Murmansk Oblast Research Articles

Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation – novel dangerous disease of farmed Salmonidae

Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) is one of the most widespread economically relevant diseases of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and it poses serious danger to its aquaculture. The disease was first reported in Norway in 1999. In 2006, the Norwegian researchers demonstrated its viral etiology. Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation is a novel and understudied highly contagious transboundary disease of Salmonidae characterized by erythrocyte damage, blood circulation failure, jaundice and aggregated signs of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation. The disease associated economic damage to aquaculture is enormous. Total cumulative mortality can reach 30% and morbidity can amount to 100%. Loss of quality of the commercial fish products due to melanised foci in the salmons’ muscles further increases the disease-associated economic losses. Aquacultured Atlantic salmon is the most susceptible to HSMI. Rainbow trout, chub salmon and bull trout are also susceptible species and the list is still being continued. The disease is caused by the virus belonging to genusOrthoreovirusin the familyReoviridae. Currently Piscine orthoreovirus demonstrates the tendency towards its global spread. The virus-induced disease is reported in Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Alaska. The majority of the outbreaks are registered in Central and Northern parts of Norway, which borders the Murmansk Oblast. The vicinity of the affected areas to Russia, the Gulf Stream passing the Norwegian shore while moving towards the Murmansk Oblast as well as wildSalmonidaemigration to the Barents Sea, White Sea and Pechora Sea through the Norwegian territorial waters coupled with high stability of the virus compose high threat of Piscine orthoreovirus introduction to the Russian Federation from the adjacent countries.

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

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

ДОЛГОВРЕМЕННАЯ ДИНАМИКА ОСНОВНЫХ КОМПОНЕНТОВ ЭКОСИСТЕМЫ ОЗЕРА КУЭТСЪЯРВИ (СИСТЕМА РЕКИ ПАСВИК, МУРМАНСКАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ)

Озеро Куэтсъярви (нижнее течение р. Пасвик, Мурманская область), расположенное в приграничной зоне между Россией и Норвегией, является одним из наиболее загрязненных водоемов Евро-Арктического региона. В результате деятельности расположенного на его берегах плавильных цехов металлургического комбината «Печенганикель» в водах и донных отложениях озера отмечаются чрезвычайно высокие концентрации тяжелых металлов. Долговременные комплексные исследования экосистемы оз. Куэтсъярви позволили выявить ответные реакции ее компонентов на глобальные и региональные изменения окружающей среды и климата в целом, результирующие в усилении токсификации вод и их эвтрофировании, сокращении численности стенобионтных видов гидробионтов на фоне возрастания численности эврибионтных и инвазивных видов. Современные сообщества оз. Куэтсъярви представляют собой результат воздействия комплекса факторов многолетних изменений абиотической среды и биотических взаимоотношений. Загрязнение оз. Куэтсъярви тяжелыми металлам, длящиеся с 30-х годов прошлого века, привело к формированию сообщества, устойчивого к данному виду воздействия и поддерживающего высокую численность толерантных и адаптированных организмов. Адаптации сообществ к динамике условий существования организмов, выражаются в изменениях видового состава, количественных показателей, соотношения отдельных таксономических групп, структуры популяций. Формирование симпатрических форм, различающихся экологическими нишами, морфологией, стратегиями жизненного цикла, включая переход на короткоцикловую стратегию выживания, позволяет сигу оставаться доминирующим видом и поддерживать высокую численность популяции. В отличие от организменного уровня, ответные реакции на среднесрочные изменения окружающей среды популяций и сообществ более инерционны и менее специфичны.

Основные гидрофизические параметры осушенных болот Республики Карелия и Мурманской области

Melioration measures at swamps of the Republic of Karelia and Murmansk Oblast, and their successive agricultural use change water/physical properties of this wetland. Changes in potential of soil water that determines of energy of water-soil relationship accompany the peat density increase. The authors state that potential of soil water depends in functional manner on peat moisture and its density. It is fixed that under increase of wetland usage period peat density rises and, consequently, soil water potential rises as well. We suggested the method and calculating formula approximating potential dependency on moisture content within the whole range of its changes. The article defines dependency of moisture conduction on moisture (within the range from 30% to 80% of volume) that is based on relationship between coefficient of moisture conduction and potential.

