Northeast Russia Research Articles

Isotopic-geochemical characteristics of quartz and pyrite in the Upper Carboniferous rocks of South Verkhoyanye, Northeast Russia: an insight into the genesis of veinlet-disseminated mineralization

Discussed are characteristics of veinlet-disseminated mineralization in the northern part of South Verkhoyanye, in the sections located far away from the known gold deposits. The mineralization is represented mainly by quartz and pyrite enclosed in the Upper Carboniferous terrigenous rocks. Mineralogical-geochemical studies of mineralization are made, and isotopic compositions of oxygen in quartz and sulfur in pyrite are determined. The main trace elements in pyrite are Co, Ni, and Sb, with rare As, Cu, and Zn. Quartz contains significant amounts of Sr, W, and Co. The REE content in quartz is an order of magnitude higher than that seen in chondrites. Pyrite is light in sulfur isotopic composition (δ34S = -2.7… – -7.1%o). Quartz contains isotopically heavy oxygen (δ18O=18.2-19.1%o). The data obtained indicate that the veinlet-disseminated mineralization hosted by the Upper Carboniferous rocks in the northern South Verkhoyanye was developed as a result of metamorphogenic-plutonogenic processes.

On the Metallogeny at the Pacific Volcanic Belts

This paper discusses currently interesting aspects of metallogeny at the Pacific volcanic belts (PVBs); these consist of complex volcanogenic–plutonic features related to the evolution of the marginal-sea lithosphere, which exhibits a remarkable mineralization peculiarity. We show that as time has passed, the ideas of a metallogenetic homogeneity of the PVBs received a new substantiation from the standpoint of plate tectonics. We show the metallogenetic value of the Ag/Au ratio in ore deposits at the PVBs. We consider the relationships between porphyritic epithermal and pyritaceous complex mineralizing systems, as well as regenerated and rejuvenated epithermal deposits. The global metallogenetic homogeneity of the Pacific ore belt suggests a wide occurrence of analogues of the American volcanogenic deposits in its Asian half, including the Russian Northeast. The bulk of the Okhotsk–Chukchi Volcanic Belt (OChVB), namely, the Uda–Murgali island arc belt, equally as the Uyandina–Yasachnaya and Oloi belts, are similar in geological structure not only to the Japanese green tuff province, but also to the other Pacific volcanic belts of the island arc type; hence, they are very likely to contain the entire diversity of deposits that belong to the complex pyritaceous ore–formation type.

Distribution of “Invisible” Noble Metals between Pyrite and Arsenopyrite Exemplified by Minerals Coexisting in Orogenic Au Deposits of North-Eastern Russia

The study focused on the forms of occurrence and distribution of hidden (“invisible”) noble metals (NMs = Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ru) in the coexisting pyrites and arsenopyrites of four samples of mineral associations from three Au deposits in the north-east of Russia. The unique nature of our approach was the combination of methods of local analysis and statistics of the compositions of individual single crystals of different sizes. This allowed us to take into account the contribution of the surface component to the total NM content and to distinguish the structurally bound form of the elements. The following estimates of the distribution coefficients of the structural (str) and surficial (sur) forms of elements were obtained: D ¯ P y / A s p s t r = 2.7 (Au), 2.5 (Pd), 1.6 (Pt), 1.7 (Ru) and D ¯ P y / A s p s u r = 1.6 (Au), 1.1 (Pd), 1.5 (Pt and Ru). The data on Ag in most cases indicated its fractionation into pyrite ( D ¯ P y / A s p s t r = 17). Surface enrichment was considered as a universal factor in “invisible” NM distribution. A number of elements (i.e., Pt, Ru, Ag) tended to increase their content with a decrease in the crystallite size in pyrite and arsenopyrite. This may be due to both the phase size effect and the intracrystalline adsorption of these elements at the interblock boundaries of a dislocation nature. The excess of metal (or the presence of S vacancies) in pyrite increased Ag and Pt content in its structure and, to a lesser extent, the content of Ru, Pd and Au. Arsenopyrite exhibited a clear tendency to increase the content of Pt, Ru and Pd in samples with excess As over S. Sulphur deficiency was a favourable factor for the incorporation of Ag and platinoids into the structures of the mineral associations studied. Perhaps this was due to the lower sulphur fugacity. Pyrite with excess Fe was associated with higher contents of some NMs. The presence of other impurity elements was not an independent factor in NM concentration.

