Lower Ob Research Articles

Quaternary Glaciotectonics of the Ural-Siberian North

Abstract This is a review of previous works on glaciotectonics and recent epeirogenesis of the northern West Siberian sedimentary basin and adjacent parts of the Urals and the Siberian Craton. It is supported by the addition of detailed structural profiles of the disharmonic dislocations around Malyi Atlym settlement on the Lower Ob’ never published before. The collected data highlight sources and results of neotectonic phenomena in the north of West Siberia and their impact on distribution of hydrocarbon deposits. The rugged topography of the northern Urals and Mid-Siberian Plateau, discordant with the regional tectonic structure, is generated by compensation uplifts along the margins of thick ice sheets in the West Siberian North. Ice load vacillations were an important factor of geographical separation of hydrocarbons liquid and gaseous phases. This is evident from the west–east zonation of petroleum deposits, discordant with the south–north strike of ancient structures but concordant with thickness zonation of ice sheets. The structure of the alpine-type dislocations penetrating up to 400 m into the sedimentary basin on the Lower Ob’ reveals that the variations of their tectonic style do not fit the mechanical properties of thawed Paleogene rocks. However, they are more understandable assuming their origin from deviatoric stress in pressurized perennially frozen Paleogene rocks. Such conditions are feasible at the base of a growing thick ice sheet. Ice sheets did significant work of glaciotectonic erosion of soft Paleogene rocks of the perennially frozen substrate soldered with glacial ice. This type of erosion is evident in the Ob’ catchment area where whole blocks of intact sand and clay were transported by glaciers over hundreds of kilometers. Glaciotectonic erosion of glacier substrate is sufficient for explaining the well-known stratigraphic hiatus between Quaternary and Upper Cretaceous formations of the Siberian Arctic instead of the popular but illogical tectonic inversion of the sedimentary basin.

Composition and abundance of phytoplankton in Ob River (Western Siberia, Russia)

The paper presents the results of phytoplankton study in the Ob (a large Siberian Lowland River) from its source to mouth. The sampling was carried in the period of open water during the last decades on the key sites of the river – near the mouths of large tributaries, big cities and settlements. Based on the complex classification of surface waters, Lake Teletskoye (like the upper reaches of river basins) is distinguished by the lowest trophic status (oligo- and even ultraoligotrophic). The Upper Ob trophicity is estimated as mezotrophic (0.6-2.0 g/m3), the Middle Ob – oligo- (>0.1-0.5), meso- and eutrophic (2.1-10.0 g/m3), the Lower Ob – both oligo- and mezotrophic, and the Gulf of the Ob – from oligo- to meso- and eutrophic one. The results of the saprobiologic analysis suggest that the greatest number of bioindicators belong to β-mesosaprobionts that is indicative of the β-mesosaprobic environment. The ecological state of the sampling area is assessed as “quite pure” by the phytoplankton biomass and “slightly contaminated” – by the Saprobic Index, thus corresponding to I (very pure), II (pure) and III (slightly contaminated) classes of water quality. According to the description of the crisis zones, the environmental status of the river is still good and corresponds to the stages of “reversible changes” and “threshold state”. The water quality and ecosystem state in different years are similar that could be evidence of the river ecosystem stability through time and space. Though the Ob ecosystem is capable of self-purification, it calls for further conservation to avoid the water quality deterioration.

Вещевой комплекс из средневекового погребения вблизи озера Парисенто на Гыданском полуострове (арктическая зона Западной Сибири)

The article introduces an assemblage from a child burial discovered in the central Gydan Peninsula, Tazovsky District, YamalNenets Autonomous Okrug. Little is known about the archaeological past of Arctic Western Siberia, and these fi nds are relevant to the study of the medieval period of that area. Medieval burials were studied only in the adjacent peninsula of Yamal. The discovery of the burial is described in detail. It was exposed owing to soil eolation. Artifacts were redeposited, and virtually the entire skeleton was missing. In a lump of soil stuck to the metal bowl, a few bone fragments and hair was found. Their analysis suggests that the individual was an infant aged 1–3. The assemblage includes an imported bronze bowl, a bronze haft of a knife, a scabbard, and a silver earring. The bowl, made of tin bronze, was apparently manufactured in eastern Iran or Central Asia in the 10th or 11th century. The haft and the scabbard, judging by the type and technology, belonged to a category of artifacts that were common in the Lower Ob basin, the southern Yamal, and the Ural in the late fi rst and early second millennia. On the basis of the results of X-ray fl uorescence analysis, we assess the chemical composition of the metal of which all those artifacts are made. The decorated fragment of a clay vessel is attributed to the Tiutey-Sale variant (800–1300 AD) of the Lower Ob culture. The totality of indicators suggests a date between 900 and 1100 AD. We conclude that the tundra areas of the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas were colonized by migrants from the northern taiga zone of Western Siberia.

