Western Siberia Research Articles

Upper Eocene benthic foraminiferal assemblages from Western Siberia (Trans-Ural Region): a multi-proxy approach to infer environmental changes

During the Late Eocene, the West Siberian Basin became increasingly isolated from the Peri-Tethys Ocean. The final stage of this marine connection is marked by sediments of the Tavda Formation thatwere deposited during the Bartonian and Priabonion. We have analyzed the composition, structure and diversity of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in core material from the Kyshtyrla Quarry located in the southwest of Western Siberia to reconstruct the depositional environment during the terminal phase of marine sedimentation in theWest Siberian Basin (Upper Tavda Subformation). The foraminiferal record was jointly used with lithological and geochemical multi-proxy data to infer the chronology of events that shaped the critical transition until the complete closure of the basin. Based on stratigraphic index markers, a Priabonian age is indicated for sediments of the Upper Tavda Subformation. From the bottom to the top of the core, the foraminiferal biotas progressively shift from shallow subtidal to low-diverse and stress-tolerant intertidal assemblages, indicative for an increasing isolation of the West Siberian Basin. The increasing shallowing of the marine basin is accompanied by a gradual shift in grain size, and the continuous presence of benthic foraminifera and ratios of geochemical proxies (Sr/Ba, Si/Al, Ti/Al, Zr/Al, K/Al, and U/Th) indicate that mainly marine to brackish water conditions prevailed.

INFLUENCE OF ASSOCIATED PETROLEUM GAS COMBUSTION VOLUMES ON AVERAGE ANNUAL SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE INCREASE IN WESTERN SIBERIA

On April 2016, Russia signed the Paris Climate Agreement, under which by 2030 it pledged to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to no more than 70 % of 1990 levels annually. However, this may be hindered by a number of factors, in particular the significant increase in oil production at new oil and gas fields being brought into commercial development. Most of these facilities are concentrated in inaccessible areas with poor infrastructure, which significantly complicates the process of associated petroleum gas utilization and calls into question the fulfillment of commitments made. At the moment, carbon regulation in Russia is at the initial stage: in 2018, the level of greenhouse gas emissions from Russia amounted to only 52 % of the 1990 level. This has a significant contribution to the change in the temperature background of oil-producing regions, the main one being Western Siberia. Therefore, the study of such a massive anthropogenic impact on the environment, such as the mass flaring of associated petroleum gas on an industrial scale, is confidently correlated with Russia's stated strategic goals to significantly reduce the amount of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. 

ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ СОВРЕМЕННЫХ СОРТОВ РАПСА

The formation of varietal resources is a powerful factor ensuring food security of the country. The purpose of our research is to analyze the production of modern varieties and hybrids of spring rapeseed in the conditions of Western Siberia (on the example of the southern forest-steppe of the Omsk region) and to determine the economic efficiency of their cultivation. Methods of mathematical, statistical analysis of data from published official statistical sources were used. The prime costs, revenues and cost recovery for the cultivation of domestic varieties Yubileyny and 55region, foreign varieties (Heros) and hybrid (PR46X75) are calculated. The data on the structure of prime costs of spring rapeseed are presented, where the largest share of costs is accounted for by plant protection products (32.8%), and approximately equal shares (10.5-13%) are accounted for by labor remuneration, maintenance of fixed assets and other basic costs. The share of seed costs depends on the seed material and varies from 3% for varieties to 10% for hybrids. On average for the years of research (2021-2023) the maximum oilseed yield was observed in hybrid PR46X75 - 2.23 t/ha, where the net income amounted to 56547 rubles/ha, but the cost recovery in this variant is the lowest - 4.82, due to high costs (14813 rubles/ha) in comparison with the cultivation of varieties of Siberian breeding Yubileyny and 55region, whose indicators amounted to 51202-54590 rubles/ha, 5.21-5.22 and 12158-12930 rubles/ha, respectively. The highest profitability was achieved in the cultivation of the spring rapeseed varieties 55region (422%) and Yubileyny (421%), and the lowest - in the hybrid PR46X75 - 382%.

