Levels Of Anthropogenic Impact Research Articles

The role of micromycetes of transboundary river waters in the decomposition of organic substances

This article provides information on the identification of micromycetes found in samples taken from areas of transboundary rivers of Azerbaijan with different levels of anthropogenic impact, and the study of their role in the removal of pollutants. Certain micromycetes were used as indicators of water quality. As a result of the studies, micromycetes belonging to 38 species from 16 genera were identified. Directly at the sampling site, water temperature, pH, and the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water were measured, and biogenic elements were determined in laboratory conditions. The presence of nutrients in the studied river waters showed variable results. Thus, in the Astarachay River, nitrites range from 0.01–0.02 mg/l, nitrates 0.56–0.70 mg/l, ammonium 0.5–1.50 mg/l, phosphates 0.00–0.01 mg/l. In the Bolgarchay River, these indicators for nitrite range from 0.02–0.05 mg/l, for nitrates 0.20–0.50 mg/l, for ammonium 0.10–0.44 mg/l, for phosphates 0.01–0.05 mg/l. In the Arazchay River, nitrites range from 0.01–0.83 mg/l, nitrates 0.08–7.40 mg/l, ammonium 0.05–3.57 mg/l, phosphates 0.05–0.94 mg/l, and in Okhchuchay these indicators for nitrite range from 0.09 to 0.71 mg/l. l, nitrates 0.68–6.00 mg/l, ammonium 0.23–6.45 mg/l, phosphates 0.09–0.65 mg/l. The results obtained showed that the identified microscopic fungi are involved in the formation of rich flora as an adaptation in river waters. The biomass and number of micromycetes significantly depend on hydrochemical conditions: parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, forms of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon fractions. It can be recommended to use mushrooms for biological control of surface water purity and sanitary safety. It should be noted that environmental factors also influence the diversity of micromycetes

Elemental composition of atmospheric PM10 during COVID-19 lockdown and recovery periods in Moscow (April-July 2020).

Changes in the concentrations of PM10-bound potentially toxic elements (PTEs) during the COVID-19 lockdown period and after the revocation of restrictions were analyzed using the data received at the Aerosol Complex of Moscow State University in April-July 2020. During the lockdown, the input of biomass combustion products enriched in PTEs from the Moscow region hindered the decrease in pollutant concentrations. After the introduction of the self-isolation regime, lower concentrations of most PTEs occurred due to the decrease in anthropogenic activity and the rainy meteorological conditions. After the revocation of restrictive measures, the PTE concentrations began to increase. Multivariate statistical analysis (APCA-MLR) identified the main sources of atmospheric pollutants as urban dust, non-exhaust traffic emissions, and combustion and exhaust traffic emissions. PM10 particles were significantly enriched with Sb, Cd, Sn, Bi, S, Pb, Cu, Mo, and Zn. The total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, calculated according to the U.S. EPA model, decreased by 24% and 23% during the lockdown; after the removal of restrictions, they increased by 61% and 72%, respectively. The study provides insight into the PTE concentrations and their main sources at different levels of anthropogenic impact.

LANDS AND SOILS AS INDEPENDENT COMPONENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, ISSUES OF THEIR ASSESSMENT, REGULATION AND MANAGEMENT (REVIEW)

