Lakes Of Russia Research Articles

Redrawing borders, reshaping orders: Russia’s quest for dominance in the Black Sea region

ABSTRACT Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March 2014, severe limitations have been placed on Ukraine’s coastal state rights and navigational freedoms in the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait. The “Kerch Strait clash” in November 2018, which resulted in the Russian capture of three Ukrainian naval vessels in international waters south of the strait, can be seen as the temporary culmination of tensions that have been building up over a longer period. In violation of international law and bilateral agreements, Russia has in recent years pursued an increasingly assertive and revisionist policy in the region and sought to turn the maritime spaces on the country’s southwestern flank into a “Russian lake”. This policy is affecting not only the security and economy of neighbouring states such as Ukraine and Georgia, but also the strategic balance in the southeastern corner of Europe. Drawing on empirical evidence derived from Russian, Ukrainian and Western sources, as well as insights from neoclassical realist theory, this article discusses legal, economic and security aspects of Russia’s ongoing quest for a dominant position in the Black Sea region.

Phototrophic communities of Kulunda Steppe soda lakes (Altai Region): history of algological studies and modern data.

The Kulunda Steppe soda lakes are the only occurrence of hypersaline soda lakes in Russia. They are characterized by a variable hydrological regime with cyclic high-amplitude fluctuations of temperature and brine concentration. The algae of the Kulunda Steppe soda lakes were first studied by Soviet phycologists headed by N.N. Voronikhin in 1927–1932 and new taxa were described: algal genus Lochmiopsis Woronich. et Popova (later revised to Ctenocladus circinnatus Borzì) and cyanobacterial species Aphanocapsa salina Woronich., Synechocystis crassa Woronich., Trichormus (Anabaena) pseudovariabilis (Woronich.) Komárek et Anagnostidis, Anabaenopsis issatschenkoi Woronich., Anabaenopsis milleri Woronich., Anabaenopsis nadsonii Woronich., Oscillatoria deflexa var. crassa Woronich., Limnospira (Arthrospira, Spirulina) fusiformis (Woronich.) Komárek et Lund. Later (since 2007) studies were continued by the microbiologists from the Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology RAS. In this work, a comparison of the algological diversity found in the soda lakes of the Kulunda Steppe during periods 1929–1932 and 2007–2020 is made, and a brief overview of taxonomic problems of selected eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria is given. In total, 33 morphotypes of cyanobacteria were identified. Most species of algae and cyanobacteria were described based on the exclusively morphological criteria. Thus, their phylogenetic position remains unclear and requires careful analysis using a modern polyphasic approach.

C/N and C13 patterns in lake sediments as a source of palaeoenvironmental information for the Mologa-Sheksna region (NW Russia)

Organic geochemical proxies (C13 and C/N) are used to infer changes of plant fossils sources in the sediments of relict mire lakes in Russia. The Pleistocene-Holocene transition is described by C13 and C/N used jointly. Shifts of C/N and C13 give ideas for the lakes water level and composition of plant remains changes as a consequence of the regional climate alterations. Pre-Holocene cool period (Younger Drias) and preceding warm phase (Allerd) are supposedly traced in the lake sediments for the north of the Mologa-Sheksna Lowland.

Tourism development in the Baikal Natural Area (analysis and economic assessment)

In 1999, Lake Baikal was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. To implement the requirements of the international status of the lake in Russia, a number of legislative acts have been adopted that significantly changed the socio-economic living conditions of the local population in the Baikal Natural Area (BNA): numerous types of zoning have been introduced, limiting the possibilities of conducting the economic activities, and a stake has been placed on the development of the tourism.The aim of the article is to assess the impact of tourism over the life of the BNA from the perspective of the theory of sustainable development. In the paper: 1) modern socio-economic living conditions of the population over the BNA were analyzed; 2) an economic analysis of the existing tourist flows were conducted; 3) areas of conflict of interests of the tourist business, local population, authorities of different levels and investors were identified. The results presented in the article are based on the field studies conducted in the summer of 2018 in a number of regions of Buryatia (15 interviews were taken with tourism leaders, heads of settlements, eco-activists and local residents and 45 interviews with tourists). It is shown that the policy of limiting the economic activity in the BNA and the stake on mass tourism lead to the degradation of the Baikal nature and do not solve the problems of the financial self-sufficiency of the territory.

