-containing Prosthecochloris sp. The taxonomic position of Pelodyction phaem, which was constantly present in the Lake Mogilnoe, is discussed in detail. Despite the partial isolation of the ecosystem of Lake Mogilnoe from the Barents Sea, the main properties of the dominant GSB species of GSB and Prosthecochloris aestuarii turned out to be similar to those of the phylotypes living in lakes on the White Sea coast of the, which remained connected with the Barents Sea.

Radiation survey of the territory of Teriberka village and Kildin Island of Murmansk Region

The Arctic zone is a strategically important territory of the Russian Federation from the point of view of socio-economic, scientific, and technological components, as well as in terms of planning the development of a system for ensuring national defense, state, and public security. Intensive exploration and development of Arctic territories, combined with a rapidly changing environment due to global climate change, carries a few risks for the environment. This determines the need to assess potential environmental damage and determine the significance of factors of potential negative impact on unique Arctic ecosystems now and in the future. The article presents current data from a radiation survey of the coastal zone of residential areas close to the site of the sinking of the nuclear submarine ‘K-159’ – Teriberka village and Kildin Island, Murmansk region, as well as the sea area to assess the primary levels of man-made and natural radionuclides before starting work on the potential lifting of the submerged object. This work was carried out as part of the implementation of the State Program of the Russian Federation ‘Health Development’ (approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 26, 2017, No. 1640). The results of measuring the ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma radiation in open areas and determining the content of man-made and natural radionuclides in samples of environmental media (soil, aquatic vegetation, marine aquatic organisms) and food products of local origin and production (mushrooms, berries, fish, milk). The research results showed that the state of the study area is generally stable in terms of the radiation factor, the content of radionuclides is at the background level. As part of this work, electronic database modules have been developed based on the results of radiation monitoring in Teriberka village and on Kildin Island. Certificate No. 2022621890 was received on registration of a database with the results of the radiation situation of the above-mentioned territories.

Semibalanus balanoides (L.) and Balanus crenatus Bruguière (Balanidae) Are Intermediate Hosts of Fimbriarioides intermedia (Fuhrmann, 1913) and Two Species of the Genus Microsomacanthus (Cestoda: Hymenolepidae), Parasites of Sea Ducks from the Atlantic Sector of the Arctic and Northern Pacific.

Metacestode infestation of Semibalanus balanoides (L., 1767) and Balanus crenatus Bruguiеre, 1789, collected in the Barents and White Seas and in the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk in 2020 and 2021, respectively, was studied. A total of 313 S. balanoides from Mogilnaya Bay of Kildin Island (Barents Sea) and isolated mature wrinkled barnacles B. crenatus, two and four specimens from the Pechora Sea and Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea, respectively, were examined in 2020. Metacestodes Fimbriarioides intermedia (Fuhrmann, 1913) (Cyclophyllidea, Hymenolepididae) were found in 1.0 ± 0.6% of S. balanoides in the Barents Sea with an invasion intensity (I. I.) of 2-5 specimens, and in one of two B. crenatus from the Pechora Sea (I. I. 15 specimens). For the first time, in both B. crenatus from the Pechora Sea, taken from the valves of the mussel Mytilus edulis, metacestodes Microsomacanthus sp. I (I. I. 13 and 20 specimens) with proboscis hooks 38-41 (39.4 ± 0.1) µm long and blades of 9.5-11 (10.7 ± 0.1) µm were obtained. One of four B. crenatus from the Kandalaksha Bay was infected with another Microsomacanthus sp. II (I. I. 19 specimens) with proboscis hooks 44.0-49.5 (45.7 ± 0.5) µm long and blades 14.0-16.0 (14.8 ± 0.07) µm long. A total of 362 S.balanoides were collected and dissected in Gizhiginskaya Bay of the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk in 2021, of which 8.0 ± 1.4% were infected with F. intermedia metacestodes (I. I. 1-19 specimens). Study results of the infestation of S. balanoides on the Koni-Pyagin coast of the Sea of Okhotsk (according to the collections of 2006-2007) were supplemented and clarified. Description of metacestodes and the taxonomic affiliation of cysticercoids Microsomacanthus spp. are given.

