Yugorsky Peninsula Research Articles

Взрывная дегазация Земли на полуострове Ямал и прилегающей акватории Карского моря

Remote sensing data from space and using UAVs make it possible to solve a wide range of tasks related to the study of Earth degassing processes in the Arctic. For the first time, via comprehensive aerospace research on the Yamal Peninsula, we have discovered 4992 zones of gas blowouts (explosions) in the form of craters (pockmarks) at the bottom of 3551 thermokarst lakes and 16 rivers. In addition, we have identified another 669 zones of explosive degassing in the coastal zones of the Kara Sea, mainly in gulfs, estuaries and bays. Taking into account the Yugorsky Peninsula and Bely Island, we have detected 6022 explosive degassing zones in the studying region, including 905 ones offshore. We have proved previously made conclusions that the Neytinsko-Seyakhinsky and Sabetta districts are the most gas-explosive. It is substantiated that possible intense natural degassing of the Earth, especially occurring in the process of degradation of subaquatic permafrost and dissociation of gas hydrates, can radically change the elastic-strength properties of bottom soil, while its saturation with gas can disrupt conditions for the construction of various objects, including underwater gas pipelines. Widespread gas blowouts in the north of Western Siberia with the formation of craters on land and offshore can lead to emergencies and even disasters at oil and gas industrial facilities and to fires in the tundra.

The First Data on the Diving Beetles from the Coastal Tundra of the Yugorsky Peninsula, Polar Russia

The First Data on the Diving Beetles from the Coastal Tundra of the Yugorsky Peninsula, Polar Russia

FIRST DATA ON THE DYTISCIDAE (COLEOPTERA) FROM THE COASTAL TUNDRA OF YUGORSKY PENINSULA, POLAR RUSSIA

In July 2018, diving beetles were collected in the most typical water bodies and other habitats in the vicinity of Amderma, Kara Sea coast, northern Yugorsky Peninsula. The fauna comprises 15 dytiscid species from 7 genera. The most diverse genera were Agabus and Hydroporus. The record of Dytiscus lapponicus was the northernmost for this species, while the reports of Hydroporus cf. fuscipennis and Agabus pallens were the northernmost for the Palaearctic parts of their distribution ranges. Original photographs illustrate peculiar specimens of Dytiscus lapponicus with dark head, pronotum and scutellum. Most of the species show vast Holarctic Arcto-Boreal or Arcto-Boreal-Montane distributions. The species composition of the Dytiscidae is quite similar to those of the northernmost mainland regions of the European Northeast (Pakhancheskaya Bay, Kara Tundra and Pamal), as well as the Vaigatch and Dolgyi islands, being less similar to those of the south tundra regions (Kanin Peninsula, Bolvanskaya Bay and Antipayuta village, Gydan Peninsula). Among the study habitats, the most diverse beetle assemblage inhabited thermokarst lakes (up to 14 species, the maximum density noted was 1150 ind./100 trap-days). On the contrary, on salt marshes, only 2–3 beetle species were recorded and the total abundance was significantly lower (1.8–3.6 ind./100 trap-days).

Metagabbro-Dolerites of the Central Part of the Kara Depression, Nenets Autonomous District, Russia: Influence of an Impact Event and the U–Pb (LA–ICP–MS) Age

The paper presents results of petrographic, geochemical, mineralogical, and isotope-geochronological studies of metagabbro-dolerites of the central part of the Kara Depression, located in the middle course of the Sopcha-Yu River in the Yugorsky Peninsula, Nenets Autonomous District, Russia. Two varieties of metagabbro-dolerites are distinguished: quartz-bearing and quartz-free. The influence of an impact event on rock-forming and accessory minerals is considered. It is proved that the impact event has not modified the isotope system of zircon in the metagabbro-dolerites. The U–Pb (LA-ICP-MS) isotope–geochronological dating of the zircons gives an age of the magmatic minerals within the range of 365.3 to 390.8 Ma, which seems to correspond to the age of the massif. The weighted mean age is 375.5 ± 2.6 Ma and likely corresponds to the age of the Hengur complex.

A new species of the genus Hydrobaenus Fries, 1830 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Arctic Russia

Hydrobaenus birulyai Krasheninnikov, sp. n. is described based on adult males from Yugorsky Peninsula. The new species is similar to H. tumidistylus Sæther, 1976 but differs from latter by long, wide at apex and rounded anal point without microtrichia, by present of 16 weak acrostichals begin at some distance from antepronotum, by massive inferior volsella, and by gonostylus with large median lobe located medially.

