Ural River Research Articles

Phytoplankton change along the length of the Ural River under conditions of eutrophication

For the first time, the change of phytoplankton along the length of the Ural River from Verkhneuralsk to Orenburg (on a site of more than 1000 km) was studied. A powerful eutrophying effect of Magnitogorsk on the river for more than 150 km has been revealed. It manifests itself in the fact that the phytoplankton biomass in this area increases greatly, averaging about 15 mg/ l (with the dominance of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa), and the species diversity index (Shannon index), on the contrary, reaches extremely low values of 0.25. This indicates a significant oppression of the plankton community and deterioration of water quality. In the Ural River above this site (from Verkhneuralsk to Magnitogorsk reservoir), as well as below it (from Orsk to Orenburg), phytoplankton indicators correspond to the usual values: biomass is 1.6–1.7 mg/l, Shannon index is 3.3–3.5 (on average for each site). This suggests that the conditions for the existence of plankton in the upper and lower areas are favorable. At the same time, the sites differ in the composition of algae: the first is dominated by diatoms, the second is predominantly green. Perhaps this is due to geographical factors: in the north, the Urals flows in the forest-steppe zone, and in the south it passes into the steppe.

Phytoplankton Change Along the Length of the Ural River under Conditions of Eutrophication

Phytoplankton Change Along the Length of the Ural River under Conditions of Eutrophication

Biological Indication of Pollution of the Ural River Based on the Results of a Study of Its Zoobenthos in Summer 2022

Biological Indication of Pollution of the Ural River Based on the Results of a Study of Its Zoobenthos in Summer 2022

ЕДІЛ-ЖАЙЫҚ ПОПУЛЯЦИЯСЫ КИІКТЕРІНІҢ ҚАЗІРГІ КЕЗДЕГІ ЭКОЛОГИЯЛЫҚ ЖАҒДАЙЫ ЖӘНЕ ПОПУЛЯЦИЯНЫҢ ТҰРАҚТЫ ДАМУЫНЫҢ МӘСЕЛЕЛЕРІ

This article is dedicated to studying the complex ecology of the Volga-Ural saiga population in Kazakhstan, providing comprehensive information about its current state and dynamics. Extensive field studies were conducted in key locations such as calving sites, summer pastures, and wintering grounds to understand habitat conditions, ecological characteristics, and relationships with other animal species. The increasing population of Volga-Ural saigas has led to conflicts of interest with agricultural producers, which have been examined alongside proposed measures for resolution. Currently, this population is the world`s largest, uniquely positioned in the border area between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. In recent years, saigas have been observed crossing the borders of these countries in the west and northwest of the West Kazakhstan region during spring, seeking calving sites. Fluctuation in saiga numbers from perilous lows to record highs within several years, raise concerns about sustainable long-term development. The author`s research seeks to address these questions and aligns with other researchers advocating for population regulation through controlled reduction necessary to manage the rapidly increasing saiga population effectively. Furthermore, this article serves as a valuable resource for conservation stakeholders, including those interested in saiga protection and regional agriculture development. It significantly contributes to understanding the intricate ecosystem dynamics along the right bank of the Ural River, emphasizing the importance of sustainable natural resource management for saiga conservation and overall biodiversity in the region.

The formation of the Bukey Horde: causes and prerequisites

he article examines the history of the creation of the BukeyHorde, which arose at the beginning of the XIX century between the Volga and Ural rivers. The author studies the driving force and prerequisites of political, socio-economic events that took place from the moment of the adoption of Russian citizenship by representatives of the Younger Zhuz in 1731 to the moment of the formation of the BukeyKhanate in 1801.The research paper presents new data on the socio-political activities of the first khan of the Inner Horde, Bokey Nuralyuly, and the famous batyr and bi Syrym Datov, related to the aspirations of the Kazakhs to their ancestral historical land. The reasons for the departure of the Kalmyks who inhabited the Volga and the Urals to their historical homeland in Dzungaria were touched upon.The author of the article used works published in the pre-revolutionary period, domestic and foreign archival materials, various collections of documents in the study of thecauses and prerequisites for the creation of the BukeyHorde

SOIL EROSION AND IMPACT ON RECREATIONAL RESOURCES IN THE SHYNGYRLAU BASIN, WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN: A MULTI-ANALYTICAL ASSESSMENT