Оценка эффективности смесей фестулолиума с люцерной в лесостепи Приобья (Западная Сибирь)

The results of the research of festulolium and alfalfa in a joint herbage with different methods of sowing and doses of mineral nitrogen conducted in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia in the period from 2020–2023 are presented. The growth and development of crops in the initial period of life, winter hardiness, productivity and economic feasibility of cultivation were taken into account both in favorable 2019–2021 (HTC = 1.0...1.29) and in unfavorable 2022–2023 (HTC = 0.6...0.99). A high response of perennial grasses was achieved in sowing festulolium one row + alfalfa three rows — 38.13 t/ha of green mass, which corresponds to a single-species alfalfa crop. Sowing with a mixture of seeds is 21% less productive. A positive effect was obtained from optimizing the level of cenosis and foliage of alfalfa by 56%, which was confirmed by an average correlation (r = 0.58). The energy efficiency coefficient (CEE) had maximum values of 9.8–11.7 and was characterized as high, the profitability of cultivating mixtures was 407–465%. A positive effect was obtained when N30 was introduced into the sowing of festulolium one row + alfalfa three rows — 21–36% to 37.41 t/ha of green mass. In comparison with the unfavorable background, the share of festulolium in the yield of mixtures increased to 58–71%, alfalfa decreased to 29–42%. CEE = 4.9–5.6 (the value is from medium to high), the profitability of cultivating mixtures is 325–378%. The application of mineral nitrogen N60 to joint crops of festulolium and alfalfa increases the collection of green mass compared with single-species sowing of festulolium by 10–20%, to 34.74–37.93 t/ha of green mass due to the maximum proportion of cereals in mixtures — 62–80% with its responsiveness to fertilization. CEE = 4.5–4.9 (average value), the profitability of cultivating mixtures is 323–365%.

RARE-EARTH elements in the topsoils of a Russian industrial city: Sources and human health risk assessment

Research on rare-earth elements (REEs) in urban soils of Russian industrial cities is extremely limited. This study investigates the potential sources and human health risks of REEs contained in the topsoils of the industrial Russian city of Chelyabinsk. The study also takes into account natural sources of REE as the city is located on the border of granites (Urals) and sedimentary rocks (Western Siberia). We analyzed the concentration and distribution of REEs in the soils of four types of locations: residential courtyards, city parks, roadsides, and industrial locations. The total REE concentrations ranged from 44 to 255 mg/kg, with average concentrations of 140, 124, 113 and 89 mg/kg in the courtyards, roadsides, industrial location and city parks, respectively. The REE content in courtyard soils could be influenced by poor cleaning of fallen leaves. The ratios of light REE (LREE) to heavy REE (HREE) ranged from 9.5 to 10.1, revealing an obvious fractionation between them. The fractionation of LREE and HREE, and the REE/ES (European Shale) pattern showed that REE accumulation in Chelyabinsk soils has been disturbed by human activities. It was shown that the dust from industrial emissions was the main anthropogenic source of REE accumulation in urban soil. The largest amounts of REEs are emitted from an electrometallurgical plant and zinc production plant. Fortunately, the estimated daily intakes of REE from soils for children and adults were well below the safety thresholds. At the same time, in order to prevent social tension and reduce the anthropogenic load on the urban area, it is recommended to use phytoremediation technologies, smart landscaping of industrial and residential areas, more thorough cleaning of fallen leaves and road dust. It is also recommended to move the most dangerous production processes outside the urban area.

