North Caspian Research Articles

The bi-absolutive construction in Nakh-Daghestanian

While all Nakh-Daghestanian languages show ergative–absolutive patterns of case assignment and gender/number agreement, many languages have sentences containing imperfective transitive predicates with both A and P in the absolutive case. In these bi-absolutive constructions, A is generally topicalized whereas P is pragmatically demoted. Bi-absolutive constructions show a number of structural properties (e.g. word-order constraints) which are absent in ergative constructions, but the precise nature and number of these constraints differs from language to language. In this article I offer the first in-depth analysis of bi-absolutive constructions, describing also the range of variation in these constructions in the Nakh-Daghestanian languages. I argue that the traditional biclausal analysis fails to explain all properties of these constructions. Other structural approaches such as anti-passivization and noun-stripping are also rejected as inadequate. Instead, I propose to analyze bi-absolutive constructions in the wider context of information-restructuring devices.

Процесс неолитизации на евразийском пространстве

The process of neolithization and introduction of producing forms of economics did not take place in different parts of Euro-Asia simultaneously. South Asia and South-East Asia zones are considered to be first in the selection and domestication of animals.In the Northern part of the Caspian Sea area the neolithization took place on the basis of intensification and specialization of appropriating forms of activities. Further assertion of the advanced experience of Southern focus led to the formation of cultures with pricked and dashed ceramics and micro stone industry in North Caspian Sea area. Gradually the process of assertion of new production and enrichment of rational knowledge covered both Southern steppes and forest-steppe territories penetrating deep into West Europe.

Strain properties of shelf grounds in the area of the Yurii Korchagin Field, North Caspian Sea

Marine disperse grounds from the shelf of the North Caspian Sea were studied using various test methods. The strain modulus and the coefficient of transverse strain were specified by triaxial compression and compression tests. Empirical correlations were found for the strain modulus as a result of both tests for different types of grounds.

A comparative search for human FcεRIα gene (FCER1A) 3′-UTR polymorphisms in Japanese and Polish populations

The high affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (FcεRI) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atopy and allergic disorders. Several polymorphisms located in 5'-flanking region and 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of human FCER1A, the gene encoding FcεRI α-subunit, have been shown to functionally affect its transcriptional activity. All those genetic variants have been also associated with allergic diseases and/or serum IgE levels. In the present study, we sought to identify functional polymorphisms in human FCER1A 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR), the potential candidates for future genetic association studies. Search for polymorphisms within human FCER1A 3'-UTR region, conducted in Japanese and Poles, revealed the presence of +5650A>G and +5714G>A variants. Subsequently, structure/distribution of haplotypes and LD measures were analyzed in Japanese and Poles for both 3'-UTR variants and the functional polymorphisms located in 5'-flanking region and 5'-UTR of human FCER1A. Additionally, reporter plasmids containing human FCER1A main promoter and 3'-UTR with all four possible combinations of +5650A>G and +5714G>A polymorphisms were constructed to evaluate functional potential of both 3'-UTR variants. However, no genotype-related differences in the gene expression were observed, as measured by reporter activity in cultured human basophil/mast cell-like KU812 cells, suggesting that both +5650A>G and +5714G>A have no genotype-related functional effect. In summary, we described linkage disequilibrium and the distribution of haplotypes for two identified human FCER1A 3'-UTR polymorphisms and several previously reported 5'-flanking region and 5'-UTR variants in Japanese and Poles, representative for East Asians and Caucasians, the two ethnic groups in which genetic associations between FCER1A and allergic diseases and/or serum IgE levels have been previously reported.

Beetles of the superfamily Curculionoidea (Coleoptera) in a complex semi-desert in relation to climate changes in the North Caspian region

In desert and steppe habitats of the complex North Caspian semi-desert, more than twofold differences in the number of hortobiont Curculionoidea species (33 and 75 species, respectively) were observed between the “dry” (1972–1974) and “humid” (2003–2005) climatic phases. The abundance of most species changed. Polyphagous steppe weevils of the subfamily Entiminae (Otiorhynchus velutinus, Euidosomus acuminatus, Omias verruca, and O. rotundatus) with spring activity of adults were the most stable, representing the main dominants of the spring communities both in the 1970s and 2000s. Nearly all of the weevils that changed their abundance since the 1970s were specialized herbivores with summer adult activity. In the more humid 2000s, the abundance of some desert-steppe weevils dominating the desert communities (Phacephorus nebulosus, Metadonus anceps and especially Ptochus porcellus) dropped drastically. Most of the species whose abundance increased most strongly (Phyllobius brevis, Trachyphloeus amplithorax, Archaeophloeus inermis, Stenopterapion tenue, Sitona inops, S. longulus, Tychius spp.) are associated with Medicago romanica, the plant that considerably raised its density in the microdepressions during the “humid” phase. The data show an evident reduction of the most xerophilic (desertsteppe) components of the weevil community and an increase in the fraction of mesophilic species. These changes seem to follow a cyclic pattern.