Особенности атлымской керамики Сургутского Приобья (по материалам городища Стрелка)

The Atlym culture was singled out by E. A. Vasilyev on the materials of the ancient fort of Maly Atlym 1. The researcher dated it as 12–13th centuries BC and identified two chronological stages in its existence (12–10th and 10–8th centuries BC), which corresponded to two types of ceramics different in the form of vessels and ornamentation. In this article we consider some features of the Atlym culture ceramics of the Late Bronze Age based on the materials of the multilayered fort of Strelka located in the basin of the Bol’shoi Yugan River. Remains of the Late Bronze Age structure were found on the site of the ancient fort. The cultural layer associated with the construction of the Late Bronze Age was preserved on a small stretch between the Medieval moat and an additional rampart at the periphery of the site of the settlement. It is blocked by a rampart of an ancient Iron Age fort and the soil removed from the Medieval moat. During the five years of excavations, the most representative collection amongst the well-known Atlym collections in terms of the quantity of items has been gathered on this site. Purpose. We aimed at checking a working hypothesis about the existence of several groups within the ceramic complex using the methods of factor analysis and determining the place of the Late Bronze complex of the Strelka fort among Atlym sites. Results. Statistical analysis of the material revealed three stable characteristic groups where the type of the vessel profile is associated with a certain set of dies, the method of applying and arranging the ornament. Two roughly equal groups of Atlym ceramics of type II (according to Е. А. Vasilyev) and a small group of vessels attributed to the Gamayun culture, which was widespread in the Trans-Ural area during the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age in the 10–4th centuries BC, are distinguished in the complex. Our analysis of the material allocation in the layer showed a lack of significant differences in the occurrence of all ceramics groups. Similar groups were identified in the settlement Yendyrskoye VIII (the Atlym culture, 10–8th centuries BC) in the Lower Ob River area, where they also existed simultaneously. Such groups were not singled out on the other Atlym sites. Conclusion. The two parallel traditions in the Atlym pottery manufacture are established based on the materials from the Strelka site. The Late Bronze complex of the fort Strelka corresponds to the type II of the Atlym ceramics (according to Е. А. Vasilyiev) and dates back to the 10–8th centuries BC. The presence of the Gamayun type vessels indicates some contacts between the population of the Surgut part the Ob River area and the Trans-Ural region.

О геолого-геоморфологических и палеонтологических поисковых признаках, определяющих перспективность обнаружения памятников палеолита в Нижнем Приобье

О геолого-геоморфологических и палеонтологических поисковых признаках, определяющих перспективность обнаружения памятников палеолита в Нижнем Приобье

О палеогеографических предпосылках и возможных путях миграции палеолитического человека с западных предгорий Урала в долину нижней Оби

О палеогеографических предпосылках и возможных путях миграции палеолитического человека с западных предгорий Урала в долину нижней Оби

Результаты обследования археологических памятников в Нижнем Приобье

Результаты обследования археологических памятников в Нижнем Приобье

Проблема соотношения археологического «городища» и исторического «городка»: историография вопроса (на примере городища Усть-Войкарское – Войкарского городка)

Purpose. Ust-Voikarskoe site is situated in the Lower Ob Region (Shuryshkarsky district of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, Russia). It represents autochthonous late Middle-Age culture of the north of Western Siberia. The article discusses verification of the sources used for analysis that would confirm possible identity of the archeological site Ust-Voikarskoe and a historical settlement of the Middle-Age, Voikarsky Gorodok. Results. Firstly, researches noted that the archaeological site had been known in the written sources as Ostyak (Khanty) Voikarsky Gorodok since at least the beginning of the 17th century, including Russian fiscal documents. Siberian local historians of the 2nd half of the 19th century mentioned some “ancient hills” located near the village of Voikarskie Yurty. At the same time, there is a group of other sources which have not been analyzed yet. A complex review of all the sources that we conducted tells us an intricate story with more questions than answers. Where exactly were “ancient hills” near the village of Voikarskie Yurty located? What did they look like? We discovered that the Khanty had a few settlements named Voikarskie Yurty. So, the question remains, which Voikarskie Yurty was located near the settlement identified by historians as Voikarsky Gorodok? Conclusion. Known historical materials cannot indisputably prove the identity of the archeological Ust-Voikarskoe site and the historical Middle-Age settlement of Voikarsky Gorodok. They also cannot be the ground to say that these places are connected with the territory that was explored by archaeologists at the beginning of the 21st century.