ВЛИЯНИЕ БИОГЕОХИМИЧЕСКОЙ ОБСТАНОВКИ ВОДОСБОРНЫХ БАССЕЙНОВ НА МИКРОЭЛЕМЕНТНЫЙ СОСТАВ ВОД ПРИТОКОВ ТЕЛЕЦКОГО ОЗЕРА

Introduction. The formation of the microelement composition of surface waters in reservoirs and watercourses is determined by the biogeochemical processes in the catchment area. However, the schemes and mechanisms of interaction between watercourses and the soils drained by them have been studied insufficiently. Lake Teletskoye is the largest water reservoir of Altai, one of the deepest lakes in Russia, and its catchment area is 90 times larger than the area of the lake itself. Methods. We collected water samples in Lake Teletskoye tributaries during the summer low water period, in the estuaries of rivers. The ionic composition of waters and water extracts from soils (1:5) was determined using standard methods with a titrimetric finish. The content of trace elements (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, V) in filtered water samples, suspended water matter and water extracts from soils was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using electrothermal atomization on a SOLAAR M6 device. Results. The article presents the results of macro - and microelement composition studies of Lake Teletskoye tributaries’ waters. It is shown that the waters of the studied tributaries are characterized by a low total content of the main salt composition components. A dependence of the content and distribution of trace elements in the “water – suspended matter” system on the catchment landscape and geochemical features was found. Conclusion. The content of the water-soluble forms of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Co, V in Lake Teletskoye tributaries’ waters conforms to environmental and sanitary requirements. It was found that Fe, Zn and Cr migrate mainly as the soluble compounds, while Pb, Mn, Cu migrate mainly in suspension. It was revealed that the different soil cover structure of the eastern and western lake shores determines different conditions for the hydrochemical flow formation of their rivers and, as a result, forms the differences in the physical and chemical composition of the eastern and western tributaries’ waters.

First Multy-Proxy Studies Of High-Mountain Lakes In Armenia: Preliminary Results

Within the framework of the Russian-Armenian project “The Paleolimnological Aspect of Studying the Evolution of Ecosystems of High-Mountain Lakes of Russia and Armenia” in July-August 2018, we investigated four high-mountain lakes of Armenia. The research focuses on the lakes Kari, Umroi, Akna and Sev. All investigated lakes are located at the altitudes about 3000 m above sea level. We first time these lakes were investigated using a multi-proxy method that includes paleolimnological, geomorphological, hydrological, geochemical and biogeographic studies. The research offers the first statistical characteristics of lake depth distribution, water volume and other morphometrics. Lake sediments sequences and radiocarbon dates were received and analyzed for Armenian small lakes for the first time. We determined that all the studied lakes were formed during the Holocene. Sediments of Lake Kari were deposited in the last 4000 years, sediments of Lake Umroi – within the last 8000 years, while maximum thickness of sediments is around 1 m in both lakes. Hence, we assume low deposition rate in Armenian high-mountain lakes, however, it varied significantly in different periods of lake history.

Large Russian Lakes Ladoga, Onega, and Imandra under Strong Pollution and in the Period of Revitalization: A Review

In this paper, retrospective analyses of long-term changes in the aquatic ecosystem of Ladoga, Onega, and Imandra lakes, situated within North-West Russia, are presented. At the beginning of the last century, the lakes were oligotrophic, freshwater and similar in origin in terms of the chemical composition of waters and aquatic fauna. Three stages were identified in this study: reference condition, intensive pollution and degradation, and decreasing pollution and revitalization. Similar changes in polluted bays were detected, for which a significant decrease in their oligotrophic nature, the dominance of eurybiont species, their biodiversity under toxic substances and nutrients, were noted. The lakes have been recolonized by northern species following pollution reduction over the past 20 years. There have been replacements in dominant complexes, an increase in the biodiversity of communities, with the emergence of more southern forms of introduced species. The path of ecosystem transformation during and after the anthropogenic stress compares with the regularities of ecosystem successions: from the natural state through the developmental stage to a more stable mature modification, with significantly different natural characteristics. A peculiarity of the newly formed ecosystems is the change in structure and the higher productivity of biological communities, explained by the stability of the newly formed biogeochemical nutrient cycles, as well as climate warming.

Analysis of the Equilibrium State of Lake Fish Community Based on Its Dynamic Phase Portrait

Abstract—The results of a study of the fish community and population in some Russian lakes (Lake Imandra on the Kola Peninsula, Lake Syamozero in Karelia, and Lake Vozhe in Vologda district) based on the phase-portrait method are presented. This method reveals stable-state zones for the fish community and the level of deviation from this level under the influence of various anthropogenic factors. The main factors are water pollution (Lake Imandra), eutrophication, and invasion by new species (Lake Syamozero), as well as the introduction of the sander (Lake Vozhe). The removal of negative factors leads to ecosystem stabilization.

