Melting of snow cover and water yield from snow in ombrotrophic mires (using the example of bogs of the Karelian Isthmus and the Kola Peninsula)

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are one of the main agricultural crops cultivated in the Murmansk Region. Severe climate conditions of the Kola Peninsula (low positive summer temperatures, polar day, early frosts in August and September) decrease the growing season length. The goal of breeding work in this region is to create the most productive cultivars. The right selection of parents is essential for the production of early ripening potato cultivars adopted to the local growing conditions. The hybrid potatoes bred at the Polar Experiment Station, a branch of VIR, have been evaluated for early ripeness, productivity, starch content, as well as for high taste quality.The research has yielded characteristics of some promising potato hybrids produced in the conditions of the Murmansk Region. These potato hybrids can be used in a variety of breeding programs aimed at producing new potato cultivars suited for cultivation in extreme conditions of the Far North.

The history of Norway\'s name in Russian language is traced from the Ancient Rus period to the eighteenth century. In Old Russian texts up to and including the fifteenth century Norway is designated only by the ethnotoponym Murmanskaia zemlia (from the Murmane, i.e. "Norwegians" in the narrow sense, and zemlia "land"). By the sixteenth century, however, this place-name had started to designate an area in the north of the Kola Peninsula inhabited by the Saami. Making claims for this territory in a border dispute with Denmark, the Russian side identified it in the end of that century with Lopskaia zemlia. At the same time, a new name, Norvetskaia zemlia, has been recorded in diplomatic sources since mid-sixteenth century. Although its appearance had probably to do with the fact that the previous name had proved to be "occupied", the very change of the model of nomination instead of naming territory after its inhabitants the name of the "land" as such is loaned possibly reflects a certain change in the way Norway started to be Ôgeographically imagined during the Muscovite period. The modern form Norvegiia has been attested in the Russian translations of European cosmographies at least since the second quarter of seventeenth century (although the form Nordviia also appears in one translated text form the late 16th century).

Introduction. Modern technologies of iron ore mining reduce, but do not eliminate, the increased risk of developing occupational pathology. The aim. Occupational health at open-pit iron ore mining on the Kola Peninsula deposits. Materials and methods. Analysis of information from the Murmansk region occupational disease register and results of social and hygienic monitoring in the section “Working conditions and occupational morbidity” for 2004–2023. Results. In open-pit iron ore mining, noise, aerosols with predominantly fibrogenic action (APFA) and harmful chemicals had the largest shares in the structure of harmful production factors: 16.8%, 16.3%, 15.6%. Over twenty years, the share of whole-body vibration increased (from 4.6 to 7.6%) and there was a decrease in the shares of noise (from 19.3 to 14.6%), APFA (from 17.7 to 14.6%) and harmful chemicals (from 17.5 to 12.5%). In 2004–2023, 320 diseases were first diagnosed in 222 workers, including drivers of quarry dump trucks (n=90), excavator operators (n=50). and bulldozer operators (n=27). The most common diseases were vibration disease (n=135), radiculopathy (n=41) and sensorineural hearing loss (n=28), while over 20 years there was a rise in the proportion of vibration disease (from 6.9 to 70.5%), and a decrease in the proportion of sensorineural hearing loss (from 27.6 to 7.7%). The number of diseases diagnosed in one miner was 1.44±0.04 cases, the incidence rate reached 28.09 cases / 10,000 workers. The risk of developing occupational pathology in 2019–2023 exceeded the indicators in 2004–2008: RR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.10–2.63. Limitations. Lack of data on working conditions before 2004 that could influence the occupational pathology development in 2004–2023. Conclusion. It is necessary to improve methods of preventing occupational pathology in workers engaged in iron ore mining on the Kola Peninsula, especially vibration disease in quarry truck drivers, excavator, and bulldozer operators.

