Northern Dvina River Research Articles

The fauna of aquatic invertebrates in the river impacted by wastewaters from the pulp and paper industry (Komi Republic).

BackgroundInvertebrates are important elements of aquatic ecosystems and play a crucial role in the transformation of matter and energy in continental water bodies. Communities of aquatic invertebrates are characterised by high sensitivity to pollution by nutrients and toxic substances and acidification of water bodies; they serve as good bioindicators of the quality of the aquatic environment and impacts on hydroecosystems. All hydrobionts participate in the processes of self-purification of water bodies.The presented dataset provides information on the aquatic invertebrate community of a large northern river. During 2018-2020, we collected data on changes in the quantitative indicators of the development of benthic and planktonic communities, as well as the species diversity of their fauna. The dataset combines information about the occurrence and abundance of benthic and planktonic invertebrates and summarises data of aquatic invertebrate species found in the Vychegda River in the zone of influence from the pulp and paper mill.New informationThe presented dataset is part of a monitoring programme of the river ecosystems in the production area of Mondi Syktyvkar JSC (the European North-East of Russia, Komi Republic). The dataset describes the structure of benthic invertebrate and plankton communities in the Northern Dvina River Basin. The data on the finding and abundance of large taxa of aquatic invertebrates and species of some groups: Oligochaeta, Cladocera, Copepoda, Rotifera, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera are presented. In total, the resource includes 8720 findings of invertebrates, of which 6041 are for zoobenthos organisms and 2679 for zooplankton organisms.

Major and Trace Elements in Water and Suspended Matter of the Northern Dvina River and Their Annual Discharge into the White Sea

Major and Trace Elements in Water and Suspended Matter of the Northern Dvina River and Their Annual Discharge into the White Sea

HEAT FLOW DYNAMICS OF THE NORTHERN DVINA RIVER

Based on the results of numerical calculations of the heat flow volume in the Northern Dvina River, two time periods of changes in the characteristic were identified. Changes in the thermal runoff over time proved to be heterogeneous, which is consistent with the results obtained for water temperature over the ice-free period. The two time periods in the heat flow regime of the Northern Dvina catchment were distinguished by changes in the near-surface air temperature, namely, a slight cooling from 1950 to 1975 and intense warming from 1976 to the present. The integral curve of average annual discharge through the Northern Dvina outlet gauging station at Ust-Pinega village was plotted for the period from 1950 to 2015, showing values exceeding the mean in the period starting 1976. An increase in the water temperature values over the ice-free period has been observed for all the observation sites since 1976. The average monthly volumes of heat flow during the ice-free period (May–October) were calculated for the two periods, showing that since 1976 the values were elevated at all sites in May and at most sites in July– October, whereas June heat flow was lower at all sites. The features of heat flow volume variation at the Ust-Pinega outlet are highlighted. The trend lines were declining in the first period and rising in the second period. Hence, the thermal regime of the Northern Dvina River flow changes more or less in line with the climate change, in particular its warming in the north.

Concentrations of Chemical Elements in the Water and Suspended Matter of the Northern Dvina River and the Annual Gross Runoff to the White Sea

Concentrations of Chemical Elements in the Water and Suspended Matter of the Northern Dvina River and the Annual Gross Runoff to the White Sea

Reproduction of the Androgenetic Population of the Asian Corbicula Clam (Bivalvia: Cyrenidae) in the Northern Dvina River Basin, Russia

The Corbicula clam is one of the most successful invaders of aquatic ecosystems and has invaded all continents except Antarctica. The natural dispersion of Corbicula seems to be limited by low winter temperatures that fall below the lower lethal temperatures (0 to +2 °C). However, Corbicula can be found in colder regions, taking refuge in waters heated by thermal power plants. The purpose of this investigation was to study the gonadal histology, reproductive cycle, and the seasonal changes of shell size structure of the Corbicula clam populations in the warm water discharge of the Arkhangelsk thermal power plant (Northwest Russia). Samples were collected monthly from January 2017 to December 2018 and processed using traditional histological and morphological techniques. The number of reproductive periods varied from year to year. It was established that the Corbicula clam has a continuous reproduction period which may be adaptive in unstable environmental conditions. This reproductive strategy is probably aimed at increasing the reproductive success of the population. Our data expand the understanding of reproductive features of the Corbicula clam in harsh environmental conditions. These results could be applied to control, monitoring, and management measures.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ АДАПТАЦИИ РАЗНЫХ ФОРМ СОСНЫ ОБЫКНОВЕННОЙ В УСЛОВИЯХ ДЛИТЕЛЬНОГО ИЗБЫТОЧНОГО УВЛАЖНЕНИЯ ПОЧВ

