Yana River Research Articles

Holocene Sediments оf the Adycha River Valley, Yakutia

Palynological analysis of radiocarbon-dated sediments from floodplain deposits and peat bogs preserved in the terraces along the Adycha River, a tributary of the Yana River, document the regional presence of larch forests over at least the last 10 500 14C BP (12 500 cal BP). The Adycha records indicate that the most favorable climatic conditions during this interval occurred during the Early Holocene, persisting up to 8 200 14C BP (9 200 cal BP), and during the Middle Holocene between c. 6 000-5 100 14C BP (6 900-5 800 cal BP). Climatic warming also happened between 400-190 calendar years ago, following the cooling of the Little Ice Age. The expansion of Pinus pumila into the Yana River basin occurred c. 7 000 14C BP (7 800 cal BP). A date of 8 200 14C BP falls within an interval of global cooling, referred to as the Bond 5 event, as defined from North Atlantic marine deposits.

Big river channel formation and deformation in the intermountain basin (case study of the Yana River within the Kular mountain massif)

The incised pebble-boulder channels of large mountain rivers (including the Yana in its mountainous area), their morphology and history of formation are well studied. However, local conditions within the intermountain depressions lead to the emergence of specific features of the channel development and its morphology — in this case, the formation of finger-shaped meander. The paper analyzes the historical and modern features of the formation of the Yana riverbed in the “Porogi” section located in the depression inside Kular range, and describes the negative impact of channel processes on navigation. Using this case study, we consider the characteristic features of the channel development of a large river under the influence of a complex of factors — the regional geological conditions (which caused active incision of the channel), discharge, and channel sediment composition. Characteristics of lateral migration and curvature development of meander controlled by bedrock and narrowing of the valley are presented. The discharge conditions under which the displacement of riffles is possible are calculated. The forecast of the further channel development and recommendations for sustainable navigation are given.

A Comparison of Estimated and Actual Indicators of Flood Damage on the Yana River in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

In 2022, Verkhoyansky District of Yakutia experienced the largest flood of the regional scale, affecting 1,220 people and with the cost of emergency recovery work amounting to RUB 160.2 million. For the Arctic regions, the consequences of natural disasters are felt several times more acutely, due to the natural and geographical peculiarities and the duration of the process of restoration of the disturbed ecosystem. Protection of the population and territories of the Arctic is one of the priority tasks of the state policy of Russia. The article assesses the flood hazard on the Yana River. Based on the analysis of historical elevations at hydrological posts, hydrological characteristics of the water body, determination of maximum levels, water discharge of the river, and basic hydrological calculations, the area of flooded territory of settlements in Verkhoyansky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) under the percentage availability is determined, and a map of flood zones is drawn up. Using the cadastral value of lands falling into the flood zone, the index of forecast economic damage is determined in order to preliminarily determine the scale of flooding; to carry out preventive measures for preparation, protection of the population, socially important objects, buildings and structures; to plan the amount of financial resources required for rescue operations and for liquidation of the consequences of emergency situations. A comparison and an analysis of actual and estimated damage indicators are given. A strong disproportion in the actual and calculated indicators of economic damage is proved.

Анализ вероятности метаморфизации ионного состава ультрапресных вод арк­тических рек России

