Pechora River Research Articles

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.

MOSSES OF MOUNTAIN RANGES OF THE PECHORA-ILYCH STATE STRICT NATURE RESERVE (NORTH URALS, PECHORA AND ILYCH RIVER CATCHMENTS)

The results of studying the moss flora of the mountainous part of the unique European protected area – Pechora-Ilych State Strict Nature Reserve (coordinates of the bounding box around the core part of the reserve: 61.95697°N, 57.77589°E – 63.27388°N, 59.63549°E), listed as UNESCO World Heritage under the title Virgin Komi Forests, are presented. The combined (Pechora and Ilych river catchments) mountain moss flora includes 172 species from 78 genera and 33 families, which is almost a half of the reserve’s moss species diversity (348 species). It is shown that the moss floras of mountainous areas in the Pechora and the Ilych catchments demonstrate great similarity in the quantitative and qualitative features of the taxonomic structure. New data are presented on the occurrence of four rare species of mosses, listed in the regional Red Data Books of the Komi Republic and neighboring territories – Codriophorus fascicularis (protection status 2), Anomodon longifolius, Encalypta brevicollis and Lescuraea radicosa (protection status 3), and six species (Anomodon viticulosus, Encalypta ciliata, Kiaeria glacialis, Loeskypnum badium, Paraleucobryum longifolium, Pterigynandrum filiforme) in need of biological surveillance.

Растительность класса Loiseleurio procumbentis–Vaccinietea Eggler ex Schubert 1960 в восточноевропейских тундрах

Растительность класса Loiseleurio procumbentis–Vaccinietea Eggler ex Schubert 1960 в восточноевропейских тундрах

Distribution of Trace and Rare-Earth Elements, and Nd, Pb, and Sr Isotopes in the Surface Sediments of the Barents Sea

Abstract—The distribution of Sc, Co, Hf, Cr, Th, and rare-earth elements in samples of surface sediments collected during cruises 67th and 68th of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in the Barents Sea and in its bays is analyzed. The results obtained suggest that the predominant part of the bottom sediments of the Barents Sea is composed of thin-grained siliciclastics that was supplied with suspended particulate matter of the North Cape (Atlantic) Current through the erosion of the northwestern Scandinavian coasts and some seafloor areas. Some sediments in the northern part of the sea were formed through the erosion of rocks of the Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. A certain role in their formation was probably played by material from Svalbard as well as by the Pechora River suspended particulate matter. The established isotopic characteristics (eNd, 207Pb/206Pb and 87Sr/86Sr) of surface sediments suggest that the main contribution to the formation of bottom sediments of the central Barents Sea was made by rocks of the mainland part affected by the North Cape Current. The comparison of the 87Sr/86Sr values ​​in the surface sediments of the central part of the Barents Sea and in the ice-rafted sediments carried by the Transpolar Drift showed their significant difference. This suggests a reatively small contribution of ice-rafted material to the formation of surface sediments of the Barents Sea.

FOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN WHITEFISH SPECIES IN THE LOWER COURSE OF THE USA RIVER IN THE AUTUMN PERIOD

Feeding characteristics of the Siberian whitefish (pizhyan) and the White Sea least cisco in the Usa River, which is one of the main right-bank tributaries to the Pechora River, are considered. It has been found that while the food spectrum was quite wide (23 groups of food items), the bulk of the diet was made up of invertebrates in various developmental stages, as well as the blue-green colonial algae and indigestible particles. Analysis of the weight shares of the components showed that the biggest contributor to the whitefish diet was aquatic larvae of insects of the Chironomidae family (60.0 %); and in the diet of the least cisco this index was the highest for adult Simuliidae (43.0 %). No significant age-related differences in feeding were found in either of the two species. Their food spectra differ significantly both in terms of the main ontogenetic stages of invertebratesand the main groups of food items, wherefore the trophic tension is low. Low values of the food similarity index and trophic niche overlap indicate a weak competition for food between these fish species in the autumn period. The whitefish acts as a typical benthos feeder with a broad food spectrum, while the least cisco is euryphagous, easily switching between various groups of food item when necessary.