Long-term dynamics of the biomass of the introduced species Hediste diversicolor Müller and Abra ovata (Philippi) in the North Caspian Sea

Results of a long-term study of the biomass dynamics and distribution of two introduced species, the polychaete Hediste diversicolor and the mollusk Abra ovata, in the eastern and western areas of the North Caspian Sea during the period of the sea’s transgression (1978–2007) are analyzed. The distribution of the introduced species in years with different water level is mapped.

Evolution of the Northern Caspian Sea Region and the Volga delta in the late Pleistocene-Holocene

On the basis of geologic-geomorphologic studies, an alternative concept regarding the evolution of the Northern Caspian Sea Region and the adjacent areas in the boundary of the Pleistocene-Holocene is presented. A supposition is made about the existence of a large lagoon in the North Caspian Region that the Volga River emptied into forming a delta. Later, water from the lagoon flowed as a “stratum” stream into the Black Sea through the Manych Strait. A conclusion is reached that the Baer mounds were formed on the bottom of this stream.

Some data on magnetic properties of upper neopleistocene-holocene bottom sediments from the North Caspian Basin

The data on magnetic susceptibility, thermomagnetic, and hysteresis parameters of bottom sediments from the North Caspian Basin demonstrate at least two types of temporal variations in their magnetic properties: relatively large-scale variations related to the transgressive-regressive rhythms of the sea level oscillations, and small-scale variations likely determined by local features of sedimentation and the magnetic fraction of the deposits. The latter is reflected in loamy sediments of transgressive phases, the magnetic fraction of which is largely composed of Fe sulfides, and primarily greigite.

Mechanism of formation of superdeep sedimentary basins: lithospheric stretching or eclogitization?

The superdeep North Caspian, South Caspian, and Barents basins have their sedimentary fill much thicker and the Moho, correspondingly, much deeper than it is required for crustal subsidence by lithospheric stretching. In the absence of large gravity anomalies, this crustal structure indicates the presence under the Moho of a thick layer of eclogite which is denser than mantle peridotite. Crustal subsidence in the basins can be explained by high-grade metamorphism of mafic lower crust. The basins produced by lithospheric stretching normally subside for the first ∼100 myr of their history, while at least half of the subsidence in the three basins occurred after that period, which is another evidence against the stretching formation mechanism. According to the seismic reflection profiling data, stretching can be responsible for only a minor part of the subsidence in the Caspian and Barents basins. As for the South Caspian basin, there has been a large recent subsidence event in a setting of compression. Therefore, eclogitization appears to be a realistic mechanism of crustal subsidence in superdeep basins.

IL-6 SNP diversity among four ethnic groups as revealed by bead-based liquid array profiling

In the present work, we established a rapid, cost-effective and high-throughput method for genotyping using a multiplexed microsphere-based suspension array platform - Luminex(®) ×MAP™, which enabled us to analyse two SNPs in the promoter of IL-6 gene, determining haplotypes associated with different levels of expression. Using this system, IL-6 diversity in four different ethnic groups - East Asians, Caucasians, Hispanic and African Americans - was assessed. Results showed a significant variability in terms of allele, genotype and haplotype distribution. Considering the important immunoregulatory role of this cytokine and as a clinically relevant marker, this genotyping approach will provide a powerful tool for disease association or transplant outcome studies.

Study of an opportunity of application of the bioagent Phyloil for elimination of emergency oil spills in the sea

On the basis of hydrocarbon-oxidizing strain Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum DKS-1 isolated from shelf waters of the North Caspian Sea, the bioagent Phyloil in the liquid and in dry form on a carrier is developed. The tests of a bioagent application have shown the efficiency of its application for cleaning of seawater from oil hydrocarbons, including polycyclic aromatic ones.