Postembryonal ontogenesis of broad whitefish and formed herd under phenol intoxication

The paper reveals the data on comparative analysis of broad whitefish Coregonus nasus larvae in the Ob received from natural populations (lower Ob) and from fish, farmed outside their natural habitat. This fish herd was formed from fish brought from the lower Ob basin to the fish farm “Forvat” (Leningrad region), where they were bred during five generations. During a month, the embryos of broad whitefish were incubated in the conditions of Sob fish-breeding plant (Harp village, Yamalo-Nenetsk Autonomous District), then they were placed for breeding into the laboratory of the Institute of Biology of Tyumen State University. The broad whitefish embryos from artificial herd were taken to the laboratory at the stage of eye pigmentation. After hatching, the larvae in both series were found to be chronically intoxicated with phenol 1 (0.001 mg/l), 5 (0.005 mg/l) and 10 (0.01 mg/l) since their transfer to external feeding up to two months of age. The authors observed broad whitefish from artificial herd and found out increased survival rate, higher balance and lower level of hystopathological changes in all variants. Due to low biological parameters of the broad whitefish young stock, their application for stocking natural basins in the conditions of modern anthropogenic impact is not efficient. On the other hand, increased biological and toxicovigilance characteristics are more effective when being applied in the basins with high anthropogenic load with the aim to increase fish productivity.

Annual Cycles of Wagtails (Passeriformes, Motacillidae) in Northwestern Siberia: Comparative Aspects

Abstract—The annual cycles of pipits and wagtails, which were studied during field and experimental observations in the Lower Ob River basin and Yamal Peninsula, have many common features. All species are similar in dates of arrival, nesting, molting, and departure onset; however, the timing of postnuptial migration and prenuptial molting differ somewhat. Positive air temperatures are an environmental factor that determines the beginning of arrival to the forest tundra and tundras. Only yellow wagtails arrive with developed gonads, while the other species require additional stimulation by a photoperiod of 24L : 0D. The reduction of some nesting stages is presumably an attempt of boreal populations to increase reproductive success. Differences in the annual cycle program are observed during the postnesting period. These variations include the timing of the onset and duration of postjuvenile and postnuptial molting, as well as the degree of overlap of postnuptial molting with nesting, the degree of overlap of the migration state with molting, photoperiodic molting conditions, and autumn migration. The intraspecific rhythm of migration in combination with environmental conditions along the migration track determines the timing of arrival to wintering sites. The threshold values of photoperiodic intervals of wintering and prenuptial molting in different species correspond to the latitude of hibernation and, possibly, determine this latitude.

Role of fishing in the final stone age of the Lower Ob region (on the materials of the settlement Gorny Somatnel - I)

The role of fishing in the human history is very high. Though meat is considered to be an important product of hunting, fish has been a basic component of the food system of human groups in different climatic and geographical conditions. This is explained by the fact that groups lived next to water resources (lakes, rivers, seas, oceans) that had a high nutritional value. The first evidence of fishing existence as an independent economic sector belongs to the Paleolithic time, and its further development goes throughout human history, having developed from the simplest forms of fishing using primitive harpoons to modern forms of industrial fishing using a specialized fleet. The period under review, final Stone Age, is characterized by massive use of fishing nets. We assume that this method became a base of effective adaptation strategy, making it possible to develop the Lower Ob area with its difficult climate. The issues raised in this paper involve the role and importance of fishing economy for West Siberian North as well as for ancient economies of the North and Arctic regions.

Testing the perspectives for discovery of the Paleolithic sites in the northern portion of the Ob river valley: Quaternary geology, paleogeography, and geomorphology

The earliest known archaeological sites North of the Arctic circle are separated from the other Paleolithic sites in Eurasia by vast territories, for which early human occupation is yet to be found. In the Ob River valley, Paleolithic sites are known in the Arctic while the northernmost Late Pleistocene site is located one thousand kilometers south. In the Lower Ob, previous environmental reconstructions supported the idea of a hiatus in occupation, however; new data demonstrate that the development of glaciers and lakes was asynchronous. It suggests that the West Siberian Plain became more suitable for human population than originally thought after the Taz glacial stage. The abundance of landforms and lithic raw material sources suitable for human settlement predicts that the area could have been inhabited during the Late Pleistocene. Hence, we conducted surveys to fully test the potential of this region. We report here the discovery of Pleistocene fauna (including mammoth bones) and possible Paleolithic artefacts in the Ob River Valley, on the slopes near Belogorsk Heights, and the North in the Hashgort Ob area. These findings provide perspectives for further investigation in the lower of the Ob river valley in search for the evidence for human occupation during the Paleolithic.

