Search Results (12)

In this study, methods are proposed for analyzing the susceptibility of forest stands to attacks by forest insects on the basis of Earth remote sensing data. As an indicator of the state of forest stands, we proposed to use a parameter of the sensitivity of a vegetation index (normalized difference vegetation index; NDVI) during a vegetative period to changes in the radiative temperature of the territory (land surface temperature; LST) determined from satellite data of the Terra/Aqua system. The indicator was calculated as a spectrum of a response function in an integral equation linking changes of NDVI to those of LST. Backtesting was carried out using data from two outbreaks of the Siberian silk moth Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetv. and outbreaks of the white mottled sawyer Monochamus urussovi Fischer and of the four-eyed fir bark beetle Polygraphus proximus Blandford in taiga forests of Krasnoyarsk Territory in Russia. In addition, the state of fir stands in the year 2023 was examined when damage to the forest stands was not yet noticeable, but Siberian silk moth adults were found in pheromone traps. It was shown that the proposed indicator of susceptibility of forest stands changed significantly 2–3 years before the pest outbreak in outbreak foci of the studied areas. Thus, the proposed indicator can be used to predict outbreaks of insect pests. The proposed approach differs from commonly used remote sensing methods in that, rather than using absolute values of remote indicators (such as, for example, NDVI), it focuses on indicators of the susceptibility of these remote indicators to the characteristics of the natural environment. Since any given point on the planet is characterized by a seasonally varying temperature, it is always possible to determine the sensitivity of a remote sensing indicator to changes in the environment that are not directly related to the absolute value of the indicator. Future studies are expected to examine susceptibility indices as a function of forest stand location and species, and to examine the length of spatial correlation of susceptibility indices, which may provide information on the possible extent of future insect outbreaks. Full article

An investigation was carried out on humic substances (HSs) isolated from the coal of the Kansk-Achinsk basin (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia). The coal HSs demonstrate the main parameters of molecular structure inherent to this class of natural compounds. An assessment was performed for the chemical, microbiological, and pharmacological safety parameters, as well as the biological efficacy. The HS sample meets the safety requirements in microbiological purity, toxic metals content (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic), and radionuclides. The presence of 11 essential elements was determined. The absence of general, systemic toxicity, cytotoxicity, and allergenic properties was demonstrated. The coal HS sample was classified as a Class V hazard (low danger substances). High antioxidant and antiradical activities and immunotropic and cytoprotective properties were identified. The ability of the HS to inhibit hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals was revealed. Pronounced actoprotective and nootropic activities were also demonstrated in vivo. Intragastric administration of the HS sample resulted in the improvement of physical parameters in mice as assessed by the “swim exhaustion” test. Furthermore, intragastric administration in mice with cholinergic dysfunction led to a higher ability of animals with scopolamine-induced amnesia to form conditioned reflexes. These findings suggest that the studied HS sample is a safe and effective natural substance, making it suitable for use as a dietary bioactive supplement. Full article

Ants of the genus Formica play an important role in biogenesis by participating in various processes, including the formation of complex trophic networks. The role of ants in an ecosystem depends on their species and geographic population, which can be difficult to identify. Formica gagatoides with a wide range and F. kozlovi are among some examples. The question is whether the Siberian populations of F. kozlovi really belong to this species or are local populations of F. gagatoides. Based on the materials collected in Russia (Murmansk Region, the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Altai, Far East), a morphological analysis (key diagnostic features) and molecular genetic analysis (COI, ITS1, D2 28S) were carried out. In all localities, there were individuals with pure (gagatoides, kozlovi) and mixed (gagatoides/kozlovi) morphotypes, with the exception of the Magadan Region, where the kozlovi morphotype was absent. According to the phylogenetic trees, F. gagatoides formed separate geographical branches, with the Siberian F. kozlovi being close and clearly conspecific to the Asian branch of F. gagatoides. A relatively high COI divergence, along with some differences in the ITS1 sequences, between the Asian and European F. gagatoides raises the question about the conspecificity of the Asian and European branches of this species. Full article