Влияние повышения пенсионного возраста на экономику и настроения населения Мурманской области

Влияние повышения пенсионного возраста на экономику и настроения населения Мурманской области

Insects identified by unqualified scientists: multiple “new” records from the Murmansk oblast of Russia are dismissed as false

A recently published book authored by six botanists (Rak NS, Goncharova OA, Poloskova EY, Litvinova SV, Zotova OE, Lipponen IN. 2018. Bioecological analysis of introducents of the family Rosaceae Juss. Kola Science Centre, Apatity, 87 pp.) reports information on 19 species of insects that are declared to damage woody Rosaceae plants in the central part of the Murmansk oblast of Russia. Examination of photographs published in this book revealed that 15 of these 19 species were identified incorrectly and that several of the illustrated species are unlikely to damage woody Rosaceae plants. The most striking examples are errors in determination at the order level: a syrphid fly (Diptera) identified as a leafcutter bee (Hymenoptera), and a sawfly (Hymenoptera) identified as a psyllid (Hemiptera). I provide correct identifications of the insects illustrated in the cited book in order to prevent the spread of erroneous information across future publications and databases.

Low-Sulfide Platinum–Palladium Deposits of the Paleoproterozoic Fedorova–Pana Layered Complex, Kola Region, Russia

Several deposits of low-sulfide Pt–Pd ores have been discovered in recent decades in the Paleoproterozoic Fedorova–Pana Layered Complex located in the Kola Region (Murmansk Oblast) of Russia. The deposits are divided into two types: reef-style, associated with the layered central portions of intrusions, and contact-style, localized in the lower parts of intrusions near the contact with the Archean basement. The Kievey and the North Kamennik deposits represent the first ore type and are confined to the North PGE Reef located 600–800 m above the base of the West Pana Intrusion. The reef is associated with a horizon of cyclically interlayered orthopyroxenite, gabbronorite and anorthosite. The average contents of Au, Pt and Pd in the Kievey ore are 0.15, 0.53 and 3.32 ppm, respectively. The North Kamennik deposit has similar contents of noble metals. The Fedorova Tundra deposit belongs to the second ore type and has been explored in two sites in the lower part of the Fedorova intrusion. Mineralization is mainly associated mainly with taxitic or varied-textured gabbronorites, forming a matrix of intrusive breccia with fragments of barren orthopyroxenite. The ores contain an average of 0.08 ppm Au, 0.29 ppm Pt and 1.20 ppm Pd. In terms of PGE resources, the Fedorova Tundra is the largest deposit in Europe, hosting more than 300 tons of noble metals.

Diderma meyerae . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Diderma meyerae , a myxomycete which occurs on living branches, living flowers, living and dead stems, living and dead dry fallen twigs, and dry fallen leaves. Some information on its interactions and habitats, economic impacts, intraspecific variation, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Japan, Kazakhstan (Almaty Oblast), Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Russia (Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Murmansk Oblast), Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine) and associated organism and substrata ( Alnus alnobetula , Alnus sp. (stem); Apiaceae indet. (stem); Calluna vulgaris, Epilobium sp., Fagus sylvatica (branch, leaf, twig), Galeopsis tetrahit (flower, twig), Gramineae indet., Juniperus communis , Plantae indet. (twig), Poaceae indet.; Rhododendron ferrugineum, Rhododendron sp. (twig), Rubus sp. (stem), Vaccinium myrtillus (twig), Vaccinium sp. and Diderma niveum ).

Hypocreopsis lichenoides . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Hypocreopsis lichenoides , which is found on living and dead woody substrata, particularly attached branches. Some information on its habitat, dispersal and transmission, and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (North America (Canada (Ontario, Quebec), USA (Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia)), South America (Bolivia), Asia (China (Jilin), Japan), Europe (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia (Leningrad Oblast, Murmansk Oblast, Novgorod Oblast, Pskov Oblast), Spain, Sweden, UK)). No evaluation has been made of any possible positive economic impact of this fungus (e.g. as a recycler, as a source of useful products, as a provider of checks and balances within its ecosystem, etc.). Also, no reports of negative economic impacts have been found.