The Long-Term Dynamics of Parasite Infection in Coregonids with Different Food Specializations

The long-term dynamics of the parasitic infection of two coregonid species with different food specializations, peled Coregonus peled (Gmelin, 1789) and Siberian whitefish Coregonus lavaretus pidschian (Gmelin, 1788), during spawning migration in the Synya River (a Polar Urals tributary of the Lower Ob) has been studied. The differences in the parasite species composition and infection of the two fish species are determined their food spectra features, as well as by their use of different biotopes in feeding water bodies and the interannual dynamics of the fish age composition. A trend towards a decrease in the rate of peled infection by myxosporidium and cestode with a simultaneous decrease in its abundance due to intensive catches has been revealed. The stability of the composition of the coregonid parasite fauna in the Ob lower reaches indicates stable relationships between parasites and hosts and a relatively stable state of the ecosystem of the Lower Ob.

Siberian Whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus pidschian, Coregonidae) from the Anabar River: Morphogenetic Structure of the Population

Data on the morphology, biology, and genetics of two ecological forms of pidschian-like whitefishes of the genus Coregonus, corresponding to the descriptions of East Siberian whitefish, C. lavaretus pidschian natio brachymystax, and glacial-plain whitefish, C. lavaretus pidschian natio glacialis, from the Anabar River of western Sakha (Yakutia) Republic (Russia), are presented. According to meristic characters, no differences are found between these ecological forms, while on the basis of plastic traits and occupied ecological niches these whitefishes differ substantially. We demonstrate that, on the basis of the sequences of the ND1 gene of the mtDNA, the East Siberian whitefishes are only slightly different from the whitefishes from the lower Ob River and Lake Teletskoye (Upper the Ob River basin), and probably have a common origin with them. Glacial-plain whitefishes from the Anabar River have a common origin with whitefishes from the water bodies of the Taimyr Peninsula and represent a complex of forms/species.

ПАРАЗИТАРНАЯ ОПАСНОСТЬ КАРПОВЫХ РЫБ НИЖНЕЙ И СРЕДНЕЙ ОБИ КАК ОБЪЕКТОВ РЫБОЛОВСТВА В 2016 г.

The most mass commercial carp fish from two fish sites of the Lower Ob and one from the river Middle Ob were investigated in 2016. The maximum infestation of opisthorchis were observed of the Ide with most of the indicators of extensiveness and intensity of infestation, then descending roach and bream. The contamination of an the ide Opisthorchis felineus metatcercaria on the river Middle Ob reached 100 %, in the Northern direction it decreases to 90%. Studies of in Lower Ob the ide and roach, frozen for 7 hours or more at a temperature of minus 40°C showed complete death of opisthorchid larvae

DECORATED BIRCH-BARK ARTIFACTS FROM THE UST-POLUI SANCTUARY (100 BC TO 100 AD)

Birch-bark items from the Ust-Polui sanctuary are unusually well preserved thanks to permafrost and are richly decorated. We list the archaeological sites with birch-bark artifacts, decorated and otherwise, in the Lower Ob basin spanning the period from the Chalcolithic to the Late Middle Ages. At Ust-Polui, the vast majority of such artifacts were found during the last excavations, conducted by A.V. Gusev. Most were found in a ditch dug across the site. Special reference is made to their cut and decoration technique. Some high-quality specimens are intentionally damaged, possibly by way of sacrifi ce. The evolution of the northwestern Siberian decorative tradition is discussed.