European Smelt (Osmerus eperlanus (Linnaeus, 1758)) on Kolguyev Island, Barents Sea, and Factors Limiting Its Spread Through the Arctic

Distribution areas of European and rainbow smelts overlap in the northeastern part of Europe. The interrelations of the two species are poorly researched in this zone. This article describes the identification of a European smelt discovered on the shore of Lake Krivoe, Kolguyev Island, Barents Sea, near the waterline, together with other fishes whose cause of death is unknown. The species identification was performed through partial sequencing of the mitochondrial gene COI coding subunit I of cytochrome oxidase (barcoding). It is established that European smelts could not be transported on Kolguyev Island from other habitats by birds or humans. It is shown on the basis of geological and biogeographical data that the European smelt has likely settled on Kolguyev Island naturally: in the past, the island was connected with the mainland, and its inland water bodies had constituted a part of an extensive freshwater system including inter alia water bodies of the modern Pechora River basin. The fact described in the study makes it possible to conclude that the European smelt distribution in the Arctic is limited by historical factors and likely competitive interactions between European smelts and rainbow smelts.

ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ИНТЕНСИВНОСТИ ХИМИЧЕСКОЙ ДЕНУДАЦИИ НА ВОДОСБОРЕ РЕКИ ПЕЧОРЫ В УСЛОВИЯХ НЕСТАЦИОНАРНОГО КЛИМАТА И ХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ

Introduction. Climate warming, which is currently observed in the Arctic, has the potential to intensify chemical denudation in river basins partially or completely located within permafrost. In order to test this hypothesis, we investigated the longterm dynamics of the rivers’ ion runoff in the Pechora River basin, 42 % of which are located within permafrost. Methods. To study changes in the chemical denudation intensity in nonstationary climate, we analyzed data of systematic observations over the main ion concentrations from 1985 to 2017 in the Pechora River outlet (Naryan-Mar) and its tributaries (Usa, Adzva, Kolva, Sula rivers). The intensity of chemical denudation in the Pechora River basin was assessed in terms of ion runoff. The probable reasons for its changes — water content and concentrations of macrocomponents — were also analyzed. Results. The ion-salt composition of Pechora River water is mainly determined by the dissolution of carbonate minerals in the underlying rocks. Calculations and comparison of ion runoff moduli showed that the studied rivers are comparable in terms of the chemical denudation intensity in catchments. The exceptions were the Sula and Kolva rivers, where, with the river runoff, a relatively high amount of chlorides and hydrocarbonates is carried. Contrary to the initial assumptions about the possible intensification of the chemical denudation process under the conditions of climate warming, we found a decrease in the sulfate runoff moduli in all rivers. In addition to that, individual changes in the runoff moduli for other main ions are observed for the studied rivers. Conclusion. In modern conditions, the chemical denudation intensity remains at the level of the end of the last century, and the long-term dynamics of the Pechora River ion runoff correlates in time with the variability of anthropogenic factors, in particular, wet sulfate deposition with atmospheric waters.

Subfossil cladoceran assemblages in the sediment core from the Arctic Lake Arkto-Pimberto of the Pechora Delta (Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia)

This paleoecological investigation is based on the analysis of bottom sediment columns sampled during a summer research expedition in 2018 from the Arctic Lake Arkto-Pimberto, which is located within the Pechora River delta in the Nenets State Nature Reserve. Lake Arkto-Pimberto is of great interest for research due to several reasons: it is round in shape and small in diameter; its depth is less than 2 m (9 m); the lake has not been subjected to any anthropogenic influence. Our investigation shows that the cladoceran communities of the studied lake are diverse and abundant. In total, 16 Cladocera taxa were found in the samples. Most of the identified taxa belong to the Chydoridae family. The Bosminidae family includes only two species. Bosmina longispina was the absolute dominant among the subfossil remains of Cladocera. The subdominants were represented by Chydorus cf. sphaericus, Alona affinis, and Rhynchotalona falcata. The Shannon diversity index varied from 0.86 to 1.85. According to the PantleBuck saprobity index modied by Sladecek, the lake is mesosaprobic.

Ice regime of the Pechora river and features of forecasting the highest ice drift level

Ice regime of the Pechora river and features of forecasting the highest ice drift level

Effect of Elevation Gradient on the Structure of Aquatic Communities in the Vangyr River Basin, the Subpolar Urals

The effect of elevation gradient on characteristics of aquatic communities has been studied in the basin of the Vangyr River, a third-order tributary of the Pechora River. The results show that the orders of amphibiotic insects characteristic of the rhithron zone prevail in the zoobenthos. The composition of hydrobiont fauna slightly changes with increasing distance from the upper reaches of the river to its mouth, but the main insect families remain the same. The structure of fish community largely depends on the position of river segments and lakes in the elevation gradient. Only one species—Arctic char, a probable glacial relict—has been found at the sources of the Vangyr. Fish communities in many mountain lakes are monospecific. The ichthyofauna becomes gradually enriched as the river mouth is approached: there appears another glacial relict (peled) and anadromous and semianadromous species (Atlantic salmon and Siberian whitefish).