In the scientif c and industrial spheres of the country, to date, there have not been clear ideas about the separation of the functions of soils and lands in the f eld of assessment, rationing and quality management, which leads to a confusion of concepts and some confusion in the management of modern environmental management and environ-mental protection. T e features of the functioning of soils and lands as independent components of the environment in matters of their assessment, rationing and quality management system established by the law «On Environmental Protection» are considered. T ere is a certain scientif c and regulatory and methodological inadequacy in relation to the development of indicators for the total assessment of environmental components included in the natural com-plex of lands, especially industrial lands and settlements of the country. T e ideas about acceptable indicators of soil quality and levels of anthropogenic impact on them are generalized. Some attention was also paid to the issues of land standardization with the development of ideas for establishing the natural and natural-anthropogenic background of soils and related features of assessing the quality of soils of lands of various economic purposes. T e paper touches upon the issues of the specif c trinity of the functioning of lands based on the development of ecological, resource and socio-economic components. At the same time, the analysis of socio-economic regulation of land quality con-tributes to the selection of the optimal direction in the organization of sustainable development of the territory and the functioning of the entire natural resource complex of lands. To separate the concepts of «soil» and «land» at the scientif c and practical level, related to the peculiarities of their assessment, rationing and management, it is proposed to pay special attention to the development and adoption of the federal law «On Soil Protection»

Anthropogenic pollution drives the bacterial resistome in a complex freshwater ecosystem

Aquatic ecosystems in anthropogenically impacted areas are important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of allochthonous origin. However, the dynamics of the different ARGs within the bacterial communities of lakes and rivers, as well as the factors that drive their selection, are not completely understood. In this study, we analysed the fate of the bacterial resistome (total content of ARGs and of metal resistance genes, MRGs) for a period of six months (summer-winter) in a continuum lake-river-lake system (Lake Varese, River Bardello, Lake Maggiore) in Northern Italy, by shotgun metagenomics. The metagenomic data were then compared with chemical, physical and microbiological data, to infer the role of anthropogenic pressure in the different sampling stations. ARGs and MRGs were more abundant and diverse in the River Bardello, characterised by the highest anthropogenic pollution. The date of sampling influenced ARGs and MRGs, with higher abundances in summer (August) than in fall or in winter, when the impact of the treated wastewater discharge in the river was limited by a higher water flow from Lake Varese. ARG and MRG abundances were significantly correlated and they co-occurred in the main network analysis modules with potential pathogenic bacteria. Different levels of anthropogenic impact selectively promoted specific ARGs while others, generally abundant in waters, were not affected by anthropogenic pressure. Reducing the level of anthropogenic pressure resulted in a rapid decrease of most ARGs. From our results, the role of anthropogenic pressure in promoting the spread of specific antibiotic resistances and of potential pathogens in aquatic ecosystem becomes clear. Finally we highlight the strict correlation between ARGs and MRGs suggesting their potential co-selection in stressed aquatic bacterial communities.

Ingestion of microplastics by copepods in Tampa Bay Estuary, FL

Microplastics have been recognized as an emerging contaminant. Copepods are abundant primary consumers in marine food webs. Interactions between copepods and microplastics can lead to negative health effects to the individual and may have implications for populations and ecosystems through biomagnification. Laboratory and field studies have observed various species of zooplankton ingesting microplastics, however, this is the first study to observe microplastic-copepod interactions in Tampa Bay. Over 2 years (November 2017-January 2020), 14 sampling cruises were conducted with seven stations throughout Tampa Bay. At each station copepods were collected by towing a 200 μm mesh ring net (0.5 m diameter) for 3 min. 1,000 individual Acartia tonsa copepods were picked from each sample and digested to release gut contents. Gut contents were stained in a Nile Red solution and then visualized using epifluorescent microscopy, quantified, photographed and sized using image analysis. In Tampa Bay, A. tonsa consumed fragments over fibers, ranging from 0.018 to 0.642 mm, with an average particle size of 0.076 mm. An overall average of 15.38 particles were ingested per 1,000 copepods, or 6.48 particles m–3 when normalized for environmental copepod concentrations. While significant differences were detected between stations and months, no clear spatial (from head to mouth of estuary) or temporal (between wet and dry seasons) trends in ingestion rate or ingested particle size were evident. These results show that A. tonsa ingested microplastics throughout Tampa Bay. These robust baseline data, for a copepod species that dominates estuarine zooplankton communities around the world, set the stage for valuable comparisons between estuaries with different physical mechanisms and levels of anthropogenic impact, allowing for exploration of how the environmental conditions impact ecological interactions.