Некоторые итоги и задачи северной биоэлементологии. Сообщение I. История становления биогеохимических исследований на Северо-Востоке России. Изучение йодной обеспеченности жителей Магаданской области

Некоторые итоги и задачи северной биоэлементологии. Сообщение I. История становления биогеохимических исследований на Северо-Востоке России. Изучение йодной обеспеченности жителей Магаданской области

New results of stable isotope and petrographic studies of Jurassic glendonites from Siberia

ABSTRACTWe present the results of an optical microscopy, cathodoluminoscopy and isotopic study on nine glendonite concretions (calcite pseudomorphs replacing metastable hexahydrate ikaite) from Lower-Middle Jurassic sediments of Northeast Russia (Anabar Bay and Lena River region). Glendonite concretions are mainly found within Late Pliensbachian, Toarcian, Aalenian, Bajocian and Lower Bathonian clastic sediments, correlating to episodes of global climatic cooling as determined by independent paleoclimate proxy data. Stable carbon and oxygen isotopic values of glendonite concretions suggest that the primary source of carbon was derived from diagenetically altered organic matter, and the source of oxygen was from seawater. The secondary diagenetic cement is characterized by a significantly lighter δ18O and significantly heavier δ13C signature than the isotopic characteristics of the bulk rock glendonite concretion. This secondary diagenetic cement is thought to have precipitated rapidly during burial diagenesis and since it occupies a significant volume of the glendonite concretion, it has the potential to significantly influence the isotopic composition of bulk rock glendonites.

Larval spirurids in a supralittoral amphipod in the north-east of Russia and the identification of the intermediate host of Antechiniella septentrionalis (Spirurida: Acuariidae), parasitic in a tundra vole.

The supralittoral amphipod Traskorchestia ditmari (Derzhavin, 1923) was identified as the intermediate host for Antechiniella septentrionalis Ivanova, Dokuchaev & Spiridonov, 2019, a parasite of the tundra vole Microtus oeconomus and Skrjabinocerca sp. (both Spirurida: Acuariidae) in Magadan Oblast in north-eastern Russia. Joint infection by both larval spirurids was not observed. The infective stage of A. septentrionalis was the encysted larvae, while larvae of Skrjabinocerca sp. were free in the amphipod's coelom. The identity of A. septentrionalis was confirmed using cox1 mtDNA gene analysis, performed on adult stages from a tundra vole and on larvae from amphipods. Possible transmission routes of A. septentrionalis are discussed.

Expansion of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) in east Asia during the non-breeding period.

AimHistorically, the distribution of Sandhill Cranes included much of North America and extending in summer into northeast Russia. In recent years, observations of sandhill cranes in Asia during the non-breeding period have been frequently reported. However, the distribution and abundance of sandhill cranes during the non-breeding period in Asia have rarely been summarized and studied. Our study aimed to analyze the status of sandhill cranes that have spread south into East Asia during the non-breeding period and to assess the possible impacts of their potential spread.MethodsBased on opportunistic data collected in the field and occurrence data collected online over the past half century, we used Geographic Information System to visualize the spatial distribution changes and regression analysis to analyze and visualize the changes in the amount of individuals over time.ResultsIn the last 50 years, the distribution of sandhill cranes during the non-breeding season in Asia spanned 31 degrees in longitude to the west and 15 degrees in latitude to the south. Their distribution in Asia has expanded to 17 provinces and municipalities in China, Japan and South Korea. The amount of cranes in the non-breeding period in Asia increased significantly from 1963 to 2017. According to the historical records in East Asia, sandhill cranes were mixed with five other species of crane groups.Main conclusionsThese results indicate that the range and amount of sandhill cranes have expanded. Sandhill cranes were mixed with five other crane species, which indicate their adaptability to a range of habitat types and food resources. The implications of these trends in sandhill cranes in East Asia for this and other crane species warrants further research.

