Mountain Massif Research Articles

Hydrographic and hydrochemical characteristics of selected groundwater outflows in desert and semi-desert areas

The presence of natural groundwater outflows depends on many factors, such as lithology, geological structure, and climate. Areas with particularly poor crenological recognition are arid and semi-arid regions, primarily due to rarity of groundwater outflows in these locations. The article presents the hydrographic and hydrochemical characteristics of selected groundwater outflows in arid and semi-arid areas. In addition to hydrographic mapping, basic physical parameters of water were measured in selected springs, such as temperature (T, °C), electrolytic conductivity (EC, μS∙cm–1), and reaction (pH, –). Laboratory analyses determined the major cations and anions in water: Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+, SO42−, Cl−, NO3−, Br−, PO43−,. The analyses were performed using an ion chromatograph Metrohm 850 Professional IC. Twenty-four natural groundwater outflows in South America, Africa, and Asia were selected for research. It was found that the vast majority of outflows are transit sources. Their supply area may be far from discharge points. The supply source is rainwater or meltwater from high mountain massifs. Other types of outflow are springs of alluvial fans and braided rivers. They are fed by waters from glacial rivers, which infiltrate alluvial deposits and flow back to the surface. Hydrochemical analysis has shown that the physicochemical properties of water in dry areas vary significantly. Still in the hydrochemical type, there is a predominance of sulphate, chloride, and sodium ions. This distinguishes the spring waters from these areas in temperate latitudes, which are dominated by bicarbonate and calcium ions.

ОБҐРУНТУВАННЯ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ПРОЕКТУ ВИРОБНИЦТВА ТЕП-ЛОВОЇ ТА ЕЛЕКТРИЧНОЇ ЕНЕРГІЇ З ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ МЕТАНУ ЗА-КРИТИХ ШАХТ

The article deals with the issue of methane extraction from closed mines for its further use as an alternative energy source. A substantiated and developed method of methane extraction from the dome of the collapse of closed mines, while a mobile surface degassing unit is used to extract methane from the installed places of gas collectors. The use of the proposed method of methane extraction will improve the environmental safety of the man-made and natural environment, solve the issue of disposal and use of methane as fuel for cogeneration plants. To ensure the company's own production of electricity and thermal energy, a gas-piston cogeneration power plant has been justified and selected.At the first stage of the project, methane reserves of closed mines are calculated. As a result of the collapse of the roof layers above the created space in the mountain massif, a displacement vault and a "collapse dome" are formed. Methane accumulates under the collapse dome. The parameters of the vault depend on the depth of the cleaning work and the size of the created space. At the second stage, a mobile surface degassing unit is used to extract methane from closed mines from established places of methane accumulation. The advantage of a mobile surface degassing unit is its mobility, which makes it possible to install it in the necessary places, as well as carry out degassing and achieve significant volumes of capted gas with a methane content of up to 80%. To obtain a gas-air mixture of the required concentration (from 25% to 40%), a methane concentration increaser is used. The third stage is the substantiation of the type of power plant for the design of a gas turbine or gas piston mini thermal power station, taking into account individual conditions and technical tasks.

The importance of fault control on the geomorphological development of a deep karst system: the case of Sima GESM, a Z-supercave in southern Spain

The mountainous karst massif in the Sierra de las Nieves (southern Spain) and the adjacent large outcrops of subcontinental mantle peridotites provide this area with a distinctive geodiversity that has contributed to the recent declaration of the zone as the new Sierra de las Nieves National Park. In addition, the Alpine tectonic interaction between the peridotites and the carbonate formations originated an important fault, the Turquillas fault, that has conditioned the existence of two tectonic blocks in the karst massif, one uplifted with respect to the other. Also, in the uplifted block, the fault has contributed to the generation of Z-supercaves, which are defined in this paper as caves with more than 1000 m of development in the vertical or Z dimension. Sima GESM with 1100 m of depth is the only Z-supercave known in the giant geologic structure of the Gibraltar Arc, which speaks on the infrequent and exceptionality of the generation of these underground geomorphological systems. The task of this paper is to present a detailed study of the Turquillas fault and its influence in the surface and underground geomorphology and hydrogeology and in particular its influence and implications in the development of the deep karst system defined as the Z-supercave. It is hoped that this study will contribute to identify the necessary conditions for the development of these extraordinary geomorphic systems which are of great international relevance in the major mountain ranges of the world with high relief karst and deep karst systems.