For the first time, the classification of the ionic composition of ultra-fresh waters of the Arctic rivers in Russia has been carried out in a long-term aspect and in view of seasonality. The features of the ionic composition of ultra-fresh waters of the Arctic rivers have been considered, the class, group and type of river waters have been established according to the classification of O. A. Alekin. The chemical composition of the ultra-fresh rivers of the Russian Arctic zone is characterized by great diversity. These rivers vary from the most simple bicarbonate-calcium waters of the second type to sulfate or hydrocarbon-sulfate waters of a complex cationic composition. For the estuarine sections of the Virma, Kolos-Yoki, Teriberka and Ura Rivers variability manifests itself in a simplification of the chemical composition. For the Pravaya Khetta, Sede-Yakha and Nadym Rivers, changes in the ratios between cations and anions have been revealed. For the Indigirka, Yana Rivers and its tributaries, changes have been noted only in the anionic composition. It is shown that it is for these rivers that the metamorphization of river waters is possible. Most of the river sections with a high probability of metamorphization of the ionic composition of water are confined to the West Siberian part of the Russian Arctic zone. This is due to a higher anthropogenic load and a high degree of development of this area. For these sections of the rivers, the revealed metamorphization is of a technogenic nature. The metamorphization process of ultra-fresh river waters in the direction of changing the hydrocarbonate class to the sulfate or chloride class can cause the appearance of hydrochemical anomalies in the content of the main ions.

Yedoma. Part 2. Annals of geocryological research, especially radiocarbon dating and the stable-isotopes studies in the first decade of the XXI century

The first decade of the 21st century in the study of yedoma marked by the widespread use of AMS radiocarbon dating on microinclusions extracted directly from the ice wedge. These studies, together with a detailed study of stable isotope composition, were carried out at Lomonosov Moscow State University (Yu. Vasil'chuk and A. Vasil'chuk) on yedoma sections of Western Siberia, the lower Kolyma, Central Yakutia, together with specialists in the radiocarbon dating: J. van der Plicht, J.-Ch. Kim, H. Jungner, L.Sulerzhitsky. Isotope study of Yedoma sections on the right bank of the Yenisei Bay was begun (A.Vasiliev, E.Gusev, I.Streletskaya and others). During this period, active isotope and radiocarbon studies of yedoma began by the participants of the Russian-German expedition (A.Andreev, A.Chizhov, A. Derevyagin, G.Grosse, H.-W.Hubberten, L. Schirrmeister, S. Wetterich etc.) in the Anzhu Islands, the Lena Delta, and Arctic coast of Western Yakutia. In Chukotka, yedoma was studied by researches of the Anadyr station (A.Kotov). Researchers from the University of Fairbanks (M.Kanevsky, Yu.Shur, H.French, M. Bray and others) continued to study the Fox Tunnel as well as northern Alaska yedoma. Radiocarbon dating, the study of mammoth fauna, and stable isotopes were started by Canadian scientists (C. Burn, D.Froese, G. Zazula and others) on the Yukon yedoma. The study of Paleolithic sites in the yedoma sections were started of the Yana River and the New Siberian Islands (V. Pitulko, E. Pavlova etc.)

ЛЕДОВИТОСТЬ МОРЕЙ У НОВОСИБИРСКИХ ОСТРОВОВ И КОЛИЧЕСТВО АТМОСФЕРНЫХ ОСАДКОВ В ЗИМНИЙ ПЕРИОД В БАССЕЙНАХ РЕК ЛЕНА И ЯНА

Correlations between the amount of precipitation in the Lena and Yana river basins in winter and the ice coverage of the Laptev and East Siberian seas near the New Siberian Islands in the spring-summer period are studied based on the GLORYS12v.1 and ERA5 global reanalyses and archival meteorological data. A statistically significant correlation (with a confidence level of at least 0.95) was established in the certain parts of the study area. The Yana basin winter precipitation was found to have the highest correlation with the ice coverage in May. The correlation between the Lena basin precipitation and the ice coverage in July is lower, but also significant. During the other months, no significant correlations were revealed. The established facts may be of practical use for long-range forecasting of ice conditions near the New Siberian Islands at the beginning of the summer navigation along the Northern Sea Route.

