Murmansk Region Research Articles

Contrasting Changes in Lake Ice Thickness and Quality Due to Global Warming in the Arctic, Temperate, and Arid Zones and Highlands of Eurasia

Lake ice has a major impact on the functioning of lake ecosystems, the thermal and gas regimes of lakes, habitat conditions, socio-economic aspects of human life, local climate, etc. The multifaceted influence of lake ice makes it important to study its changes associated with global warming, including lake ice phenology, ice thickness, and the snow–ice fraction. This article presents a study of lake ice changes in different regions of Eurasia: the Arctic (Lake Imandra in the Murmansk region and Lake Kilpisjärvi in Finland), the temperate zone (six small and medium lakes in Karelia, Mozhaysk Reservoir in the Moscow region, and Lake Pääjärvi in Finland), the arid zone (Lake Ulansuhai in China), and the highlands (lakes Arpi and Sevan in Armenia). In the study regions, a statistically significant increase in winter air temperature has been recorded over the past few decades. The number of days with thaw (air temperature above 0 °C) has increased, while the number of days with severe frost (air temperature below −10 °C and −20 °C) has decreased. The share of liquid or mixed precipitation in winter increases most rapidly in the temperate zone. For two Finnish lakes, lakes Vendyurskoe and Vedlozero in Karelia, and Mozhaysk Reservoir, a decrease in the duration of the ice period was revealed, with later ice-on and earlier ice-off. The most dramatic change occurred in the large high-mountain Lake Sevan, where the water area has no longer been completely covered with ice every winter. In contrast, the small high-mountain Lake Arpi showed no significant changes in ice phenology over a 50-year period. Changes in the ice composition with an increase in the proportion of white ice and a decrease in the proportion of black ice have occurred in some lakes. In the temperate lakes Pääjärvi and Vendyurskoe, inverse dependences of the thickness of black ice on the number of days with thaw and frost in December–March for the first lake and on the amount of precipitation in the first month of ice for the second were observed. In the arid study region of China, due to the very little winter precipitation (usually less than 10 mm) only black ice occurs, and significant interannual variability in its thickness has been identified.

Психологическое здоровье и духовно-нравственные ценности молодых людей призывного возраста в контексте деструктивного информационно-психологического воздействия

<p>The work is aimed at studying the psychological health and spiritual and moral values of young people of conscription age in the context of the destructive information and psychological influence. The results of an empirical study conducted in 2024 on the territory of 4 regions of the Russian Federation are presented: Arkhangelsk, Kaliningrad, Leningrad and Murmansk regions. The total number of respondents was 1,050 young people of draft age aged 16 to 20 years. The following were used in the study: the author's questionnaire “Information and psychological impact”; the questionnaire “Motivational structure of information activity”; the questionnaire “Spiritual personality”; the methodology “Individual model of psychological health”. The obtained results allow us to say that, on average, young people of conscription age often encounter content in the Internet space that has a destructive informational and psychological impact, while they have a fairly high degree of trust in this content. It is noted that young people exposed to destructive information may experience social isolation, mistrust and aggression, which prevents them from forming healthy social connections, leads to a decrease in psychological health and has a destructive effect on internal values and spiritual and moral guidelines. In such conditions, a more pessimistic perception of the world is formed, which undermines the basic principles of spirituality and morality, in particular, such as sincerity, politeness and the pursuit of truth.</p>

Ulcerative dermal necrosis of mature Atlantic salmon in the Kola and Tuloma rivers (Murmansk region): retrospective and prospects for studying the problem