Excitation-Dependent Fluorescence Quantum Yield for Freshwater Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter from Northern Russian Lakes

Advanced fluorescence analysis within the wide range of excitation wavelengths from 230 to 510 nm accompanied with chromatography was used to study natural chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) from three freshwater Karelian lakes. The influence of excitation wavelength (λex) on fluorescence quantum yield and emission maximum position was determined. The CDOM fluorescence quantum yield has reached a minimum at λex∼270–280 nm and a maximum at λex∼340–360 nm. It was monotonously decreasing after 370 nm towards longer excitation wavelengths. Analytical reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with multiwavelength fluorescence detector characterized distribution of fluorophores between hydrophilic/hydrophobic CDOM parts. This technique revealed “hidden” protein-like fluorophores for some CDOM fractions, in spite of the absence of protein-like fluorescence in the initial CDOM samples. The humic-like fluorescence was documented for all hydrophilic and hydrophobic CDOM chromatographic peaks, and its intensity was decreasing along with peaks’ hydrophobicity. On contrary, the protein-like fluorescence was found only in the hydrophobic peaks, and its intensity was increasing along with peaks’ hydrophobicity. This work provides new data on the CDOM optical properties consistent with the formation of supramolecular assemblies controlled by association of low-molecular size components. In addition, these data are very useful for understanding the CDOM function in the environment.

The regional climate model REMO (v2015) coupled with the 1-D freshwater lake model FLake (v1): Fenno-Scandinavian climate and lakes

Abstract. The regional climate model REMO was coupled with the FLake lake model to include an interactive treatment of lakes. Using this new version, the Fenno-Scandinavian climate and lake characteristics were studied in a set of 35-year hindcast simulations. Additionally, sensitivity tests related to the parameterization of snow albedo were conducted. Our results show that overall the new model version improves the representation of the Fenno-Scandinavian climate in terms of 2 m temperature and precipitation, but the downside is that an existing wintertime cold bias in the model is enhanced. The lake surface water temperature, ice depth and ice season length were analyzed in detail for 10 Finnish, 4 Swedish and 2 Russian lakes and 1 Estonian lake. The results show that the model can reproduce these characteristics with reasonably high accuracy. The cold bias during winter causes overestimation of ice layer thickness, for example, at several of the studied lakes, but overall the values from the model are realistic and represent the lake physics well in a long-term simulation. We also analyzed the snow depth on ice from 10 Finnish lakes and vertical temperature profiles from 5 Finnish lakes and the model results are realistic.

Sockeye salmon population dynamics over the past 4000\xa0years in Upper Russian Lake, south-central Alaska

Stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N) data from sediment cores taken in clear-water Upper Russian Lake (Kenai River Watershed, Alaska, USA) indicate that sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations varied significantly over the past 4000 years, with a prominent ~ 650-year period of lower salmon abundance from ~ 100 BCE to 550 CE. Sediment characteristics during this ~ 650-year interval reflect glacial sediment input, which may have contributed to the salmon decline by degrading spawning habitat and reducing carrying capacity. The decline, however, coincides with large reductions in sockeye salmon abundance identified previously in Karluk and Akalura lakes on Kodiak Island, > 400 km southwest, supporting the possibility of regionally synchronous, multi-centennial production regimes that may originate from shifts in oceanographic conditions such as biological productivity in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Under such a scenario, coincidence with watershed glacial activity indicates a common driver, i.e. regional climate change. Climate conditions that led to significant glacial advances in this part of the Kenai Peninsula (cold and/or wet conditions) may have also created unfavorable ocean conditions during critical periods in the marine phase for these stocks of Gulf of Alaska sockeye salmon. Future climate projections and management strategies should focus on how climate regimes impact not only prey availability for salmon at sea, but also local conditions for spawners and juveniles.

Environmental situation of Baikal Lake

This article considers the ecological situation, which has developed around a unique natural object - Lake Baikal. There are studied physical and geographical characteristics of this lake, because it is one of the greatest lakes in the world and the largest freshwater lake in Russia. Lake Baikal is 1.7 times larger the Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe. Baikal is the largest fresh water lake in the world. Its volume is 23 600 cubic kilometers, which is about 20% of the planets’ fresh lake water - much more than in all the freshwater lakes of the world. There are described the most large-scale tributaries, which fill the lake, as well as the only river, flowing from it. There are studied basin areas of this valuable lake, which are under protection. There are four main periods identified by analyzing the dynamics of wastewater performances.