Karyotype Characteristics and the Composition of Hemoglobins in Chironomus sp. Ya3 (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Pechora Delta

The paper reports data on the karyotype structure and hemoglobin composition of Chironomus sp. Ya3 (Kiknadze, Istomina et Salova, 1996) found in a pond in the Pechora River delta within the permafrost zone. The collected larvae morphologically corresponded to the original description. Of the 9 chromosome banding sequences detected in them, Ya3A2 and Ya3E2 were for the first time recorded in the homozygous and heterozygous state, respectively. Electrophoresis data demonstrated a complex hemoglobin structure. Disc electrophoresis revealed 9 fractions with relative mobility Rf from 0.43 to 0.84, formed by subunits with molecular weights from 11.5 to 15.6 kDa. The complex structure of the hemoglobin probably ensures survival of the species under the extreme local environmental conditions. The species resembles Ch. plumosus in the native hemoglobin composition and shows great similarity with Ch. riparius in the subunit composition of individual hemoglobin fractions.

Preliminary results of palynological investigation of lakes bottom sediments from Pechora Delta River

We studied spore-pollen spectrum of the arctic lake Arcto-Pimberto (Pechora river delta, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russian Arctic) from a short sediments core covering last ca. 6000 years. In total, 28 pollen and spore taxa have been identified. The spore-pollen spectrum from the sediments were dominated by arboreal taxa. Pollen of Betula sp., Cyperaceae and Sphagnum spore were present throughout the core in relatively constant percentages. Four palynological zones are definable under consideration on the basis of the spore-pollen data (PZ I PZ IV). The spore-pollen spectra from the PZ I are characterized by a prevailing share of arboreal taxa pollen mostly represented by Betula spp., Salix, Alnaster with the presence of heather (Ericaceae) communities. The PZ I was deposited in wetter conditions. The spore-pollen spectra from the middle layers of the core (PZ II PZ III) are characterized by an increased concentration of herbaceous taxa pollen. The climate was more arid. The pollen spectrum from the PZ IV reflects the development of moss and low-growing shrubs in wet climates.

Книжники-старообрядцы из пижемского рода Бобрецовых

This article analyses online database resources concerning the creators and followers of the 18th-20th centuries manuscript writing traditions in the present day region of Ust-Tsilma in the Komi Republic, in villages situated along the Pechora River and its tributaries, the Pizhma River and the Tsilma River. The analysis focuses on the materials concerning the Old Believers’ bibliophiles from the Bobretsov family who lived in Pizhma. They greatly contributed to preserving book collections in the region. There are 22 such people known, among whom owners of manuscripts collections and readers of old books can be found, including the writer A.F. Bobretsov, the author of Books as Keepsakes, a book in which he describes his being a sailor on the tsarist yacht “The North Star” in 1893-1899.

Findings of Phreatalona protzi (Hartwig, 1900) (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) in Russia

We discovered subfossil remains of Phreatalona protzi (Hartwig, 1900) (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) in a short sediment core taken from a small tundra lake Pe-03 located in the Pechora River delta, North-East of European part of Russia. This species had been described previously only from Central and Northern Europe. The occurrence of P. protzi in the Russian Arctic suggests that this chydorid species must be much more widely distributed than previously reported, and in the near future we expect findings of this species in other regions of Russia.

Dispersed sedimentary matter of the Barents sea

The results of the study of the distribution and composition of the dispersed sedimentary matter (suspended matter) in the water column of the Barents Sea were presented in the article. The distribution of suspended matter in the sea obeys the laws of circumcontinental (for surface distribution) and vertical zonality. At the same time, the absolute values of the weight and volume concentrations of the suspended matter themselves are low (on average less than 0.5 mg/l and less than 0.6 mm3/l, respectively). The highest values of all parameters of the suspended matter were found in the Pechora Sea, the most southeastern part of the Barents Sea, where are the abrasion of the shores and the bottom and the Pechora River runoff. Surface and bottom peaks are characteristic of the vertical distribution of the suspended matter. A mild intrusion of the nepheloid layer enriched in the suspended matter into the deep layers was observed on the continental slope of the Bear Island Trench when the depth makes a sharp fall.

Dispersed Sedimentary Matter of the Barents Sea

The results of the study of the distribution and composition of the dispersed sedimentary matter (suspended matter) in the water column of the Barents Sea were presented in the article. The distribution of suspended matter in the sea obeys the laws of circumcontinental (for surface distribution) and vertical zonality. At the same time, the absolute values of the weight and volume concentrations of the suspended matter themselves are low (on average less than 0.5 mg/l and less than 0.6 mm 3 /l, respectively). The highest values of all parameters of the suspended matter were found in the Pechora Sea, the most southeastern part of the Barents Sea, where are the abrasion of the shores and the bottom and the Pechora River runoff. Surface and bottom peaks are characteristic of the vertical distribution of the suspended matter. A mild intrusion of the nepheloid layer enriched in the suspended matter into the deep layers was observed on the continental slope of the Bear Island Trench when the depth makes a sharp fall.