The microbiome of the sponge Aplysina caissara in two sites with different levels of anthropogenic impact.

Despite the important roles that marine sponges play in ecosystem functioning and structuring, little is known about how the sponge holobiont responds to local anthropogenic impacts. Here we assess the influence of an impacted environment (Praia Preta) on the microbial community associated with the endemic sponge Aplysina caissara in comparison to a less-impacted area (Praia do Guaecá) from the coast of São Paulo state (Brazil, southwestern Atlantic coast). We hypothesized that the local anthropogenic impacts will change the microbiome of A. caissara and that the community assembly will be driven by a different process (i.e. deterministic versus stochastic) under distinct levels of impact. The microbiome at the amplicon sequence variants level was found to be statistically distinct between sponges from the different sites, and this was also seen for the microbial communities of the surrounding seawater and sediments. Microbial communities of A. caissara from both sites were found to be assembled by deterministic processes, even though the sites presented distinct anthropogenic impacts, showing a pivotal role of the sponge host in selecting its own microbiome. Overall, this study revealed that local anthropogenic impacts altered the microbiome of A. caissara; however, assembly processes are largely determined by the sponge host.

Spatial genetic structure of European wild boar, with inferences on late-Pleistocene and Holocene demographic history

European wildlife has been subjected to intensifying levels of anthropogenic impact throughout the Holocene, yet the main genetic partitioning of many species is thought to still reflect the late-Pleistocene glacial refugia. We analyzed 26,342 nuclear SNPs of 464 wild boar (Sus scrofa) across the European continent to infer demographic history and reassess the genetic consequences of natural and anthropogenic forces. We found that population fragmentation, inbreeding and recent hybridization with domestic pigs have caused the spatial genetic structure to be heterogeneous at the local scale. Underlying local anthropogenic signatures, we found a deep genetic structure in the form of an arch-shaped cline extending from the Dinaric Alps, via Southeastern Europe and the Baltic states, to Western Europe and, finally, to the genetically diverged Iberian peninsula. These findings indicate that, despite considerable anthropogenic influence, the deeper, natural continental structure is still intact. Regarding the glacial refugia, our findings show a weaker signal than generally assumed, but are nevertheless suggestive of two main recolonization routes, with important roles for Southern France and the Balkans. Our results highlight the importance of applying genomic resources and framing genetic results within a species’ demographic history and geographic distribution for a better understanding of the complex mixture of underlying processes.

Nematodes as indicators of environmental changes in a river with different levels of anthropogenic impact.

Considering that changes in the biodiversity of parasite communities can be used as indicators of ecosystem health, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of Geophagus brasiliensis parasites as bioindicators of environmental changes. We established three sample points in the Iguaçu River, each presenting different degrees of environmental impact. Out of the 69 G. brasiliensis specimens analyzed, 32 (46.3%) were parasitized by at least one parasite. We collected a total of 56 specimens of endoparasites belonging to the phylum Nematoda. Fishes collected in point 3 presented a significantly higher abundance of nematode species (moderately degraded) (Kruskal-Wallis2;69 = 8.62; p = 0.01) and species compositions between points were significantly different (F = 6.95, p = 0.002). No significant difference in relative condition factor (Kn) among the points (F2;66 = 2.54; p = 0.08) or correlation in Kn and abundance of nematodes (rs = 0.1; p = 0.4) were indicated. The results presented in this study indicate that the parasitic community of G. brasiliensis is characterized by low diversity in polluted locations, which explains the absence of certain parasite species and the occurrence of nematode species with varied responses to the pollution gradient.