Ice Coverage near the New Siberian Islands and Winter Precipitation in the Lena and Yana River Basins

Ice Coverage near the New Siberian Islands and Winter Precipitation in the Lena and Yana River Basins

Неблагоприятные и опасные гидрологические явления р. Яны в районе поселка Усть-Куйга

Purpose: Generalization of characteristics of the Yana Rive hydrological regimen and assessment of unfavorable and dangerous hydrological phenomena in the area of Ust-Kuiga township. The township is an important transport transshipment base between the three Yakut districts: Ust-Yanskiy, Verkhoyanskiy and Eveno-Bytantaiskiy, and is promising in terms of the development of the Sakha Republic main economic sectors, including development of gold deposits. Methods: Collection, systematization, processing and statistical analysis of published materials of hydrological observations at the Ust-Kuiga stand and at the nearest stands, located on the Yana River and having a long series of observation data. Results: Characteristics of water extreme levels and expenditures during different phases of hydrological regimen, data on ice phenomena and knowledge on the largest spate causing township flooding were obtained. It has been established that the number of years with open riverbed short duration (from 93 to 98 days), which’s the least favorable for cargo delivery by river transport, constitutes 20% for the years of 1938-1989. The cases of the Yana River flow complete cessation during a day or more constitute 40% (21 years) for the observation period (52 years). The riverbed freezing in winter and absence of water flow during 30 days or more was marked in 28% of cases. The longest period (109 days) without water flow was recorded in 1975. The largest spate in Ust-Kuiga happened in June 1996 when the whole township was flooded. By flooding height. it exceeded huge spate of 1968 by 1.3-1.4 m. Practical significance: The work results can find a use in engineering-hydrological research implementation, planning, construction and exploitation of economic facilities in the area of Ust-Kuiga township. The obtained hydrological information is in demand by river and road transports which provide for enterprises activities in the township.

Microbial degradation of Pleistocene permafrost-sealed fossil mammal remains

AbstractPaleontological remains retrieved from permafrost represent the most informative records of Pleistocene ecosystems. Different levels of past microbial activity affecting fossil material preservation are presented for two selected bone samples—an almost intactBisonsp. metacarpus (45.0 ± 5.014C ka BP) and a weatheredEquussp. metacarpus (37.8 ± 1.714C ka BP) from the recently exposed cryogenic geo-contexts in the Yana River basin, NE Yakutia. Diagenetic changes in bone porosity and chemical composition as a result of the past microbial activity were investigated by multiple analytical methods. In the bison bone, which was permafrost-sealed shortly after death of the animal and conserved for ca. 45 ka in a frozen state in a cryolithic formation, only superficial microbial degradation processes were detected. Progressive microbial attacks characterize the horse bone, which was exposed to MIS 3 sub-aerial biogenic decay and modern surficial weathering. This is evidenced by extensive bacterial micro-boring with the typical focal destructions, an increase in microbial porosity, and de-mineralized osseous zones due to waterlogged and poorly oxygenated past depositional conditions. New information contributes to better understanding of the diagenesis particularities and the associated chemical and biological agents of the fossil osteological assemblages with respect to their taphonomic and paleoenvironmental implications.

Structural Properties of Syngenetic Ice-Rich Permafrost, as Revealed by Archaeological Investigation of the Yana Site Complex (Arctic East Siberia, Russia): Implications for Quaternary Science

Ice-rich syncryogenic (termed “Ice Complex”) deposits are common in northern East Siberia and constitute the most important feature of the Quaternary geology of the region. The Ice Complex formed throughout the Late Pleistocene and not only contains an archive of paleoenvironmental proxies such as Pleistocene faunal remains, but also comprises a record of human habitation spanning ∼50,000 years, beginning with early MIS3. The development of syngenetic permafrost is an important variable in the formation of archaeological contexts in this depositional setting. Excavations of the Yana site complex in the lower Yana River area provide a unique opportunity to study archaeological finds preserved in Ice Complex deposits. Based on long-term field observations and dating results, we present important conclusions concerning the geology of the Yana sites. Taphonomic biases with potential to obscure the archaeological record are discussed. The thawing of frozen primary deposits has distorted depositional sequences, leading to the formation of secondary features and contexts, e.g., ice-wedge casts. Collapsed blocks of frozen sediment with undisturbed fragments of frozen layers containing artifacts and/or paleobiotic remains may become incorporated and refrozen into another depositional sequence and a source of misinterpretation and chronometric error. Furthermore, severe cryoturbation within the polygonal mounds warps the sediment in contact with the ice wedges; as a result, the contents of the sediment is uplifted with important consequences: 1) the hypsometric provenience of datable material is altered, creating chronometry problems; 2) in archaeology, there is an increased potential for misinterpretations with respect to dating, cultural classification, and human behavior; 3) transported material may form secondary concentrations at different hypsometric levels and thus bring further complications for its understanding; 4) in geology, the transportation of geochemical signatures may lead to erroneous interpretation of the geological potential of the area; 5) uplifted deposits contribute to increased Ice Complex thickness, which is thus not a direct function of sedimentation, but a combined result of sedimentation and redistribution of the deposits within an existing polygon deposit. Thus, the analysis of Ice Complex deposits during archaeological excavations at the Yana site complex has wider implications for Quaternary science.