Features of local identity of single-industry town residents (the case of the Murmansk Oblast)

Features of local identity of single-industry town residents (the case of the Murmansk Oblast)

Prospects for the Development of the Kola Chemical Technological Cluster in Transition from a Resource-Based Economy to an Innovative Economy

Murmansk oblast has large resources of polymineral raw materials at deposits that are currently in operation, as well as at future sites, and a developed network of mining enterprises. Mineral concentrates are the main products of national and international companies in the region. Technologies for processing raw materials are being developed and tested at the Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences. For these reasons, the Kola Chemical Technological Cluster was established to improve and finalize processes and the upcoming development of production of functional materials, many of which can be regarded as indices of the state of industry determining national economic and defense security. The new geopolitical situation requires the national production of strategic materials for domestic needs and constituting a reserve to ensure national technological security and economic independence. The Center for Synthesis of New Functional Materials was founded as the first step toward the implementation of the idea of the Kola Chemical Technological Cluster. Additional possibilities can be found by more efficiently using the potential of the existing pilot plants of the Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, and mining and processing enterprises of the region—AO Apatit, AO Kol’skaya GMK, and AO Kovdorskii GOK.

Distribution records of aphids (Hemiptera: Phylloxeroidea, Aphidoidea) associated with main forest-forming trees in Northern Europe

We report records of 25 species of aphids collected from four species of woody plants (Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Betula pubescens and B. pendula) at 50 study sites in Northern Europe, located from 59° to 70° N and from 10° to 60° E. Critical evaluation of earlier publications demonstrated that in spite of the obvious limitations of our survey, the obtained information substantially contributed to the knowledge of the distribution of aphids in North European Russia, including Murmansk oblast (103 species recorded to date), Republic of Karelia (58 species), Arkhangelsk oblast (37 species), Vologda oblast (17 species) and Republic of Komi (29 species). We confirm the occurrence of Cinara nigritergi in Southern Karelia; Pineus cembrae, Cinara pilosa and Monaphis antennata are for the first time recorded in Norway.

Logistics in the Arctic Region through the example of cargo transportation in Murmansk Oblast by railway transport

The economy of Murmansk Oblast retains its focus on raw materials. Extraction of mineral raw materials by virtue of geological and economic characteristics as well as natural and climatic features peculiar to the area will remain the dominant sector of regional economics for a long time. Extraction industry of the region is formed by extraction plants dealing with mineral raw materials, ferrous and nonferrous metal ores. The transport system plays the key role in the economy of Murmansk region. It is linked with the prevalence of industry sectors oriented toward production and distribution of considerable amounts of raw materials and metals in the region, but also with its advantageous geographical location suitable for year-round navigation and access to international maritime trade routes. Under these circumstances, each plant utilizes optimal logistical technologies of freight transportation, which provides the basis for the transportation network. Development of each plant dealing with raw mineral material extraction and processing is impossible without the development of the transport component, which in its turn requires its own development, and if realized, it will allow to increase the amount of cargo transportation in the region and will create new jobs, ensure the socio-economic development of the region. Consequently, the subject of logistics in the Arctic Region is indeed highly demanded and relevant.

Distribution of Chemical Elements between the Components of the Ecosystem of Arctic Lake Bolshoy Vudyavr (Khibiny, Murmansk Oblast)

The processes of accumulation of chemical elements and their distribution between abiotic (water and bottom sediments) and biotic (seston, zooplankton, and fish) components of the ecosystem of Lake Bolshoy Vudyavr, which has been contaminated by waste waters of the apatite-nepheline mining complex for a long time, are considered. The values of the biological accumulation of chemical elements and their enrichment of seston, zooplankton, fish, and bottom sediments are determined. The biogenic and terrigenous contribution of the chemical elements to the contribution of bottom sediments is estimated.