Background activity of naturally occurring and reference values of fallout radionuclides in soils of mountainous areas (Armenia)

ABSTRACT Complex mountainous relief and diverse geology that are common for the whole territory of Armenia are strong limiting factors for regional scale geochemical survey, for assessment of the geochemical background of naturally occurring radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) and reference values of artificial 137Cs. Sampling transects spanned by altitude in mountain ridges and massifs, representing the main geological formations of the area, are informative enough for a pilot assessment of background and reference activity of radionuclides in soils. A total of 131 undisturbed soil samples were collected from 8 mountain ranges and massifs throughout Armenia. HPGe detector-based gamma spectrometry was used for the quantification of radionuclide activity concentrations. Geology and soil type were the main factors in the formation of radionuclide composition in the soil. The reasonably close estimates of naturally occurring radionuclide background activity were obtained from the application of ‘Median ± 2MAD’ and Tukey’s boxplot methods. The results yielded by both methods could be employed as a background, contingent upon the specific objectives being addressed. The distribution of 137Cs exhibits strong dependence on the altitude and therefore, its reference activity concentrations were estimated at distinct elevation intervals applying the ‘Median ± 2MAD’ method.

Flora of Mayorsky Mountain Massif of Susunay Ridge (Southern Sakhalin)

Flora of Mayorsky Mountain Massif of Susunay Ridge (Southern Sakhalin)

BENEFITS OF TEAS AND PROBIOTIC PROFILE AT SPECIFIC STAGES OF EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMEN IN CHICKEN EGGS

Introduction: The Sharr Mountain is characterized by a highly expressed biological diversity, with a particular endemism and a wide spectrum of various types of flora characteristic of this mountainous massif. Plants with nutritional and health benefits can be considered species such as: mountain tea (Sideritis scardica) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), etc. These bioproducts are characterized by special importance both in terms of their presence, quality, and health benefits. Therefore, exploration of these species would have positive cost for consumption as forms of teas or plant extracts for commercial purposes, but also for health benefits and above all for the population of the country, the region, and beyond. Research Objective: This study aims to investigate the probiotics and the effect of plant extract teas such as mountain tea (Sideritis scardica) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) by applying a specific dose of extract to chicken embryos at different stages of ontogenesis. Materials and Methods: Fertilized chicken eggs were taken for the study and were incubated in an incubator for 21 days. The eggs were treated with species such as mountain tea (Sideritis scardica) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) at certain stages of embryonic development. The eggs were opened on the seventh, fourteenth, and twenty-first day. Macroscopic and microscopic changes at certain stages of embryonic development were analyzed using stereomicroscope.The effect of the extract of these teas was studied on the chicken embryos (Gallus domesticus), by applying a specific dose of extract to the chicken embryos at different stages of embryonic development during ontogenesis. Research Results: The dose given in the form of extract has resulted in positive benefits of these teas as effective probiotics during certain stages of embryonic development in chicken embryos. Conclusions: This research will explore the effect of the given dose of plant extracts at certain stages of embryonic development during ontogenesis to observe the benefits of dose administration at specific quantities and times to detect the positive effect of these teas.

Sky Bridge 721 World's longest suspension footbridge

AbstractSky Bridge 721 was opened on 13 May 2022.It is located in the area of the Kralicky Sneznik mountain massif in the area of the Dolni Morava Mountain Resort. It was built in two years and spans the valley between the two ridges Slamnik and Chlum with a length of 721 metres.It has become a new landmark of the region, although in reality it is almost invisible when viewed from a distance. It winds like a thin thread below the horizon of the mountain ridge, suspended between the sky and the ground, so that it does not interfere with the view of the surrounding countryside.It was a real challenge to bridge such a wide valley at a height of nearly 100 metres and to achieve a subtle line of the footbridge that would not disturb the silhouette of the mountain massif.This is the story of the whole process, from the design to the statics, construction, design and implementation, that the TAROS NOVA a.s. team had to overcome during the implementation of the footbridge.