Phase change and graphitization of diamonds from the Popigai impact crater (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Siberian platform, Russia) exposed to high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) conditions of 5.5 GPa and 2000–2200 °C are studied by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Light-color diamonds of type 1, free from inclusions, with 0 to 10 % lonsdaleite, are more resistant to HPHT effects than dark diamonds of type 2 rich in lonsdaleite and graphite. The lonsdaleite/diamond ratios in lonsdaleite-bearing impact diamonds become smaller upon annealing, possibly because lonsdaleite transforms to cubic diamond simultaneously with graphitization. Therefore, lonsdaleite is more likely a structure defect in diamond than a separate hexagonal phase. Full article

Tularemia is a severe infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacteria Francisella tularensis. F. tularensis is currently divided into three subspecies, holarctica, tularensis, and mediasiatica, which differ in their virulence and geographic distribution. Subspecies mediasiatica is the least studied because of its very low documented virulence for humans and limited geographic distribution. It was discovered in sparsely populated regions of Central Asia. Since 2011, a new subsp. mediasiatica lineage was identified in Altai (Russia). In 2021, we isolated one subsp. mediasiatica strain in Krasnoyarsk Territory. In spite of its geographic origin, 500 km east from Altai, this strain belongs to the Altai lineage and contributes surprisingly little genetic diversity to previous knowledge. Full article

Wildfires are one of the most important disturbance factors in Siberia, covering up to 30 Mha annually. Carbon emissions vary greatly depending on the ecosystem type and fire severity. The fuel load and structure in different ecosystems are fundamental drivers of fire behavior and are of high importance to accurately estimate wildland fire emissions and their contribution to the regional and global carbon balance. We developed fuel load maps for the Krasnoyarsk region in central Siberia by integrating field and satellite data with respect to the forest-growing conditions and the disturbance of the territory via anthropogenic and natural factors (e.g., fires, logging, and insects). We found a drastic increase in fuel loads for some Siberian regions, with most disturbed by logging over the last two decades. This resulted in an increase in fire hazards and severity, as well as a higher amount of fuel consumed and of carbon emitted to the atmosphere. Full article

The Putorana Plateau (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia) is one of the largest mountainous regions of subarctic Eurasia. Studies of aquatic ecosystems of this are far from complete. In particular, microcrustaceans (Cladocera и Copepoda) of the Putorana Plateau are poorly investigated, although they are one of the main components of meiobenthic and zooplanktonic communities and a target for monitoring of the anthropogenic influence and climate change. An open question is a biogeographical status of the crustacean fauna of the plateau. Additionally, it is unknown which environmental factors significantly affect benthic and planktonic crustacean assemblages? Based on the samples collected in tundra and forest tundra ponds in the western and central parts of the plateau, analysis of the composition of crustacean fauna and factors regulating the assemblage structure was performed. In total, 36 Cladocera and 24 Copepoda species were found. Of these, 23 taxa are new for the region, and four are new to science. Species richness of Copepoda is higher in the central part and on the western slopes of the plateau than in foothills, while number of the Cladocera species in contrast decreases in mountainous areas. Variations in meiobenthic assemblages are due to the research area, type of water supply and less affected by altitude above sea level. For planktonic assemblages the size of the water body and, to a lesser degree, by macrophytes species composition was significant. Almost 12.8% of microcrustacean species of the Putorana Plateau can be attributed to glacial relics. Crustacean fauna of the Putorana Plateau has a high species richness and distinguishes significantly from the fauna of both western and eastern regions of the Arctic. The specifics of faunal composition of the region are connected to the climatic features of Middle Siberia and the retaining of the Pleistocene fauna in some glacial refugia. Full article

