Southwestern Siberia Research Articles

Языковая ситуация среди населения с биэтничной русско-украинской идентичностью на юге Западной Сибири

The analysis of the linguistic situation in the self-consciousness of the population with bi-ethnic Russian-Ukrainian identity in the south of Western Siberia is presented. The mixed Russian-Ukrainian language (“khokhlyatskiy” or surzhik), formed in places of concentration of the Ukrainian population, and the peculiarities of its existence are analyzed. Based on the data obtained during in-depth interviews in the summer of 2020, sociolinguistic factors affecting the linguistic situation in the region are described: the size of the ethnic group, the age of native speakers, the ethnic nature of marriages and the type of family education, language teaching at school. The level of proficiency in the Ukrainian language and surzhik depends on the period of resettlement, place of residence and age of the respondents. The author comes to the conclusion that the Ukrainian or “Khokhlyatskiy” language in the south of Western Siberia is assigned a more symbolic role in defining ethnic identity.

REFINEMENT OF CONIFER GROWTH MODELS BASED ON TREE-RING CHRONOLOGIES OF THE NORTH OF WESTERN SIBERIA

The subject of this research is conifer growth model based on time-series of annual rings width. The article addresses processing of data and model update in respect of forest dendrology. The purpose of study is to update the conifer growth model due to expansion of time-series of tree-rings width in regards to conifer forests in Western Siberia. The method represents expansion of time-series due to the fact that some growth phases had not been taken into account. When measurements were taken at the height of 1.3 meters, the following phases were not considered: seedling, juvenile, immature and beginning of virginile phase. The authors carried out examination of a number of scans and core samples, as well as time-series received by other scientists and which are contained in the International Tree-Ring Data Bank. Based on the results of field studies, the authors recommend to add some zeroes to the beginning of time-series within the range of 10-15 years for pine-trees in the south of Western Siberia, depending on growth conditions; the range of 15-30 years in the north for larch-trees and pine-trees depending on soil and climate conditions and latitude. The sequence of data pre-processing operations for time-series, received by means of core sampling, is as follows: averaging out of radius gain in 2 (3) mutually perpendicular directions for one specimen, graphing of radius gain curve, adding to the beginning of time-series, its normalization, approximation by specified growth function. It is possible to build area growth function for the scans. For averaging out a group of model trees, the sequence of operations is as follows: synchronization of time-series by cross-correlation method, approximation by specified growth function. Methods and results of studies can be applied in forest sectors and oil and gas industries for monitoring of forest health conditions. The proposed method of curve growth model update will allow to define more precisely time intervals for efficient forest exploitation as well as to reconstruct digital models of conifer populations in the north of Western Siberia.

Late Oligocene leaf and pollen flora of Southwestern Siberia: taxonomy, biogeography and palaeoenvironments

ABSTRACT Late Oligocene leaf assemblages from four sites in Southwestern Siberia (Kurgan, Tyumen, Omsk oblasts) are described. Twenty-three leaf taxa and 3 reproductive structures represent local vegetation of a lake (Salvinia, Typha, Phragmites, Nelumbo, Hemitrapa, Liquidambar, Pterocarya, Alnus, Populus, Salix, Nyssa). Additionally, 57 spore and pollen taxa were recorded from one site (Shish River). Gymnosperms dominate the assemblage with ~30% Pinaceae and ~25% taxodiaceous (papillate) Cupressaceae pollen. Ferns and peat mosses (Sphagnaceae) comprised ~6%. Angiosperms were dominated by Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Juglandaceae and Ulmus and comprised a few exotic elements (Liquidambar, Eucommia, Nyssa, Symplocos); scarce herbaceous plants reflect lakeshore vegetation. The flora of the Turgay type comprised old elements (Nelumbo protospeciosa, Liquidambar europaea, taxodiaceous/papillate Cupressaceae, Quercus sect. Protobalanus) and taxa present in Siberia/Kazakhstan during the Paleogene with later arrivals in Europe (Ulmus pyramidalis, Quercus pseudocastanea, Alnus julianiformis, Byttneriophyllum tiliifolium). A few taxa were endemic in the late Oligocene of western Siberia (Trapa praeconocarpa, Platycrater iljinskajae sp. nov.). Combined macrofossil and palynological evidence places the Shish River site flora into the late Oligocene Zhuravka (Turtas) Formation. Floras of similar composition from western Eurasia are commonly middle Miocene or younger in age highlighting the dynamic spatiotemporal evolution of temperate Eurasian floras during the Cenozoic.