Coastal Retreat Due to Thermodenudation on the Yugorsky Peninsula, Russia during the Last Decade, Update since 2001–2010

Thermodenudation on the Kara seacoast, the Yugorsky Peninsula, Russia, is studied by analyzing remote-sensing data. Landforms resulting from the thaw of tabular ground ice, referred to as thermocirques, are formed due to polycyclic retrogressive thaw slumps, during the last decade 2010–2020. We calculate the retreat rate of the thermocirque edge using various statistical approaches. We compared thermocirque outlines by the end of each time interval defined by the dates of available very-high-resolution imagery. Six thermocirques within two key sites on the Yugorsky peninsula are monitored. We correlate each of the thermocirque edge’s retreat rates to various climatic parameters obtained at the Amderma weather station to understand the interrelation patterns better. As a result, we find a very low correlation between the retreat rate of each thermocirque and summer warmth, rainfall, and wave action. In general, the activity of thermodenudation decreases in time from the previous decade (2001–2010) to 2010–2020, and from 2010 towards 2020, although the summer warmth trend increases dramatically. A single thermocirque or series of thermocirques expand in response to environmental and geological factors in coastal retreat caused by thermodenudation.

Palladium tellurides and bismuthtellurides in sulfide copper-nickel ores of the Savabeisky ore occurrence (Nenets Autonomous District, Russsia)

Research subject. The Savabeisky sulfide copper-nickel ore occurrence, located in the central part of the Khengur (Central Pay-Khoy) gabbro-dolerite complex of the Pay-Khoy, within the Yugorsky Peninsula, located in the Far North-East of the European part of Russia, in the Arkhangelsk region, between the Barents and Kara Seas.Materials and methods. Samples of copper-nickel ores with noble metal mineralization were studied. Palladium tellurides and bismuthtellurides were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), X-ray structural analysis and Raman spectroscopy.Results. Bismuthtellurides in the Paykhoysko-Vaigach-Yuzhnonovozemelskiy region – michenerite, merenskyite and unidentified palladium telluride of the kotulskite–merenskyite series with crystal formula Pd2(TeSbBi)3 – were found for the first time. The unit cell parameter of Pay-Khoy michenerite was calculated using X-ray diffraction analysis data: a = 6.638(2) Å. According to Raman spectroscopy, the palladium tellurides and bismuthtellurides of the Savabeisky ore occurrence were distinguished into 4 groups: Sb-kotulskite (does not contain Raman-active modes), unnamed PGM Pd2(TeSbBi)3 (bands in the range 95–103, 121–126 cm–1, obtained for the first time), Sb-merenskyite (band 126–135 cm–1), michenerite (bands with maxima 100 and 116 cm–1, obtained for the first time). The Kikuchi lines for michenerite and the mineral of the kotulskite–merenskyite series were obtained by the EBSD method.Conclusions. The diagnosis of palladium tellurides and bismuthtellurides is a rather complicated problem (wide variations in compositions, low hardness, small size, thin intergrowths of several individuals, the presence of impurities, etc.) affecting the determination of their mineral form and requiring an integrated approach. The Raman spectra of michenerite and unnamed PGM can be used as standards for the rapid identification of their natural forms, in contrast to EBSD, which requires improved sample preparation. The relatively high content of antimony in the ore minerals and noble metals minerals at the Savabeisky ore occurrence is the antimony metallogenic specificity characteristic of the entire Uralsko-Novozemelskiy province.

Long-distance dispersal of migrant butterflies to the Arctic Ocean islands, with a record of Nymphalis xanthomelas at the northern edge of Novaya Zemlya (76.95°N)