Principles of resource-saving management of quality for coal supply to the hard-to-reach regions of the North-East of Russia

Principles of resource-saving management of quality for coal supply to the hard-to-reach regions of the North-East of Russia

Geodynamic features of the seismotectonic structures in the central part of the Chersky Zone (North-East of Russia)

Geodynamic features of the seismotectonic structures in the central part of the Chersky Zone (North-East of Russia)

Heterogeneous composition of gold-sulfide ores from the maiskoe deposit, Northeast Russia

The geological-technological mapping of gold-sulfde ores from the Maiskoe deposit (northeast Russia) has revealed signifcant heterogeneities of important technological characteristics of mineral composition: total Au and Sb contents, amount of major Au-bearing minerals (pyrite and arseno-pyrite), and Au/As ratio. The proportion between Au content of ore and the presence of Au-bearing pyrite and arsenopyrite, which is refected in coefcient of Au content, is responsible for the quality of fotation concentrate.

Mineral profile of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.), growing in the Far Northeast of Russia

The aim of the study is to evaluate the mineral profile of black currant fruit (Ribes nigrum l.) growing in the North-East of Russia, on the territory of the Magadan region. Material and methods. Berry samples were collected within the forest zone of Magadan from wild plants. Atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to determine the content of 25 minerals and trace elements in the objects under study. Results and discussion. The content of minerals - calcium (64.2 mg%), magnesium (21.6 mg%), sodium (0.3 mg%), phosphorus (51.8 mg%) and trace elements - iodine (1.0 μg%), zinc (0.29 mg%) in black currant fruits (Ribes nigrum l.), growing in the forest zone of Magadan, corresponded to the database of chemical composition of Germany, Spain, Norway, Russia, USA, France, Sweden, Estonia. The content of potassium (180.3 mg%), copper (0.05 mg%), iron (0.4 mg%), manganese (0.1 mg%) was below the reference ranges. A portion (100 g) of black currant berries satisfies the daily requirement of an adult for selenium by 11%, potassium by 7%, phosphorus by 6.5%, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese - by 5%, iron by 3-4%, zinc by 2%. Conclusion. The obtained data on the content of minerals and trace elements in the berries of wild black currant growing in the North-East of Russia, can be an addition to and clarification of the information available in the literature and database on the chemical composition of foods.

Ethnonyms of North-Eastern Russia as a Special Layer of Regionalisms

Russian regional features became a subject of scientific attention in the late 1960s – early 1970s when scientists began to study old dialects, new regiolects, and how some regionalisms entered general use. Scientists usually focused on the literary speech peculiarities of local residents. As a rule, ethnonyms of small-numbered peoples have a very narrow circulation and belong to regionalisms. However, Russian ethnonyms remain understudied from the angle of their regional component, particularly the ethnonyms of the North-East. The present article deals with the ethnonyms of small-numbered peoples in the Russian North-East. The author describes how regionalisms transferred from the regiolect to the common language in the course of 20th century. The paper also features the most relevant mistakes in the ethnonyms with similar pronunciation. The author conducted a survey to investigate the comprehension level of the north-eastern ethnonyms by the residents of Magadan and cities of Central Russia and define their frequency.

NEMATODES OF GENUS PHILONEMA (PHILONEMIDAE) FROM SOCKEYE SALMON AND WHITESPOTTED CHAR FROM LAKE KISI (OLA RIVER BASIN, OKHOTSK SEA)

Morphology of phylonems infesting whitespotted char Salvelinus leucomaenis and sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka in Lake Kisi at the northern coast of the Okhotsk Sea is described for the first time. Sockeye was infected with adults of Philonema oncorhynchi Kuitunen-Ekbaum, 1933 and larvae of other nematode species (Philonema sp. II), and char — with adult dracunculoid nematode designated as Philonema sp. I. This Philonema sp. I differs considerably from Ph. oncorhynchi by number of reproductive papillae, their distribution, and structure of cuticular appendices on the caudal end of males. Larvae of Philonema sp. I (1st stage) and Philonema sp. II (3rd stage) are described, as well. These new data allow to reconsider the species belonging of nematodes infesting chars (Salvelinus) in North-East of Russia, which are identified now mostly as Ph. oncorhynchi.