Caspian Sea bottom scouring by hummocky ice floes

Forms of ice gouging were documented for the first time at 3 to 12 m depth in the North Caspian Sea. Gouges and systems of scouring gouges formed by drifting hummocky bodies frozen in ice floes have been discovered as a result of simultaneous hydroloca� tion survey and echosounding. The length of the larg� est and most welldefined gouges exceeds a few kilo� meters; the width of individual gouges is up to 5 m, and the width of gouge systems is up to 200 m. Apart from linear forms, local pits remaining from stamukhas sit� ting at the bottom have been discovered. Work on development of the existing hydrocarbon reserves in the North Caspian Sea has become active in the last 20 years; this work is supported by engineering and construction of stationary platforms, underwater pipelines, and other oil and gas infrastructure. For this reason estimation of the intensity of the ice impact that belongs to the category of hazardous natural pro� cesses is the key to geotechnical safety of the oil and gas infrastructure and environmental safety of the water areas. The Caspian Sea belongs to partially freezing seas. The ice conditions of the Caspian Sea are very com� plex and variable. Its northern part, which is shallow, freezes every year, in the central portion ice appears along the coast during severe winters only, while in the southern portion there is no ice at all (1). The ice sea� son in the North Caspian Sea lasts from November through March. Complete freezing and formation of fast ice usually take place north of the line from Chechen' Island to Kulaly Island (Fig. 1). During cold and extremely cold winters, fast ice can settle down to the 20 m isobath. Unlike the seas in the Arctic Region and the Far East, ice formation in the North Caspian Sea at a typ� ical water salinity of 2 to 11‰ takes place at the freez� ing point of -0.2 to -0.6°C (2). The density of the sea ice with no impurities is lower than in the Arctic Region and is ~920 kg/m (3). The ice temperature conditions strongly depend on the ambient air tem� perature. In typical conditions, the ice temperature is -1 to -2°C with homoeothermic distribution, while during long periods of -20°C frosts, the temperature

Impacts of freshwater on the seasonal variations of surface salinity and circulation in the Caspian Sea

A fine resolution ( ≈ 3.3 km ) version of the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) is developed for the Caspian Sea. The model consists of a hybrid σ – z coordinate system, with σ -coordinates for the upper layers and z-levels below a user-specified depth and in very shallow water. General features of the Caspian Sea HYCOM are presented including the bottom topography, initialization and atmospheric forcing along with river discharge. The climatologically forced model simulation reveals that there is net heat loss (gain) during winter (summer), and that rivers can have significant influence on the freshwater fluxes, especially on the northwestern shelf. There is a strong seasonal cycle in the net surface heat fluxes. The freshwater fluxes are found to be locally dominated by river discharge. In particular, the Volga River, which has very high discharge rate during the summer months, is found to play an important role in driving the seasonal cycle of freshwater fluxes in the North Caspian Sea. Over the basin, the buoyancy fluxes calculated from net heat and freshwater fluxes indicate that buoyancy is much more sensitive to variations in heating than precipitation–evaporation since thermal buoyancy fluxes are much greater than the haline buoyancy fluxes. A set of model simulations further investigates the impact of evaporation, precipitation and river flow on the upper ocean quantities. It is demonstrated that the discharge rate from the Volga River controls the monthly variations in surface salinity fields in the North Caspian Sea.

Paleogene biostratigraphy of the North Caspian region based on dinocysts and nannofossils from the Novouzensk borehole. Article 2: Biotic events and paleoecological settings

The relatively complete late Danian-initial Lutetian succession of biotic events, which are suitable to serve as biostratigraphic reference levels for interregional correlations are defined in the section of the Novouzensk reference borehole based on dinocyst and nannoplankton assemblages. The analysis of palynological and nannofossil assemblages allows dynamics of basin development and sea-level fluctuations to be traced. Three major stages reflecting different sedimentation regimes are established in the borehole section: (1) Danian with terrigenous-carbonate sedimentation regime corresponding to the Algai and Tsyganovka formations; (2) Selandian-Thanetian (initial Eocene included) characterized largely by siliceous-terrigenous sediments of the Syzran, Novouzensk, and, partly, Bostandyk formations; (3) Ypresian-Lutetian with the carbonate-terrigenous sedimentation regime corresponding to the upper part of the Ypresian Bostandyk and Lutetian Kopterek formations. The composition of dinoflagellate and nannoplankton assemblages characterizes the North Caspian basin as an internal largely shallow sea with a changeable temperature regime. The paleoecological analysis of phytocoenoses made it possible to define basin fluctuations comparable with third-order rhythms. Four Danian rhythms definable in the Algai and Tsyganovka formations indicate conditions of an open warm-water basin. Dynamics of the step-wise shoaling of the basin was characteristic of the Selandian-early Thanetian ages with subsequent restoration of the marine regime in the late Thanetian. The Syzran Formation corresponds to two Selandian rhythms, which were formed in shallower settings of the restricted sea basin. Four Thanetian rhythms are established in the Novouzensk Formation. The early Thanetian basin was characterized by the shallowest disturbed marine conditions, which were followed by the restored normal marine regime in the late Thanetian. Six Ypresian rhythms correspond to the Bostandyk Formation (Yp-0, Yp-1, Yp-5-Yp-8) reflecting transition from initial Ypresian coastal (Yp-0, Yp-1) to normal marine conditions during the Yp-5 rhythm. The early (Yp-2-Yp-4) and late (Yp-9-Yp-10) Ypresian corresponded to the sedimentation break. Most abundant and diverse microbiotic assemblages characteristic of the Yp-7 rhythm are correlative with the EECO event. The marly Kopterek Formation corresponding to the early Lutetian rhythm (Lu-1) is characterized by diverse thermophilic biota.