Adipose tissue estimation of foraging and nesting green turtles Chelonia mydas using bioelectrical impedance analysis

Adipose tissue is the main energy store in sea turtles and fluctuates in response to dietary conditions and external stressors. Monitoring programmes commonly use body condition indices (BCIs) to infer the nutritional and health status of sea turtle populations. However, BCIs have poor predictive power for estimating adipose tissue. We introduce the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a portable technique to estimate adipose tissue in green turtles Chelonia mydas. The aims of this study were to estimate adipose tissue of green turtles on the Great Barrier Reef (Australia), and to examine whether adipose tissue is a more sensitive indicator than BCI. Turtles (n = 250) were sampled at 3 foraging sites and at a nesting beach with differing levels of anthropogenic impact. Differences in adipose tissue, Fulton’s BCI, and body mass across study sites and life stages were assessed by conducting linear mixed effects models. BIA estimates of mean adipose tissue revealed significant differences across life stages and sampling sites, that were not found using BCI data. Mean adipose tissue was estimated to be 4.6 ± 0.6% (% body mass ± SD) and was not correlated with mean BCI (1.2 ± 0.1). Adipose tissue was not reduced in turtles foraging at sites with a high level of anthropogenic impact. Adult turtles had significantly higher adipose tissue values than juveniles and subadults. Adult females measured during and shortly before nesting season had the highest adipose tissue values (%). BIA is a practical method for estimating adipose tissue, and we recommend this technique for consideration in sea turtle monitoring programmes.

Redox conditions and a moderate anthropogenic impairment of groundwater quality reflected on the microbial functional traits in a volcanic aquifer

Groundwater is an important freshwater resource and hosts specialized microbial assemblages providing fundamental ecosystem services. The current knowledge on the role of aquatic microorganisms in subsurface ecosystems is still limited. This work aimed to explore the links between groundwater hydrogeochemical properties and microbial community traits in a volcanic unconfined aquifer, moderately impacted by anthropic activities. The main physical and chemical parameters of groundwater samples were analyzed, along with microbial biomass (total cell counts, ATP-active biomass concentration), potential metabolic activity, and physiological profiles at the microbial community level (Biolog ™ EcoPlates). The results showed the coexistence of oxidizing and reducing groundwater conditions across the study area. We discriminated two groups of oxidizing/reducing groundwater samples (Ox and Red), each including two subgroups with different chemical conditions attributed to contrasting levels of anthropogenic impact for non-intensive agricultural practices and waste disposal activities (Ox − and Ox + ; Red − and Red +). Although the microbial biomass was likely not affected by changing redox, the microbial metabolic potential and functional diversity changed significantly. In the Ox samples, the community-level physiological profiles were different, mainly owing to the utilization of carboxylic acids (Ox − > Ox +) and carbohydrates (Ox + > Ox −). In the Red samples, a wider set of organic substrates were consumed by the microbial communities, including those less bioavailable (e.g., phenols). Significant differences were also found between Red − and Red + , mainly owing to the relative increase in the utilization of amino acids in Red − , polymers and amines in Red + , along with the active biomass. By reflecting the local redox conditions and moderate levels of anthropogenic impact, the applied approach highlighted changes of microbial metabolic potential and physiological profiles that imply direct repercussions on biogeochemical cycling and the ecosystem services provided by groundwater microorganisms.

Diversity and Variation of Epiphytic Diatoms on Ruppia maritima L., Related to Anthropogenic Impact in an Estuary in Southern Brazil

