Northeast Russia Research Articles

Features of Heavy Metal Accumulation by Epiphytic Lichens in Background Areas of the Taiga Zone in the European Northwest of Russia

The results of a study of the content of heavy metals in fruticose epiphytic lichens in the taiga zone of the European Northeast of Russia (Republic of Komi) are presented. The content of elements in lichens in this area is at the background level for the northern part of Eurasia. A series of accumulated heavy metals in lichen have been established. Metal distribution mapping has made it possible to differentiate areas with respect to the level of their accumulation. The accumulation of mercury by lichen increases and the contents of manganese, coper, and cadmium decreases from the southwest to the northeast.

Bedrock lithology and natural complexes of river valleys (a case study of the North-East of Russia).

Bedrock lithology and natural complexes of river valleys (a case study of the North-East of Russia).

Increase in remediation processes of oil‐contaminated soils

AbstractA study was conducted in the region of the Lena River, in northeast Russia, where oil‐contaminated soil remediation is compromised due to the reduced natural attenuation mechanisms in northern eco‐systems. The goal of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of different biological methods for remediating the permafrost soil cover contaminated with high concentrations of oil. For the remediation of the areas with approximately similar levels of contamination (in the range of 10 to 14 grams per kilogram [g/kg] of soil) different biological remediation schemes were applied: site 1: sowing plant seeds of meadow clover grass; site 2: introducing a consortium of hydrocarbon oxidizing microorganisms (HOM); and, site 3: introducing the same consortium of HOM with simultaneously sowing grass mixture. The third scheme, applied for the first time, led to the most favorable results, which might be explained by the synergistic effect based on the principle of positive inverse development.

The Geochemistry of Volcanogenic Mineralization in the Northwestern Segment of the Pacific Ore Belt: Northeast Russia

This paper considers the geochemistry of volcanogenic mineralization in the northeastern segment of the Pacific Ore Belt (Northeast Russia). We give new evidence for the compositions and concentrations of trace and rare-earth elements (REE) in the ores of volcanogenic fields: Au-Ag epithermal (of various types and ages), Cu-Mo-Au porphyritic, Au-Bi related to granitoidal intrusions, Sn-Ag subvolcanic and kies polymetallic enriched in Au and Ag, as well as REEs in alkaline volcanic rocks. Geochemical signatures have been compiled for 17 formation types of volcanogenic fields. It was found that the ore-forming fluids in most fields belonged to an NaCl-H2O hydrothermal system that was enriched in Cl relative to F; the values of Y/Ho in the ores of nearly all types correspond with the interval of ratios characteristic for present-day hydrothermal fluids in backarc basins; most of the ores that we studied had near-chondrite spectra with configurations similar to those of the REE spectra in volcanic rock sequences of the andesite-diorite series. Comparative analysis of REE spectra in the distribution of trace elements over classes of gold concentration shows synchronous enrichment of ores in similar sets of trace elements. The high Co/Ni ratio in volcanogenic ores probably reflects the superposition of a later magmatic fluid upon an earlier mineralization. Samples from ores of volcanogenic fields, except for Kuroko, show δCe and δEu varying from negative to mildly positive values, thus indicating low-oxidizing conditions during deposition. It was found for Au-Ag epithermal ores that they are enriched in a wide range of trace elements; they have low concentrations of REEs, the light REEs are more abundant than the heavy ones, and the Eu anomalies vary considerably from small negative to low and high positive values. The results provide evidence of an exhalation hydrothermal origin of the Khotoidokh field. It has been shown that the REEs in the ores of the Bol’shoe field are of the type that is most valuable to industry. The results can be used to deal with practical problems: determining the formation type and evaluating the industrial value of a field; detecting accessory components in ores; and discriminating between the types of geochemical anomalies (in rocks or in soil) and stray fluxes as to the potential of a field.