Over the past decades, water erosion has increased significantly in the Shyngyrlau River basin. Recreational development, haphazard construction and operation of roads have led to increased water erosion and the formation of numerous linear erosion forms. Erosion reduces the natural resource status of the region. Water erosion develops in most cases along roads laid along the thalwegs of the ravine-hollow network. The light substrate along with sparse vegetation cover (the sparseness is aggravated by intensive grazing) predetermine its rapid development. Water erosion is an acute problem arising from the present climate change, agricultural intensification and diverse forms of anthropogenic land degradation. Assessment of present and potential soil erosion is useful for landscape preservation as well as development planning. Multi-analytical modeling can provide a quantitative and consistent estimation of soil erosion and sediment yield under locally specific environmental conditions. The soil loss model, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), integrated with GIS, has been used to estimate soil loss in the Shyngyrlau Basin (a left-bank tributary of the Ural River, NW Kazakhstan). The RUSLE model is based on remote sensing and field data; erosion probabilities were determined using GIS. The percentage ratio of the soil loss in the Shyngyrlau River basin shows erosion variation of 0.001–2.47 t/ha/yr. The degree of erosion increases with the length of the slope. A new factor Chip curvature (Cu factor), defining the accuracy of the soil loss results, was defined. According to this factor, soil erosion in the study area is 0.007–2.48 t/ha/yr within the low erosion class. The lowest indicator of the K factor is 0.2 in sandy clay soils used as pasturelands. The highest K factor (0.3) relates to clayey arable soils. The research results add to implementation of new strategies in soil management and conservation practices reducing soil erosion in the Shyngyrlau Basin. Both climate and anthropogenic factors are seen behind the activated ground erosion. The development of forms of water erosion leads to a violation of the integrity of modern natural complexes of the West Kazakhstan region, which significantly reduces their stability and recreational potential.

Infection of bream with Ligula plerocercoids (Ligula intestinalis) of the Chernovsky reservoir of the Orenburg region

In recent years, much attention has been paid in the Orenburg region to the issues of increasing fish stocks in natural and artificial reservoirs. Annually, the Ural River, reservoirs of the region are stocked with carp, sturgeon species of fish, as well as land reclamation activities. One of the reasons that worsen the quality of fish products from the reservoirs of the region is helminthiases. They reduce fatness and fat content, spoil the marketable appearance of caught fish, thereby causing significant economic damage [1]. Ligullosis is a common helminthic disease of many species of freshwater fish, especially often recorded in cyprinids. The disease in fish is caused by plerocercoids of Ligulidae from the genus Ligula (family Ligulidae). Parasitizing in the abdominal cavity, the helminth compresses the internal organs, disrupts their functions, which can lead to atrophy and infertility [2]. The natural causes of the spread of ligulosis include fish-eating birds - the final hosts of the Ligula. In the intestines of birds, helminths become sexually mature and live only a few days, standing out with litter and not causing much harm. It is quite difficult and not always possible to control the number of fish-eating birds in water bodies [3]. The aim of our research was to study the degree of infestation of bream with plerocercoids of the genus Ligula in the Chernovsky reservoir of the Orenburg region.

Re-Establishing Naturally Reproducing Sturgeon Populations in the Caspian Basin: A Wicked Problem in the Ural River

Although Eurasia’s Caspian basin once supported the world’s richest and most diverse complex of sturgeon species, recent human activities have decimated populations of these ecologically and economically important fish. All five anadromous Caspian sturgeon species are critically endangered, and the potamodromous sterlet is also threatened. The precipitous decline of these species is due to a combination of factors that includes illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; destruction of feeding and spawning habitat; water pollution; and the environmental consequences of climate change. International efforts are currently underway to re-establish sustained naturally reproducing sturgeon populations in the basin. Here, we update and review the status of sturgeon in the Caspian Sea with emphasis on the northern basin and the inflowing Volga and Ural rivers. We then focus on efforts to restore sturgeon in the Ural, which originates in Russia and flows through Kazakhstan before entering the Caspian Sea. With nearly ideal hydrological conditions for sturgeon, the Ural is the basin’s sole remaining river that allows migrating sturgeon unimpeded access to potentially productive spawning grounds. The challenge of re-establishing sturgeon in the Ural River exhibits the classical characteristics of wicked problems: ambiguous definitions, changing assumptions and unanticipated consequences, tradeoffs and economic dependencies, an incomplete and contradictory knowledge base, and no straightforward pathway toward a final solution. This challenge is examined here for the first time from the perspective of its wicked dynamics, with consideration given to approaches that have proven effective elsewhere in resolving wicked environmental problems.