Distribution, Spawning and the Possibility of Fishery of Introduced Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchusgorbusha Walbaum) in Rivers of Murmansk Oblast

Migration patterns of pink salmon, its distribution along the spawning grounds, spawning success, and the potential impact on the reproduction of the native species Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) have been studied in the largest salmon rivers of the White Sea basin on the Kola Peninsula, the Ponoy, Varzuga, and Umba rivers. It is shown that the distribution of pink salmon is not uniform in the rivers with different hydrological characteristics. When choosing spawning grounds, pink salmon prefers shallow riffles with moderate current and fine-fraction bottom sediments. Checking of the spawning redds indicates a poor spawning success of pink salmon. To date, there is no convincing proof of the influence of the invader on the ecosystems of the rivers. For the efficient use of the resource, unrestricted removal of pink salmon by all types of fishing has been proposed, including total catch using fish-counting barriers (FCBs) in the Umba and Varzuga rivers during the entire spawning run.

Temporal dynamics of dioxin contamination of reindeer offal from Russian Far North regions

Reindeer herding is vitally important activity in Russian Far North regions. Meat and offal (liver, kidneys, etc.) are readily consumed by indigenous people and also exported, therefore the problem of reindeer products safety in view of chemical contamination is of both scientific and practical interest. Here, we report levels of dioxins in 64 individual samples of reindeer liver (Rangifer tarandus tarandus and Rangifer tarandus sibiricus) originating from four main reindeer-herding regions of Russia with broad geographical distribution from western to eastern border of the country, including Murmansk Oblast, Komi Republic, Nenets Autonomous Okrug and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomus Okrug. Persistent organic pollutants (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans) were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and expressed as WHO toxic equivalents (WHO-TEQ). Dioxin pollution has shown clear geographical distribution. It is the highest at the Kola Peninsula and generally decreases to the east. In particular, dioxins concentration in reindeer liver varied from 40.5 ± 10.1 pg WHO-TEQ/g of fat in Nenets Autonomus Okrug to 14.8 ± 3.7 pg WHO-TEQ/g of fat in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomus Okrug. A comparison with the previous data showed significant increase of dioxin levels in reindeer liver from selected regions over the last 2 years. Taking into account growing interest to reindeer liver processing for food production, our data give further insight in possible risk of longtime consumption of reindeer offal.

ASSESSMENT OF ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF LANDSCAPES ACCORDING TO THE PRODUCTIVITY OF VEGETATION

Mining and processing of mineral resources causes the technological environmental impact, including the vegetation. Using field findings, the productivity of plant communities was estimated according to NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) - index of the amount of photosynthetically active biomass. Zones are outlined by the degree of damaged vegetation, characterizing the impact of Pechenganikel Mining and Metallurgical Combine (Murmansk Oblast). For the area of 380 km2, located in the vicinity of combine, the map of the damaged vegetation in the environs of urban-type settlement Nikel (1:100 000) was created in the program MapInfo Professional 11.5. Analysis of the map have shown the greatest pollution to be appeared in the north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern directions from the Pechenganikel combine due to the prevalence of the south and south-west winds as well as the uplands with an average height of 300-400m in the northern, eastern and southern adjacencies of Nikel. For zones with the considerable deterioration of vegetation the existence conditions for local areas with fewer disturbances than the surrounding area is determined. Plants growing in the zone of intensive technogenic impact, accumulate heavy metals in significant quantities that should be considered in a detailed researching of pollutants’ content in plants, especially for those used as food. Moreover, NDVI reveals pollutants to spread over a far larger area than can be visually find out only due to field studies, as the outward signs of vegetation response to pollution do not always give the100% certainty.