Intrapopulation variability of biochemical traits and cambial growth shows the adaptive ability of pine trees in different growth conditions. There is a genetically determined process of activation of defense systems in pine trees under unfavorable environmental conditions. Structural and functional rearrangement of the assimilating apparatus due to seasonal development ensures increased tree resilience and the passage of ontogenesis under the influence of stress factors within the reaction norm. This work aims at the study of adaptive ability of Pinus sylvestris L., which differs in the apophysis form of seed scales under conditions of prolonged excessive soil moistening in northern taiga. Studies were carried out in shrubby-sphagnum pine forests on boggy upland peat soils in the mouth of the Northern Dvina River. Trees with primary apophysis variations (forms) of seed scales were identified on the sample plots. Samples of 1, 2 and 3-year-old needles were taken in order to determine biochemical traits in 10 trees of each pine form isolated by type of apophysis, in different calendar periods (from May to December, 2016). The content of free proline, water-soluble proteins, and ascorbic acid was determined in the needles by the spectrophotometric method. Wood cores were sampled from 52 trees at a height of 1.3 m and width of the annual layer was determined in each selected form. Relative dendrochronological parameters were calculated along with the absolute value of radial growth. Meteorological parameters at the study sites (air temperature and precipitation) were determined from data of the Arkhangelsk Weather Station. The studies show the similarities and differences of trees of various forms in the seasonal dynamics of stress metabolites content in needles of different ages in relation to meteorological factors and phenological phases of pine vegetative organs in the Northern Dvina mouth. Trees with flat form of apophysis inherent more intensive accumulation of ascorbic acid and proline in 2-year-old needles in late October. This indicates increased activation of their protective reactions before overwintering compared to trees with convex form of apophysis. Patterns of variability in cambial growth of trees of different forms in time series were found. It was observed that trees with flat form of apophysis are more strongly affected by maladaptive (stressful) environmental factors.

Жизнеспособность островных сообществ в российской Арктике (Архангельская область): роль средств к существованию и социального капитала

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, local communities have been adapting to new political and socioeconomic realities. These changes have prompted dramatic outmigration among rural populations, especially in the Russian Arctic. Despite these changes, some communities remain viable, with some residents exploring new economic opportunities. This study uses findings from qualitative interviews to understand what factors shape community viability, interviewing residents and relevant regional stakeholders in two case areas in the Arkhangelsk oblast: the Solovetsky Archipelago in the White Sea and islands in the delta of the Northern Dvina River. The results indicate that community viability and the reluctance of community members to leave their traditional settlements are shaped by livelihoods, employment opportunities, and social capital. Social capital is characterized by such empirically identified factors as shared perceptions of change and a willingness to address changes, place attachment, and local values. We conclude that further development or enhancement of community viability and support for local livelihoods also depends on 1) bottom-up initiatives of engaged individuals and their access to economic support and 2) top-down investments that contribute to local value creation and employment opportunities.

Assessment of Self-Cleaning from Heavy Metal Contamination of the European Territory of Russia Northern River Ecosystem

Self-purification from heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr) was assessed in the estuary area of the one of the largest river ecosystems in the European territory of Russia – the Northern Dvina River estuary. The conditional degree of self-purification of river waters and bottom sediments for winter and summer is calculated. It is noted that the highest values of self-purification of river waters are observed in winter for Cu (54%), Pb (25%), Cd (67%), Cr (82%), and in summer – Zn (44%) and Ni (50%). It was found that the processes of migration of Ni, Zn and Pb from bottom sediments to water predominate in winter, while in summer this process is typical for Pb, Cd and Cu. The index of river water pollution in the seasonal dynamics of heavy metal content was established.