The aim of the work is to analyze the results of virological and immunological studies, to track the dynamics of the entry and changes in external signs of pathology of Atlantic salmon into the Kola and Tuloma rivers.Methods used: fish size and weight indicators were determined using generally accepted methods. Methods for isolating viruses on continuous cell lines and their identification in RT-PCR reaction were used. Bactericidal activity of blood serum (BABS) was assessed using a nephelometric method. The content of non-specific immune complexes (IC) was established using a spectrophotometric method with selective precipitation with PEG-6000.According to the results of the work, it was revealed that in the Kola and Tuloma rivers, clinical manifestations of pathologies in fish have changed. Since 2021, typical symptoms of UDN have been replaced by signs of «red skin disease». The results of immunological studies indicate high activity of innate humoral immunity mechanisms in the examined individuals. The carriage of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in Atlantic salmon populations living in the Kola and Tuloma rivers has been established. Clinical signs of pathology in Atlantic salmon are described in detail, and fish counting data for the Kola and Tuloma rivers are presented.The novelty of the work: for the first time, photographs of all noted typical signs of pathology, as well as the results of virological and immunological studies of Atlantic salmon in the Kola and Tuloma rivers for 2022–2024 are presented. A retrospective overview is given and prospects for studying the problem are outlined.Practical significance: the conducted research will allow creating a database on the results of comprehensive studies of Atlantic salmon diseases in the Kola and Tuloma rivers. Compare the results obtained in fish with and without clinical signs of pathologies over several years. Determine differences in the immune status of fish with different signs of pathology based on the results of long-term studies. This will help to understand how UDN disease develops over time and what causes it.

The Role of the Federal Project “Development of a Network of National Medical Research Centers and the Introduction of Innovative Medical Technologies” in Improving Urological Care in the Regions of the Russian Federation Using the Murmansk Region as an Example

The Role of the Federal Project “Development of a Network of National Medical Research Centers and the Introduction of Innovative Medical Technologies” in Improving Urological Care in the Regions of the Russian Federation Using the Murmansk Region as an Example

"SAAMI NATIONAL GAMES": TO THE PROBLEM OF PRESERVATION AND POPULARIZATION OF ETHNOCULTURAL TRADITIONS OF INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS OF THE MURMANSK REGION

Saami National Games" is an annual festival of Saami culture and crafts associated with holding national sports competitions in summer sports, which is held in the village of Lovozero and at the Loparskaya station in the Murmansk region. Based on an empirical study that was carried out in 2024 at the Loparskaya station in the Murmansk region, the structure and scenario of this event are analyzed. Of particular interest are the national competitions of the indigenous people (Saami) included in the program of the celebration — lasso throwing on horns, crossbow shooting, fishing with a can, Saami football, etc. In addition, as part of the cultural program, folklore groups of small peoples of the North traditionally perform, and handicraft exhibitions and fairs are organized. The study showed that this type of cultural events actualizes the problem of preserving and popularizing the ethnocultural heritage of the indigenous population of the Murmansk region and contributes to the realization of the region's tourism potential.

THE EXPEDITION TO SEARCH OF “PLATEAU OF IOVLEVA” IN 2024 (DAL'NIE ZELENTSY, MURMANSK REGION)

The article is a brief report on a research expedition conducted in 2024 in the area of the settlement of Dalniye Zelentsy (Murmansk region). The aim of the work was to search for a complex of stone structures ("seids") discovered in this area by the famous Soviet director T. I. Iovleva in 1973. In her opinion, the monument was similar to already known objects on the Kuzova Islands in the White Sea. Few similar complexes of stone structures are known in Eastern Fennoscandia and the search for new objects is of great interest.

STAFFING SITUATION IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF THE KOLA NORTH IN THE 1920S.

Little is known about the members of the justice system, who bore the heavy burden of building the justice system in the Kola North. Local historians who study the formation and development of state structures under the new Soviet regime know only about some of the figures who played a significant role in the development of the Kola region. The absence of scientific works devoted to the process of formation of the personnel of the justice system of the young state testifies to the relevance of studying this issue. The analysis of the materials contained in the State Archive of the Murmansk region, undertaken in the article, allows to describe the composition, professional qualities, level of education of justice officials who worked in the most difficult moment of the Kola North justice system - at the stage of its formation. In the conditions of acute staff shortage, persons without special education and experience in justice institutions were hired. The situation was able to stabilize by the mid-1920s due to the personal qualities of the employees and changes in Soviet legislation.