Pechora Sea ecosystems: current state and future challenges

The south-eastern part of the Barents Sea, conventionally called the Pechora Sea, is among the most peculiar regions of the European Arctic. It is a shallow shelf area that is directly influenced by modified Atlantic and Arctic waters, as well as by freshwater runoff from the Pechora River. Due to its unique environmental features and habitats, the Pechora Sea is regarded as one of the most important areas of the Barents Sea. Rich planktonic and benthic communities, including extensive mussel beds, support large stocks of fish, seals, and walruses, and enormous gatherings of benthos feeding waterfowl. In recent years, economic activities, such as oil and gas production, shipping of crude oil through marine terminals, and ship traffic along the Northern Sea Route, have dramatically increased in the Pechora Sea. These anthropogenic pressures, as well as the observed and predicted natural environmental changes, will most likely affect the sea’s pelagic and benthic ecosystems. Therefore, information on the current state of the Pechora Sea ecosystems is urgently needed to provide baseline reference data, against which possible future shifts can be determined. The research presented in this special issue provides such data on the most important elements of the Pechora Sea ecosystems and adjacent areas and demonstrates the interconnection between these ecosystem components and key environmental factors. Considering the already recorded and potential changes in this region, the observed trends and processes in marine biota can be applied to other low Arctic seas and serve for modelling and predictions of future ecosystem shifts.

Humic surface waters of frozen peat bogs (permafrost zone) are highly resistant to bio- and photodegradation

Abstract. In contrast to the large number of studies on humic waters from permafrost-free regions and oligotrophic waters from permafrost-bearing regions, the bio- and photolability of DOM from the humic surface waters of permafrost-bearing regions has not been thoroughly evaluated. Following standardized protocol, we measured biodegradation (at low, intermediate and high temperatures) and photodegradation (at one intermediate temperature) of DOM in surface waters along the hydrological continuum (depression → stream → thermokarst lake → Pechora River) within a frozen peatland in European Russia. In all systems, within the experimental resolution of 5 % to 10 %, there was no bio- or photodegradation of DOM over a 1-month incubation period. It is possible that the main cause of the lack of degradation is the dominance of allochthonous refractory (soil, peat) DOM in all waters studied. However, all surface waters were supersaturated with CO2. Thus, this study suggests that, rather than bio- and photodegradation of DOM in the water column, other factors such as peat pore-water DOM processing and respiration of sediments are the main drivers of elevated pCO2 and CO2 emission in humic boreal waters of frozen peat bogs.

Co, Hf, Ce, Cr, Th, and REE systematics of modern bottom sediments of the Barents sea

The Co, Hf, Ce, Cr, Th, and REE systematics are analyzed for modern sediments collected by a bottom grab during the 67th and 68th cruises of R/V “Akademik Mstislav Keldysh” and samples taken in the Barents Sea bays and inlets. Our results indicate that most modern bottom sediments are composed of fine silicoclastic material enhanced with a suspended matter of the North Cape current, which erodes the western coast of Scandinavia, and due to bottom erosion of some marine areas, as well as erosion of rock complexes of the Kola Peninsula, Novaya Zemlya, and Franz Josef Land (local provenances). Material from Spitsbergen also probably played a certain role. In the southern part of the Barents Sea, clastic material is supplied by the Pechora River.

Diversity of Planktonic Fauna of the Pechora River Delta

The structure and diversity of zooplankton of the mouth of the largest river in the European North, the Pechora, is studied. The river delta, an adjacent piece of the Pechora course, the estuary (Korovinskaya Bay), and lakes on its northern coast—in Timan Tundra—are in the studied region. In the delta of the Pechora River, the planktonic fauna is rich and unique in structure, in which rotifers (105 species) and cladocerans (55 species) prevailed; thermophilic invertebrates are present in zooplankton, but psychrophilic ones are revealed. Among copepods, brackish taxa and also a possible recent invader of the region (Eurytemora sp.) are found. The analysis of alpha and beta diversities of planktonic communities of the studied region shows the highest indexes for the delta water bodies relative to others and for the lake zooplankton in general. In our opinion, such diversity is due to a variety of environmental conditions and also features of gradients of the dominating environmental factors: temperature, anthropogenic, etc.