Although migrant butterflies are rare (or sporadically seen) guests on the Arctic Ocean islands, there is a slowly growing dataset on repeated occurrences of these insects in insular tundra and polar deserts. Altogether six long-distance migrant butterfly species were found to cross wide marine barriers north of the Arctic Circle (66.56°N), i.e.Vanessa atalanta,V. cardui,Nymphalis antiopa,N. xanthomelas,Aporia crataegi, andPieris napi. Migrant individuals ofV. carduidiscovered on Svalbard (up to 78.27°N in 1978) reflect the farthest dispersal event of butterflies to the Arctic ever reported. Our record ofN. xanthomelasat the northern margin of Novaya Zemlya (76.95°N) represents the northernmost finding of this species globally, reflecting the world’s second farthest record of northern poleward immigration of butterflies. This occurrence coincides with an exceptionally warm summer season, when the third highest July and second highest August air temperature occurred (since global records began in 1880). Furthermore, the immigration into Novaya Zemlya coincides with a population explosion and massive expansion ofN. xanthomelasin Siberia in 2019–2020. Our air current reconstructions indicate that this species most likely immigrated into Novaya Zemlya from mainland regions situated south-southeast (Polar Urals, Yugorsky Peninsula, and western Yamal) and east (Taymyr) of the archipelago. Overall, our findings reveal that long-distance dispersal events of butterflies to the Arctic islands are always linked to massive expansions of the corresponding species in mainland areas.

Zelentsoviella jugorica gen. nov, sp. nov., a new Orthocladiinae from Russian Arctic (Diptera, Chironomidae).

Zelentsoviella n. gen. is erected based on the male of Z. jugorica n. sp. from Yugorsky Peninsula in Russian Arctic. The genus can be separated from other Orthocladiinae genera on the basis of the combination of the following characters: bare eyes and wings; palp consists of 4 segments; wing with obtuse anal lobe; R4+5 ending distal to end of M3+4; squama with 2 setae; acrostichals 2 on mid-scutum; hind tibial comb is partially reduced and consists of 6 weak setae; pulvilli reduced; virga absent; the long part of the gonostylus is smoothly bent and gradually narrows to the apex, is covered with macrosetae and microsetae; crista dorsalis absent; the additional part of the gonostylus has the shape of a palm with a bent thumb. The K2P sequence divergence between Zelentsoviella jugorica gen. n., sp. n. and some Orthocladiinae was 0,068 - 0,229. Unidentified specimens from Canada (British Columbia) are nearest to Zelentsoviella gen. n.

Spiders (Aranei) of the typical tundra subzone of the Yugorsky Peninsula, Russia

Spiders (Aranei) of the typical tundra subzone of the Yugorsky Peninsula, Russia

Morphological investigation and transfer of Naviculadicta parasemen Lange-Bertalot to the genus Rexlowea Kociolek & Thomas

We document the size diminution series and valve morphology of the diatom Naviculadicta parasemen Lange-Bertalot in Lange-Bertalot & Genkal, described originally from the Yugorsky Peninsula and nearby islands, northwest Siberia. Based on material from the northeastern Arctic, the features of the valve structure, undulate raphe with dilated external proximal raphe ends, organization of the striae, and change in orientation of the striae near the apices suggest a close affinity with the monotypic genus Rexlowea. We effect the transfer of N. parasemen to Rexlowea, making the new combination R. parasemen. Several features of R. navicularis, the generitype, are missing from R. parasemen, including septa and pseudosepta. It may therefore be necessary to emend the description of Rexlowea as additional species are referred to the genus, but we will await discovery of additional species before formal emendation.

The impact of vegetation on thaw depth in tundra soils of submontane landscapes of the Pai-Khoi ridge (south-west of Yugorsky Peninsula)

The impact of vegetation on thaw depth in tundra soils of submontane landscapes of the Pai-Khoi ridge (south-west of Yugorsky Peninsula)

Advantages and disdvantages of interspecies associations of migratory northern sandpipers (Charadrii, Aves)

Field studies were carried out at two stations of the Ornithological Unit, Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, located in Nizhnekolymsk District, Yakutia, from May 15–20 in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990; on the northern coast of Pukhovoy Bay, the southern island of Novaya Zemlya, from June 1st in 1994; at Cape Beliy Nos, the Yugorsky Peninsula, from June 1st in 1995–1997. Classic associations are detected in interspecies flocks of sandpipers between the following species: the Pacific golden plover and the curlew sandpiper, the pectoral sandpiper and the long-billed dowitcher, the pectoral sandpiper and the dunlin, and the grey plover and the dunlin. However, the total amount of birds forming associations is not large. In species of group “A” (the grey plover, the Pacific golden plover, and the pectoral sandpiper), no difference has been observed in migratory birds’ behavior within interspecies or conspecific flocks. Species of group “B” (the dunlin, the curlew sandpiper, and the long-billed dowitcher), on the contrary, change their behavior sharply depending on whether they belong to an association or not. Species of group “A” do not get any advantages when forming an association. Unlike them, species of group “B” profit from associating: the time spent on foraging substantially increases; more time is spent on rest, and less time is spent on reconnaissance and vigilance (readiness for actions); the safety of the birds is enhanced. On the other hand, in species of group “B” there are also disadvantages related with associating: i.e., interspecies competition for food; foraging in suboptimal habitats which may in turn lead to a notable increase in the time spent by birds on foraging. It is proposed that the advantages and limitations of associating for the species of group “B” cancel each other out to a certain extent, and this explains rather small number of birds forming associations.