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which came to Russia in March 2020, is accompanied by morbidity level changes and can be tracked using serological monitoring of a representative population sample from Federal Districts (FDs) and individual regions. In a longitudinal cohort study conducted in 26 model regions of Russia, distributed across all FDs, we investigated the distribution and cumulative proportions of individuals with antibodies (Abs) to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen (Ag), in the period from June to December 2020, using a three-phase monitoring process. In addition, during the formation of the cohort of volunteers, the number of seropositive convalescents, persons who had contact with patients or COVID-19 convalescents, and the prevalence of asymptomatic forms of infection among seropositive volunteers were determined. According to a uniform methodology, 3 mL of blood was taken from the examined individuals, and plasma was separated, from which the presence of Abs to nucleocapsid Ag was determined on a Thermo Scientific Multiascan FC device using the “ELISA anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG” reagent set (prod. Scientific Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology), in accordance with the developer’s instructions. Volunteers (74,158) were surveyed and divided into seven age groups (1–17, 18–29, 30–39, 40–49, 59–59, 60–69, and 70+ years old), among whom 14,275 were identified as having antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The average percent seropositive in Russia was 17.8% (IQR: 8.8–23.2). The largest proportion was found among children under 17 years old (21.6% (IQR: 13.1–31.7). In the remaining groups, seroprevalence ranged from 15.6% (IQR: 8–21.1) to 18.0% (IQR: 13.4–22.6). During monitoring, three (immune) response groups were found: (A) groups with a continuous increase in the proportion of seropositive; (B) those with a slow rate of increase in seroprevalence; and (C) those with a two-phase curve, wherein the initial increase was replaced by a decrease in the percentage of seropositive individuals. A significant correlation was revealed between the number of COVID-19 convalescents and contact persons, and between the number of contacts and healthy seropositive volunteers. Among the seropositive volunteers, more than 93.6% (IQR: 87.1–94.9) were asymptomatic. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by an increase in seroprevalence, which may be important for the formation of herd immunity. Full article

Scots pine blister rust and red ring rot are common on Scots pine throughout its entire range. Specialists do not explain a significant variation in the prevalence of the diseases uniquely since it depends on complex ecological and silvicultural factors. The aim of this research is to study the influence of forest growth conditions on the incidence of Scots pine blister rust and red ring rot in pine stands of the Priangarye (territory located along the lower reaches of the Angara within the Krasnoyarsk Krai). The research methods included a detailed forest pathological examination of prevailing pine forest types, specific symptom-based macroscopic diagnosis of the diseases, data analysis using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Forest growth conditions indicators included type of forest, habitat conditions, and bonitet class of forest stands. The incidence of Scots pine blister rust and red ring rot in pine forests of the Priangarye reaches the extent of moderate and severe damage, respectively. The prevalence of Scots pine blister rust is significantly higher in low-bonitet lichen pine forests; the incidence rate increases along the gradient of decreasing fertility and soil moisture level. The incidence of red ring rot is significantly higher in herb-rich pine forests, in gradations of maximum soil fertility and medium soil moisture. The revealed patterns are explained by the bioecological characteristic features of pathogens (for red ring rot—additionally by factors of structural immunity in pine trees). The results of the research should be recognized in the organization of forestry practice. Full article