Molecular data on Phyllodistomum macrocotyle (Digenea: Gorgoderidae) from an intermediate host Dreissena polymorpha (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) in the Northern Dvina River Basin, Northwest Russia

We report the first molecular identification of Phyllodistomum macrocotyle (Digenea: Gorgoderidae) from the Northern Dvina River Basin, Northwest Russia. Comparative analysis of our sequence was 100% identical to the 28S and ITS2 rDNA sequences of the species P. macrocotyle in zebra mussels discovered in Poland (Wigry Lake), Lithuania (Elektrenai Reservoir and Sirvinta River), Russia, Belarus (Lepelskoe Lake and Lukomskoe Lake), and in fish Leuciscus idus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus in Russia (Rybinsk Reservoir on the Volga River). At the same time, some sequences of the 28S rDNA of P. macrocotyle in zebra mussel detected in Lithuania, and Belarus were different from our sequence on 0.2-0.6%. The ITS2 sequences which have 100% similarity with our specimens of P. macrocotyle were discovered in sporocyst of phyllodistomes from its intermediate host D. polymorpha in Poland, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. Our observation in the Yuras and Isakogorka rivers represents the northernmost record of this host-specific parasite, to the best of our knowledge.

Seasonal and Inter Annual Variations between Concentrations and Fluxes of Dissolved and Particulate Organic Carbon, Iron and Manganese from the Northern Dvina River to the White Sea

The paper presents new data on concentrations and fluxes of organic carbon, iron, and manganese in waters of the mouth area of the Northern Dvina River. The work was conducted within the project “Northern Dvina River Marginal Filter Observatory” from May 2015 to May 2019 with monthly collection of water samples. Systematic determinations of the concentrations of the main carrier elements of many trace elements in dissolved and particulate forms were used to establish the average weighted of Corg, Fe, and Mn concentrations. The results of 4 years of systematic investigations established the main regularities of seasonal variations of dissolved and particulate forms of element concentrations and the relationships between. Significant variations were observed not only between concentrations but also between fluxes of elements in both forms. However, more than half the annual fluxes of all elements in all years studied was transported to the sea in the spring flood period. The results also demonstrated significant variations between element concentrations and their fluxes in different years. This is unsurprising, since even during the 4 years of investigations, the difference between water runoff and SPM fluxes in different years was up to, respectively, 1.4 and 2.6 times.

Dynamics of Zooplankton Composition in the Lower Northern Dvina River and Some Factors Determining Zooplankton Abundance.

—The long-term dynamics of the taxonomic composition of zooplankton in the lower reaches of the Northern Dvina River and the effect of some hydrochemical factors on its abundance have been studied. It is found that the species list of the zooplankton has included 141 species over 50 years: it consisted of a total of 98 taxa in 1965 and 104 taxa in 2012–2019. The results of analyzing the spatiotemporal abundance distribution of the zooplankton and its taxonomic groups are presented. A significant increase in abundance (on account of copepods) and changes in the taxonomic structure of zooplankton have been revealed in the lower parts of the study water area. In 2019, changes in the structure-forming complex of zooplankton were noted for the first time over the study period. It is found that species diversity reaches high values in waters classified as “heavily polluted” and “dirty,” which is evidence for a complex structure of zooplankton communities. The main factor influencing the horizontal distribution of the zooplankton abundance is the dissolved oxygen content of water.