Environmental situation of Baikal Lake

This article considers the ecological situation, which has developed around a unique natural object - Lake Baikal. There are studied physical and geographical characteristics of this lake, because it is one of the greatest lakes in the world and the largest freshwater lake in Russia. Lake Baikal is 1.7 times larger the Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe. Baikal is the largest fresh water lake in the world. Its volume is 23 600 cubic kilometers, which is about 20% of the planets’ fresh lake water - much more than in all the freshwater lakes of the world. There are described the most large-scale tributaries, which fill the lake, as well as the only river, flowing from it. There are studied basin areas of this valuable lake, which are under protection. There are four main periods identified by analyzing the dynamics of wastewater performances.

Autochthonous and allochthonous organic matter in trophic chain of lake ecosystems

This work presents analysis of mass–balance model simulating biotic flows of energy in pelagial of the large lakes of Russia (Ladoga, Onego, and Baikal) and small lake in northern part of the Karelia. The model had been developed on the basis of software package Stella and intended to predict an annual production of phytoplankton, bacterio plankton and consumers (non predatory and predatory zooplankton, planktivorous and piscivorous fishes). The input (independent) abiotic parameters of the model were latitude, mean lake depth, total phosphorus content and water color. The model analyzed an involvement of the autochthonous and allochthonous organic matter in the total energy flow through trophic chain. It was underlined that bacteria are important component of the planktonic community linking the dissolved organic matter (DOM) with organisms of the trophic chain. In high humic and oligotrophic boreal lakes the plankton respiration exceeds the primary production, therefore allochthonous DOM transformed to bacterial production replaces photosynthetic production in consumer feeding. The efficiency of bacterial growth (the ratio of bacterial production to consumed energy) depends on the ratio between autochthonous and allochthonous DOM. It had been shown that efficiency of bacterial growth in lakes with high primary production was higher than in oligotrophic waters with dominated allochthonous DOM. The author discussed different–type organic matter contribution to hydrobiont production depending on total phosphorus and humic matter content. Bacterioplankton consuming allochthonous DOM is additional energy source for zooplankton. For prediction of the total biological productivity it was recommended to take into account also production of heterotrophic bacterioplankton which is involved in utilization of allochthonous DOM.

Reference levels of radioactive contamination of water bodies based on the environmental criteria

Quantitative environmental criteria for the radiation protection of aquatic ecosystems, namely, reference concentrations of radionuclides in water are developed. If activity concentrations of radionuclides do not exceed these levels, aquatic biota can be considered completely protected from the negative effects of ionizing radiation. Reference concentrations of radionuclides in environmental objects can be compared directly with the measurement data on radioactive contamination parameters that allows using them for the monitoring data interpretation. Reference concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides in the sea and fresh water are calculated using the environmental criteria and are compared to the values of reference concentrations computed using the hygienic criterion. It is demonstrated that the current levels of concentration of 90Sr, 137Cs, and tritium in the seas, rivers, and lakes of Russia are considerably lower than the values of reference concentrations of these radionuclides calculated using the environmental criterion.

Ornamental stones of the Napoleon Tombstone (Paris): art, geology, and geography

Sarcophagus of Napoleon, a crypt and all inside volume of the Hotel des Invalides are richly decorated by architect L. Visconti with natural ornamental stones from France, Italy and Russia. The authors name them, give their description, list quarries. The sarcophagus is cut of Proterozoic quartzite from Russia. Balustrade, gallery and sculptures in crypt are made of Carrara marble. White-black marble breccias «Marble Grand Antique» and green ophicalcite («Breche Napoleon») are applied to construct other tombs and columns in the altar, and color limestone and marbles from different places of France (Pyrenees, Alps, Languedoc, and North France) are also used. Quartzite was quarried at the Onega Lake in Russia by J. F. Bujatti. In Paris, first time in the history of techniques, details of the sarcophagus of Napoleon were cut and polished with use of steam machinery. Refs 11. Figs 7.