Late Summer Water Sources in Rivers and Lakes of the Upper Yana River Basin, Northern Eurasia, Inferred from Hydrological Tracer Data

Major ions, stable isotopes, and trace elements, including rare earth elements (REEs), are used as natural tracers in the qualitative assessment of potential water sources in lakes and rivers of the upper Yana River basin, between Verkhoyansk and Chersky Ranges, during the late summer period. Three distinct regions were sampled, and a dominant water source in each region was qualitatively inferred from water chemistry data. The REE distribution pattern was found to be highly regional and controlled by pH and carbonate contents. Mountain headwater stream at the Verkhoyansk Range north slope, the Dulgalakh River, shows an input from a mixture of shallow groundwater and icing meltwater, with a depleted isotopic signature (δ18O below –21‰), d-excess (dex = δ2H − 8·δ18O) above 18, enrichment in Mg and Sr, and depletion in heavy REEs. The Derbeke Depression lakes and streams are fed by rainfall having ultra-low total dissolved solids (TDS) content, below 25 mg/L, and a convex-up REE pattern. In a medium mountainous river at the Chersky Range flank, the Dogdo River, leaching through fissured Jurassic carbonates is a dominant runoff pathway. Riverine water is heavily depleted in light REEs, but enriched in Mo, Rb, Sb, W and U. In the Dulgalakh River water, high positive Sm and Gd anomalies were observed, attributed either to local geology (greenshists), historical mining legacy, or contemporary winter road operations.

Current changes in river streamflow in the Yana River basin

Current changes in river streamflow in the Yana River basin

Water quality analysis of the rivers Topolnitsa and Luda Yana, Bulgaria using different indices

This study focuses on the analysis of some of the worldwide use of surface water index estimates. The catchment areas of the two model basins of bulgarian rivers (Topolnitsa and Luda Yana) are subject to active anthropogenic load. There are numerous metallurgical plants, combines for non-ferrous metals, mines and tailing ponds have been operating in the area for many years. At the end the heavy metals being the final result of their production activity. In the same time the waters of the rivers have various applications - industrial, household and agricultural. To obtain an assessment of the water quality status of the Topolnitsa and Luda Yana rivers in Bulgaria, two different indices are used - Water Pollution Index (WPI) and the Bavarian Surface Quality Index - (CJ). In the first one the conditions are regulated by the creators of the algorithm (reference values, set of physicochemical indicators, requirements for the type of data), the rest are selected by the user according to criteria determined by him. The index is calculated by a number of physicochemical parameters as obligatory include “dissolved oxygen” and “BOD5”. This is due to the fact that these indicators are particularly sensitive to the anthropogenic impact. The CJ index presents a summary of water quality in a given sample according to a set of physicochemical indices and is expressed as a non-dimensional quantity from 0 to 100 (0 is the worst and 100 is the best water quality) grade of reference values are defined. In this index all conditions are set in advance by the creator, including the set of indicators, reference values, weight of individual indicators, etc. The dataset consists of analytical results from a 6-yrs survey conducted in selected points of the river systems. The main aim of this article is to test the sensitivity of two indices different in their construction, algorithm and content for complex assessment of river water quality in Bulgarian conditions.