Analysis of surface wetness changes in the Maly Labysh mire in south of Western Siberia during the last two millennia

In this study we investigate peat deposits of a transitional sedge-Sphagnum mire by using a testate amoeba analysis to reconstruct the paleohydrology of the mire for the last two millennia. The Maly Labysh mire is located in a river floodplain in low mountains in the south of Western Siberia. The goal of our research is to evaluate the water table depth changes in the mire due to regional and continental climate changes in the late Holocene. Two short-term dryings of the mire surface in 2100-1900 and 1600-1400 yr BP have been revealed. Afterwards, an unusual shift in the oligotrophic conditions on the mire surface is documented between 1400-1100 yr BP. This indicates some weakening of the influence of the nearby river likely due to a decrease in the precipitation. Then, starting at ca. 900 yr BP the mire gradually came back to transitional conditions again, and its surface moisture remained moderately high without notable fluctuations. The close consistency of the thus revealed periods of short drying with similar events in the development of other lake and bog sediments in the south of Western Siberia indicates the fact of predominant influence of westerlies on the formation of the regional climate.

Roads and Communication Routes in the South of Western Siberia in the 18th Century in the Coverage of Russian Historiography

The article is devoted to the analysis of degree and nature of reflection of the problem of the genesis and evolution of transport communications in the south of Western Siberia in the 18th century in Russian historical research. The source base of the research was the Siberian studies literature of the 18th - early 21st centuries, devoted to or concerning the formation of communication routes in Altai and the Irtysh region, which is chronologically divided into three periods (pre-revolutionary, Soviet and modern), the presentation of the last two arranged problem-chronologically. In pre-revolutionary works, information about the region's roads was isolated (sporadic), usually in the context of personal observations of a traveler, calculations of the approximate distance between administrative objects or mentions of existed trade routes. Studies of the Soviet period affected on major overland and water routes, their role in colonization of the territory, and their relationship to population movements. Modern historiography presents some experiences of wide coverage of the history of communication routes in the south of Western Siberia, the region's roads are traditionally considered either as departmental tracks or in the context of expedition itineraries of individual detachments.

Palaeoecological reconstructions in the Tobol-Ishim interfluve: combination of on-site pollen data from cultural layers and off-site peatland records

The study, based on uniformed criteria, summarizes a large series of palynological data and is aimed at re-construction of the vegetation history of the second half of the Holocene based on pollen data from peatlands. The main objective of this work is to compare the results of palynological studies from cultural layers of 30 Neo-lithic-Medieval archaeological sites (on-site data) and five natural archives (off-site records) in the sub-taiga and forest-steppe areas of Tobol River region and on the territory of the Ishim Plain (south of Western Siberia). The main analytical and correlation tools were the calculated indicators of pollen indices and biomes. Baseline pa-laeoecological changes have been analysed by the pollen index of openness/forestness (the ratio of wood vs grass pollen), the aridity index (the ratio of the summed amount of wormwood and chenopod pollen to that of ce-reals) and the dynamics of forest and steppe biome of peatlands; similar pollen indices have been calculated for the cultural layers. All indicators have been synchronized by age and fixed on a single timeline for comparison. The increasing role of forest vegetation in the forest-steppe has been considered as an indicator of increased effective hydration, forest degradation has been associated with the lack of it. The aridity index has been used as an indirect argument, reflecting the condition of grass communities outside the forest, it increases with the syn-chronous aridization and warming, but is also subject to strong distortion under the influence of human activity. Six stages of vegetation change have been identified: 6.0–4.2 ka — increase in proportion of forests in the northern forest steppe; 4.2–3.3 ka — minimal forestation of the territory; 3.3–2.5 ka — gradual regeneration of forest areas; 2.5–1.9 ka — reduction of the proportion of forests; 1.9–0.7 ka — the most pronounced forestation of the territory; 0.7–0 ka — reduction of the proportion of forests. In general, the outlined stages correspond with the overall scheme of development of landscape and climatic conditions in the southern regions of Western Siberia, though have regional specifics. Comparison of palynological data from natural archives (peatlands) and cultural layers by pollen indices demonstrates, that the anthropogenic disturbance of the composition of grass vegetation near the sites in most cases prevents objective assessment of natural conditions, but characterizes the appearance of the settlement landscape near the sites during its functioning and is associated with economic activity.