СТРОЕНИЕ СНЕЖНОЙ ТОЛЩИ НА КОЛЬСКОМ ПОЛУОСТРОВЕ

In 2016–2019, the structure of the snow thickness in the northern and central parts of the Kola Peninsula (from the Barents Sea to the Khibiny Mountains) was studied in tundra, forest-tundra, taiga, high–altitude Arctic and other landscapes during the periods of maximum recrystallization of the snow (February–April) and initial snow accumulation (October). 37 borings were made in the snow thicknesses. 399 snow layers of different ages and genesis were examined. In the total, 399 measurements of the density, porosity, structure of snow (size and shape of ice crystals) and texture (orientation of crystals and pores) of snow layers, 413 measurements of temperature at the contacts between snow layers, 46 measurements of the temporary resistance of the layer to rupture, 27 measurements of the time resistance to compression, 119 measurements of the resistance of the snow layer to horizontal sounding (with a cross-shaped tip that allows taking into account the anisotropy of the snow layer) were performed. The percentage of crystals of different classes of shapes in the layer was determined. It was found that the Kola Peninsula has a high rate of evolution of the snow thickness. Even in multi-snow winters (including the landscapes of high-altitude Arctic deserts in Khibiny and Monche-tundra) in March, up to 90% of the snow thickness is made up of snow layers with a columnar and fibrous texture, composed of ice crystals of semi-skeletal and skeletal classes of shapes with a diameters of up to 4 mm. These patterns of the evolution are typical for the Arctic and Subarctic (confirmed by studies on the Yamal Peninsula, in the lower reaches of the Northern Dvina River and in Karelia). Values of the strength characteristics of the snow layer (time resistance to rupture, resistance to compression, and to horizontal sounding with regard for the anisotropy of the snow layer texture) are the lower, the higher the content of crystals in the layer of the highest stages of evolution (skeletal) and the more developed the texture of the layer. The lowest values of strength characteristics were observed in snow layers with a fibrous texture.

Impact of climate change in autumn-winter period on hydrological regime of the rivers in the Small Northern Dvina river basin

Impact of climate change in autumn-winter period on hydrological regime of the rivers in the Small Northern Dvina river basin

ОЦЕНКА ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК ВОДНОГО, СНЕЖНОГО И ЛЕДОВОГО РЕЖИМОВ В БАССЕЙНЕ МАЛОЙ СЕВЕРНОЙ ДВИНЫ В СОВРЕМЕННЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ И ИХ ВОЗМОЖНЫЕ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ В БУДУЩЕМ

The article presents an analysis of the impact of climate change on the main characteristics of ice phenomena, snow cover and the water regime in the Small Northern Dvina River basin occurring in recent decades. Recently, a significant climate warming has been observed in the basin. As a result, winters are getting warmer and shorter. There is also an increase in winter precipitation and the number of thaws. Climate warming directly affects the duration of snow cover, which decreases both due to the later formation and to the earlier destruction of snow. There is also a slight downward trend in the annual values of the maximum snow water equivalent, which may be the result of an increase in the number of thaws in winter, when a part of the snow cover melts contributing to the winter river runoff. The analysis of the main characteristics of the ice cover on the rivers of the studied basin shows that their changes are similarly to changes in the snow cover: there is a reduction in the freeze-up period due to its later formation and earlier complete destruction. The maximum ice thickness on the rivers of the basin also tends to decrease. There is an increase in winter and a decrease in spring runoff. Predictive estimates of changes in the observed trends in the future are presented in the fi nal part of the article based on the CMIP5 project data.

Ice impact on the flow dynamics the Northern Dvina River mouth area

The authors consider case of the winter period 2019-2020 as example of ice cover and ice jam influence on the flow dynamics in the section upstream the delta of the Northern Dvina River mouth area. Hydrological monitoring, calculations and forecasts of the ice drift in the Northern Dvina River mouth area are actual practical tasks. The hydrological regime of a tidal river mouth is very complex phenomena and one of the most difficult for a quantitative description. The authors implemented an integrated approach to study ice jams, including field ice surveys, satellite data analysis, data from the state hydrological monitoring system and hydrodynamic modeling. STREAM_2D CUDA software is applied for two-dimensional numerical modeling. It takes into account the impact of ice cover. Ice phenomena usually make significant changes in the water level and velocity regime. In 2019/2020 hydrological year the ice cover provided and maintained a large backwater during all the autumn and the winter. When the spring ice drift came from the river upstream there was a 3-4 meter water level rise, which lasted for 5 days, creating a threat of flooding of the Kholmogory village by a breakthrough wave. There is no effective technique to forecast or assess probable scenarios for such situation. The article identified difficulties arising during ice conditions analysis and hydrodynamic modeling of the situation. Steps to optimize the monitoring of ice cover, flow discharges and water levels are also formulated

Голавль Leuciscus cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) в бассейне реки Вымь

Впервые проанализированы материалы о распространении, морфологии и росту голавляLeuciscus cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) в бассейне р. Вычегда (бассейн р. Северная Двина). В этой речнойсистеме голавль распространен неравномерно. В крупных водотоках (русло рек Вычегда и Сысола)встречаются единичные особи. В двух притоках р. Вымь (приток р. Вычегда) – реках Елва и Веслянаголавль может составлять до 10 % контрольных уловов. По меристическим признакам голавль, отловленный в бассейне р. Вымь, близок к типичной форме данного вида рыб. Голавль в реках Елва и Весляна характеризуется быстрым ростом (K = 0.079–0.090).