Оценка экологического состояния реки Урал методом флуктуирующей асимметрии

The article presents the results of the assessment of the ecological state of the Ural River by the method of fluctuating asymmetry using pond frog (Rana lessonae) and silver carp (Carassius gibelio) as bioindicators. The studies were carried out on 4 sections of the river that differ in anthropogenic load. The fluctuating asymmetry method is based on the analysis of the symmetry violation of the development of morphogenetic homeostasis indicators Rana lessonae and Carassius gibelio under the influence of anthropogenic factors. The study made it possible to assess the state of the Ural River in the studied areas of the reservoir by the stability of the development of the bioindicators Rana lessonae and Carassius gibelio. Keywords: BIOINDICATION, FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY, RANA LESSONAE, CARASSIUS GIBELIO, URAL RIVER

The population of the middle course of the Ural River in the Early Iron Age (by the data from the Industrialnaya Zona cemetery)

Presented in the publication are the craniological data on a series of early nomads of the Sarmatian type from the Industrialnaya Zona (Poyma) cemetery in the territory of Terekti District of Western Kazakhstan Oblast. Age and sex determinations were given for 61 burials of the Early Iron Age and five of the Bronze Age. The cra-niological series is represented by 32 crania, of which 20 are male and 12 are female. They are characterized by similar morphological features characteristic of the population of the Ural River Basin. As of today, this series is one of the largest, and it dates to a rather narrow chronological period of the 4th–3rd cс. BC. The ‘Sauromato-Sarmatian’ population across the whole territory of its settlement demonstrates biological unity, which is also con-firmed by the palaeogenetic data. It is likely that the Volga-Ural and Cisaral regions constituted the hearth of the racial genesis, which is associated with the origin of the early nomads of the arid zones from the Urals to Ancient Khwarazm and from the Turgay to the Lower Don regions and the formation of the specific craniological complex, with large latitudinal characteristics of the cranium and facial region. The angles of the horizontal profiling feature significant flattening at the upper level, while at the lower level it is at the borderline between the Caucasoid and Mongoloid types with the nasal bones protruding prominently in profile. Also presented in the publication is the graphic reconstruction of the face from the cranium from burial No. 3, mound No. 10. The features presented in the physical appearance of the reconstruction reflect what the ancient nomads of the Ural River Basin looked like. The comparison of the craniological characteristics of the Industrialnaya Zone cemetery against a broad back-ground of the comparative materials, generalised from the cultures of the Early Iron Age, showed that the cranio-logical features of the group do not differ from the surrounding population with similar cultural characteristics of the Volga-Ural region, Western Kazakhstan, and the Lower Don region at the end of the 6th — 3rd c. BC.

Alien Vimba Bream Vimba vimba (Cyprinidae) in the Ural River Basin

Alien Vimba Bream Vimba vimba (Cyprinidae) in the Ural River Basin

Resource potential and sustainability of recreational soils in the city of Uralsk

The study of the resource potential and sustainability of soils in the green areas of the city of Uralsk is necessary to determine further steps to preserve the green fund. The recreational load was studied on the territory of the Kirov Park., Zh. Moldagaliev, Isatai and Makhambet, as well as the embankment of the Chagan and Ural rivers. In soils, such characteristics as moisture content, density, water permeability, organic carbon and salinity were studied. Soil water permeability was studied by the tube method. The density of recreational soils in the city of Uralsk was studied by the cutting ring method. Additionally, studies were carried out on the buffer capacity, salinity and organic carbon of soils. These studies were carried out by conventional methods. The results of comparing data on water permeability, density, salinity and resource capacity show a tendency for their condition to deteriorate at sites experiencing a constant recreational load. The recreational load is especially critical in the territories of public gardens Zh. Moldagaliev, Isatai and Makhambet and the embankment of the Ural River in the area of the Stela memorial complex.

ALIEN VIMBA BREAM VIMBA VIMBA (CYPRINIDAE) IN THE URAL RIVER BASIN

This paper provides information on the presence of the vimba bream ( Vimba vimba ) in the middle reaches of the Ural River. One of the distinguishing features of this species from the native Caspian vimba ( V. persa ) is a greater number of scales in the lateral line. In the late 1980s, the vimba bream was introduced from the Don River basin into the Volga River basin. Having successfully adapted in the Volgograd reservoir, the species subsequently settled in the unregulated section of the Lower Volga, in the northern and, apparently, middle parts of the Caspian Sea, and also formed a stable residential population in the Ural River basin.