Биологическая продуктивность великих озер России: сравнение результатов моделирования и натурных наблюдений

Results of analysis of the mass-balance model simulating biotic energy flows in the great lakes of Russia –Ladoga, Onego and Baikal- ecosystems have been presented. Season-average biomass and annual production of prime producers, reducers and consumers including fish have been forecasted. Permissible fish catch has been assessed. The model data were compared with the field observations results. Importance of the great lakes of Russia researches with the use of the mass-balance model is stipulated by their size and value as the biggest and Europe, besides, Lake Baikal is the greatest water body of the world in terms of the fresh water stock. Determination of these lakes’ trophic status is of primary importance for water quality assessment and for prediction their total biological productivity, fish productivity and permissible fish catch. This is possible only provided application of the balance-energy approach based on the knowledge of regularities of the organic matter and energy transfer through the ecosystem trophic units. A forecast of the lakes biological productivity was composed on the basis of quantitative links between key biotic and abiotic components of an aquatic ecosystem summed up in the form of the massbalance model. Results of the model test by the empiric data have shown that it possesses sufficient prediction reliability and is applicable for development of the lacustrine ecosystems’ biotic balances. The model can serve as a good tool for reconstruction of the lacking data and expert assessment of the ecosystems’ trophic status provided the specific local conditions are taken into account. Moreover, it can be used for cross-checking of empiric and the model predicted data reliability.

Assessment of Changes in Ice Regime Characteristics of Russian Lakes and Rivers under Current Climate Conditions

This article deals with assessment of changes in ice cover duration and maximum ice cover thickness for the last three decades compared with the previous period by the example of observation data for 28 hydrometric stations on rivers and 10 hydrological stations on lakes. Estimations of homogeneity and trends of long term serious of above mentioned rivers and lakes ice regime characteristics for three time periods were carried out using Student and Fisher criteria. Assessment of changes in ice regime characteristics for the period 1980-2010 compared with the period of stationary climate (from the beginning of observations until 1979) using two methodological approaches was made. The results can be used for solving problems of economy branches adaptation in case of rivers and lakes used in winter conditions.

Occurrence of microcystins and anatoxin-a in eutrophic lakes of Saint Petersburg, Northwestern Russia

Abstract Cyanobacteria are natural components of many freshwater bodies worldwide. In Russian lakes, the presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria was also frequently observed. Our study was conducted in Sestroretskij Razliv Lake (Razliv) and Lower Suzdal Lake (Suzdal) in Saint Petersburg region, Northwestern Russia, which differ from one another in eutrophic status and composition of the phytoplankton community. In large, shallow, artificial and hypertrophic Razliv, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Microcystis spp. dominated. Fourteen microcystin variants were identified in this lake. The maximum concentration of extracellular microcystins was 41.37 μg l−1. In eutrophic and shallow Suzdal, dominated by Planktothrix agardhii, nine microcystin variants and anatoxin-a (<0.54 μg l−1) were found. The maximum total concentration of extracellular MCs in this lake was 2.89 μg l−1. Regular studies into the production of cyanotoxins in these water bodies were carried out for the first time. The analyses performed with the application of high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry revealed the presence of microcystins in 59% of the samples collected during a 3-year study. Since both lakes are used for recreational purposes, the regular monitoring program should be implemented to protect water users from a potential risk that was identified in our study.

Water resources of the Lakes of Russia

Presented are the results from qualitatively assessing the water resources of the lakes of the RF for all of the federal districts and the constituent entities of the Russian Federation involved in them. The assessment was made in the Institute of Limnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, following an ingenious technique that implies using real-time satellite-acquired data and the capabilities of the Google Earth program. Within the RF, interpretation covered the water bodies of different origins (either natural or artificial), including the lakes with a surface area of more than 0.01 km2. As a result, data were obtained for the volume of water resources contained in the water bodies of the RF, having a natural origin. It was found that, in spite of the huge lake resources, their distribution across the country’s territory is extremely uneven and is weakly correlated with the main centers of population and economic development. The most well-developed territories of the RF often experience a shortage of water resources, whereas the poorly developed regions are endowed with an immense potential of lake waters. Anthropogenic pressure leads to an even larger unevenness of lake water resource distribution. A comparison of the present-day lake areas as obtained from satellite images for the 2000s with cadastre assessment data for the 1960s has shown some decrease in the lake water resources for the European part of the country. A decrease in the surface area of the lakes and a drying of a number of natural water bodies were revealed for the economically most welldeveloped regions, both in the south of the Russian Plain and in a number of its central regions. On the other hand, the lake water resources of the RF were increased by creating man-made water bodies to contain about 890 km3 of water.