Molecular composition of raw peat and humic substances from permafrost peat soils of European Northeast Russia as climate change markers

Humic substances (HSs) from the mire peat soils of the forest-tundra zone of the European northeast part of Russia have been characterized in terms of molecular composition. This was accomplished using solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) techniques and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The composition depended on the intensity of cryogenic processes in the active layer, the quality of the humification precursors (the degree of peat material transformation), and the biochemical selection of aromatic fragments during humification. Humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) of the peat soils showed the presence of compounds with a low extent of condensation and a low portion of aromatic fragments, which increased with depth. A higher proportion of aliphatic carbon species was found in the HAs, indicating a low degree of organic matter stabilization. Based on the data from the two types of peat soils, we suggest that particular changes in the proportion of aromatic and unoxidized aliphatic fragments on the border of the bottom of the active layer and permafrost layers can be used as markers of current climatic change.

Humic substances elemental composition of selected taiga and tundra soils from Russian European North-East

Abstract Soils of Russian European North were investigated in terms of stability and quality of organic matter as well as in terms of soils organic matter elemental composi­tion. Therefore, soil humic acids (HAs), extracted from soils of different natural zones of Russian North-East were studied to characterize the degree of soil organic matter stabilization along a zonal gradient. HAs were extracted from soil of different zonal environments of the Komi Republic: south, middle and north taiga as well as south tundra. Data on elemental composition of humic acids and fulvic acids (FAs) extracted from different soil types were obtained to assess humus formation mechanisms in the soils of taiga and tundra of the European North-East of Russia. The specificity of HAs elemental composition are discussed in relation to environmental conditions. The higher moisture degree of taiga soils results in the higher H/C ratio in humic substances. This reflects the reduced microbiologic activity in Albeluvisols sods and subsequent conser­vation of carbohydrate and amino acid fragments in HAs. HAs of tundra soils, shows the H/C values decreasing within the depth of the soils, which reflects increasing of aromatic compounds in HA structure of mineral soil horizons. FAs were more oxidized and contains less carbon while compared with the HAs. Humic acids, extracted from soil of different polar and boreal environments differ in terms of elemental composition winch reflects the climatic and hydrological regimes of humification.

Роль картографических материалов в региональном геологическом музее

The modern state of map collection of the A. A. Chernov Geological Museum of Institute of Geology of Komi Science Centre of the UB of the RAS is described. The collection is divided into the historic and expository parts. It has shown the geological and geographical maps of the European part of North-East of Russia starting to XV age till now. The features of cartographic material for understanding the history of the study and development of the territory are described. It highlights the role of cartographic material in the museum exposition in the study of the structural features of the earth's crust and mineral exploration. The problems of modern cartographic support of the museum are described and the requirements for maps are compiled. The modern cartographic material is an electronic maps and charts. It has shown the importance of the establishing of Regional Atlas for evaluating the history and the future development of the region.

Hydrocarbons content in soils of the northernmost taiga ecosystem of Komi Republic (North-East of Russia)

The background concentrations of hydrocarbons (HCs) were estimated for soils of the northernmost and northern taiga ecosystem of the Komi Republic. It was shown that accumulation and distribution of hydrocarbons in soil cover is regulated by following pedological factors: texture class, parent material and landform type and the type of soil forming process. In all studied soils of accumulative positions showed more pronounces accumulation of hydrocarbons than the soils of well-drained eluvial positions. Interprofile differentiation of hydrocarbons content is more expressed in clay-textured soils than sandy ones.

Арктическая специфика продовольственного обеспечения и развития сельского хозяйства европейского северо-востока России

Арктическая специфика продовольственного обеспечения и развития сельского хозяйства европейского северо-востока России

Geochemical patterns of epithermal ore formation in the Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanoplutonic belt (Northeast Russia)

Ores of epithermal Au–Ag deposits of the Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanoplutonic belt are characterized by enrichment in a wide spectrum of elements in relation to the average upper crustal values. The data obtained show that the host volcanic rocks are the most likely sources of minor elements and REEs for the fluids that formed epithermal Au–Ag deposits of the Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanoplutonic belt.