The forecast of fire impact on Pinus sylvestris renewal in southwestern Siberia

Simulation of fire impact on forest floor renewal in pine forests was based on predictions for 2100 by the Canadian Climate Centre for increase in temperatures of by 4.5 °C and total precipitation by 14% in the West Siberian pre-forest-steppes and empirical regression relationships between them and the degree of burnt forest floor, as well as amount of Pinus sylvestris L. regeneration. It was predicted that by 2100, pine regeneration on fire prone sites under the canopy of the dominant forest type will increase by 29–54% compared to the 1980s but on adjacent open sites, regeneration will decrease twice as much. This means that the regeneration potential and pine population stability in pre-forest-steppes will become as poor as it is today.

Hungarian clover (Trifollium pannonicum Jacq.) - perspective forage crop and phytomeliorant (literary review)

The aim of the study is to present a review of the general characteristics and cultivation of Hungarian clover (Trifolium pannonicum Jacq.) as a forage crop and phytomeliorant in different regions of Russia based on literature data and own experiments. Hungarian clover (Trifolium pannonicum Jacq.) is a perennial legume plant with a natural area of distribution in the countries of Western and Eastern Europe, the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The crop is characterized by good adaptability to new ecological and geographical conditions, high winter hardiness, drought resistance, stable seed yield, low susceptibility to diseases and pests, productive longevity (10-15 years), decorativeness, especially during the flowering period (Fig. 1, 4). Fodder from Hungarian clover (hay, haylage and silage) is of excellent or good quality, and the most valuable fodder is obtained when the crop is mown in the budding phase (Table 7-8). At this time, the plants are well leafy, have tender stems and the biggest content of nutrients in the forage mass. These advantages opened up the prospect of the introduction and use of Hungarian clover in different regions of Russia, including the Middle Urals, the Non-Chernozem zone of the country, the Middle Volga region and the south of Western Siberia. In Russia, three varieties of Hungarian clover have been created and best studied: Premier (originators - Siberian Research Institute of Forages and Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS, Novosibirsk), Anik (Penza State Agricultural Academy), Snezhok (Zonal Research Institute of the North-East named after N.V. Rudnitsky, Kirov). These varieties are included in the state register for testing and protection of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation, have successfully proven themselves in fodder production and gardening, as well as a phytomeliorant of disturbed lands, including when regrassing erosion dangerous slopes and restoration of coal mining sites. Analysis of the literature and our own data showed that the plasticity of Hungarian clover allowed it to adapt to the agro-climatic conditions of different regions of Russia, in particular the forest-steppe of Western Siberia, and to give a high, guaranteed seed yield, despite the harsh winters and a short growing season. The morphological structure of Hungarian clover with a very powerful and deeply penetrating root system, multi-stemmed and goblet-shaped bush with large leaves and inflorescences (Fig. 2-3; Table 1-2), gives reasons to speak of the high competitiveness of this crop in relation to the species of natural flora (including rhizome grasses), and also allows us to consider this plant as a promising soil-strengthening plant. Mineral fertilizers (Table 6) and other means of chemicalization have a positive effect on the growth and development of Hungarian clover: field germination, winter hardiness, symbiotic and photosynthetic activity, seed productivity and fodder harvest increase. In terms of the content and set of the main nutrients, Hungarian clover is not inferior to the traditionally cultivated Red clover, and even surpasses it with late mowing. The crop is resistant to pathogens as Erysiphe communis (Wallr.) Grew, Cercospora zebrina Pass, Stemphylium sarciniforme Wiltsh, Pseudopeziza trifolii Fuck, Uromyces fallens (Desm.) Kem. It is possible to sow Hungarian clover in spring and summer (Table 9). The summer sowing period (mid-July) is preferable to use when the field is heavily infested, which allows several presowing cultivations. The wide-row sowing method is inferior in productivity to the row sowing (Fig. 8-9), but it should be noted that the first method is preferable for two main reasons: inter-row cultivation can be carried out and the plants are less prone to lodging than with row sowing with a shoot height of more than 85 cm. Hungarian clover sowing in natural meadow communities allows to increase the yield and nutritional value of the grass stand (Table 4-5; Fig. 5, 7). For example, when the Hungarian clover of the variety Premier is sown into a natural meadow community dominated by an active cenosis-forming agent, Poa angustifolia L., clover remains in the herbage for more than 16 years with a share of at least 50%. Thus, Hungarian clover is a new, promising forage crop in Russia and can be recommended for the creation of highly productive, long-term agrocenoses and as a phytomeliorant of disturbed lands.