Assessment of spring broad wheat varieties and lines for drought resistance in the conditions of the southern foreststeppe of Western Siberia using drought resistance indices

Assessment of spring broad wheat varieties and lines for drought resistance in the conditions of the southern foreststeppe of Western Siberia using drought resistance indices

Prospects for restarting the «Siberian Project» to divert part of the river flow from Western Siberia to Central Asia

Prospects for restarting the «Siberian Project» to divert part of the river flow from Western Siberia to Central Asia

Creation of spring soft wheat varieties adaptive to the conditions of Western Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan using cytoplasm of other species

Creation of spring soft wheat varieties adaptive to the conditions of Western Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan using cytoplasm of other species

Distinguishing Impacts on Winter Temperatures in Northern Mid-to-High Latitude Continents during Multi-year and Single-year La Niña Events: A Modeling Study

Abstract Utilizing a 2200-year CESM1 pre-industrial simulation, this study examines the influence of property distinctions between single-year (SY) and multi-year (MY) La Niñas on their respective impacts on winter surface air temperatures across mid-to-high latitude continents in the model, focusing on specific teleconnection mechanisms. Distinct impacts were identified in four continent sectors: North America, Europe, Western Siberia (W-Siberia), and Eastern Siberia (E-Siberia). The typical impacts of simulated SY La Niña events are featured with anomalous warming over Europe and W&E-Siberia and anomalous cooling over North America. Simulated MY La Niña events reduce the typical anomalous cooling over North America and the typical anomalous warming over W&E-Siberia but intensify the typical anomalous warming over Europe. The distinct impacts of simulated MY La Niñas are more prominent during their first winter than during the second winter, except over W-Siberia, where the distinct impact is more pronounced during the second winter. These overall distinct impacts in the CESM1 simulation can be attributed to the varying sensitivities of these continent sectors to the differences between MY and SY La Niñas in their intensity, location, and induced sea surface temperature anomalies in the Atlantic Ocean. These property differences were linked to the distinct climate impacts through the Pacific North America, North Atlantic Oscillation, Indian Ocean-induced wave train, and Tropical North Atlantic-induced wave train mechanisms. The modeling results are then validated against observations from 1900 to 2022 to identify disparities in the CESM1 simulation.

Bio-, Lithostratigraphic and Geochemical Markers of Global Events in the Upper Devonian of the South of Western Siberia and their Value for Inter-regional Correlations

Abstract —Upper Devonian carbonate reef complexes have been studied on the territory of the Kolyvan-Tom’ Folded Area in sections in the right bank of Tom’ River. Facies analysis of the exposed part of the reef complex indicates the predominance of fore-reef and continental margin depositional environments of a tectonically active margin. The identified conodont associations are represented by cosmopolitan representatives of the genera Ancyrodella, Ancyrolepis, Icriodus, Mehlina, Palmatolepis, Polygnathus and “Polylophodonta” suggesting a correlation with the punctata–jamieae, rhenana–linguiformis, triangularis and Lower crepida conodont zones. The largest conodont diversity occurs at the triangularis/crepida boundary. Biofacies analysis of ostracod distribution has led to identification of characteristic associations and their restriction to certain parts of the palaeobasin. Substage boundaries yielded ostracods with both smooth and ornamented shells. In the lower part of the substages, smooth forms predominate, whereas the middle and upper parts of the substages are characterised by forms with tuberculate and reticulated surface. Hollinella valentinae Beds were traced in the Upper Frasnian Solomino Formation, and Acratia granuliformis Beds were traced in the Lower Famennian Kosoy Utyos and lower Mitikha members. Isotope geochemistry of the Upper Devonian sections of the south of Western Siberia reveals Frasnian global events – the Middlesex/punctata and the Upper Kellwasser, their stratigraphic position confirmed by palaeontological data, as well as by the globally expressed negative carbon isotope anomaly. These boundaries are marked by changes in depositional regime reflecting sea-level eustatic fluctuations, which are complemented with faunal changes.

The First Record of Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever Virus and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus of Baltic Lineage from the Kemerovo Region of Russia.