CURRENT CHANGES IN THE THERMAL REGIME AROUND MAGADANSKY STRICT NATURE RESERVE

In the second half of the 20th century the process of global climate change has begun on the Earth, the atmosphere and the ocean have warmed up, snow and ice reserves decreased, the sea level rose, concentrations of greenhouse gases increased. An ongoing warming response has been recorded also in most of Northeast Asia. Climate and its change affect the life of the biota. The aim of this study is to reveal ongoing changes in the thermal regime in and around Magadansky Strict Nature Reserve, which is located in North-East Russia, in the Magadan Region. The nature reserve has four separate areas with maritime, sharply continental and transitional climates. Weather stations Magadan, Talon, Seimchan provide data that characterize the climate in the nature reserve. The annual duration of periods with mean daily temperatures above 5°C (growing season) were calculated for years 1953-2013 using long-term air temperature data series from the above weather stations. 30-year moving averages (tentative normals) were calculated from these series. Tentative winter season (with mean daily air temperatures steadily below 0°C) normals were determined similarly. The calculations and plotting were performed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software. Long-term series of mean annual air temperatures demonstrated statistically significant upward trends. Annual air temperatures averaged over 1984-2013 were 1.1-1.2 °C higher compared to the preceding 30-year period. This resulted in a shift of the onset and end of the growing season and winter season. Their tentative normal durations trended in the opposite directions. The average duration of the growing season increased by 4-6 days, whereas the average duration of the winter season decreased by 4-8 days. Tentative normal durations of the growing season and winter season correlate well with mean annual air temperature. Formulas were obtained for calculating normal durations of these seasons under different scenarios of mean annual air temperature rise in the 21st century.

Distribution of the invasive plant species Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. in the Komi Republic (Russia).

Occurrences of the invasive plant species Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. in the Komi Republic (northeastern part of European Russia) were recorded and published in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF http://www.gbif.org) using the RIVR information system (http://ib.komisc.ru/add/rivr/en). RIVR stands for “Rasprostranenie Invasionnyh Vidov Rastenij” [Occurrence of Invasion Plant Species]. This citizen science project aims at collecting occurrence data about invasive plant species with the help of citizen scientists. Information can be added by any user after a simple registration (concept) process. However, the data published in GBIF are provided only by professional scientists. The total study area is approximately 19,000 km2. The GBIF resource contains 10894 Heracleum sosnowskyi occurrence points, each with their geographical coordinates and photographs of the plants in the locus of growth. The preliminary results of species distribution modelling on the territory of European North-East Russia presented.

Structural control of orogenic gold deposits of the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma folded region, northeast Russia

The Verkhoyansk-Kolyma folded region (VKFR) contains numerous Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous orogenic gold deposits which are the source for large alluvial gold placers. This study is focused on determination of the relationship between ore-controlling structures, tectonic evolution of the region and analyzing different-aged deformations and structure of gold deposits in the region. Tectonic structures of mesothermal orogenic gold deposits were formed as a result of Late Jurassic-Barremian frontal accretion, generally prior to the onset of transpressional deformation. The accretionary events were different in different parts of VKFR. In the Allakh-Yun metallogenic zone this was the accretion of the Okhotsk terrane to the eastern margin of the North Asian craton, and in the Verkhoyansk and Yana-Kolyma metallogenic belts the accretion of the Kolyma-Omolon superterrane to the same craton. Regional-scale thrust faults are main tectonic structures controlling distribution of gold deposits in the area. Ore-controlling structures for the early orogenic gold-sulfide disseminated and gold-quartz lode deposits, which were formed prior to the emplacement of orogenic granitoid plutons, are shear zones. They form systems of listric-type imbricate fans closely associated with a detachment of the Verkhoyansk fold-and-thrust belt. Late orogenic gold-quartz deposits in fault zones, which were formed after the emplacement of orogenic granitoid plutons, are controlled by intersections of thrusts and lateral and oblique ramps and by the related folds. Formation of the ore-hosting structures of the late orogenic intrusion (granitoid)-related deposits is due to the dynamic effect of intruding magma on the host rocks.