A new species of colorful Platypelis (Amphibia: Microhylidae) from the Tsaratanàna and Bemanevika massifs in northern Madagascar

Frogs of the genus Platypelis are known to have their center of species richness in the mountain massifs of northern Madagascar. We here formally describe a new species of Platypelis from this region. Platypelis saikamavo sp. nov. has been known for over 20 years but its taxonomic identity has only recently been robustly clarified as a result of ongoing taxonomic revisions of other Platypelis species. The new species is known from rainforest on the Tsaratanàna Massif and Bemanevika, at elevations of 1000–1530 m above sea level. It is characterized by an isolated phylogenetic position and is genetically highly divergent, with an uncorrected pairwise distance ≥4.5% in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene to all other nominal species of Platypelis. It has a unique combination of morphological and chromatic character states such as a relatively large body size of 28–31 mm in snout–vent length, distinct superciliary tubercles, and bright yellow color around the forelimb insertion and on the posterior abdomen where this color extends in the form of flash marks onto the inguinal region.

Patterns and drivers of abundance and diversity of reptiles and amphibians in the protected area of Mount Chelmos

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to investigate patterns of abundance and diversity among reptiles and amphibians within the protected area of Mount Chelmos, located in Peloponnese, Greece. Our aim was to examine the drivers influencing abundance (for lizards, snakes, chelonians, anurans, urodels) and diversity (for reptiles and amphibians) within the finely-scaled study area and identify biodiversity hotspots. Land cover significantly impacted the abundance and diversity of all studied groups. Elevation had a significant impact on the abundance of snakes, chelonians, and anurans, as well as on reptile and amphibian diversity. Climate influenced all groups except chelonians. Slope significantly impacted anuran abundance and amphibian diversity. Aspect primarily influenced the abundance of lizards, anurans, and urodels, as well as reptile diversity. We have also identified abundance and diversity hotspots, emphasizing the importance of conservation and management efforts. In reptiles, abundance hotspots were predicted in the west, east, and south of the mountainous massif, whereas amphibian abundance hotspots were mapped to the west and east-southeast of the massif. Regarding diversity, the patterns were similar for both reptiles and amphibians, with hotspots emerging in the west, south, and southeast boundaries of the study area, and a few spots north of the mountainous region. Notably, many of these hotspots coincided with areas susceptible to human exploitation and vehicular transit.

New bryological data from relict mires in the Gran Sasso-Laga National Park (Central Apennines) and their interpretation according to the EUNIS classification and Habitats Directive

During a phytosociological field-work campaign aimed at studying some relict Scheuchzerio-Caricetea boreal mires of the montane and subalpine belts of the Laga Mountains, the highest and largest siliceous massif of the Apennine range, several bryophyte taxa of particular biogeographic interest were collected. Among these taxa, Schljakovia kunzeana and Ptychostomum cernuum were found to be new records for the whole Apennine range while Hamatocaulis vernicosus (taxon included in annex II of Habitats Directive) and Scorpidium cossonii as new for the Central-Southern Apennines. Two further species, Bryum canariense, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, were found to be confirmations of old records for the Central Apennines dating back to the early 1900s. At the national and regional level, nine, out of the forty-four bryophyte taxa identified in this study, were found to be new for the Lazio administrative Region, and one taxon as new for the Abruzzo Region. The majority of these new records belong to the boreal chorotype, the Laga Mountains being one of the most important conservation sites for the relict circumboreal and arctic-alpine flora in the whole Mediterranean area. According to both the EUNIS Habitat classification and the EU Habitats Directive Annex I, several, out of the 44 bryophytes identified in this study, act as diagnostic species for European Community Habitats. Nevertheless, a complete correspondence between bryophyte taxon and habitat type was not found upon comparing these two environmental policy systems.