Territorial features and dynamics in the water quality change in the Topolnitsa and Luda Yana rivers

In this article the current changes in the water quality of rivers Topolnitsa and Luda Yana have been analyzed and evaluated. The river basins are under the significant anthropogenic impact of various origins and nature. The main sources of pollution, the emitted substances and the spatiotemporal features of the change of the water quality are determined. Several indices for complex assessment of river waters have been used to assess the status of water - (Water Quality Index - Canada; Water Pollution Index - Russia; Chemical Index for River Water Quality (CJ) - Germany).

Phase State of Precipitation as a Factor of Low Flow in the Yana and Indigirka River Basins

The results of streamflow data analysis for 18 mountain catchments in the Yana and Indigirka river basins (1966–2015) with the area from 16.6 to 89600 km2 are presented. The average streamflow increased by 13 mm (54%) is September, by 1.5 mm (57%) in October, by 0.4 mm (59%) in November, and by 0.1 mm (80%) in December on 12, 11, 9, and 7 rivers, respectively. Basically, the streamflow variations are manifested in the form of abrupt shifts during 1991–1996. There is a decrease in precipitation in winter (by 8–13 mm) and the absence of significant changes in the other seasons. An increase in average annual air temperature by 2.0°C led to an increase in the amount of liquid precipitation and streamflow in September by about 12 mm. The revealed dependences of monthly streamflow on the amount of liquid precipitation in September for small catchments (as well as the single period (1991–1996), when the simultaneous variations in these hydrometeorological parameters are observed) indicate that the phase state of precipitation is the main factor of changes in the low flow for the analyzed rivers.

Environmental survey of watercourses at the Mangazeyskoe deposit area, West Verkhoyansk Range

A large silver deposit Mangazeyskoe at the headwaters of the Yana River basin in North-East Yakutia has a considerable impact on vulnerable ecosystems of Alpine tundra. In the case of inadequate environmental protection measures, adverse environmental consequences may occur. The particular interest is the hydrobiological status of the rivers affected by the mining production waste water. In this regard, quantitative and qualitative baselines for water pollution indicators were studied. For the first time, preliminary data on the species composition of algae in the phytoplankton, phytoperiphyton, and zoobenthos of the watercourses at the Mangazeyskoe deposit. In the algal flora of reservoirs in the area of the Mangazeyskoe deposit, 230 identified species have been as represented by 260 intraspecific taxa, including those represented by a nomenclature type from 8 divisions. In the zoobenthos of the area under study, 28 species and forms belonging to three types have been found: annelids, arthropods and mollusks. It has been determined that the main part of the species of zoobenthos belongs to amphibiotic insects, which accounts for more than 70%. It has been noted that the current studied background condition of algae and zoobenthos in the area of the deposit consists mainly of cryophilic species.

New AMS Dates of Organic Microinclusions in Ice Wedges from the Lower Part of Batagay Yedoma, Yakutia

Accelerator mass spectrometry dating of organic microinclusions was performed on eight samples from the lower part of the thick Pleistocene syngenetic ice wedges exposed in the Batagay mega-slump in northern Yakutia, the upper reaches of the Yana River (67.58° N, 134.77° E). Radiocarbon dating suggests that ice wedge growth took place between 38 120 and 45 570 14C BP (42.1–49 cal ka BP). The Late Pleistocene mean January air temperatures from 42 to 49 cal ka BP have been reconstructed from the isotope data for the Batagay section and a number of reference sections in northwestern Yakutia. The lowest mean January air temperature of –51°С for this period was in Batagaika, whereas in the areas located 500–600 km to the north, it was 5–7°C higher. This is accounted for by the influence of the Yakutian anticyclone in winter during the Late Pleistocene from 42 to 49 cal ka BP, which was as pronounced at that time as it is now.