Geochemical properties of the water–snow–ice complexes in the area of Shokalsky glacier, Novaya Zemlya, in relation to tabular ground-ice formation

AbstractTabular (massive) ground ice in periglacial areas of the Russian Arctic (Barents and Kara Sea coasts) is considered to be a remnant of past glacial epochs and is thus used as proof of the glacial extent. In this paper, we argue that the origin of these tabular ice bodies, which can be used as archives of specific climatic conditions and periglacial environments, is intra-sedimentary (migration/intrusion). The objective of this study is to establish geochemical benchmarks describing the ice formation from atmospheric moisture and compare them with geochemical data of tabular ground ice. Shokalsky glacier on Novaya Zemlya (NZ), on the east coast of the Barents Sea, was chosen as a possible moisture source for the formation of tabular ground ice at the key section ‘Shpindler’ on Yugorsky peninsula, on the south coast of the Kara Sea. Tabular ice in the Shpindler section was compared to the Shokalsky glacier ice in both isotope/geochemical and structural aspects. In general, the hydrochemical properties of glacier ice at NZ and ground ice from Shpindler are closely correlated, while stable-isotope, microelemental and microbiological properties are substantially different. It was concluded that glacier ice most likely participated in the formation of tabular ground ice, but only as a source of refrozen meltwater.

Glaciotectonised Quaternary sediments at Cape Shpindler, Yugorski Peninsula, Arctic Russia: implications for glacial history, ice movements and Kara Sea Ice Sheet configuration

AbstractThe coastal cliffs of Cape Shpindler, Yugorski Peninsula, Arctic Russia, occupy a key position for recording overriding ice sheets during past glaciations in the Kara Sea area, either from the Kara Sea shelf or the uplands of Yugorski Peninsula/Polar Urals. This study on Late Quaternary glacial stratigraphy and glaciotectonic structures of the Cape Shpindler coastal cliffs records two glacier advances and two ice‐free periods older than the Holocene. During interglacial conditions, a sequence of marine to fluvial sediments was deposited. This was followed by a glacial event when ice moved southwards from an ice‐divide over Novaya Zemlya and overrode and disturbed the interglacial sediments. After a second period of fluvial deposition, under interstadial or interglacial conditions, the area was again subject to glacial overriding, with the ice moving northwards from an inland ice divide. The age‐control suggests that the older glacial event could possibly belong to marine oxygen isotope stage (MOIS) 8, Drenthe (300–250 ka), and that the underlying interglacial sediments might be Holsteinian (>300 ka). One implication of this is that relict glacier ice, buried in sediments and incorporated into the permafrost, may survive several interglacial and interstadial events. The younger glacial event recognised in the Cape Shpindler sequence is interpreted to be of Early‐to‐Middle Weichselian age. It is suggested to correlate to a regional glaciation around 90 or 60 ka. The Cape Shpindler record suggests more complex glacial dynamics during that glaciation than can be explained by a concentric ice sheet located in the Kara Sea, as suggested by recent geological and model studies. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Massive ground ice body of glacial origin at Yugorski Peninsula, arctic Russia