Epithermal mineralization in the Kedon Paleozoic volcano-plutonic belt, Northeast Russia: Geochemical studies of Au–Ag mineralization

This paper is concerned with the geochemical features and conditions of generation for Paleozoic Au–Ag mineralization in the pre-accretionary Kedon (D2-3) volcano-plutonic belt (KVB), which is situated within the Omolon cratonic terrane (Northeast Russia). We present new data on the compositions and concentrations of trace elements and rare-earth elements (REEs) in the host rocks and volcanogenic ores of epithermal Au–Ag fields. The ores are found to be enriched in a wide range of trace elements. The general features of the ores under study include a low level of REE concentrations, an obvious enrichment in light REEs, and considerable variations in europium anomalies, ranging from low negative to low- and strongly positive. Fluid inclusions were studied to show that the ore-forming solutions were hydrocarbonate potassium in composition. The mineral content of the fluid increases toward later, low-temperature phases of the mineralization. We found a tendency of potassium increasing from the earlier oreless quartz to productive quartz going to great depth, as well as a slow decrease in the concentrations of Na+, Ca++, and Cl–. The productive quartz shows direct correlation in Ag–K and a reverse correlation in Ag–Na. The results indicate andesite magmas and meteoric water as the most likely sources of the fluids that have formed epithermal Au–Ag ores in the KVB deposits.

ON THE ISSUE OF VALIDITY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SP 33-101-2003 FOR ASSESSMENT OF MAXIMUM FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL RIVERS IN THE PERMAFROST ZONE

The authors calculated maximum flow characteristics of six small rivers of Eastern Siberia and the North-East of Russia with catchment areas in the permafrost zone in accordance with the recommendations of SP 33-101-2003. They compared the obtained values with available data of long-term observations for these rivers. The authors conclude that there is too wide spread in values calculated with the use of various analogous catchments. At that, the errors are often too high despite meeting all the requirements of SP 33-101-2003 for the choice of analogous catchments. The authors point out that further development of the methods recommended by this normative document is impossible for the considered regions due to the absence of prospects of hydrometeorological observation network extension. The article is published as a basis for discussion. Our readers are invited to a discussion on the issues raised by the authors.

Analysis of magnetic data of ground station network during strong magnetic storms

The paper suggests a new technique for magnetic data analysis to detect and to estimate short-time anomalous increases in geomagnetic disturbance intensity. Based on the technique and applying the data of meridionally arranged stations in the north-east of Russia («Kotel’nyi» KTN, «Tixi» TIX, «Chokurdakh» CHD, «Zyryanka» ZYK, «Mys Shmidta» CPS, «Yakutsk» YAK, «Magadan» MGD, «Paratunka» PET, «Khabarovsk» KHB) and the near equatorial Indian stations (“Hyderabad” HYB and “Choutuppal” CPL), we analyzed the geomagnetic field variations during strong magnetic storms. This approach allowed us to detect simultaneously occurring local increases in geomagnetic activity observed a few hours before events and during the main phases of magnetic storms.

The genus Trochodendroides (Cercidiphyllaceae) in the Cretaceous floras of North-East of Russia