Nickel accumulation in plants from the Shebenik Mountain massif, Albania

Nickel accumulation in plants from the Shebenik Mountain massif, Albania

Within the Range of the Watchtowers: Nature and Purpose of Late Bronze Age Hilltop Buildings in the Blagoevgrad Basin, Southwestern Bulgaria

Abstract The Struma/Strymon River valley, due to its key geographical position, carving a corridor in mountain massifs, served as a natural communication route between the north: south-eastern and central Balkans and further on – Central Europe, and the south: the coast of the Aegean Sea. The lack of detailed studies of the settlement pattern have not allowed for complete characterization of its role in the cultural contacts of prehistoric communities. Fortunately, this state of research is changing, due to the carrying out intensive field surveying, and recording of archaeological sites. As a result of it, evidence of the flourishing of settlements in the Late Bronze Age and the transition period between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age were recorded. In addition to flat settlements, “atypical” sites were also identified – called the Kamenska Chuka-type, named after the first discovered site of this type, located in naturally defensive and hard-to-reach places with a wide observation views. From the very moment of discovery, researchers have been speculating about the functions of these archaeological sites. The aim of this article is to attempt to explain some issues – nature and purpose related to Kamenska Chuka-type sites and verify the theses put forward by researchers of the topic, using geographic information system (GIS) technology and freely available spatial data, combining them with traditional archaeological data.

The future of plant diversity within a Mediterranean endemism centre: Modelling the synergistic effects of climate and land-use change in Peloponnese, Greece

Climate- and land-use change stand as primary threats to terrestrial biodiversity. Yet, their synergistic impacts on species distributions remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted the first-ever comprehensive species distribution analysis on an entire regional endemism centre within an eastern Mediterranean country, incorporating dynamic land-use/land-cover change data together with climate change scenarios. Specifically, we apply species distribution modelling and spatial data analysis techniques to compare the individual and synergistic effects of these environmental drivers on the endemic vascular flora of Peloponnese, focusing on potential range contractions, altitudinal shifts, and habitat fragmentation levels. Moreover, we identify fine-scale present and potential future endemism hotspots within our study area, incorporating taxonomic and phylogenetic information. Overall, we aim to enhance our current understanding of endemism patterns and contribute to the development of future-proof conservation strategies for safeguarding Greece's endangered endemic flora. The integration of land-use change projections with climate change yielded less severe impacts compared to the effects anticipated when considering climatic variables alone. Most taxa are expected to undergo significant range declines and nearly half might experience increased habitat fragmentation, due to the synergistic effects of climate- and land-use change. We identified endemism hotspots, which are concentrated in or along the main Peloponnesian mountain massifs. However, our predictions indicate that areas presently recognized as endemism hotspots will undergo a concerning area decline, across all future scenarios considered in this study. Our findings highlight the importance of including dynamic land-use variables alongside climatic predictors when projecting species distributions under global change. Moreover, we showed that endemism hotspots are not static and considering their potential geographic shifts is paramount to delineate effective forward-looking conservation strategies.

Big river channel formation and deformation in the intermountain basin (case study of the Yana River within the Kular mountain massif)

The incised pebble-boulder channels of large mountain rivers (including the Yana in its mountainous area), their morphology and history of formation are well studied. However, local conditions within the intermountain depressions lead to the emergence of specific features of the channel development and its morphology — in this case, the formation of finger-shaped meander. The paper analyzes the historical and modern features of the formation of the Yana riverbed in the “Porogi” section located in the depression inside Kular range, and describes the negative impact of channel processes on navigation. Using this case study, we consider the characteristic features of the channel development of a large river under the influence of a complex of factors — the regional geological conditions (which caused active incision of the channel), discharge, and channel sediment composition. Characteristics of lateral migration and curvature development of meander controlled by bedrock and narrowing of the valley are presented. The discharge conditions under which the displacement of riffles is possible are calculated. The forecast of the further channel development and recommendations for sustainable navigation are given.