New data on spiders (Arachnida, Aranei) from the caves of Southwestern Siberia (Russia)

The paper reports six species of spiders from five families found in three caves located in the Altai Krai, Novosibirsk Oblast and Kemerovo Oblast of Russia. One troglophilic species, Improphantes improbulus (Simon, 1929) is recorded from Siberia and the Altai Mountains for the first time and another troglophile species, Metellina merianae (Scopoli, 1763) is recorded from the Novosibirsk Oblast for the first time. Improphantes improbulus, a species new to Siberia, is illustrated. The distribution and habitat preferences of all six species is discussed.

The millipede genus Sibiriulus Gulička, 1963 revisited, with the description of a new species from the Altais, southwestern Siberia, Russia (Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae).

Sibiriulus mikhaljovae sp. nov. is described from the Altai Province, southwestern Siberia, Russia. This new species differs from its congeners mainly by the presence of a longitudinal crest inside the apical fovea of the gonopod mesomere. Brief descriptive remarks concerning several previously described Sibiriulus species allow for the definition of the genus to be supplemented and refined. All eight currently known species of Sibiriulus are keyed.

Key Approaches to the Study of History of Altai in 18th Century in Modern Russian Historiography

The article is devoted to a comprehensive examination of theoretical approaches to the study of the history of Altai in the 18th century, developed by Russian specialists over the past three decades. The relevance of the study is associated with the emerging trend in domestic science towards a holistic understanding of the retrospective of individual regions, including through understanding the interdependent role of various social and administrative factors in the colonization process. Special attention is paid to the conceptual assessment of the nature of the initial development of Altai. The methodological grounds for applying the theories of military colonization, frontier, frontier modernization to the history of the region are outlined. The authors state the presence in the scientific literature of two non-identical approaches to the characterization of the Russian border in the south of Western Siberia. The authors demonstrate the obvious desire of historians to carry out comprehensive studies of regional and local levels of civil and mining management, which has emerged against the background of the preservation of the heuristic significance of microhistorical analysis of the role of individual fortified (fortresses, forts) or production facilities (factories). The diversity and conceptual heterogeneity of modern Russian historiography of the history of Altai in the 18th century is summarized. Some forecasts of the development of the historiographic situation are formulated.