The genus Trochodendroides, recognized by its ovate or elliptical leaves with palmate brochidodromous venation, is well represented in the late Albian-Maastrichtian floras of North-East of Russia. The study of recently collected materials and revision of previous data allow us to introduce one new species (T. montana P. Alekseev, sp. nov.) and to offer 6 new combinations (T. ochotica (Vachr. et Herman) Golovn. et Gnilovskaya, comb. nov., T. barykovensis (Moiseeva) Golovn., comb. nov., T. gigantea (Moiseeva) Golovn., comb. nov., T. terranea (Moiseeva et Herman) Golovn., comb. nov., T. campanica (Abramova) Golovn. et Yudova, comb. nov., T. crenata (Herman) Golovn., comb. nov.). The new names were proposed for two species (T. samyliniae P. Alekseev, nom. nov., T. magadanica Golovn., nom. nov.). The diagnoses of 10 species are emended. The species Trochodendroides pekulneensis Philipp. and Zizyphus anadyrensis Philipp. are joined under the name Trochodendroides pekulneensis Philipp. emend. Yudova. The species Zizyphus microphylla Philipp. and Trochodendroides armanensis Philipp. are joined under the name T. magadanica Golovn. The species Macclintockia ochotica Vachr. et Herman and Trochodendroides longifolia Golovn. are joined under the name Trochodendroides ochotica (Vachr. et Herman) Golovn. et Gnilovskaya. In the whole, 21 species are recognized in the Late Cretaceous floras of North-East of Russia. Their stratigraphic and geographic ranges were analized. The systematic and morphology diversity of Trochodendroides was comparatively low in the late Albian–Turonian and the findings of these leaves are rare. During the Coniacian this genus reached the highest systematic and morphologic diversity. In the Santonian the abundance of Trochodendroides leaves was decreasing. In this time the lanceolate or narrow-ovate leaf morphotypes were most usual. The abundance of Trochodendroides leaves was increased again in the Campanian and decreasing in the Maastrichtian. Between 21 species, 18 species were distributed only in North-East of Russia. Many species were recorded only in single floristic assemblage. Species T. deminii and T. sachalinensis were characterised by wide stratigraphic ranges (from the late Albian to the Maastrichtian and from the Coniacian to the Campanian consequently).

Развитие золотодобычи на северо-востоке страны и Олекминско-Витимская экспедиция 1866 г.

Развитие золотодобычи на северо-востоке страны и Олекминско-Витимская экспедиция 1866 г.

Systematic composition and evolutionary significance of floristic assemblage of the Toptan Formation (Lower Cretaceous, North-East of Russia)

The analysis of the distribution of plant remains in deposits of the Aigur and Toptan formations (Omsukchan district of the Magadan Region) showed that the main part of the species that were included in the Toptan stratoflora (Samylina, 1976), in fact come from the Aigur Formation. Floristic assemblages of the Aigur and Toptan formations are very similar in systematic composition. Increasing the diversity of flowering plants and reduction of typical Cretaceous taxa (cycadophytes and Ginkgoales was not indicated on the boundary between these formation. Thus, there is no evidence of significant changes in the floristic composition at this stratigraphic level and the existence of independent Toptanian stage in the evolution of the mid-Cretaceous flora of the North-East of Russia. Floristic assemblages from the Galimyi, Aigur and Toptan formations are proposed to be merged into a single Sugoi flora, which should be attributed to the Buor-Kemus stage of floral development (lower-middle Albian). The description of the lectostratotype of the Toptan Formation is first published and distribution of this formation is illustrated.

Variable respiration rates of incubated permafrost soil extracts from the Kolyma River lowlands, north-east Siberia

ABSTRACTThawing permafrost supplies dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to aquatic systems; however, the magnitude, variability and fate of this DOC is not well constrained. Our objective was to examine DOC respiration from seasonally thawed and near-surface (<1.5 m) permafrost soils collected from five locations in the Kolyma River Basin, north-east Russia. We measured soil organic carbon (OC) content, water-soluble macronutrients (DOC, NH4, PO4) and the heterotrophic respiration potentials of soil extract DOC in five-day laboratory incubations. DOC concentrations ranged from 2.8 to 27.9 mg L−1 (n = 14). Carbon respiration was 0.03–0.47 mg C (n = 16) and 8.7–31.4%, total DOC (n = 14). While DOC concentration was a function of soil OC concentration, we did not find a relationship between C respiration and soil OC or DOC concentrations. Respiration was highest in the top active layer, but varied widely among sites, and lowest at the bottom of the active layer. Respiration from yedoma varied across sites (0.04–0...