Analysis of the relationship between the characteristics of the composition, structure and morphology of fluvioglacial deposits of the Kola Peninsula

Abstract The Paleoproterozoic Perchatka intrusion, located in the central Lapland–Belomorian Belt of the Fennoscandian Shield in the Kola Peninsula of Russia, displays clear patterns of modal and cryptic layering. Several megacyclic units led to the Peridotite Core (PC) at the base, the Intermediate Zone (IZ), the Cryptically Layered Zone (LZ), and the Gabbroic Zone (GZ) at the top. The ultrabasic rocks provide notable examples of various coronitic associations. In the earliest corona to form, olivine or magnesian clinopyroxene is deposited from a primitive melt around a chromite core. The most common type of corona is composite, with orthopyroxene overgrowing olivine, followed by an outer rim composed of a calcic amphibole or a mica of the phlogopite–annite series. The amphibole, a Na-K-Ti-Al-enriched pargasite or edenite, likely formed from an evolved interstitial melt. Similar compositions of amphibole, phlogopite, and magnesian orthopyroxene are recorded in a melt inclusion hosted by olivine. The existence of coronas at Perchatka results from a confluence of factors: (1) A thermal quench leading to rapid crystallization accompanied the hypabyssal emplacement of the complex. (2) Efficient differentiation led to a buildup in Al, Ca, Na, K, Ti, along with H2O, Cl, and F in residual portions of melt. (3) Relative abundances of intrinsic volatiles, especially H2O, caused an exsolution early in the crystallization history, giving rise to the hydrous silicates in the outer rim. (4) Subsolidus reactions with plagioclase played a subordinate role in the increase of Na and Al in the outer rim.

The current study presents the results of air quality research in the small mining and touristic city of Apatity (Kola Peninsula, Russian Federation, 67o34’03’’N, 33o23’36’’E) during the two winter expeditions in 2022 and 2024. A PurpleAir PA-II portable device was used for ground-based aerosol observations. Two measurement campaigns allowed to conduct route measurements in various synoptic conditions, including both frosty windless weather, characterized by temperature inversion (2022), and contrasting conditions of “warm” winter unusual in the Arctic and Kola Peninsula (January 2024). The obtained results demonstrate that, depending on the synoptic situation in the city, there can be both traditional accumulation of concentrations of PM 2.5 particles (up to 300 µg/m3) dangerous for the health of inhabitants (in some areas exceeding the 20 min maximum allowable concentration of 160 µg/m3 almost twice), and significant improvement of air quality due to precipitation and air mixing under warm winter conditions (on average, about 17 µg/m3). The latter circumstance can noticeably improve the region’s tourism potential in a warmer climate.

The article presents data on the results of the introduction of representatives of the genus Crataegus L. in the Polar Alpine Botanical Garden Institute (PABGI) (Apatity) since 1947. The genus Crataegus is found in the temperate and subtropical zones of the northern hemisphere. According to the generally accepted classification of the zoning of the flora, the range of this genus is located within the Holarctic floral kingdom. The greatest species diversity is observed in the eastern part of North America. On the Kola Peninsula, hawthorn is absent from natural plant communities, but it is found in culture and does not require significant care. According to the modern nomenclature of taxa names, 86 taxa were introduced into the public domain from 1947 to 2021. During the period of the introduction studies, 65 geographical samples were included in the test. North American representatives of the genus Crataegus make up 52% of the tested samples, representatives of the European flora – 21%, Central Asian – 18% and Far Eastern – 9%. Most of the samples (98%) for the introduction experiment were obtained in the form of seeds. The initial seed material was obtained as a result of seed exchange with various points of introduction (botanical institutions) in Russia and abroad. The initial seed material of natural origin had a higher germination rate, which was 60.9%. The majority of plants (84%) were represented by circumboreal flora. Representatives of this floral region had the highest seed germination, which was 48.5%. Representatives of the East Asian and Mediterranean regions had the lowest germination rate — 33.3%, respectively. Currently, the PABSI hawthorn collection contains 30 specimens from 23 taxa, including 22 species and 1 form, which is 10.5% of the total number of tested specimens and 26.7% of the total number of tested hawthorn species. According to long-term phenological data, the growing season lasts from 97 to 125 days and is characterized as short. The average value of the growing season for all studied species was 115 ± 6.2 days. Most of the studied species are characterized by high winter hardiness. No species characterized by the freezing of shoots to snow cover or the complete freezing of the plant were found. In the conditions of the Kola Subarctic, some species of hawthorn bloom abundantly and bear fruit. Plants of the species C. arnoldiana, C. submollis, C. basilica, C. intracatata and C. canadensis do not bloom, plants of C. russanovii and C. nigra are characterized by irregular flowering, and fruiting may be absent in unfavorable years. According to the results of the study, plants of the genus Crataegus are promising for introduction in the Kola North. The most resistant species of hawthorn in culture include C. flabellata, C. chlorosarca, C. dahurica, C. maximowiczii and C. sanguinea, which allows us to recommend them for widespread use in green construction.