Distribution of <i>Lemna</i> at the Range Boundary in the North-West of the Murmansk Region as a result of anthropogenic changes in water bodies

Distribution of <i>Lemna</i> at the Range Boundary in the North-West of the Murmansk Region as a result of anthropogenic changes in water bodies

Роль региональных факторов в динамике инфляции: случай Мурманской области

This paper examines regional inflation processes using the Murmansk region as a case study. The Murmansk region has repeatedly stood out in research on inflation heterogeneity in Russia due to its distinct characteristics. Specifically, it exhibits a weaker response to monetary policy shocks compared to other regions and a greater influence of region-specific factors in explaining inflation dispersion. This makes the region particularly relevant for analyzing inflationary processes and identifying factors that not only drive inflation but also differentiate it from national trends. Understanding these distinctions is important because the positive effects of a unified monetary policy should ideally be felt across all regions. However, not all inflationary factors fall within the influence of monetary authorities; regional inflation drivers lie beyond their control. This study identifies such factors, whose analysis and management are essential for developing effective regional measures. The findings highlight key factors, including infrastructural constraints affecting costs and supply in specific service markets, the high cost of living in northern regions, and low regional self-sufficiency. Awareness of these persistent regional factors is critical for designing effective policies at the regional level, as the success of monetary policy depends on coordination between monetary authorities and government bodies. Thus, this study has practical applications for the decision-making process in the field of regional inflation management.

Формирование финансовой базы кредитной сферы регионов Крайнего Севера в системе обеспечения региональной финансовой безопасности

This study aims to analyze the sufficiency and sustainability of financial resource mobilization by credit institutions in the Far North regions of Russia within the framework of regional financial security assessment. The paper examines the adequacy of financial resource mobilization through coefficient analysis. It was found that, over the past decade, there has been a consistent increase in the attraction of funds by the credit system in the Far North regions, aligning with the national growth rates. In recent years, the rate of fund mobilization from legal entities has exceeded the national average, while the rate from individuals has been lower than Russia’s average. Currently, the Far North regions' high financial potential is supported by a relatively high share of individual deposits. The sustainability of the resources attracted by regional credit systems was assessed using regression analysis. The results indicate that northern regions exhibit low volatility in individual deposits but high volatility in term accounts belonging to legal entities, indicating significant risks of fund outflows from this category. Based on these findings, a classification of the Far North regions was developed. The analysis not only identified regions with the highest financial risks related to borrowing base formation but also highlighted northern regions with the greatest potential for regional investment instruments. These regions include the Magadan and Murmansk regions, the Kamchatka Territory, and the Republic of Karelia.

Домохозяйства Мурманской области: статистический анализ социально-экономического положения

Modern issues of household research are inseparably associated with the need for a multifaceted analysis of their conditions in the context of actualization of regional concepts of sustainable development. The aim of the research, the results of which are presented in this article, is a statistical analysis of the socio-economic condi-tions of households in the Arctic region, using the Murmansk region as an example. By applying statistical analysis methods, the study determined that differences in the distribution of households according to their socio-economic status are influenced by such factors as the type of locality and the presence of children. It was revealed that the primary challenges faced by families in the Murmansk region are associated with cramped living conditions and the unsatisfactory state of the medical services. Moreover, the analysis identified income differentiation among households based on the number of individuals within them, as well as their employ-ment status and educational attainment. Additionally, prevalent forms of deprivation among households in the Murmansk region were identified. The necessity for updating scientific and practical recommendations aimed at improving the welfare of households in the Russian Arctic regions underscores the prospects for further re-search.

Отношение сотрудников системообразующего предприятия к проживанию в регионе (на примере Мурманской области)

In the context of population decline in the Murmansk Region, the issue of attracting personnel from other re-gions, as well as retaining existing employees, has become particularly relevant. System-forming enterprises play a crucial role in this regard. As strategically significant entities, they benefit from governmental support and undertake an expanded function within the framework of corporate social responsibility, including aspects of human resource management in the region. The aim of this article is to examine the attitudes of employees at one such system-forming enterprise in the Murmansk Region, characterized by the presence of both local and visiting workers, towards living in the region. Of research interest are the issues of regional identity of employ-ees of such organizations, their attitude to the territory of the enterprise’s presence as a real or potential place of residence. According to the questionnaire survey conducted by the authors in 2024 among employees of a systemically important enterprise in the Murmansk Region (n = 483), it was revealed that living conditions in the region are rated at an average level, and this is a significant factor in the outflow of population, and the popula-tion is retained in the region mainly by material incentives. The results obtained can be useful in developing measures for the further development of the territory of the Murmansk Region, improving the level of comfort of the living environment, improving the quality of life of residents as factors in increasing the attractiveness of the region.