Knowledge about the diversity and spatiotemporal variability of epiphytic diatom communities in estuarine meadows has great relevance for coastal ecology and, thus, contributes to understanding the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes on seagrass meadows. The community of epiphytic diatoms in Ruppia maritima L. meadows was investigated in two environments with different levels of anthropogenic impact and nutrient loads. Both impacted and non-impacted meadows had similar conditions in terms of water depth, temperature and transparency but distinct nutrient loads and salinity ranges. A total of 159 diatom taxa were found on Ruppia maritima leaves during the monitoring period, including freshwater (30.8%), marine (25.1%), brackish (9.4%) and cosmopolitan (8.8%) taxa. The most abundant species were C. placentula, T. tabulata, M. pumila and T. fasciculata, in addition to A. tenuissimus, C. adhaerens and M. moniliformis. Although present in both sites, C. placentula and T. tabulata were the dominant species in the impacted site. We found that 32% of the taxa were exclusive to the non-impacted site, 23% to the impacted site and 45% were common to both sites. The study sites showed marked differences in community attributes; i.e., higher richness, diversity and equitability and lower dominance were found in the non-impacted site, which is distant from anthropogenic sources of domestic and industrial sewage and has low concentrations of dissolved N and P in water and low values of sediment organic matter. Nutrient concentration and salinity were the main factors behind the spatial and temporal variability in the structure of the epiphytic community when all other environmental variables were similar (water depth, temperature, transparency and host plant). The influence of temperature and salinity on community structure was site-dependent. This study revealed the high richness and diversity of epiphytic diatoms in the meadows of the Patos Lagoon estuary (PLE) and the high spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the communities, and it shows the potential of epiphytic community studies for the assessment of environmental quality in seagrass meadow habitats.

Study of fragmentation impact of small riverbeds by artificial waters on the quality of water resources

Purpose. Study the spatial distribution of artificial reservoirs in the Dnipropetrovsk region and fragmentation impact of small riverbeds on changes in the quality of water resources. Methodology. Field studies on the current state of small river basins were carried out, rivers were selected on the principle of different geographical location and levels of anthropogenic impact. Analytical laboratory studies of water salt composition and methods of mathematical analysis were used to establish the dependence coefficients of water mineralization level and fragmentation of the river basin on the water flow regulation. Findings. The structure of the spatial distribution of artificial reservoirs in the administrative districts of the region and their hydrological characteristics are generalized. It is shown that small volumes of accumulated water in relation to the total area of reservoirs are the cause of intensive heating and evaporation of water. Due to this, the hydrochemical parameters of water are worsen, which affects the environmentally safe water use. It was found that the level of mineralization, the content of sulphates and chlorides exceed the maximum acceptable concentrations in all studied rivers. There is a tendency of deterioration of water quality in the salt block, especially in rivers with significant regulation of artificial reservoirs. In this case, water salinity exceeds the norm by 712 times. Indicators of water mineralization of rivers with fewer ponds and less fragmentation of the river basin exceed the standards by 25 times. Originality. It is determined that among the main factors of anthropogenic impact on the state of aquatic ecosystems is the fragmentation of riverbeds by artificial reservoirs, which turned rivers into cascades of water evaporating ponds. There is a close relationship between the factors of water flow regulation and the level of water mineralization (coefficient of determination R2 =0.62), as well as the coefficient of fragmentation of the river basin (R2 = 0.61). This proves the possibility, in the conditions of research of small rivers, to estimate the degree of change (increase) of water mineralization level by the coefficient of water flow regulation Kw and the coefficient of river fragmentation by the area Practical value. The main directions and ways to normalize the ecological status of watercourses are given. The necessity of systematic study of the current ecological condition of small rivers of Dnipropetrovsk region and their basins is determined.

Spatial distribution of micromollusks under the impact of recreation

Anthropogenic impacts lead to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of communities of living organisms. The rate of recovery of populations is inversely proportional to size: the smaller the size, the greater the potential for population recovery after negative impact. Therefore, under conditions of extremely high levels of anthropogenic impact, small-sized animals are a reliable source of ecosystem state. The aim of the work is to: 1) to evaluate rates of the micromollusc Vallonia pulchella (Müller, 1774) abundance in ecosystems that are subject to extremely high levels of recreational pressure; 2) to identify factors that influence the spatial patterns of soil micromollusks; and 3) to investigate the possibility of using micromollusks for the purposes of bioindication of recreational pressure. The soil sampling was performed on a regular grid with recording of local coordinates. The micromollusks were extracted from the soil samples by hand sorting. Physical properties of soil sensitive to recreational load were also measured. Micromolluscs were found to exhibit a non-linear response to recreational impact. The maximum abundance of animals is observed at a certain distance from recreational trails. This distance is specific for different species of micromollusks. Micromollusks have high population abundance even under conditions of high recreational load. The regular spatial patterns of these animals are caused by changes in the soil habitat, which are induced by recreational load. This circumstance allows to consider micromollusks as a reliable indicator of the level of recreational load.