On the Relative Age of the Late Cretaceous Zorin and Chingandzha Floras in the Northeast of Russia

The Zorin and Chingandzha floras significantly differ in their systematic composition, but they are buried at the same stratigraphic level. On this basis, they are considered to be of the same age and are assigned to the Turonian–Coniacian period. The revealed features of the lithological composition of the plant-bearing deposits, their sequence, and the composition of the overlaying volcanic rocks indicate that both floras represent the first stage of the development of the outer zone of the Okhotsk–Chukotka Volcanic Belt. However, they are separated by one or two local geological events, and hence by a significant period of time. It can be confirmed that the Zorin flora was formed and existed earlier than the Chingandzha flora.

Characteristics of the Microarthropod Communities in Postagrogenic and Tundra Soils of the European Northeast of Russia

Microarthropod communities (Oribatida, Mesostigmata, and Collembolans) in postagrogenic and tundra soils of the European Northeast of Russia have been characterized. In the postagrogenic soils, developed in places of former cultivation of perennial and annual crops, Collembolans predominate among microarthropods, while Oribatid mites predominate in the tundra soils. The population density of Mesostigmata has not been subjected to significant changes. In the studied sites, 58 species of Collembolans have been identified, including 33 species in postagrogenic soils and 46 species in tundra soils. A comparison of the species composition of springtails attested to significant differences in the structure of the complexes of dominant species, though no strongly specialized fauna has been found in the postagrogenic soils. No definite relationships between particular soil properties and population densities of different groups of microarthropods have been found, though these groups are definitely differentiated depending on genetic types of studied soils.

Dynamics of development of the small foraminiferal biota during early Kungurian (Permian) as evidenced from the Chikali section, Middle Urals, Russia

The study of taxonomic diversity and dynamics of development of the small foraminifera (SF) at the Artinskian/Kungurian transition in the Chikali section, one of the typical Kungurian successions, revealed four stratigraphically successive SF assemblages. The lowermost assemblage corresponds to the upper part of the Artinskian and three younger assemblages characterize the Kungurian interval. It is shown that the stratigraphic potential of SF makes possible their use for detailed subdivision of a typical Kungurian succession (Chikali section) and interregional correlation of sedimentary successions. The taxa common for Urals, North and North-East Russia include Hemigordius permicus, H. longus, Midiella ovata minima, Omoloniella prima, small specimens of Howchinella (H. semiovalis, H. breggeri, H. impolita), Nodosinelloides mirabilis, N. bella, N. shiknanica, N. cubanicus elongatus, N. pugioidea, Geinitzina chapmani sylvae, G. postcarbonica, G. ex gr. spandeli, Pachyphloia angulata irregularis and Lateenoglobivalvulina ovalis. New comprehensive description of the characteristic species of the early Kungurian Saranian Horizon such as Hemigordius permicus and Midiella ovata minima are given based the study of topotypical material.

Granitoids of the Ergelyakh Intrusion-Related Gold–Bismuth Deposit (Kular-Nera Slate Belt, Northeast Russia): Petrology, Physicochemical Parameters of Formation, and Ore Potential