Objectives: Tick-borne encephalitis virus Siberian subtype (TBEV-Sib) and Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV) are causative agents of natural focal infections in Western Siberia, Russia. The distribution of TBEV phylogenetic lineages and OHFV in the Kemerovo Region of Western Siberia remains poorly investigated. Methods: The phylogenetic analyses of fragment genome sequences 26 flaviviruses identified in 2019 were performed, and the amino acid variation was determined to reveal to which clusteron they belong. The age of Baltic and Asian lineages of the TBEV-Sib was calculated for Kemerovo District and Region, respectively. Results: Twenty-five isolates were members of three TBEV-Sib phylogenetic lineages: Baltic (48%), Asian (36%), and East Siberian (16%). The Baltic lineage's eastern boundary is commonly thought to be in the Novosibirsk Region, but our data suggest that it may reach further east. Analysis of the Baltic lineage clusteron structure showed that the isolates found are unique (6) or belong to clusteron-founder 3D (1) and derived clusteron 3O (5). Based on the age of 3O clusteron, Baltic lineage could have appeared in the Kemerovo Region by the late 1970s. One of the isolated viruses turned out to be the OHFV of the first subtype and not to belong to any known clusteron. This finding is the first known detection of the virus outside the endemic area of Russia. Given the recent discovery of OHFV in Kazakhstan, it can be assumed that the area of this virus distribution is much wider than previously thought. Conclusions: This report provides insights into the population structure of TBEV and OHFV, which may be helpful for epidemiological investigation and surveillance of the viruses.

Soil and ecological assessment of the technogenically disturbed landscape in the area of a coal mine dump

Study of the soil‐ecological state of technogenic landscapes of Kuzbass through the example of coal mine dumps.Soil samples were taken in places with disturbed landscapes due to the action of the coal industry, namely the external dump on the site of the coal mine in the area of the village of Zarinskoye, Belovsky district, Kemerovo region in the south‐east of Western Siberia. The indicators were determined in accordance with GOST standards.Diagnostics of the surface of the coal mine dump were carried out. The main physical and chemical indicators were determined, according to which the possibility of soil formation and biological reclamation was assessed. In analyzing chemical composition, the following indicators were determined: aqueous pH, hydrolytic acidity, total alkalinity, dry residue, ash content, humus content and ion content (Cl–, SO42–, HCO3–, Ca2, Mg2+, Al3+). Physical indicators of the degree of suitability of soils for reclamation, such as hygroscopic moisture, soil moisture, soil density and soil porosity, were also studied.The results obtained allow us to characterise the technogenically disturbed areas in terms of physical and chemical properties as being limitedly favourable for plant growth, which can be used for biological reclamation following agrotechnical activity.

The finding of Unio pictorum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in the Om’ River, Western Siberia

Juvenile and subadult individuals of the Painter’s mussel Unio pictorum (Linnaeus, 1788) were recorded in dredge samples from the Om’ River in the Omsk City (southwestern part of Western Siberia). Information on the size-weight characteristics of U. pictorum from the site, its abundance and biomass are given. Possible consequences of the introduction of this neobiotic species into aquatic ecosystems of the Irtysh River basin are discussed.

Seasonal Stream Water Chemistry Response To Long-Term Forestry Drainage And Wildfire: A Case Study In A Part Of The Great Vasyugan Mire

Recent research suggests that climate change is contributing to rising solute concentrations in streams. This study focuses on assessing the concentrations of major elements, nutrients, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and their release through the bog-river system in the taiga zone of Western Siberia. The research was carried out in the northeastern part of the Great Vasyugan Mire (GVM), the largest mire system that impacts the quality of river water in the Ob River basin. By using PCA and cluster analysis, we examined the long-term dynamics of the chemical composition of headwater streams of the GVM affected by drainage and wildfires. Our data from 2015-2022 revealed that the concentrations of Са2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, and HCO3- in stream water from the drained area of the GVM were, on average, 1.3 times lower than those at the pristine site. Conversely, the  concentrations of NH+4, Fetotal, Cl-, SO42-, NO-3, DOC, and COD were higher, indicating the influence of forestry drainage and the pyrogenic factor. Our findings also demonstrated that the GVM significantly impacts the water chemical composition of small rivers. We observed a close correlation in the concentrations of К+, Na+, Cl-, Fetotal, NH+4, HCO3-, and COD between the GVM and the Gavrilovka River waters. PCA analysis revealed that air temperature influences the concentrations of Са2+, Mg2+, NH4+, NO3-, HCO3-, Fetotal, and DOC in the studied streams, with an inverse correlation with river discharge. The removal of major elements, nutrients, and DOC from the drained area of the GVM was most pronounced in April, being twice as high as in the pristine area. However, the total export from the drainage area of the Gavrilovka in April-September 2022 was 1.3 times lower than in the pristine area, amounting to 8487 kg/km2, with DOC removal at 42%. 