Analysis of trans-environment transitions of elemental toxicants in linden flowers

Introduction. The contamination of heavy metals in medicinal plants is regional and depends on the plant’s antropogenic influence and biological properties. The purpose of the work was to study the trans-environmental transition of elemental toxicants in linden flowers by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with the influence of the Moscow region anthropogenic burden. Materials and methods. One hundred eight samples were used as objects of the research, including soil, leaves and flowers of wild and cultivated linden and broadleaf trees from 36 collection sites with different levels of anthropogenic impact. The transition of elemental toxicants from soil to linden flowers was assessed directly by comparing the gross content of elements in flowers and adjacent soils. The transition of element toxicants from the atmosphere was evaluated indirectly by comparing heavy metals concentration in the linden flowers with their contents in leaves. Results. Despite the significant influence of technogenic factors on the normalized elemental toxicants in flowers of lindens, their permitted concentrations are not exceeded. To assess the trans-environment transitions, the Spearman nonparametric correlation coefficient was calculated between the content of the analyzed elements in the morphological parts of the linden and adjacent soils. It was found that the enrichment of the morphological parts of linden with aluminium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, strontium, molybdenum, barium and lead occurs through the atmosphere; there is a fair correlation between the content of manganese, iron, arsenic, molybdenum and barium in the ground and morphological parts of the plant. Nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead pass from the environment to the morphological parts of the linden insignificantly, mercury is practically not absorbed by the linden. Limitations. The study was conducted in Moscow and the Moscow region during one vegetative period (June 2019). Conclusions. Linden flowers are more concentrators of manganese, copper, strontium, molybdenum, barium than leaves, and they can be used as indicators of atmospheric air pollution with these elemental toxicants.

Short Communication: Assessing phytoplankton species structure in trophically different water bodies of South Ural, Russia

Abstract. Kostryukova A, Mashkova I, Belov S, Shchelkanova E, Trofimenko V. 2021. Short Communication: Assessing phytoplankton species structure in trophically different water bodies of South Ural, Russia. Biodiversitas 22: 3530-3538. The study aims to analyze the species structure of the phytoplankton communities of four water bodies in South Ural (Lakes-Turgoyak, Uvildy, Ilmenskoe and Shershnevskoe reservoir). These water bodies are characterized by different trophic states and levels of anthropogenic impact. Lake Turgoyak is oligotrophic; Lake Uvildy is oligomesotrophic. Both water bodies are protected areas and natural monuments. But tourism and recreation are not prohibited on their territories. The mesoeutrophic Lake Ilmenskoe is partially located within the Ilmen State Reserve, and it experiences less anthropogenic impact. The eutrophic Shershnevskoe reservoir is located within the boundaries of the city of Chelyabinsk. It is used as a source of drinking water. Cyanobacteria was the dominant division in the eutrophic Shershnevskoe reservoir. Bacillariophyta dominated in the plankton communities in oligotrophic Lake Turgoyak and oligomesotrophic Lake Uvildy. Green and blue-green algae biodiversity increased in the oligomesotrophic Lake Uvildy. For the mesoeutrophic Lake Ilmenskoe, diatom algae are dominant, but a higher proportion of Chlorophyta (especially Cyanobacteria) was revealed. Species similarity among phytoplankton communities in the given lakes was studied through cluster analysis based on the Sorensen-Czekanowski coefficient. The higher level of similarity between plankton species compositions could be explained by their locality rather than their trophic status.