Exposure to industrial noise and professional hearing loss among employees of enterprises in the Murmansk region

Occupational sensorineural hearing loss (OSNHL) is one of the oldest and at the same time urgent problems of occupational medicine. In this regard, the characteristics of the development and prevalence of OSNHL among enterprise workers in the Murmansk region became the aim of the study. We analyzed the data of the social and hygienic monitoring «Working conditions and occupational morbidity», as well as the data of the register of newly identified occupational diseases in the Murmansk region in 2003–2022. It was found that in 2003–2022, noise was the most prevalent harmful production factor (20.6 %), and OSNHL was the most prevalent occupational disease (15.5 %) at the region’s enterprises. 770 cases of OSNHL were diagnosed for the first time, mainly in men (96.0 %), miners (65.1 %) and metallurgical workers (17.5 %). In 308 (40.0 %) workers, ONSHL was the only disease, and in 462 (60.0 %) workers, OSNHL was combined with other diseases, primarily diseases of the musculoskeletal system (n=256) and vibration disease (n=54). Over 20 years, there was a decrease in the following indicators: the share of noise in the overall structure of harmful industrial factors (p<0.001); the risk of exposure to noise (OR=1.13; 95 % CI 1.12–1.15; p<0.001); the proportion of OSNHL in the overall structure of occupational pathology (p<0.001). On the contrary, there was an increase in the share of workers with OSNHL in combination with other diseases (p<0.001) and in the share of OSNHL with mild hearing impairment (p=0.016). The observed 32.8 % decrease in the number of OSNHL cases was due to a decrease in the number of workers, and not to the effect of preventive measures. The data obtained, despite the achieved positive dynamics of hygienic and clinical indicators, demonstrate the need to continue active measures to reduce the level of industrial noise and prevent occupational hearing loss, especially among workers in metallurgical enterprises.

Strategy for the development of the territory of the Murmansk region: branding and legending

The Murmansk region offers a variety of outdoor activities, including skiing and snowboarding, fishing and hunting, quad biking excursions and boat trips due to its rich and diverse nature. Tourism in the Murmansk region is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the pristine nature of the Arctic, enjoy the northern flavor, as well as get a lot of new impressions and emotions. At any time of the year, this region attracts with its beauty and hospitality, leaving an unforgettable impression on every visitor.

Increased Concentrations of Dopamine in the Blood and the State of the Immune System in Practically Healthy Residents of the Northern Territories

The numerous effects of dopamine are predetermined by the fact that it, being a chemical precursor of noradrenaline, is secreted in nervous tissue, in the adrenal medulla, kidneys, intestines, and APUD cells (Apudocytes). The purpose of the work is to study the effectiveness of immune reactions at elevated concentrations of dopamine in the blood of practically healthy residents of the northern territories. The results of an immunological examination of 1064 practically healthy people aged 25-55 years living in the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, as well as in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Komi Republic and the Svalbard archipelago (Barentsburg) were analyzed. It was found that elevated concentrations of dopamine in peripheral venous blood were more often recorded in Arctic residents; during the polar day, dopamine concentrations are higher than in winter. Increased concentrations of dopamine in the blood of Northerners are associated with a decrease in the level of activated T cells with the transferrin receptor and IL-2, T-helper cells, as well as with increased concentrations of IL-1β, TNF-α, cortisol and thyroxine. An increase in dopamine concentration may be a consequence of a cytokine reaction in the nervous tissue to inhibit excessive receptor activity of cells by increasing the concentration of IL-10. The formation of an excess of both central hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and peripheral hormones at the same time is probably due to an increase in the sensitivity threshold of the hypothalamus, which is associated with an increase in the flow of interoceptive impulses of afferent systems.