This paper describes features of petrographic and chemical compositions and isotopic dating of the Ergelyakh and Sokh plutons, located within the Kular-Nera slate belt, Verkhoyansk-Kolyma folded region (VKFR), Northeast Russia. Intrusion of the massifs took place approximately 145–150 million years ago. Different isotopic systems on the whole rock samples and mineral separates record at least two stages of later tectono-magmatic activity 130–120 and 110–100 million years ago. Granitoid magmas for the Ergelyakh and Sokh plutons were formed at high temperatures (950–1060 °C) within the amphibolitic lower crust of an island arc setting. The ages of crustal protoliths for granitoids of the Ergelyakh intrusion-related gold–bismuth deposit, calculated on Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd two-stage models, are 1109–1383 and 1199–1322 million years, respectively. Formation of the Ergelyakh and Sokh plutons took place within a significant temperature interval (<450 to 901 °C) and, with regard to the superposition of later events, lasted for a long time. During the cooling process of granitoid melts, at the time of biotite crystallization in both massifs, a significant increase of oxygen fugacity was registered. The ore potential of granitoids of both massifs seems to be similar, but due to some differences in the physicochemical parameters of their formation (redox conditions), it was partially realized only within the Ergelyakh massif with the generation of several minor intrusion-related gold–bismuth deposits. Granitoid melts of the Ergelyakh massif were formed in relatively heterogeneous and oxidizing conditions (∆Ni–NiO = +3.26 to –3.60). Granitoid melts for the Sokh massif (∆Ni–NiO = –2.88 to –9.27) were formed in reducing conditions.

Metapodials of ancient bison (Bison priscus) of northeast Russia: "stress markers," sex and withers height.

A total of 175 metapodials (MP) of Pleistocene and early Holocene bison (Bison priscus Boj.) from the vast area of northeast Russia were studied. MP were attributed to males and females both visually and statistically. Data on the withers height of bison from northeast Russia are provided. Stress markers were recorded, including so-called "buttresses." With rare exceptions, stress markers were not of a pathological nature. The origin and development of the buttresses are age-related; their prevalence in bison females can be considered as the response to an increased load during pregnancy. Changes in the periosteum, found in males, are related to their greater activity. Buttresses are also well developed on metatarsals of the red deer and the elk; they are less developed in reindeer and not found in giant deer. A relationship among stress markers, locomotion and the environment is established. Possible peculiarities of the Rauchua River bison locomotion are discussed.

Photosynthetic Pigments in Native Plants of the Taiga Zone at the European Northeast Russia

The content and composition of photosynthetic pigments in 160 plant species representing the native flora of the taiga zone in European Northeast Russia were investigated. The amounts and proportions of chlorophylls and carotenoids were shown to depend on plant species, life form, and the attribution of plants to particular geographical and ecological–coenotic groups. On the whole, terrestrial plants of the taiga zone accumulated relatively low amounts of chlorophyll: 2–6 mg/g dry wt. The chlorophyll content in leaves of herbaceous species was 1.5 times larger than in woody plants. The relative content of light-harvesting (antenna) chlorophyll accounted for 55–65% of the total pool of green pigments. The vegetation of the Subpolar Ural mountains, comprising a substantial proportion of arctic and arctic–alpine species, was characterized by the chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio equal to 3. In plants inhabiting the middle Vychegda basin, where boreal species dominated, the chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio was 35% higher than in the Subpolar Ural mountains plants. Despite significant interspecific differences in the content of photosynthetic pigments, the relative content of carotenoids tended to increase in the row: boreal–hypoarctic–arctic and arctic–alpine species. This trend indicates the increasing protective role of carotenoids along with the passage of plants to the north.

Postcollisional granitoids and aptian-albian extension in tectonic evolution of Chukotka mesozoides, Northeast Russia

New U–Pb SIMS zircon datings from granitoid plutons and dikes of Western Chukotka together with earlier obtained data confirm that postcollisional granitoid magmatism and dike intrusion occurred in Aptian–Albian (117–105 m.y.) and fix change of tectonic regime from collision to extension in tectonic evolution of Chukotka Mesozoides. These events may be related to continuing expansion of Amerasian basin since Jurassic and forma- tion in Aptian—Albian time of both oceanic Makarov, Podvodnikov basins and Anakhurgen, Nutesyn and Kameshkov basins in continental framework of Eastern Arctic. Synchronism of tectonic events of extension and spreading in the Canada Basin and collisional events, deformations and reorganization of structural style and sedimentary environment in the South-Anyui suture is noted. This may be regarded as confirmation of rotation hypothesis of Amerasian Basin formation.