Assessment of the Structure and Diversity of Latvian Acer platanoides Populations Using Cross-Species Nuclear Microsatellite Markers

Abstract Acer platanoides L. (Norway maple) is the most widespread native maple species in Europe, with a distribution from south and central Europe to northern Europe and Scandinavia. Acer platanoides is widespread throughout the territory of Latvia, and is mainly found in mixed broadleaf and conifer stands. The genetic diversity and differentiation of Latvian A. platanoides populations was analysed. Sampled populations were located throughout the territory of Latvia, and were selected to represent a range of ecological conditions, with differing levels of anthropogenic impact. A total of 496 individuals from 21 populations were analysed with eight microsatellite markers, which were developed from related Acer species. The obtained molecular data revealed a moderate level of polymorphism, and the analysed Latvian A. platanoides populations were moderately differentiated. This study provides an initial assessment of the genetic diversity and differentiation of Latvian A. platanoides populations, and is also one of the first reports of the analysis of A. platanoides populations using microsatellite markers. The results can be utilised to define A. platanoides genetic resource stands to ensure conservation of a wide range of germplasm.

Насекомые-герпетобионты Братского и Еврейско-Татарского кладбищ Ростова-на-Дону

The old cemeteries of Rostov-on-Don are important territories - refugia for flora and fauna. Studies carried out in June 2020 showed that the herpetobionts of the Bratsk and Jewish-Tatar cemeteries of Rostov-on-Don have differences in abundance and diversity. The differences are associated with different levels of anthropogenic impact in mowing grass and cleaning plant residues during maintenance work on the territory of cemeteries. The abundance of herpetobionts is comparable and even exceeds the values in the virgin areas of the zonal steppes. This occurs as a result of the abundant growth in cemeteries of a variety of aboriginal and adventive flora from trees, grasses and shrubs, which form a special microclimate favorable for biota and biological activity of soils. The dominant species in both cemeteries in Rostov-on-Don is Staphylinus caesareus. The common herpetobiont species in the two cemeteries were Amara similata, Microlestes, Blaps lethifera, and Polydrusus inustus. Opatrum sabulosum is a eurytopic herpetobiont for cemeteries, parks of Rostov-on-Don, protected areas "Persianovskaya Steppe" and "Priazovskaya Steppe". Keywords: MESOFAUNA, BIOINDICATORS, BIODIAGNOSTICS, ANTHROPOGENIC EFFECTS

Metal concentrations in three species of Fucus L. on the Murmansk coast of the Barents Sea

This research executed biomonitoring of anthropogenic changes in the fragile ecosystems of the Arctic by implementing a system of repeated observations of several coastal areas in the Barents Sea that differ in their geographical location, anthropogenic load and seawater salinity level. The level of metal pollution (Cu, Cd, Pb) was determined by their concentrations in brown algae of the genus Fucus. The data covers a period from 2010 to 2018. The results show that the average metal concentrations were much higher than the background levels at most stations for all algae compared to a reference point. In the most polluted waters, the average concentrations of Сu, Cd and Pb exceeded the background levels by 5–6, 1.5–2.5 and 3–5 times, respectively. The average metal concentrations were much lower than that in other regions of the world ocean (over 2–14 times). Seasonal variability somewhat differed by species; however, at most stations, the metal concentration showed a decreasing tendency from winter to summer for all species. MANOVA showed that the salinity level, interaction between site and season and all three factors combined had the strongest influence on the metal concentration. A decreasing series of polluted water bodies in the Murmansk coast was compiled, and the metal pollution index (MPI) calculated for the seawater and algae samples confirmed these levels of anthropogenic impact. It was demonstrated that the metal concentrations in algae correlated well with that in water. This study provides valuable background level data for the Murman Coast of the Barents Sea.