Late Pleistocene loess-paleosol sequence at the Belovo section, south of Western Siberia, Russia: Preliminary results

Eurasian loess-paleosol sequences provide continuous records of global change in mid-latitude Northern Eurasia. The loess-paleosol sequence of West Siberia located in the central part of the mid-latitude Eurasian loess belt extending from West Europe to Yakutia is an outstanding paleoclimate archive in Northern Asia. The stratigraphy has been best documented on the left bank of the Ob River, in the so-called Ob Loess Plateau. This study focuses on the stratigraphy of the most complete Middle-Late Pleistocene loess-paleosol sequence at the Belovo section. The suggested high-resolution model of the Belovo Late Pleistocene stratigraphy is based on magnetic and sedimentological proxies and is correlated with other Eurasian loess records and with the global marine δ18O stratigraphy. The enviromagnetic signal at Belovo Loess-paleosol sequences shows a transitional pattern comparable with both typical Eurasian loess magnetic records. Detailed paleopedological interpretations of the magnetic and sedimentological data from the Belovo section have important implications for appropriate linking different Late Pleistocene climates and environments of other the well-known Eurasian loess provinces.

Distribution Profile of Chemical Elements during the Last 13 Thousand Years from the Sediments of Maloye Yarovoe Lake (Western Siberia, Russia)

The article presents the studies on understanding the chemical evolution of Maloye Yarovoe lake that is located in the semi-arid landscape of and represent the most widespread chemical type of saline lake (Cl-Na) on the territory of Kulunda steppe (south of Western Siberia). The lake has gone through several changes in its state which are well represented in its sediments: section 1 (4.52–4.97 m) represents the subbase; section 2 (3.0–4.57 m) corresponds to a “shallow lake” stage and contains two sublayers; section 3 (0–2.25 m) illustrates an increase in erosion of the shoreline and corresponds to a “deep lake” stage. The extrapolation of radiocarbon dates suggests that the most significant changes in the state of the lake occurred at about 6.5–7.1 ka BP (transition from a small lake to a large one with intensified coastal erosion) and at about 5.69 and 3.5 ka BP (increase in the organic component). The results of sequential extraction of elements correspond to chemical changes occurred in a certain time of the lake state by changing in their distribution level and fraction type along the core. The results of lake water evaporation and organic matter degradation modelling performed in Phreeqc for oxic and anoxic condition showed the following stages of chemical divides could be expected in case of further lakes desiccation: Halite—Epsomite—Bischofite/Carnalite with possibility of Nahcolite precipitation in carbonate enriched periods (summer and autumn periods of organic matter degradation). Water–rock interaction processes in combination with biogeochemical reactions affect drastically not only the migration features of elements in water and sediments, but also the type of mineral crystallization in lake sediments.

CHEMICAL ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF HYPERICUM PERFORATUM – STANDARDIZED CHEMICAL ELE-MENTS (As, Cd, Hg, Pb)

Revealing the specificity of the accumulation of ChEs, which are among the most toxic, is of not only theoretical, but also practical importance – for the development and confirmation of safety standards for medicinal plant raw materials. This is especially true for plants exhibiting the ability to accumulate elements, for example, Hypericum perforatum L., one of the specific features of which is the ability to accumulate Cd. The aim of the work is to study the content of standardized chemical elements (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) in Hypericum perforatum plants in the south of Western Siberia and to assess the quality of Herba Hyperici medicinal plant raw materials; on the basis of the obtained data and literature data, to reveal the features of the accumulation of these elements in H. perforatum plants of the Eurasian region. 100 samples of the aboveground and 60 samples of the underground part of H. perforatum from Western Siberia (Novosibirsk region, Kemerovo region, Republic of Altai) were studied: Pb and Cd were determined after dry ashing by atomic emission spectrometry, As – according to GOST R 51766-2001, Hg – according to GOST R 53183-2008. Statistically significant differences in the total ChE content in different samples are not manifested, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb are noted both in samples from disturbed ecotopes and in control variants, the As and Hg content is below the detection limit. The amount of Pb in H. perforatum plants and Cd in underground organs does not exceed the MPC for medicinal plant raw materials and dietary supplements, the concentration of Cd in the aerial part of H. perforatum grass can be both higher and significantly lower than the MPC. The minimum degree of the transition of ChE into extracts is observed in plants with a high content of total ash and a residue insoluble in 10% HCl. The extractability of Cd into dosage forms is low, which indicates the need to develop MPCs for available (biologically active) forms of ChE in medicinal plant raw materials.