Soil type and content of macro-elements determine hotspots of Cu and Ni accumulation in soils of subarctic industrial barren: inference from a cascade machine learning.

Morphotectonics of the Imandra–Kolvitsky Fault and Parameters of the Focal Zone of Paleoearthquakes in the Luvenga Tundra (Kola Peninsula)

The share of local iron ore raw materials of metallurgical enterprises of the Ural region is 50 – 60 %. The rest is brought from Central Russia, the Kola Peninsula and Kazakhstan. The issue of replacing imported raw materials with local, cheaper ones, is very relevant. The extraction of siderite iron ore of the Bakalskoye deposit (Southern Urals), the reserves of which are about 1 billion tons, is many times less than the mining and geological conditions allow because of the insignificant demand for this raw material due to its low quality. The high content of magnesium oxide in the ore makes blast furnace smelting difficult or impossible using more than 20 % of siderites in the charge. The basis of any blast furnace slag is a four-component system CaO – SiO2 – Al2O3 – MgO with the following composition, wt. %: 30 – 40 SiO2 , 31 – 49 CaO, 3 – 18 MgO, 7 – 20 Al2O3 . The melting point of such slags is 1280 – 1320 ℃. At a temperature of 1450 °C, their viscosity is about 0.5 Pa·s. An increase in the magnesium oxide content (>20 %) leads to a sharp increase in melting point of the slags, reduces the crystallization interval and makes them unstable. In this regard, the materials made from siderite ore using various technologies for preparing them for blast furnace smelting (raw ore, roasting-magnetic separation, agglomeration) are introduced into the blast furnace charge only as additives. Their share does not exceed 20 %. The effect of boric anhydride on the viscosity of high-magnesia blast furnace slags containing 15 – 36 % MgO was studied using modern methods of statistical processing of experimental data. It was shown that addition of boric anhydride to the initial charge allows to reduce the melting point of the slag and to increase the crystallization interval. This makes it possible to conduct blast furnace smelting on slags containing about 40 % MgO, which corresponds to a siderite share of 40 – 50 % in the initial charge.

The Norwegian lemming (Lemmus lemmus) is a small rodent distributed across the Fennoscandian mountain tundra and the Kola Peninsula. The Norwegian lemming likely evolved during the Late Pleistocene and inhabited Fennoscandia shortly prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. However, the exact timing and origins of the species, and its phylogenetic position relative to the closely related Siberian lemming (Lemmus sibiricus) remain disputed. Moreover, the presence of ancient or contemporary gene flow between both species is largely untested. The Norwegian lemming displays characteristic phenotypic and behavioral adaptations (e.g., coat color, aggression) that are not present in other Lemmus species. We generated a de novo genome assembly for the Norwegian lemming and resequenced nine modern and two ancient Lemmus spp. genomes. We show that all Lemmus species form distinct monophyletic clades, with concordant topology between the mitochondrial and nuclear genome phylogenies. The Siberian lemming is divided into two distinct but paraphyletic clades, one in the east and one in the west, where the western clade represents a sister taxon to the Norwegian lemming. We estimate that the Norwegian and western Siberian lemming diverged shortly before the Last Glacial Maximum, making the Norwegian lemming one of the youngest known mammalian species. We did not find any indication of gene flow between L. lemmus and L. sibiricus, suggesting postglacial isolation of L. lemmus. Furthermore, we identify species-specific genomic differences in genes related to coat color and fat transport, which are likely associated with the distinctive coloration and overwintering behavior observed in the Norwegian lemming.