ФИЛОАГРОЦЕНОГЕНЕЗ В ПОСЕВАХ САХАРНОЙ СВЕКЛЫ ПРИ РАЗНОЙ СТЕПЕНИ АНТРОПОГЕННОЙ НАГРУЗКИ В ХХВЕКЕ–НАЧАЛЕ ХХI ВЕКА

The south of the Non-Chernozem Region is the north-ern boundary of sugar beet production in the Russian Fed-eration. An important factor restraining the growth of crop productivity is the high weed infestation of crops. To devel-op an effective system of crop protection against weeds, it is necessary to study their species composition in order to determine the most occurring and noxious weed species. The available data of geobotanical surveys since the 1930s showed that at different levels of anthropogenic impact the core of the most noxious weed species was formed. Under extensive agriculture conditions, the following species were the most widespread ones: Elytrigia repens(L.) Nevski, Equiseeum arvenseL., Sonchus arvensis L., Convolvulus arvensisL., Cirsium setosum(Willd.) Besser., Artemisia absinthiumL., Chenopodium albumL., Polygonum avicula-reL., Apera spica-ventiL., etc. The introduction of mechan-ical plowing decreased the population density of A. spica-ventiL., Dracocephalum thymiflorumL., and P. aviculareL. Further intensification of agriculture contributed to the narrowing of the weed species composition. Avena fatuaL., not previously found, appeared in abundance in crops and surpassed all other species in terms of number and frequency of occurrence, as well as species resistant to herbicides from the 2.4-D dimethylamine group -Poaceae, Galium aparineL., Tripleurospermum inodorum(L.) Sch. Bip. Couch grass(Elytrigia repens(L.) Nevski) was com-pletely substituted. Currently, the agrophytocenoses con-tain the most harmful rhizome and root-sucker weeds and spring species. Thefollowing early spring weeds are par-ticularly harmful and highly spread in crops: common wild oat (Avena fatuaL.), hemp-nettle species (Galeopsis), and Chenopodium albumL.; overwintering weeds resistant to 2.4-D dimethylamine which seeds accumulate in the soil during the cultivation of other crops in crop rotations where weed control is not so intense.

Long-term deposition and condensation ice-nucleating particle measurements from four stations across the globe

Abstract. Ice particle activation and evolution have important atmospheric implications for cloud formation, initiation of precipitation and radiative interactions. The initial formation of atmospheric ice by heterogeneous ice nucleation requires the presence of a nucleating seed, an ice-nucleating particle (INP), to facilitate its first emergence. Unfortunately, only a few long-term measurements of INPs exist, and as a result, knowledge about geographic and seasonal variations of INP concentrations is sparse. Here we present data from nearly 2 years of INP measurements from four stations in different regions of the world: the Amazon (Brazil), the Caribbean (Martinique), central Europe (Germany) and the Arctic (Svalbard). The sites feature diverse geographical climates and ecosystems that are associated with dissimilar transport patterns, aerosol characteristics and levels of anthropogenic impact (ranging from near pristine to mostly rural). Interestingly, observed INP concentrations, which represent measurements in the deposition and condensation freezing modes, do not differ greatly from site to site but usually fall well within the same order of magnitude. Moreover, short-term variability overwhelms all long-term trends and/or seasonality in the INP concentration at all locations. An analysis of the frequency distributions of INP concentrations suggests that INPs tend to be well mixed and reflective of large-scale air mass movements. No universal physical or chemical parameter could be identified to be a causal link driving INP climatology, highlighting the complex nature of the ice nucleation process. Amazonian INP concentrations were mostly unaffected by the biomass burning season, even though aerosol concentrations increase by a factor of 10 from the wet to dry season. Caribbean INPs were positively correlated to parameters related to transported mineral dust, which is known to increase during the Northern Hemisphere summer. A wind sector analysis revealed the absence of an anthropogenic impact on average INP concentrations at the site in central Europe. Likewise, no Arctic haze influence was observed on INPs at the Arctic site, where low concentrations were generally measured. We consider the collected data to be a unique resource for the community that illustrates some of the challenges and knowledge gaps of the field in general, while specifically highlighting the need for more long-term observations of INPs worldwide.