Present Understanding of Biodiversity of Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria in the Relic Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, Murmansk Oblast, Russia)

Present Understanding of Biodiversity of Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria in the Relic Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, Murmansk Oblast, Russia)

Organochlorine compounds in the bottom sediments of the meromictic Mogilnoe Lake (Kildin Island, Russia)

The paper presents the results of a study of the behavior of organochlorine compounds (chlorinated benzenes and phenols) in the bottom sediments of Mogilnoe Lake (Kildin Island, Barents Sea). Mogilnoe Lake is a meromictic water reservoir located in the high latitudes of the Russian Arctic. A unique feature of the lake is its underground connection with the sea, which makes it similar to tropical anchialine lakes. Lake sediment samples were taken at three deep-water stations during complex expedition work in June 2019 by employees of the N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Arkhangelsk). Organochlorine compounds were extracted from air-dried samples of bottom sediments using accelerated flow-through solvent extraction with a hot mixture of organic solvents. Determination of the concentrations of chlorinated benzenes was carried out according to RD 52.24.417-2011 (RF), and the concentrations of chlorinated phenols and their derivatives – in accordance with the ISO 14154:2005. Quantification and identification of individual organochlorine compounds were carried out by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The presence of organochlorine compounds in sediments of the meromictic Mogilnoe Lake has been established. Concentrations of persistent organochlorine pollutants were assessed as high. Most likely, the component composition of organochlorine compounds and their detected levels (primarily pollutants) in the bottom sediments of the lake are due to the influence of various local anthropogenic sources, as well as atmospheric long-range transport from low/moderate latitudes and nearby regions.

Content of heavy metals in algae thalli in the littoral zone of Kildin Island (Barents Sea)

Content of heavy metals in algae thalli in the littoral zone of Kildin Island (Barents Sea)

Semibalanus balanoides (L.) and Balanus crenatus Bruguière (Balanidae) are intermediate hosts of fimbriarioides intermedia (fuhrmann, 1913) and two species of the genus Microsomacanthus (Cestoda, Hymenolepididae), parasites of sea ducks from the atlantic sector of the Arctic and Northern Pacific

Metacestode infestation of Semibalanus balanoides and Balanus crenatus, collected in the Barents and White Seas and in the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk in 2020 and 2021, correspondingly, has been studied. 313 S. balanoides from Mogilnaya Bay of Kildin Island (Barents Sea) and isolated mature wrinkled barnacles B. crenatus, 2 and 4 specimens from the Pechora Sea and Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea, respectively, were examined in 2020. Metacestodes Fimbriarioides intermedia (Fuhrmann, 1913) (Cyclophyllidea, Hymenolepididae) were found in 1.0 ± 0.6% of S. balanoides in the Barents Sea with an invasion intensity (I I) of 2-5 specimens, and in one of two B. crenatus from the Pechora Sea (I I = 15). For the first time in both B. crenatus from the Pechora Sea, taken from the valves of the mussel Mytilus edulis, metacestodes Microsomacanthus sp. I (I I = 13 and 20) with proboscis hooks 38-41 (39.4 ± 0.1) µm long, blades of 9.5-11 (10.7 ± 0.1) µm were obtained. One of four B. crenatus from the Kandalaksha Bay was infected with another Microsomacanthus sp. II (I I = 19) with proboscis hooks 44.0-49.5 (45.7 ± 0.5) µm long and blades - 14.0-16.0 (14.8 ± 0.07) µm. 362 S. balanoides were collected and dissected in Gizhiginskaya Bay of the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk in 2021, of which 8.0 ± 1.4% were infected with F. intermedia metacestodes (I I = 1-19). Study results of the infestation of S. balanoides on the Koni-Pyagin coast of the Sea of Okhotsk (according to the collections of 2006-2007) were supplemented and clarified. Description of metacestodes and the taxonomic affiliation of cysticercoids Microsomacanthus spp. are given.

Unexpected discovery: an enclave of East-Siberian plants in Northern Europe.

Small native populations of the Siberian dwarf pine Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel and bristle-pointed iris Iris setosa Pall. ex Link were discovered recently on Kildin Island located near the Kola Peninsula in the Barents Sea. Both species' records are from a natural landscape, and there is no evidence for their introduction by humans. Kildin Island is 3200km away from the typical range of the species. The discovery may have remained unnoticed for a long time because the island's interior remained relatively unexplored compared to its seashores. It is a result of a recent conservation assessment of the island as a whole, aiming to reveal habitats of threatened species and other subjects of conservation value. The occurrence of the two species may represent a glacial relict, but a good explanation of their origin is not available so far. This discovery may help to better understand the ecological history of the boreal zone of Eurasia.