Применение Ooencyrtus kuvanae Howard против непарного шелкопряда

The gypsy moth, Lymanria dispar, is one of the most widespread pest-insects in the Russian Federation. Anastatus japonicus Ashmead and Ooencyrtus kuvanae Howard are parasites that live on the eggs of L. dispar. They can be found in the European part of Russia, where the insects were imported from North Korea in 1988. The usage of O. kuvanae to limit the gypsy moth populations requires recognition of the release rates and effectiveness in preventing mass pest outbreaks, as well as for the evaluation of the possibility of elimination. An experimental release of O. kuvanae (237 500 specimens) was conducted in 2019 during a gypsy moth outbreak in the Orenburg region, which covered the basin of the Ural River within the territory of three forestries. The average number of clutches of O. kuvanae varied from 1 to 20 clutches per tree. The control of efficiency was made 48–52 after the release, during the incubation period of the 3ed generation of O. kuvanae. The clutches were collected and experimentally analyzed. The release rate of L. dispar ranged 82.9–90.3 % at the locations with a density of 107–268 thousand eggs/ha and did not exceed 47.3 % at the locations with a density of 3800 thousand eggs/ha. A coefficient for estimation of the optimal number of O. kuvanae specimens per 1 ha was proposed based on the proportion of the released egg parasitoids per 1 ha and the absolute number of the destroyed eggs of L. dispar. The regulation of the gypsy moth’s population by O. kuvanae should be done at the biggening of the foci formation. The usage of the entomophage in the active reproductive foci of the gypsy moth, with an infestation rate higher than 1.5 clutches per tree, cannot reduce the phytophage numbers to a harmless level. The application of O. kuvanae can be a part of an integrated system of preventive measures: chemical or biological pesticide treatments to reduce gypsy moth populations, and after initiate the release of the entomophages. For citation: Sergeeva Yu.A., Dolmonego S.O. Application of Ooencyrtus kuvanae Howard Against Gypsy Moth. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 3, pp. 69–83. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-3-69-83

Regional Effects of Global Climate Changes in the Ural River Basin

The study data obtained on regional climate changes (surface layer temperature and atmospheric precipitation) in the Ural River basin are reported for a 70-year period (1950–2020). Variations in the basic parameters of the regional climate in the basin studied were obtained by standard statistical data analysis, as well as by calculation of the integral climate anomaly indices. Statistically significant linear trend coefficients illustrate a steady increase in the average annual air temperature in the Ural River basin. The largest contribution to the growth of this parameter is made in the first three months of the calendar year (January–March) and the autumn months (October–November). The long-term course of precipitation values is devoid of unidirectional and statistically significant trends. The important macroregional trend is an increase in precipitation during the cold period. In conclusion, it should be noted that the diverse physical and geographical conditions of the regional climate are indicative of a spatially nonuniform response to the global and macroregional changes.

Airborne and Underwater Noise Produced by a Hovercraft in the North Caspian Region: Pressure and Particle Motion Measurements

The measurements of airborne and underwater noise radiated by a Griffon BHT130 hovercraft were conducted in the Ural-Caspian Channel and in the North Caspian Sea. This type of hovercraft is being used for all-season cargo and crew transportation to oil and gas platforms within the environmentally sensitive area of the Ural River estuary known for its abundant bird and fish fauna. Several field campaigns were organized from 2017 to 2022 to measure and analyze acoustic noise levels simultaneously in the air and underwater at various sites and hovercraft speeds. Airborne noise levels were estimated according to ISO 2922:2020, 2021. Underwater noise study included not only acoustic pressure recordings but also particle velocity measurements with a self-designed pressure gradient sensor (PGS), which is important since the hearing of the majority of fish perceives the sound in terms of particle motion. This study is the first to report the particle velocity levels formed underwater during hovercraft passages. The minimum levels of underwater noise, 100 dB re 1 µPa (pressure), 45 dB re 1 nm/s (particle velocity), and airborne noise, 93 dBA re 20 µPa (pressure), normalized to a distance of 25 m were observed for the hovercraft passages at a cruising speed of 7–15 m/s. Thus, this speed interval can be recommended as an optimum to minimize an acoustic impact on ornitho- and fish fauna. The directivity of the hovercraft noise was estimated for the first time and utilized for noise mapping of the Ural-Caspian Channel. The possible hydrodynamic effect of a passing hovercraft is discussed.

Rain-fed agriculture in the steppe and forest-steppe zone of the Ural River basin and the adaptation of agricultural technologies to changing moisture availability as a way to preserve surface water resources