Rippite K₂(Nb,Ti)₂(Si₄O₁₂)(O,F)₂, a new K-Nb-cyclosilicate, has been discovered in calciocarbonatites from the Chuktukon massif (Chadobets upland, SW Siberian Platform, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia). It was found in a primary mineral assemblage, which also includes calcite, fluorcalciopyrochlore, tainiolite, fluorapatite, fluorite, Nb-rich rutile, olekminskite, K-feldspar, Fe-Mn–dolomite and quartz. Goethite, francolite (Sr-rich carbonate–fluorapatite) and psilomelane (romanèchite ± hollandite) aggregates as well as barite, monazite-(Ce), parisite-(Ce), synchysite-(Ce) and Sr-Ba-Pb-rich keno-/hydropyrochlore are related to a stage of metasomatic (hydrothermal) alteration of carbonatites. The calcite–dolomite coexistence assumes crystallization temperature near 837 °C for the primary carbonatite paragenesis. Rippite is tetragonal: P4bm, a = 8.73885(16), c = 8.1277(2) Å, V = 620.69(2) ų, Z = 2. It is closely identical in the structure and cell parameters to synthetic K₂Nb₂(Si₄O₁₂)O₂ (or KNbSi₂O₇). Similar to synthetic phase, the mineral has nonlinear properties. Some optical and physical properties for rippite are: colorless; Mohs’ hardness—4–5; cleavage—(001) very perfect, (100) perfect to distinct; density (meas.)—3.17(2) g/cm³; density (calc.)—3.198 g/cm³; optically uniaxial (+); ω = 1.737-1.739; ε = 1.747 (589 nm). The empirical formula of the holotype rippite (mean of 120 analyses) is K₂(Nb_1.90Ti_0.09Zr_0.01)[Si₄O₁₂](O_1.78OH_0.12F_0.10). Majority of rippite prismatic crystals are weakly zoned and show Ti-poor composition K₂(Nb_1.93Ti_0.05Zr_0.02)[Si₄O₁₂](O_1.93F_0.07). Raman and IR spectroscopy, and SIMS data indicate very low H₂O content (0.09–0.23 wt %). Some grains may contain an outermost zone, which is enriched in Ti (+Zr) and F, up to K₂(Nb_1.67Ti_0.32Zr_0.01)[Si₄O₁₂](O_1.67F_0.33). It strongly suggests the incorporation of (Ti,Zr) and F in the structure of rippite via the isomorphism Nb⁵⁺ + O²⁻ → (Ti,Zr)⁴⁺ + F¹⁻. The content of a hypothetical end-member K₂Ti₂[Si₄O₁₂]F₂ may be up to 17 mol. %. Rippite represents a new structural type among [Si₄O₁₂]-cyclosilicates because of specific type of connection of the octahedral chains and [Si₄O₁₂]⁸⁻ rings. In structural and chemical aspects it seems to be in close with the labuntsovite-supergroup minerals, namely with vuoriyarvite-(K), K₂(Nb,Ti)₂(Si₄O₁₂)(O,OH)₂∙4H₂O. Full article

In Siberia, most boreal forests are located in an area with relatively moist forest soils, which makes logging activities possible exclusively during the frost period with a permanent snow cover and stable sub-zero temperatures. As the global climate is experiencing a trend towards warming, it is reasonable to suppose that the duration of the logging season might shorten over time, influencing the economic potential of Siberian forests. To test this hypothesis, we created a concept for calculating the duration of the logging season, taking into account the economic and climatic peculiarities of doing forest business in these territories. Using the long-run daily-observed climatic data, we calculated the duration of the logging season for eight representative stations in Krasnoyarsk Krai (Yeniseysk, Boguchany, Achinsk, and Minusinsk) and Irkutsk Oblast (Bratsk, Kirensk, Tulun, and Yerbogachen) in 1966–2018. We found strong evidence of logging season duration shortening for almost all considered stations, with an uneven effect on the start and end boundaries of the season. Climate warming has almost no effect on the start date of the season in winter, but it significantly shifts the boundaries of the season end in spring. Using the autoregressive-integrated-moving average modeling (ARIMA) models, we demonstrated that, in the near future, the trends of the gradual shortening of the logging season will hold for the most part of the considered stations. The most pronounced effect is observed for the Achinsk station, where the logging season will shorten from $148.4\pm 17.3$ days during the historical sample (1966–2018) to $136.2\pm 30$ days in 2028, which reflects global warming trend patterns. From an economic perspective, a shorter duration of the logging season means fewer wood stocks available for cutting, which would impact the ability of companies to enact their logging plans and lead them to suffer losses in the future. To avoid losses, Siberian forest firms will have to adapt to these changes by redefining their economic strategies in terms of intensifying logging operations. Full article

The paper is devoted to the assessment of the prospects of implementing clean energy sources in Russia, where the current energy policy goal is to increase the role of renewable and clean energy sources. The research is based on data from the Krasnoyarsk Region as one of the largest territories but also as a representative model of Russia. The aim of the study is to identify where and which renewable energy source (solar, wind, hydro and nuclear) has the highest potential. The novelty of our research lies in its holistic nature: authors consider both geographical and technical potential for renewable energy sources development as well as prospective demand for such resources, while previous research is mostly focused on specific aspects of renewable energy development. We also consider the level of air pollution as an important factor for the development of renewable energy sources. The results of the study show that there is a strong potential for clean energy sources in the Krasnoyarsk Region. The resulting matrix identifies the potential of energy sources across all the municipal entities and also indicates whether the source of energy is primary or supplemental and where several sources may be implemented in cooperation. Full article