Communities of Soil Nematodes in the Subcrown Areas of Trees Introduced on the Territory of the Polar—Alpine Botanical Garden

We have studied communities of nematodes in the basal soil of woody plants introduced in the open areas of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden of the Karelian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) in Murmansk oblast. Under the conditions of introduction, we have identified nematodes belonging to 48 taxonomic categories with the maximum diversity of bacteriotrophes (56% of the total number of identified taxa) and plant parasites (21%). The tendency of reducing the number of genera in the series “deciduous breed-conifer breed-natural biocenosis” is shown; a similar pattern is shown for the group of plant parasites. We have found parasite taxa rare for the northwest of Russia. An adaptive mechanism was found in nematodes of the species Rhabditis producta Schneider, 1866, associated with delayed egg laying and their subsequent development to larvae in the body cavity of females, which is of great importance for the survival of offspring in adverse environmental conditions in the north. The study has revealed a significant correlation between the taxonomic diversity of nematodes and most of the soil properties (pH, ash content, N, and P); the relative abundance of polytrophs and nematodes associated with plants and the content of organic matter, organic carbon, as well as the C : N ratio; and the relative abundance of the group of nematode parasites of plants and the area of vegetation projective cover.

Assessment of Soil-Water Composition Dynamics in the North Taiga Forests upon the Reduction of Industrial Air Pollution by Emissions of a Copper—Nickel Smelter

This work is aimed at assessing the dynamics of the composition of soil waters in coniferous forests subjected to air pollution from the Severonikel’ copper-nickel smelter in Murmansk oblast. The objects of investigations are the most common in boreal zone spruce forests with dwarf shrubs + green mosses and pine forests with dwarf shrubs + lichens. The results show a significant intra- (below the crowns and between the crowns) and interbiogeocenotic (spruce and pine forests) variation in the composition of atmospheric deposition and soil waters in forests under pollution. The atmospheric deposition of pollutants and leaching of their compounds from all soil genetic horizons are tens (sulfates) and hundreds (copper and nickel) times higher than in reference sites and their fluxes below the crowns are usually more intense than between the crowns. Long-term dynamics (from 1993 to 2012) demonstrate reliable trends in the reduction of concentrations and leaching of sulfates and heavy metals from the soil. The molar ratio of basic cations to aluminum (BC/Al) in soil waters from all soil horizons does not drop to the level of critical, whereas for mineral nitrogen the lowest critical level (0.2 mg/L) was exceeded in waters from all horizons at all stages of digression. It was shown that, for the early detection of exceedances of the critical level for mineral nitrogen in soil waters, an evaluation of their composition is necessary not only between the crowns, but also below them.

The Correlation between the Pool of Free Adhesion Molecule Receptors and the Activity of the Immune System in the Murmansk Oblast Residents

The molecules of intercellular adhesion are the surface cellular glycoproteins responsible for interaction between cells of different types with one another and with the components of intercellular matrix. They play the primary role in the formation of tissue structure and participate in a number of physiological processes, such as morphogenesis, embryogenesis, organogenesis, wound healing, and inflammation. Together with the other free receptors and their ligands, free intercellular adhesion molecules are formed mainly through shedding, resulting from the proteolytic cleavage of the transmembrane region under physiological conditions or cell destruction. There are almost no literature data on the influence of free intercellular adhesion molecules on the functional activity of T and B lymphocytes and the contents of immunoglobulins, cytokines, and circulating immune complexes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the interrelationship between the content of free and membrane-bound intercellular adhesion molecules and the level of immunocompetent cell activity in the residents of the Arctic settlement of Revda (Murmansk oblast), who form one of special populations of residents living in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation. It has been found that the contents of sCD54, sCD62L, and sCD324 free intercellular adhesion molecules vary widely, which results from an increase in the concentration of cells with the corresponding membrane forms. An increase in the levels of sCD54 and sCD62 is accompanied by the activation of migration processes with increasing concentrations of circulating neutrophils and total lymphocyte count. The formation of a pool of membrane-bound and free adhesion molecules occurs together with an increase in the content of activated T cells of the HLADRII and CD8 + phenotypes. An increase in the serum levels of sCD54 and L-selectin (sCD62L) adhesion molecules is accompanied by a decrease in the level of immunocompetent cell activity and a twofold increase in the serum level of a natural immunosuppressant IL-10. Low activity of the sCD54 and sCD62L is associated with an increase in the IgE concentration and in immune responses caused by the basophil and eosinophil activation.