Renewable energy for the energy supply of decentralized areas of the Murmansk region

Renewable energy for the energy supply of decentralized areas of the Murmansk region

From Northern Abundance to Crises Resistance: Strategies and Survival Practices in the Russian North in the Crisis of the 1990s

The paper focuses on the analysis of survival practices in northern Russian settlements that developed in the 1990s. Most of the northern settlements were in a state of decline: changes in the socio‑demographic composition and population size, transformation of the local economy, degradation of transport infrastructure, deterioration in the quality of life. The reason for the decline was the decentralization of the northern regions of the country – the destruction of established economic and social ties and supply problems. It was in the 1990s that northern settlements began to notice their isolation from the central regions of the country and develop their own survival strategies and practices in difficult climatic conditions. For comparison, two cases were chosen: the agglomeration of Kirovsk-Apatity (Murmansk region) and Ust’-Kamchatsk (Kamchatka Peninsula); materials collected in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District, Murmansk region, and Sakhalin are also used. The concept of resilience is used as a methodological basis. The basics for the analysis were the materials of field expeditions in a number of regions of the Russian North conducted in 2017‑2022.

Variability of non-structural proteins of HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 (Retroviridae: Orthoretrovirinae: Lentivirus: Human immunodeficiency virus-1, sub-subtype A6) variants circulating in different regions of the Russian Federation.

HIV-1 non-structural proteins are promising targets for vaccine development and for creating approaches to personalized medicine. HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 has become the dominating strain in Russia. However, the geographic, economic and demographic characteristics of the country can contribute to the formation of differences between A6 variants circulating in different regions. The aim of the study is a comparative analysis of the consensus sequences of non-structural proteins in A6 variants circulating in the Amur Region, in Arkhangelsk, Irkutsk and Murmansk. 48 whole blood samples obtained from HIV-infected patients without experience of therapy observed at the AIDS Centers in Arkhangelsk, Irkutsk, Murmansk and Amur Region were analyzed. HIV-1 whole-genome nucleotide sequences were obtained and were subtyped. Consensus sequences of sub-subtype A6 variants non-structural proteins for each analyzed region were formed. Furthermore, reference sequences of sub-subtype A6 non-structural proteins were formed based on whole-genome sequences retrieved from the international Los Alamos database. Comparison of consensus sequences and references was performed using the MEGA v.10.2.2 and the PSIPRED programs. Vif, Vpr and Nef reference sequences have been obtained for HIV-1 sub-subtype A6. There was not difference in consensus sequences of Vpr in different regions. Characteristic features were found for consensus sequences of Tat, Rev, Vpu, Vif and Nef proteins in different regions. A limitation of the study is a small sample size. Overall, the results demonstrate the existing diversity of non-structural proteins in sub-subtype A6 variants in different regions and indicate the relevance of studying the polymorphism of non-structural proteins of virus variants in different regions.

Distribution of Lemna at the Range Boundary in the North-West of the Murmansk Region as a Result of Anthropogenic Changes in Water Bodies

Distribution of Lemna at the Range Boundary in the North-West of the Murmansk Region as a Result of Anthropogenic Changes in Water Bodies

Microbial communities of urban and industrial polluted soils in the Russian Arctic

The Russian Arctic presents a unique environment for studying the effects of anthropogenic pressure on soil microbial communities under severe climatic conditions. This study investigated the impact of chemical pollution on soil microbial properties by comparing urban and industrially polluted soils in Murmansk region with natural Podzols. Urban soils exhibited significant alterations, including shifts in pH and increased carbon and nutrient contents compared to natural soils. Industrially polluted soils near the copper‑nickel smelter were characterized by elevated heavy metal concentration, while those near the aluminum smelter showed high fluorine and aluminum content. In both cases, carbon content and pH remained similar to natural soils. Industrial emissions significantly changed the soil microbiome, with effects varying depending on the pollution source and chemical composition of the emissions. Soils near the copper‑nickel smelter showed a decline in bacterial gene copies and actinomycete mycelium length, with a predominance of Chloroflexii and Ascomycota. Conversely, soils near the aluminum smelter exhibited less pronounced changes, with Proteobacteria and Basidiomycota being prevalent. Despite these differences, both industrially impacted sites displayed reduced microbial diversity, regardless of the composition of the emissions. In contrast, urban soils demonstrated increased microbial diversity, likely attributed to the emergence of new, favorable ecological niches. Microbial communities in both cities were similar, dominated by Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, and displayed an increase in bacterial gene copies compared to natural soils. These findings highlight the contrasting influences of urban and industrial development on soil microbial communities. While industrial activities suppress microbial life, urbanization fosters the creation of new niches, promoting microbial diversity. This underscores the potential of urban soils to support diverse microbial communities, which is crucial for sustainable development and ecological strategies in Arctic cities.