The eastern boundary of the geographic range of the Pallas’ spadefoot Pelobates vespertinus (Anura, Amphibia) is limited by overwintering temperatures

We studied the relationship between the geographic distribution of the Pallas’ spadefoot (Pelobates vespertinus) and the soil temperature regime at the eastern boundary of this species’ range (south-western West Siberia and northwest Kazakhstan). This species overwinters underground, burrowing down to 1.5 m or deeper and has poor frost tolerance – it is unable to withstand temperatures below 0 °C, therefore, the temperature at its overwintering depth has to be above zero. A cartographic approach to identifying the distribution of zero isotherms was used. Winter soil temperatures at depths of 80 cm, 120 cm, 160 cm and 240 cm were plotted, based on deep soil thermometer data and the outline of the spadefoot’s range was compared with close-to-zero isotherms in deep soil. Within the range of this species, the depth of the position of zero isotherms increases eastwards: from 80 cm in European Russia, to more than 160 cm in the south-west of Western Siberia. The eastern boundary of the species’ range lies in the forest-steppe, steppe and semi-desert zones in the Tobol-Ishim interfluve and further south, on the left bank area of the Turgai River. This boundary clearly coincides with the zero isotherm, which lies here at a depth of 160 cm, forming an impermeable barrier to the spadefoot’s distribution.

Postglacial history of the Steppe Altai: Climate, fire and plant diversity

The Steppe Altai is a natural transition zone between the Central Asian steppes and deserts and the Siberian taiga. Various lakes located in the Kulunda lowland, the biggest part of the Steppe Altai, provide a unique archive of the environmental history of the Altai Mountain piedmont and adjacent plains. Palaeorecords from two lakes, Maloye Yarovoye and Kuchuk, provide the longest high-resolution records of the Steppe Altai and south-western Siberia, allowing us to describe the environmental history of the region with high accuracy since the last deglaciation. The main objective of this study was to establish the interrelationship between plant biodiversity, climate, and fire dynamics in the Steppe Altai from postglacial time to present day. We used several techniques for this task, including pollen and geochemical analyses, quantitative reconstruction of climate and biodiversity using multivariate statistics, and estimation of macrocharcoal accumulation rates and sources of fuel. Based on analyses of the two palaeorecords, we conclude that plant diversity and evenness show a strong positive correlation with annual precipitation. Pinus sylvestris spread throughout Kulunda lowland after 10.8 ka BP, and maximal spread of mixed coniferous-deciduous forests in south-western Siberia occurred between 7.2 and 2.7 ka BP. We propose that the maximum development of the ribbon-like forests dominated by Scotch pine characterized the Steppe Altai at that time. Forest fires occurred sparsely during the Holocene but were not inherent in pre-Holocene time. Before 650 CE, the main fuel for the fire was grass; however, forest fires rapidly increased in the Steppe Altai after 650 CE and prevailed over steppe fires after 1420 CE. Increased fire activity over the last millennium was likely human-induced.