Fire as a Factor in the Dynamics of Meadow Vegetation: A Model Experiment in Western Siberia

The state of meadow vegetation in areas with different ages of experimental spring burnout (from 1 to 12 years ago) was studied in the Tomsk region for 3 years. On experimental plots of 1 m2 and 100 m2 (small- and middle-scale levels, respectively), the dynamics of species richness, total projective cover of vegetation, and aboveground phytomass reserves were characterized, and the structure of communities was analyzed. It was revealed that a single fire in the spring significantly reduces species richness for small-scale plots and increases the total projective cover for middle-scale plots. Structural differences from control plots can be traced from 1 to 4 years for different characteristics. The effects of fire are more prominent for small-scale plots. To suppress tree growth and maintain the existence of meadows, grass fires seem to be a less effective practice than mowing. At the same time, the results obtained potentially allow us to consider prescribed burning as a tool for maintaining the stability of meadow plant communities in the south of Western Siberia, preventing them from becoming overgrown with tree undergrowth, in cases with a controlled frequency of burning and the use of appropriate fire safety measures.

Community of Small Mammals in the Patchy Landscape of Northern Kulunda (Western Siberia)

Community of Small Mammals in the Patchy Landscape of Northern Kulunda (Western Siberia)

Structure, Rock Types, and Reservoir Properties of Altered Permian–Triassic Rhyodacites in Grabens of the Frolov Megadepression in Western Siberia

Structure, Rock Types, and Reservoir Properties of Altered Permian–Triassic Rhyodacites in Grabens of the Frolov Megadepression in Western Siberia

Background Concentrations of Chemical Elements in Plants Inhabiting the Northern Part of Western Siberia and Changes They Undergo under the Impact of Oil and Gas Production

Background Concentrations of Chemical Elements in Plants Inhabiting the Northern Part of Western Siberia and Changes They Undergo under the Impact of Oil and Gas Production

Creation of effective technologies for managing hydrodynamic flows at field development sites in Western Siberia

The scientific article highlights the results of theoretical and laboratory studies of a complex of compositions and technologies for controlling the inflow of fluids developed for geological and field conditions of terrigenous productive strata of deposits in Western Siberia. The results of experimental and industrial work on the introduction of technological compositions for controlling hydrodynamic flows in the oil fields of the Kogalym region are presented. Keywords: oil; waterlogging; oil recovery; flow-deflecting technologies; chemical reagents; oil displacement; increased reservoir coverage.

Весеннее развитие черемухи обыкновенной как индикатор временных состояний ландшафтов (Свердловская область)

The article presents the results of a study of the spring development of the common bird cherry during the Single Phenological Day on May 15 in the Sverdlovsk region for 2012-2023. The study of the seasonal state of the species using the descriptive method made it possible to determine the geographical patterns of the onset of phenological phases and the rate of movement of the phenomenon in space within natural zones and subzones, depending on environmental factors. Earlier development of bird cherry in the south-east and south-west of the region was revealed, and then the front of the phenomenon moves to the north and northwest. The differences between the northern and southern regions of the territory, on average, are 6-7 points. As a result of observations, a characteristic of the seasonal development of an object indicating the state of natural complexes in a brief mathematical form was obtained. The maximum advance of development was revealed in the forest-steppe zone of the Russian Plain and Western Siberia within the boundaries of the studied region. In the mountainous regions of the region, phenomena occur with a noticeable lag of 6 points compared to the plains. The speed of the phenomenon in different subzones ranges from 0.8 to 3 points / 100 km. The experience of this kind of long-term research for other regions of the country can help to identify trends in the influence of climate change on the adaptation mechanisms of individual plant species- phenoindicators.