Not all stars form in clusters – measuring the kinematics of OB associations with Gaia

It is often stated that star clusters are the fundamental units of star formation and that most (if not all) stars form in dense stellar clusters. In this monolithic formation scenario, low density OB associations are formed from the expansion of gravitationally bound clusters following gas expulsion due to stellar feedback. $N$-body simulations of this process show that OB associations formed this way retain signs of expansion and elevated radial anisotropy over tens of Myr. However, recent theoretical and observational studies suggest that star formation is a hierarchical process, following the fractal nature of natal molecular clouds and allowing the formation of large-scale associations in-situ. We distinguish between these two scenarios by characterising the kinematics of OB associations using the Tycho-$Gaia$ Astrometric Solution catalogue. To this end, we quantify four key kinematic diagnostics: the number ratio of stars with positive radial velocities to those with negative radial velocities, the median radial velocity, the median radial velocity normalised by the tangential velocity, and the radial anisotropy parameter. Each quantity presents a useful diagnostic of whether the association was more compact in the past. We compare these diagnostics to models representing random motion and the expanding products of monolithic cluster formation. None of these diagnostics show evidence of expansion, either from a single cluster or multiple clusters, and the observed kinematics are better represented by a random velocity distribution. This result favours the hierarchical star formation model in which a minority of stars forms in bound clusters and large-scale, hierarchically-structured associations are formed in-situ.

House (Passer domesticus) and Tree (P. montanus) Sparrows (Passeriformes, Passeridae) in the Lower Ob River Basin and Yamal Peninsula: Specific Features of the Distribution of Sparrows in Northwestern Siberia

House and tree sparrows were common in cities and towns of the Lower Ob River basin down to the mouth in the 1970s–1980s. Currently, the house sparrow has spread in the localities of the middle and northern Yamal areas, whereas the tree sparrow has almost disappeared from the Lower Ob River basin. The house sparrow has moved to the Subarctic owing to the presence of localities with residential houses and warm shelters for vehicles and equipment, as well as houses near the oil and gas drill sites. This species reproduces during the same periods as in the temperate latitudes, annually brings two clutches, has an extended molting period, and migrates only in spring. The tree sparrow has similar ecological characteristics but prefers old wooden buildings. The southward shift of the distribution range of the tree sparrow is most likely associated with a decrease in the population.

Human and Dog Consumption of Fish on the Lower Ob River of Siberia: Evidence for a Major Freshwater Reservoir Effect at the Ust’-Polui Site

AbstractUst’-Polui is one of the most extensively studied archaeological sites in the western Siberian Arctic. New radiocarbon (14C) dates for charcoal, faunal remains, bark, hide, and human bone from this site are presented. When modeled, the charcoal dates span from ~260 BC to 140 AD, overlapping with the dendrochronology dates from the site. These dates also overlap with the expected age of the site based on artefact typology. 14C dates on reindeer bone have a slightly younger modeled age range, from ~110 BC to 350 AD. In contrast, dates on the site’s numerous dog remains, and on human and fish bone, all predate these modeled age ranges by over 500 years, despite being from the same deposits. Several sets of paired dates demonstrate significant age differences. Bone dates with lower δ13C values tend to be over 500 years older than those with higher δ13C values. Stable isotope data for the humans, dogs, and other faunal remains are also presented. These data suggest the dogs and the humans were regularly consuming freshwater fish. The dogs were probably fed fish by their human counterparts. Overall, the dog and human dietary patterns at Ust’-Polui created 14C dates biased with major freshwater reservoir effects.

СТАТУС СИГА-ПЫЖЬЯНА COREGONUS LAVARETUS PIDSCHIAN (GMELIN, 1788) В СИСТЕМЕ РЕКА ТАНЬЮ - ОЗЕРО ВАРЧАТО (БАССЕЙН РЕКИ ВОЙКАР)

The Voikar river is a spawning tributary of the lower Ob. Spawning grounds of Siberian whitefish are located both on the river Voikar and on the river Tanju (a tributary of the Voikar), which flows into lake Varchato. The Varchatovis canal flows out of lake Varchato and merges with the river Voikar. Studies have shown that in the system the Tanju river - lake Varchato live Siberian whitefish different from those of other Ural spawning tributaries of the Ob river and of the Ob itself by their age structure, presence of only re-maturing species with a high rate of growth and fecundity. It was found that after breeding on the spawning ground in the Tanju river some individuals of Siberian whitefish do not flow to the Ob river, but remain in system the Tanju river - Varchato lake. In two or three years it matures and goes back to spawn in the Tanju river, merging with the spawning stock which goes up the Ob river. There are no individuals that are constantly living in lake Varchato, as all juveniles, when still being larvae, flow down to the Ob river. That gives grounds for including Siberian whitefish of Varchato lake into the Ob population of semi-passing Siberian whitefish. The presence of re-maturing species in the system of the Tanju river - lake Varchato creates reproductive reserve of breeders that increase heterogeneity and population size. However, in the last decade as a result of total poaching of Siberian whitefish in lake Varchato during feeding and wintering its numbers declined sharply.