Syngenetic and cyclical yedoma strata of Northern Yakutia

This article demonstrates the evolution of representation on syngenetic formation of frozen strata set by Lopatin, Abolin, Leffingwell and Nekipelov. It is underlined that the theory of syngenesis is substantiated by the works of Gallwitz, Popov and Katasonov. It is mentioned that Dostovalov proposed a method for approximate determination of the age of ice-wedge ice and calculated that 3m wide ice wedges in the vicinity of Abalakh Lake are older than 2160 years, and 30-40 m high ice wedges in the Novosibirsk islands are older than 12,000 years according to Dostovalov’s calculations. The subject of the detailed study is the meso- and macro- cycles in the structure of yedoma strata in Northern Yakutia. Mesocycles in the yedoma strata of the Zelyony Mys, Stanchikovsky Yar, and Batagay have been examined, along with macrocycles of the Batagay yedoma. The mesocyclicity of the cryolithogenic strata is analyzed in the following cross sections: in Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Island, yedoma in the Belyanka River valley, in the outcrop Soplivaya Gora in the Yana River valley, in the valley of the Vilyuy River downstream of Verkhnevilyuysk, etc. The duration of the mesocycles formation in the yedoma strata of the Northern Yakutia is established: a. One subaquatic-subaerial mesocycle in the Zelyony Mys yedoma consisting of a subaquatic sandy loam and a subaerial peaty horizon of 4 m thick accumulated over the period 3,000years. b. One subaquatic-subaerial mesocycle in the Stanchikovsky Yar yedoma 5 m thick accumulated over the period of 3,300 years. c. One mesocycle in the section Soplivaya Gora, in the Yana River valley with a capacity of 3 m formed for about 3.000 years. Three macrocycles are identified in the Batagay section, with capacity of 7, 10 and 40 m; the time of formation of each macrocycle varied from 15-20 to 40 thousand years or more.

The first AMS radiocarbon dates of organic matter microinclusions in the ice wedge of the upper part of the Batagay yedoma megaslump, Yakutia

Microinclusions of organic matter were dated using acceleration mass spectrometry in seven samples from the upper part of the thick Pleistocene syngenetic ice wedges uncovered in the outcrop of the Batagay yedoma located in northern Yakutia along the upper Yana River (67,58 N, 134,77 E). The dated fragment of ice wedge was formed within 22 760-20 010 radiocarbon years BP (or 27 100-33 800 cal BP). Using detailed isotope data, the January average air temperature in the Late Pleistocene (25-30 cal kyr BP) was calculated for the Batagay section along with a series of reference sections in northwestern Yakutia. It was shown that the minimum January average air temperature (-51 C) was characteristic at that time for the area of the Batagaika crater, with values 4-5 higher in areas 500-600 km further north. This effect was caused by the occurrence of the Yakutian anticyclone in winter during the Late Pleistocene, which was just as pronounced as that at the present time.

The First AMS Dating of Organic Microinclusions in an Ice Wedge of the Upper Part of the Batagay Yedoma Megaslump (Yakutia)

Microinclusions of organic matter were dated using acceleration mass spectrometry in seven samples from the upper part of the thick Pleistocene syngenetic ice wedge exposed in the outcrop of the Batagay yedoma located in northern Yakutia along the upper Yana River (67.58° N, 134.77° E). The dated fragment veins were formed within 22 760–29 910 radiocarbon years BP (or 27.1–33.8 cal BP) ago. Using detailed isotope data, the January average air temperature in the Late Pleistocene (27–30 cal BP) was calculated for the Batagay section along with a series of reference sections in northwestern Yakutia. It was shown that the minimum January average air temperature (–51°C) was characteristic at that time for the area of the Batagaika crater, with values 4–5°C higher in areas 500–600 km further north. This effect was caused by the occurrence of the Yakutia anticyclone in winter during the Late Pleistocene, which was just as pronounced as that at the present time.