Morphometric Characters and Feeding Habits in the Early Ontogenesis of Kildin Cod Gadus morhua kildinensis (Gadidae) from Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, Barents Sea)

Morphometric Characters and Feeding Habits in the Early Ontogenesis of Kildin Cod Gadus morhua kildinensis (Gadidae) from Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, Barents Sea)

Morphometric Characters and Feeding Habits in the Early Ontogenesis of Kildin Cod Gadus morhua kildinensis (Gadidae) from Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, Barents Sea)

Kildin cod Gadus morhua kildinensis is a subspecies of Atlantic cod with extremely small population size, listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, which inhabits the waters of a small meromictic lake on the Kildin Island (Barents Sea). Comparative studies of morphobiological characteristics and feeding habits of Kildin cod in the juvenile period were conducted for the first time. Comparison of sample sets of adult Kildin cod and fingerlings on the basis of multivariate analysis of variance demonstrates a high degree of differences in the complex of morphometric characters. The diet of the analyzed sample set of Kildin cod fingerlings consisted of ostracodes (Ostracoda), larvae of polychaetas (Polychaeta), cladocerans (Cladocera), and gammarids (Gammaridae). The special features of changes in the diet of Kildin cod in the early ontogenesis are discussed.

Археологические работы в Русской Лапландии в 2017 и 2019 годах

In 2017 and 2019, the archaeological expedition of the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia conducted field surveys in the territory of Russian Lapland on the topics “Monuments of the Late Middle Ages and Modern Times of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula: dynamics of intercultural interaction” and “Ancient sacred objects” of Eastern Fennoscandia. The article presents a general overview of the results of these studies. Three places with cult stones have been recorded –– Mount Lisya, Lake Tashechnoye and the Sredny Peninsula. A complex of boulder pits has been opened on the Khlebnaya River. In the village of Teriberka, searches were conducted for the site of the church of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God. Three places with the name “portage” were examined on the coast of the Barents Sea. A group of stone constructions has been found on Kildin Island, which may be cenotaphs.

New Data on the Biology of Kildin Cod Gadus morhua kildinensis (Gadidae) from Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, the Barents Sea) Obtained by Echo Sounding and Underwater Photography

The distribution of the Kildin cod Gadus morhua kildinensis in Lake Mogilnoye (Kildin Island, Barents Sea) is assessed based on the results of echo sounding and hydrological surveys, underwater photography and field observations. Underyearlings live in the lower part of the freshened upper layer, younger age groups locate in vicinity of the natural dam in the southeastern part of the lake, adults are distributed along the water area of the lake within the depth range of 4.0–6.4 m (mainly 5.0–5.4 m), characterized by favorable temperature values, water salinity, and oxygen saturation.

<p><strong>The first record of <em>Iris setosa</em> (Iridaceae) in Europe</strong></p>

Iris setosa is one of the widespread Iris species in Northeast Asia and North America. In 2018, it was found for the first time in Europe, on Kildin Island (Murmansk Oblast, Russian Federation). The presence of this plant on the island and its disjunct range are discussed. To facilitate further detection and identification, a general morphological description, information about the original material of the name I. setosa, and supporting illustrations are here provided.

Rapid unpredicted changes in the stratification of marine lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, the Barents Sea) through the early 21st century

Lake Mogilnoe is a rare example of an anchialine lake (with subterranean connection to the ocean) in the Arctic, a refuge for landlocked populations of marine organisms. The lake has been the subject of intensive studies since the end of the 19th century. Here we demonstrate that between the 2003–07 and 2015–18 observation periods this permanently stratified lake experienced significant changes. The surface salinity increased and exceeded the tolerance limits of many freshwater organisms. The bottom anoxia expanded from one-fifth to one-third of the lake volume. Such a turn in stratification affected both composition and distribution of biota: freshwater zooplanktonic species virtually disappeared, while benthic communities shifted to shallower depths. Although recent changes in the lake stratification are consistent with the long-term trend, their scale is much larger than has been observed during the past 120 years. It was earlier considered that the lake dynamics were mainly affected by human activity in the vicinity of the lake. However, lack of human activity around Mogilnoe during last decades persuades us to search for the natural causes of the recorded changes.

New data on Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, Barents Sea): the results of the 2018 expeditions

Lake Mogilnoe (Kildin Island, the Barents Sea) is a meromictic lake located in the high latitudes of the Arctic. It was formed by separation from the Barents Sea and retained an underground connection with it through a rocky barrier. The first researchers of the lake mentioned the upper fresh-water layer, the middle salty layer, lower anaerobic layer containing hydrogen sulfide, and noted the existence of a layer with rose water in the redoxcline. Observations carried out during the 20th century pointed to a gradual change in the vertical structure of the lake: mineralization increase of the surface layer and the rise of the hydrogen sulfide distribution boundary. In the past 10 years, there have been signals about acceleration of these changes. This is a big concern about an isolated population of Kildin cod (G. morhua kildinensis) listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, an endemic to this lake subspecies of Atlantic cod. In July, August and October 2018, three expeditions were organized to Lake Mogilnoe to study the current hydrological state of the lake, seasonal variability of hydrological characteristics, and outline possible causes of the registered changes and the threat to the Kildin cod population.