New Fish Species in Water Bodies of Northeastern European Russia

Changes in the composition of ichthyofauna of northeastern European Russia under the effect of biological invasions are analyzed. It is shown that alien invader fish species appeared in the water bodies of the region as a result of acclimatization measures (the Far Eastern pink salmon and Pechora peled in the White Sea basin, the Northern Dvina sterlet and Siberian sturgeon in the Pechora River), intentional (the pike perch) or accidental introduction (the Chinese sleeper), and expansion of species from the Caspian Sea (the white-eye bream and asp) or the Baltic Sea (asp). The results of analysis of long-term changes in the freshwater ichthyofauna show that the appearance of alien fish species in the water bodies of northeastern European Russia has led to an increase in the diversity of ichthyofauna, trophic competition with native species, deterioration of the fishery status an increased mortality risk for juvenile Atlantic salmon, and potential aggravation of the epizootic situation in the lower reaches of the Northern Dvina River. At the same time, the successful acclimatization of the Pechora peled in the White Sea basin has made it possible to develop a scheme for organizing full-cycle lake coregonid farms with the formation of peled brood stocks and local whitefish polyculture. Sturgeon species naturalized in the Onega and Pechora rivers may subsequently diversify the list of commercial fish species.

Change in the state of an exploited fish population: From individual indicators to integral assessment

We adapted the approach used for the integral assessment of the status of ecosystems in order to assess population status. Classic theoretical concepts of fish population dynamics are the basis of this approach. The convolution of information about changes in several structural and functional characteristics into one integral index was performed using the analytical function of desirability. The index varied 0 to 1 and quantitatively characterizes the state of the population. This approach was tested on the example of the European grayling Thymallus thymallus (Linnaeus, 1758), inhabiting the Vym River (basin of the Northern Dvina River, North of the European part of Russia). The materials were collected during the environmental monitoring carried out by the Institute of Biology of Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IB FRC Komi SC UB RAS) in 2002, 2005–2019. The population parameters used in the calculations (relative abundance; average and maximum age of fish; the proportion of matured individuals in the 4+ age group; average specific growth rate of fish at the age of 6+; body weight of fish in the age group 6+) were characterized on the basis of the control net catches. Compared with the period 2005–2006, the value of the integral index in 2015–2018 decreased by almost two times. This indicates deterioration in the condition of the grayling group in the study area. There were no serious disturbances in the fish habitat in this area. The main hydrochemical and hydrobiological indicators have not changed significantly. The main reason for the observed changes is likely the significant increase in the impact of recreational anglers. The proposed integral index may be useful both for assessing the state of fish populations and for developing measures for the rational management of fish stocks.

Запас и энергоемкость ивняков в прирусловой пойме реки Северная Двина

Запас и энергоемкость ивняков в прирусловой пойме реки Северная Двина

Features of spring feeding of sterlet of the middle course of the Northern Dvina river

The article provides information about the features of spring feeding of sterlet in the spawning grounds of the middle course of the Northern Dvina river in may 2019. The main and secondary groups of forage objects in the diet of this species of sturgeon are characterized. The article considers the variability of the sterlet food composition with an increase in the size of fish from 30 to 60 cm. In the process of fish growth in the diet of the Severodvinsk sterlet, the main components in terms of occurrence and mass in all size groups are the larvae of Brooks and chironomids. A minor occurrence was the larvae of midges, biting midges, stoneflies, mayflies and small clams. To random and seasonal food are the larvae of water bugs, butterflies, flies, beetles and eggs of other fish. The feeding intensity of the smaller sterlet (30–40 cm) was significantly higher than that of the fish in the size groups 40–50 and 50–60 cm. Fundamental changes in the diet of the Severodvinsk sterlet for the main food objects for more than sixty years of observations have not been established. During periods of high water content of the Northern Dvina due to seasonal changes in the structure of benthic communities, the value of Brooks in the diet of sterlet increases and the proportion of chironomids decreases.