Parent forms of strawberry Fragaria×ananassa Duch. For breeding on large-fruitfulness

The aim of the present work was to identify strawberry Fragaria × ananassa Duch. varieties, valuable for breeding on large-fruitfulness. The research objectives included the assessment of varieties by large-fruitfulness and the identification of sources of this trait, that allows to develop not only large-fruited, but also yielding varieties that are in demand in the market and it will lead to an increase in the production of strawberries, satisfying the population’s demand in poly-vitamin products. 64 varieties of strawberry were studied. The studies were carried out in the department “M. A. Lisavenko Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia” of “Federal Altai Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnology” in the south of Western Siberia in conditions of a sharply continental climate in 2005-2018. The degree of large-fruitfulness was defined according to the generally accepted method, the assessment of large fruitfulness (average mass of berries) – according to the scale, proposed by N. P. Stolnikova for Siberian conditions. The coefficient of variation was calculated by the method, described by O. V. Masyukova. As a result of studies, it was found that 26 strawberry varieties had an average mass of berries less than 7.0 g, 17 varieties – 7.0-7.9 g, ten – 8.0-8.9 g, nine – 9.0-9.9 g, two – more than 10 g. The variability of large-fruited trait of the studied varieties seemed to be significant almost in all varieties, except for Alena and Zvezdochka varieties, in which the variability was insignificant and the coefficient of variation was 8.1-9.3 %. At Yaponka variety, the variability was average, the coefficient of variation was 13.9 %. For use in breeding the varieties Pervoklassnitsa and Tsunami with very large (12.8 and 10.3 g, respectively) and the varieties with large berries Alena, Atlas, the Bulgarian velikan, Bylinnaya, Vengerka, Vesper, Geyser, Yaponka (9.0-9.9 g and 10 varieties (8.0-8.9 g) were selected. It is necessary to use such strawberry varieties as sources of large-fruitfulness, which have a large-fruited degree of 5 points, 25 varieties turned out to be with this parameter. The parent forms selected for breeding turned out to be adapted to weather conditions during fl owering and ripening of berries, to recurrent spring frosts.

Chemical Treatment of Highly Toxic Acid Mine Drainage at A Gold Mining Site in Southwestern Siberia, Russia

The critical environmental situation in the region of southwestern Siberia (Komsomolsk settlement, Kemerovo region) is the result of the intentional displacement of mine tailings with high sulfide concentrations. During storage, ponds of acidic water with incredibly high arsenic (up to 4 g/L) and metals formed on the tailings. The application of chemical methods to treat these extremely toxic waters is implemented: milk of lime Ca(OH)2, sodium sulfide Na2S, and sodium hydroxide NaOH. Field experiments were carried out by sequential adding pre-weighed reagents to the solutions with control of the physicochemical parameters and element concentrations for each solution/reagent ratio. In the experiment with Ca(OH)2, the pH increased to neutral values most slowly, which is contrary to the results from the experiment with NaOH. When neutralizing solutions with NaOH, arsenic-containing phases are formed most actively, arsenate chalcophyllite Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24·36H2O, a hydrated iron arsenate scorodite, kaatialaite FeAs3O9·8H2O and Mg(H2AsO4)2. A common specificity of the neutralization processes is the rapid precipitation of Fe hydroxides and gypsum, then the reverse release of pollutants under alkaline conditions. The chemistry of the processes is described using thermodynamic modeling. The main species of arsenic in the solutions are iron-arsenate complexes; at the end of the experiments with Ca(OH)2, Na2S, and NaOH, the main species of arsenic is CaAsO4−, the most toxic acid H3AsO3 and AsO43−, respectively. It is recommended that full-scale experiments should use NaOH in the first stages and then Ca(OH)2 for the subsequent neutralization.

Saprophytic and Pathogenic Yeasts in Atmospheric Aerosols of Southwestern Siberia

Data on the number and diversity of psychrotolerant yeast isolated from high-altitude and surface samples of atmospheric aerosol from southwestern Siberia are derived from a microbiological study. According to certain phenotypic and genomic characteristics, the yeast isolates are referred to the Saccharomyces, Candida, Sporidiobolus, Aureobasidium, Sporobolomyces, Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, and some other genera. Both saprophytic and pathogenic microorganisms are detected. Aureobasidium yeast strains are revealed, which actively produce exopolysaccharides and melanin and are promising for biotechnological developments.

Artefacts of violence of the bronze and copper ages in the south of western Siberia

Artefacts of violence of the bronze and copper ages in the south of western Siberia