AbstractA massive ground ice body at Cape Shpindler on Yugorski Peninsula, southern Kara Sea coast, Russia, was studied with regard to large‐scale internal structures, its stratigraphic context and contacts to surrounding sediments, in order to highlight its origin. The massive ground ice contains deformation structures and deformed sediment rafts that show a consistent direction of deforming force. It is bounded upwards with a sharp and unconformable thaw contact to overlying till. The stratigraphical and structural evidence suggests that the massive ground ice body is relict glacier ice. Examination of data from a separate study on ice crystallography and isotopic composition of the massive ice body does not contradict this conclusion. The isotope composition and profiles conform with what can be expected for deformed basal ice. The chronology for the Shpindler Cape sequence implies that the glacier ice might be older than 250 ka years. Consequently, permafrost has preserved the relict glacier ice for the duration of at least two interglacials (Eemian and Holocene), as well as several Saalian and Weichselian interstadials, illustrating the preservation potential of the permafrost. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Environmental changes on Yugorski Peninsula, Kara Sea, Russia, during the last 12,800 radiocarbon years

New pollen and radiocarbon data from an 8.6-m coastal section, Cape Shpindler (69°43′N; 62°48′E), Yugorski Peninsula, document the latest Pleistocene and Holocene environmental history of this low Arctic region. Twelve AMS 14C dates indicate that the deposits accumulated since about 13,000 until 2000 radiocarbon years BP. A thermokarst lake formed ca. 13,000–12,800 years BP, when scarce arctic tundra vegetation dominated the area. By 12,500 years BP, a shallow lake existed at the site, and Arctic tundra with Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Salix, Saxifraga, and Artemisia dominated nearby vegetation. Climate was colder than today. Betula nana became dominant during the Early Preboreal period about 9500 years BP, responding to a warm event, which was one of the warmest during the Holocene. Decline in B. nana and Salix after 9500 years BP reflects a brief event of Preboreal cooling. A subsequent increase in Betula and Alnus fruticosa pollen percentages reflects amelioration of environmental conditions at the end of Preboreal period (ca. 9300 years BP). A decline in arboreal taxa later, with a dramatic increase in herb taxa, reflects a short cold event at about 9200 years BP. The pollen data reflect a northward movement of tree birch, peaking at the middle Boreal period, around 8500 years BP. Open Betula forest existed on the Kara Sea coast of the Yugorski Peninsula during the Atlantic period (8000–4500 years BP), indicating that climate was significantly warmer than today. Deteriorating climate around the Atlantic–Subboreal boundary (ca. 4500 years BP) is recorded by a decline in Betula percentages. Sedimentation slowed at the site, and processes of denudation and/or soil formation started at the beginning of the Subatlantic period, when vegetation cover on Yugorski Peninsula shifted to near-modern assemblages.

Late Quaternary stratigraphy, radiocarbon chronology, and glacial history at Cape Shpindler, southern Kara Sea, Arctic Russia

Depositional environments, stratigraphic relations, and 35 new AMS 14C dates at Cape Shpindler, Yugorski Peninsula, help constrain the late Pleistocene glacial and environmental history of the southern Kara Sea region. Fifteen- to fifty-meter-high coastal exposures reveal a complex package of shallow marine, fluvial, glacial, and postglacial deposits, and are documented here in a 19-km-long cross-section and eight vertical sections. The shallow marine (Unit A), estuarine or prodeltaic (Unit B), and fluvio-deltaic (Unit C) deposits contain an interglacial molluscan fauna, yield radiocarbon dates greater than 40 ka, and may correspond with a regional sea-level highstand during the Eemian. These units are overlain by a diamicton (Unit D), and are pervasively deformed by folds and low- to high-angle faults into a stacked glaciotectonic accretionary complex. The diamicton (Unit D) is a subglacial till, and associated massive ground ice with deformed debris bands (Unit E) appears to be relict glacier ice. Glaciotectonic structures document both southward- and northward-directed glacier movement. Above the till and associated glaciotectonic horizons lies 0- to 11-m-thick postglacial deposits of peatland, eolian, fluvial, and primarily lacustrine origin (Unit F). The postglacial deposits yield radiocarbon ages of 12.8 to 0.8 ka. Thus, at least one regional glaciation is prominently represented in the stratigraphy, and occurred probably after the Eemian but before 12.8 ka. We infer that the bulk of the glacial record corresponds with southward advance by an early Weichselian Kara Sea Ice Sheet, in agreement with other recently documented, regional records from Yamal Peninsula and the Pechora Basin. The timing and source of northward-directed glacier ice are less well constrained. Across the broad expanse of the Eurasian Arctic, Quaternary stratigraphy is still sparsely documented. The new data from Cape Shpindler fill a spatial gap in paleoenvironmental research.