Variations in the phenological patterns of a caddisfly inhabiting the same mountain massifs: Life‐history differences in different altitudinal zones

AbstractOrganisms inhabiting mountainous regions can experience large vertical environmental changes, and show different ecological characteristics between altitudes, thus facilitating allopatric fragmentation even in geographically close populations. This study compared the life‐history patterns of a species of limnephilid caddisfly, Asynarchus sachalinensis, in several genetically differentiated populations between alpine and sub‐alpine zones in a temperate mountainous region. We showed that in the sub‐alpine populations, larval development started earlier with increasing water temperature in spring, and adult emergence was also earlier. The occurrence of adults was extremely low in mid‐summer, probably due to summer diapause, followed by a larger number of ovary‐developed females in autumn. On the other hand, in the alpine zone, increasing water temperature was delayed compared to the sub‐alpine zone, and larval development occurred from early to mid‐summer. Adult emergence and ovary‐developed individuals were concentrated in mid‐summer. Hence, summer diapause was not observed. These results indicated life‐history differences between genetically differentiated populations at different altitudes. As the timing of adult occurrence and ovarian developmental patterns differ between populations at different altitudes, it is possible that reproductive isolation is facilitated or maintained between populations.

The Impact of Heavy Metals on the Quality of Drinking Water in Some Villages of the Shala of Bajgora Mountain Massif – Kosovo

The Impact of Heavy Metals on the Quality of Drinking Water in Some Villages of the Shala of Bajgora Mountain Massif – Kosovo

On the seasonal dynamics of groups of short-winged beetles (Staphylinidae, Coleoptera, Insecta) in the forest ecosystems of the Gorgan mountain massif

On the seasonal dynamics of groups of short-winged beetles (Staphylinidae, Coleoptera, Insecta) in the forest ecosystems of the Gorgan mountain massif

First records of a new Europe’s southernmost glacier found in Southern Albania

Several perennial snow and ice bodies have been recently studied and monitored in three mountain massifs across the Balkan Peninsula: Prokletije (Northern Albania), Durmitor (Montenegro) and Pirin (Bulgaria), the two glacierets in the Pirin Mountains until soon considered as southernmost of their kind in Europe. In September 2022 a relatively large snow field (about 1.5 ha) was discovered and described for a first time in the glacial cirque Gryka e Kazanit in the Nëmerçka Mountains of Southern Albania. The snow accumulation lies on 1550–1650 m a.s.l. below a vertical limestone cliff with a height of almost 1000 m. The site was visited again in November 2023, when the snow field diminished its size to less than 1 ha. At the same time, multi-annual firn layers were exposed under the last year snow, with depth at least several metres, and indications were observed of ice, buried in the debris cover below. Newest findings indicate that the studied snow-firn body is a glacieret similar to those found in the Pirin Mountains. On a longer-term, nine perennial snow/firm bodies on the Balkans resemble small glaciers rather than snow and ice patches at least under current climatic conditions. Situated on 40°08′ Northern latitude, the newly discovered Nemërçka Glacieret is nominated to be the southernmost glacier in Europe.

Orthotrichumcamanchacanum, a remarkable new moss species from Chile (Bryopsida, Orthotrichaceae).

Orthotrichumcamanchacanum is presented as a newly described species from Chile. The species is primarily distinguished by its emergent capsule with cryptoporous stomata, a double peristome, linear-lanceolate stem leaves with a long hyaline aristae in apex, conspicuously differentiated perichaetial leaves, and a densely hairy vaginula. The species was discovered in the mountain massif of the Andes in the Coquimbo region, notable for its unique climatic conditions. Molecular data and a brief discussion comparing the newly described species with the most closely related taxa are also provided.

The Neotectonic Deformation of the Eastern Rif Foreland (Morocco): New Insights from Morphostructural Analysis

The Neotectonic Deformation of the Eastern Rif Foreland (Morocco): New Insights from Morphostructural Analysis