Aim. The aim of the research was to determine the relationship of winter wheat grain yields with meteorological parameters, the determination of the dynamics and current level and the selection and scientific justification of adaptive agricultural technologies.Material and Methods. Retrospective analysis was undertaken of meteorological conditions and gross winter wheat harvests by standard methods of correlation and regression analysis. The strength of the connection between the data of individual arrays was determined, as well as the identification of joint variation of productive and factorial features by pairwise comparison of their time series.Results. Six joint variations of time series of productive (gross grain harvest) and factorial features (hydrothermal conditions of vegetation periods and structural indicators of crops) with medium and high closeness of correlation, expressed in the form of multiple regression equations, were revealed.Conclusion. The results of the studies indicate a close direct relationship between gross grain harvest and yield from the harvesting area (r = 0.79), which in turn is inversely dependent (to an average degree) on the sum of the active air temperatures of the entire period from sowing to harvesting (r = 0.64). Из осадков различных периодов вегетации преимущественное прямое влияние на урожайность зерна оказывают осадки холодного периода года (r = 0.49) и всего активного периода вегетации от начала парования до уборки (r = 0.39). Of the precipitation of different periods of vegetation, the predominant direct effect on grain yield is exerted by precipitation during the cold period of the year (r = 0.49) and the entire active period of vegetation from the beginning of fallow to harvest (r = 0.39). The effect of amounts of precipitation for certain short periods of vegetation is much lower. Under current conditions, the stability of winter wheat grain production will be determined by the adaptability of agricultural technologies to the increasing aridity of the climate, which significantly worsens the moisture supply of plants.

Russian-Kazakh transboundary water bodies: typology, dynamics, economic significance

The issues related to transboundary reservoirs in the state border zone of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan are analysed and their typology is articulated. Issues concerning the legal definition of the concept of "transboundary water body" in the legislation of the two countries are outlined. As a result of comparative decoding of differenttime images of remote satellite sensing of the earth, border sections where the course of rivers change were identified.Aim. To analyse and classify transboundary water bodies on sections of the state border of Russia and the Republic of Kazakhstan and identify problematic situations.Material and Methods. The study of these transboundary water bodies was carried out on the basis of both the analysis of interstate agreements on the delineation of the border of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan, the use of cartographic methods and the analysis of retrospective satellite images.Results. Inconsistencies in the level of legal definition of the concept of "transboundary water body" in the legislation of the two countries are shown. Transboundary water bodies on the state border of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan have been identified and classified. Based on a retrospective analysis of satellite images, problematic situations arising from changes in the location of water bodies as a result of channel deformations of transboundary rivers and fluctuation of lakes have been identified.Conclusions. According to the results of this work, all waterbodies located in the state border zone along its entire length have been identified. A typology of these has been carried out and the length of boundary watercourse sections has been established. Using the example of the transborder Ural River, the situation of the section of the river along which the state border lies is shown with an analysis of the changes in the channel and their dynamics.

Transformation of Water Consumption and Sanitation in the Russian Part of the Transboundary Ural River Basin

Aim. Study of the transformation of water consumption and wastewater disposal in the Russian part of the Ural River basin. Ural in 1995-2020 due to changing socio-economic and technological conditions.Materials and Methods. The data of state statistical reporting (form 2-TP (vodkhoz)) for the period 1995-2020 were used. Materials of the AllRussian Agricultural Census of 2016, collections of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, "Agro-industrial Complex of Russia", on the commissioning of irrigated lands, the regional Department of Land Reclamation and reports on the state and environmental protection for the constituent entities of the Russian Federation were consulted. The study was carried out on the basis of a systematic approach using the following methods: (1) analytical (collection and systematization of primary information); (2) special (tables compiled, charts constructed; (3) statistical data processing and comparative analysis.Results. It was revealed that from 1995 to 2020 water intake in the Russian part of the Ural River basin to meet the needs of the population and the economy was reduced by 2.4 times. The average daily specific water consumption per 1 inhabitant has decreased in all regions. The water cycle coefficient in the basin increased from 73 to 88%. In recent years, an increase in the area of irrigated land has begun.Conclusion. There has been a noticeable reduction in water consumption and wastewater disposal in the Russian part of the Ural River basin. This is mainly due to the decline in industrial and agricultural production, as well as the development of circulating water supply in industry and the introduction of water-saving equipment in housing and communal services.

Musings about image cart on the pot from the burial ground about village Spassky

In the burial ground about village Spassky during the excavations of the first group of burial mounds in 1961 in the construction zone of the Verhneural`skoe reservoir (upper course of the Ural River, Chelyabinsk region) a pot with the image cart was discovered. In the scientific literature over the past decades, several points of view have been formulated about the appearance of this image. The article provides a detailed analysis of the unique schematic image of the cart on the pot. Such images of carts are rare, so a wide range of images from various territories are involved in the analysis. An attempt is presented to determine the individual parts and details of the design of the cart image. In the conclusions the author suggests two possible interpretations of the drawing from the burial ground about village Spassky: this is image represent cart with tow hitch for hitching and to transport a load or other carts; or it represents foreground body of a cart with loop for constriction body of a cart with draught-pole.