New data of diatoms in the Lake Mogilnoye (Kildin Island, Barents Sea)

The diatom flora of the relict meromictic Lake Mogilnoye over the past 100 years has been analyzed. An inventory and taxonomic revision of diatom composition were carried out.

Naviculoid diatoms (Bacillariophyta) of relict Lake Mogilnoye (Kildin Island, Barents Sea)

New data on morphology and taxonomy of 16 pennate diatom species of three orders Naviculales, Lyrellales and Thalassiophysales found in subpolar meromictic Lake Mogilnoye at salinity of up to 4 ‰ and water temperature of about 10 °С are presented. A new species, Navicula sepulchralis Gogorev et E. Lange, sp. nov., is described. Its valves are 38–46 μm long, 11–13 μm wide and have 9.5–10.5 striae per 10 μm and 23–24 areolae per 10 μm of striae. N. sepulchralis is very similar to N. kohlmaieri in size of valves and number of striae, but differs in valve outline. Hippodonta cf. naviculiformis, Pinnularia birnirkiana, Seminavis barbara and Staurophora anuschkae were recorded for the first time in Russia, as well as a taxon, Chamaepinnularia krookiformis, — for the first time in the Murmansk Region, nine species were detected for the first time in the lake.

О возрасте отложений п-овов Средний, Рыбачий и о-ва Кильдин (Кольский регион) в связи с находкой пластовых строматолитов

Substantiation of the age of Kildin, Volokov, Eina and Bargout formations from the Sredny and Rybachy Peninsulas and Kildin Island has been presented in the paper. The traces of microbial life as filamentous and ribbon-like forms were detected using the scanning laser microscopy in stratiform stromatolites of the Sredny Peninsula. It has been proved that the studied stratiform stromatolites cannot be referred to the formal Early Riphean species Stratifera flexurata Komar 1966. Ключевые слова: верхнепротерозойские отложения, пластовые строматолиты, п-ов Средний, п-ов Рыбачий, о-в Кильдин.

The biological features of the Kildin cod, Gadus morhua kildinensis Derjugin, 1920 (Gadidae)

The morphological and biological characteristics of the unique isolated population of the Kildin cod that inhabit the relic Lake Mogilnoye (Kildin Island, Barents Sea) were studied using a complex of methods. This subpolar meromictic marine lake was formed more than 1000 years ago by a filtering pebble–stone bar that separated the lagoon from the Kildin Strait. The current status of the lake has been assessed. An analysis of the properties of the Lake Mogilnoye ecosystem, including assessment of this body of water and the role and features of various groups of organisms, has been performed for the first time by using a balance model of the ECOPATH type.

Effects of genetic drift in a small population of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua kildinensis Derjugin) landlocked in a meromictic lake: genetic variation and conservation measures

Landlocked populations of normally salt-water, bottom-dwelling Atlantic cod exist in a few circumpolar meromictic lakes. One such population, the Kildin cod, inhabits Mogilnoe Lake (Kildin Island, the Barents Sea) that is listed among regional nature reserves. The lake has three main strata of water of about 5 m each: an upper level with nearly fresh water, a saline layer, and an anaerobic zone at the bottom. The fish lives in the saline stratum and appears in the fresh layer as well. Available food is poor, the adults heavily prey on cod juveniles. The Kildin cod has distinct morphological features, faster growth rate, earlier age of maturation, and shorter longevity that likely developed in response to the unusual lake environment. Genetic and capture-mark-recapture data show that the Kildin cod greatly differs from its marine counterparts: It has an effective population size of about one hundred and an average adult census size of about half a thousand, reproductively isolated from a parental marine population around 1800 years ago, lost a large portion of microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA variation due to long-term genetic drift, but still maintains variation at allozyme loci. DNA markers of the Kildin cod do not carry novel mutations, but their multilocus genotypes seem to be unique to the lake population. The suggested conservation strategy includes: (1) the lake and its drainage area should be strongly protected from any detrimental human activities; (2) the transplantation of any genetic material into the cod population of Mogilnoe Lake should be strongly prohibited.