Introduction. This study investigates geochemical processes of techno genesis in mining regions, focusing on the formation of atmospheric, lithogenic, and hydro-chemical contamination halos caused by extraction and processing of mineral resources. The research emphasizes the long-term ecological risks of heavy metals and organic pollutants, highlighting their accumulation and migration in industrially impacted areas of Russia. Methods. Field sampling campaigns were conducted in major mining and metallurgical regions, including Norilsk, the Kola Peninsula, and the Leningrad phosphate basin. Air, soil, water, and bottom sediment samples were collected and analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy, ICP-MS, X-ray fluorescence, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and electron microscopy. Hydro-chemical measurements were complemented by pH and ion analyses. Numerical simulations based on finite element modeling in COMSOL Multiphysics reproduced the migration of contaminants under variable hydrogeological conditions. Statistical and geostatistical tools (PCA, correlation analysis, kriging) were applied to identify key factors and spatial distribution patterns. Results. The findings show significant exceedances of permissible concentrations of copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and other elements in air, soils, and waters near industrial sites. Fine particulate matter (PM2–5) with high heavy metal content accounted for up to 35% of airborne dust. Soil degradation was evidenced by reduced humus content and increased acidity. Filtration waters from tailings ponds exhibited high concentrations of dissolved metals, with migration zones extending up to 12 km and persistence over decades. Hydro-chemical analysis revealed elevated levels of sulfates, nitrates, hydrocarbons, and PAHs. Modeling confirmed that contamination spread is controlled by both geochemical conditions and technological practices of mining. Conclusions. The study demonstrates that techno genic geochemistry in mining areas is characterized by high spatial and temporal variability, long-term ecological consequences, and substantial risks for natural ecosystems. The integrated approach combining field data, laboratory analysis, and modeling provides a reliable basis for developing environmentally justified strategies in mining regions. The results underline the importance of geochemical monitoring and comprehensive mitigation measures to ensure ecological safety and sustainable resource exploitation.

We present the records of Bombus mastrucatus Gerstaecker, 1869 in the Murmansk Region (Russia). We suppose that the distribution of this species in the region is probably limited to the territory from the vicinity of the town of Kandalaksha to the south of the Kola Peninsula along the Kandalaksha Gulf.

In July–August 2024 on the Kola Peninsula, the FENICS-2024 experiment was conducted to generate artificial electromagnetic signals at night, using two power transmission lines as a horizontal radiating antenna. The generator frequency varied discretely from session to session from 1 to 194 Hz with current amplitude from ~150 A at low frequencies to ~40 A at high frequencies. The paper presents the results of the first stage of the experiment when the power transmission line Vykhodnoy—Olenegorsk with a distance between earth electrodes of substances L=84 km was utilized as a radiating antenna. Magnetic stations, located from ~1200 to ~2100 km from the nodal substation, recorded signals with frequencies from 1 to 9 Hz with ~0.3–~6.0 fT/A amplitudes normalized to the emitter current. The observations have shown the promise of the new type of active experiments on creating a probing signal for magnetotelluric sounding over a large area. The observation results will be compared with theoretical models in the subsequent work.

In July–August 2024 on the Kola Peninsula, the FENICS-2024 experiment was conducted to generate artificial electromagnetic signals at night, using two power transmission lines as a horizontal radiating antenna. The generator frequency varied discretely from session to session from 1 to 194 Hz with current amplitude from ~150 A at low frequencies to ~40 A at high frequencies. The paper presents the results of the first stage of the experiment when the power transmission line Vykhodnoy—Olenegorsk with a distance between earth electrodes of substances L=84 km was utilized as a radiating antenna. Magnetic stations, located from ~1200 to ~2100 km from the nodal substation, recorded signals with frequencies from 1 to 9 Hz with ~0.3–~6.0 fT/A amplitudes normalized to the emitter current. The observations have shown the promise of the new type of active experiments on creating a probing signal for magnetotelluric sounding over a large area. The observation results will be compared with theoretical models in the subsequent work.

The focus of this study is to present new data regarding the bumblebee fauna of the northern part of MurmanskRegion (Northern European Russia). A total 15 species of bumblebees were found here that cover almost all speciesthat may be found in the studied area. Bombus sporadicus and B. bohemicus are the first records in the northernpart of Murmansk Region, but these species are well known from Northern Fennoscandia. No new haplotypes werefound for B. alpinus and B. monticola in the Kola Peninsula. They belong to the lineages which are common inScandinavia and Finland.