A model for the consolidation of rafted sea ice

Rafting is one of the important deformation mechanisms of sea ice. This process is widespread in the north Caspian Sea, where multiple rafting produces thick sea ice features, which are a hazard to offshore operations. Here we present a one‐dimensional, thermal consolidation model for rafted sea ice. We consider the consolidation between the layers of both a two‐layer and a three‐layer section of rafted sea ice. The rafted ice is assumed to be composed of layers of sea ice of equal thickness, separated by thin layers of ocean water. Results show that the thickness of the liquid layer reduced asymptotically with time, such that there always remained a thin saline liquid layer. We propose that when the liquid layer is equal to the surface roughness the adjacent layers can be considered consolidated. Using parameters representative of the north Caspian, the Arctic, and the Antarctic, our results show that for a choice of standard parameters it took under 15 h for two layers of rafted sea ice to consolidate. Sensitivity studies showed that the consolidation model is highly sensitive to the initial thickness of the liquid layer, the fraction of salt release during freezing, and the height of the surface asperities. We believe that further investigation of these parameters is needed before any concrete conclusions can be drawn about rate of consolidation of rafted sea ice features.

Experimental study of a multi-tube ICS solar water heating system in mild climates

Since a majority of residential and industrial building hot water needs are around 50°C, an integrated solar water heater could provide a bulk source that blends collection and storage into one unit. These collectors incorporate thermal storage within the collector itself. The storage pipe surface serves as the absorber surface. Most ICS systems use only one tank, but some use a number of tanks in series. While the simplicity of ICS systems is attractive, they are generally suitable only for applications in mild climates with small thermal storage requirements. A multi-tube ICS solar hot water system with eight cylindrical water storage tanks (pipes) in horizontal (East-West) orientation was designed and outdoor tests of experimental model were performed in mild climate of north (Caspian Sea) region of Iran. Experimental results such as water temperature profiles, mean daily efficiency, water temperature stratification and thermal losses during night are presented and discussed for this model. Experimental results showed that the daily mean efficiency is comparable to other ICS systems and also acceptable thermal performance of this type of ICS system has been observed.

Topological relations in Daghestanian languages

One of the features that distinguishes Daghestanian languages of the Caucasus from many other languages is the richness of the nominal paradigm, which arises due to large locative subsystems, counting up to eighty forms. This paper presents a description of major distinctions made by Daghestanian in the topological domain. The paper reveals three basic semantic oppositions underlying systems of nominal locative markers and describes a number of minor points of variation. In the domain of location in Ground this is the distinction between location in container and location in substance. In the domain of location on Ground, the primary division in most languages of the family is between attachment and nonattachment configurations. In the domain of location near Ground, several languages use the formal distinction between localization marker and postposition to reflect the semantic contrast between location in a space associated with a given Ground and location near Ground. The detailed comparison shows that the same distinction can function quite differently even in related languages. The paper also makes a number of crosslinguistic observations related to patterns found in Daghestanian.

Nonlocal uses of local cases in the Tsezic languages

The Tsezic languages form a sub-branch of the Nakh-Daghestanian language family. They have up to eight location markers that can be combined with up to six orientation markers in order to form complex spatial categories. Outside the spatial domain these markers indicate temporal and metaphorical location and orientation. Their grammatical uses include among others the marking of verbal arguments, of nonfinite verb forms in adverbial clauses and the expression of possession or purpose. This paper is meant to provide a comprehensive description of the nonlocal functions in relation to the spatial functions and to reveal the structure in the distribution of nonlocal functions of the cases. The nonlocal uses are not equally distributed among the local cases. Some location and orientation markers have many nonlocal functions while others have almost only local uses.

Fishes of the Caspian Sea: zoogeography and updated check-list

Geographic distribution of some 350 taxa from the Caspian and Black Sea basins were analyzed with regard to recent taxonomy, phylogeny, endemicity and ecological classification. A check-list of the Caspian Sea fishes (taxa from families down to subspecies) is provided. Eighty species and subspecies permanently occur or occasionally recorded from the North Caspian while 33–35 species and subspecies being only distributed in the Middle and South Caspian. Forty-four species are common for the two ecoregions. A comparison of the Caspian and the Black Sea fish faunas and their historical evolution is given with special respect to palaeogeography and palaeohydrology of the basin.

Application of geoecological monitoring data for multipurpose geochemical mapping: a case history of North Caspian

This paper discusses some techniques and results of investigating of seafloor geochemical field in the Russian part of the North Caspian Sea. Conclusions on the present (2001–2002) level of heavy metal pollution and on the nature of hydrocarbon gase anomalies are presented.