ABSTRACTThe first high‐resolution reconstruction of the vegetation and environmental changes during the last ca 13 300 cal a BP in the central part of the Kola Peninsula (NW Russia) was reconstructed based on sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) metabarcoding on sediment core Co1410 from Lake Imandra. In total, 204 taxa known from modern flora are identified. The resulting sequences were assigned to vascular plants (87%), bryophytes (12%), and algae (1%). About half (111 taxa, 49%) are identified at the species level. They belong to 150 genera and 86 families. So far, this is the most diverse and taxonomically detailed palaeoflora described for the Late Pleistocene–Holocene of the Kola Peninsula and North‐European Russia. SedaDNA studies suggest that the vegetation cover in the region developed from (1) plant colonisation of the study area after the glacier retreated during the Allerød warming at ca 13 300–13 000 a BP to (2) Younger Dryas cold period with re‐entering of the glaciers in the catchment of the Grater (Bolshaya) Imandra and establishing of the steppe–tundra communities. (3) Warming and increasing in vegetation diversity during the Early Holocene, with the formation of the birch forests by the end of this time zone. (4) Mid‐Holocene temperature maximum is correlated with the highest regional plant diversity and a pronounced role of the thermophilic taxa, that is, Lonicera species, Prunus padus, Populus tremula, Sorbus sp./Cotoneaster sp. The highest so far revealed regional diversity of the higher spore plants (10) and aquatic plants (23) is evidenced. Mixed deciduous and coniferous forests were established in the research area during this period, and a drop in plant diversity occurred afterwards. (5) During the Late Holocene, modern communities are formed with a slight increase in biodiversity because of increasing input from cultural plants and weeds. Human impact is clearly diagnosed after 250 a BP, indicated by the presence of Ribes sp., Hypericum sp., and Mentha arvensis as well as eutrophic weeds, that is, Trifolium sp. and Urtica dioica. In addition, this study revealed the past dynamics of some plants rare for the Murmansk region, namely Pteridium aquilinum, with its maximum of occurrence at ca 11 000–8000 cal a BP and a strong decrease thereafter, and Nuphar sp./Nymphaea sp. occurring regularly since ca 7700 cal a BP and eliminating from the record after ca 3500 cal a BP.

The Murmansk Region, located on the Kola Peninsula in the Arctic, is actively developing as a tourist destination. However, many aspects related to the marketing and representation of its cultural and natural heritage remain underexplored. The purpose of this article is to examine the image of the Murmansk Region as perceived through tourists’ beliefs, opinions, and evaluations of Arctic-specific attributes — factors that can play a decisive role in destination choice. The study is based on data from a sociological survey conducted in the city of Kirovsk, one of the region’s major tourist hubs. The survey results indicate that, for most tourists, the defining feature of the Arctic is its natural environment and associated phenomena. Visitors tend to envision the Arctic as a landscape of harsh climatic conditions — a place to test one’s endurance and spirit. This pursuit of novel experiences is often shaped by prior knowledge and cultural narratives about the Arctic, particularly those involving human confrontation with nature and the conquest of the North. The immersive experience created by the interplay between natural landscapes and cultural elements — including the traditions of local communities and Indigenous peoples — contributes to the formation of a distinctive image of the Murmansk Region within the broader Arctic context. The study’s theoretical contribution lies in providing empirical data that supports an expanded typology of Arctic tourism, incorporating forms such as indigenous ecotourism (involving participation of the indigenous population in ecotourism activities) and dark sky tourism (travel to low-light-pollution areas for observing celestial objects and phenomena). The findings may be of practical interest to policymakers involved in tourism development in the Arctic, as well as to tourism industry stakeholders. Future research should focus on analyzing tourist experiences across various parts of the Murmansk Region and on identifying risks associated with increasing visitor numbers.

The prepared publication of meeting minutes from the general meeting and bureau of the primary cell of the Komsomol organization at the Imandra railway station in spring 1920, after the end of the Civil War under the guidance of the Russian Communist Union of Youth (RCYU), presents previously unknown sources for research into the process of material and cultural development of the young generation, as well as for reconstruction of mechanisms of ideological processing and enlightenment activities of the Bolsheviks on the outskirts of Soviet Russia, particularly in the territory of the Kola Peninsula at the foot of the Khibiny Mountain range. This region at that time was characterized by low population density and a fairly weak level of development both economically and in socio-cultural spheres. Through analysis of these sources, it is possible to identify the specifics of modernization processes on the Kola Peninsula in the field of ideology and the role of youth in this modernization. The published protocols are stored in collection P467 of the State Archives of the Murmansk Region.