scholarly journals Geochemical differentiation of atmospheric aerosols in natural zones of European Russia

2021 ◽  
Vol 906 (1) ◽  
pp. 012048
Author(s):  
Tatiana Kuderina ◽  
Otto Chkhetiani ◽  
Arseni Kudikov ◽  
Maria Artamonova
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
European Russia ◽  
Russian Plain ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Natural Zones

Abstract Climate and environmental changes on Earth have become modern challenges to humanity. The main factor affecting the landscapes of Russia is an increase in air temperature and a decrease in precipitation. Because of these processes, the amount of aerosols in the near-ground atmosphere of the landscapes of the ETR (European territory of Russia) increases. The aim of the study is to determine the atmogeophysical and atmogeochemical indicators that reveal the interaction of the atmosphere and the diversity of natural landscapes in European Russia. Landscape-geochemical research methods make it possible to study geosystems with the participation of all landscape components and actual migration processes, especially the atmospheric migration of chemical elements. To determine the modern atmogeochemical existence, field comprehensive studies of the potential emission of matter in all natural zones of the ETR were carried out submeridionally - in the landscapes of the steppe, forest-steppe, forest and tundra zones of the ETR. The research results show that in the submeridional profile, the mass concentration of aerosols decreases regularly from south to north, the minimum concentrations of atmospheric aerosols are observed in the forest zone, in the tundra there was a slight increase due to anthropogenic landscapes and the influence of the sea. Analysis of the chemical composition of aerosols revealed that, among the elements of global importance, aluminosilicates naturally increase to the south of the ETR as elements of clay minerals that are widespread in the Russian Plain. The maximum phosphorus content occurs in the residential area with agricultural landscapes. Sulfur concentrations are confined to the semiarid zone of the ETR, then decrease in the forest zone and increase again in the technogenic regions and the tundra belt of the Kola Peninsula, surrounded by the sea. The concentrations of chemical elements of regional and local distribution in atmospheric aerosols are more differentiated on the ETR and depend on the natural and technogenic features of each region. Thus, heavy metals are more common in the Plain territories of the forest-steppe and forest zones of the ETR and are confined to the bedrock and technogenic sources. High concentrations of calcium and strontium are associated with areas of weathering of carbonate rocks. In general, increased concentrations of atmospheric aerosols with an increased content of anthropogenic elements are observed during the western and southern transport of air masses. At the same time, the amount of rainstorm precipitation increases when these aerosols act as condensation nuclei. To assess the current state of the atmosphere at the ETR, it is necessary to continue field measurements and organize European annual and seasonal geochemical monitoring at stationary observation points.

scholarly journals Holocene Environmental Changes Inferred From an Aeolian-Palaeosol-Lacustrine Profile in the Mu Us Desert, Northern China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaokang Liu ◽  
Ruijie Lu ◽  
Zhiyong Ding ◽  
Zhiqiang Lyu ◽  
Yijing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Magnetic Susceptibility ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Lacustrine Sediments ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Mu Us Desert ◽  
Average Grain Size

An excavated profile of aeolian-palaeosol-lacustrine sediments (the Wapianliang profile), located at the southeastern part of the Mu Us Desert, Northern China, was studied to reconstruct regional Holocene environmental changes. A chronology was established based on three AMS 14C and two OSL dates, and variations in the lithology and grain size, magnetic susceptibility, soil micromorphology, and chemical elements were used to explore the regional depositional environments during the Holocene. The results showed that since around 14 ka BP, this region had experienced seven alternations of wetting and drying. A shallow lake, which was identified by celadon lacustrine sediments with sporadic freshwater gastropod fossils, occurred in this area from around 13.0 ka BP to 9.9 ka BP. There existed two obvious intervals of soil formation, inferred from the environmental proxies of the palaeosol/sandy palaeosol layers, with relatively fine average grain-size, high magnetic susceptibility value, remarkable pedogenesis features, and strong chemical weathering, in particular, a well-developed palaeosol layer dating from the middle Holocene (8.6 ka BP to 4.2 ka BP). A weakly-developed palaeosol layer (from around 1.2 ka BP) at the upper part of the profile is possibly an indication of the Medieval Warm Period. This implies a forest steppe environment at both of these sedimentary stages. After 0.9 ka BP, a desert environment returned, analogous to before around 13.0 ± 1.4 ka BP, between 9.9 ± 1.1 ka BP to 8.6 ka BP, and between 4.2 ka BP to 1.6 ka BP, indicating the aggravation of aeolian activity and the expansion of mobile sand dunes. The variations in sedimentary environments were mainly triggered by changes in the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM).

The analysis of mesophytic broad-leaved forest associations in the center of European Russia

2003 ◽  
pp. 3-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. Zaugolnova ◽  
T. Yu. Braslavskaya
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Russian Plain ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Broad Leaved Forest ◽  
Direct Ordination ◽  
Leaved Forest

The comparative analysis of floristic composition of the Russian Plain center broad-leaved forests of the alliance Carpinion betuli Issler 1931 em. Meyer 1937 was carried out by means of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and direct ordination along ecological factor scales. The three associations representing the proper zonal units of the area, namely Querco-Tilietum cordatae Laivinš 1983 in the hemiboreal forest zone, Aceri campestris—Tilietum cordatae ass. nov. hoc loco in the broad-leaved forest zone, and Aceri campestris—Quercetum roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch 1991 in the forest-steppe zone are characterized. Although all the forest stands described are small geographically isolated fragments, their floristic composition demonstrates the existence of syntaxonomic continuum and seems to be influenced by landscape features and anthropogenic disturbance just as strong as by zonal climatic factors. As a result of the undertaken analysis, the syntaxonomical revision of the Central-Russian broad-leaved forests of the alliance Carpinion betuli Issler 1931 em. Meyer 1937 is proposed.

Environments of the Russian Plain during the Middle Valdai Briansk Interstade (33,000–24,000 yr B.P.) Indicated by Fossil Mammals and Plants

2002 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia K. Markova ◽  
Alexandra N. Simakova ◽  
Andrei Yu Puzachenko ◽  
Lev M. Kitaev
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Russian Plain ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
The South ◽  
Mathematical Methods ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Steppe Species ◽  
Natural Zones ◽  
The North

AbstractAbundant mammal (45 localities) and plant (52 sections) fossil data collected from the Russian Plain deposits of the Middle Valdai Briansk Interstade indicate a period of noticeable warming. These materials were jointly analyzed. The data were organized in the database software PARADOX and then moved to the GIS program ARC/INFO. Mathematical methods as well as traditional research methods were used for the analysis. The reconstructed biogeographical provinces illustrate the specific environmental and climatic conditions of the Briansk Interstade. Analogues of modern natural zones did not exist at this time on the Russian Plain. The Briansk landscapes reflect the moderate-cool climate of this period, when the majority of northern subarctic plant and mammal species extended their ranges considerably to the south to the Central Russian Plain. At the same time, steppe species penetrated farther north and west. This combination shows that the continuous forest zone was destroyed during the Briansk Inter-stade. Five biogeographical provinces have been reconstructed from the north to the south for the Russian Plain during the Briansk warming on the basis of joint analysis of mammalian and botanical data.

The analysis of mesophytic broad-leaved forest associations in the center of European Russia

2003 ◽  
pp. 3-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. Zaugolnova ◽  
T. Yu. Braslavskaya
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Russian Plain ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Broad Leaved Forest ◽  
Direct Ordination ◽  
Leaved Forest

The comparative analysis of floristic composition of the Russian Plain center broad-leaved forests of the alliance Carpinion betuli Issler 1931 em. Meyer 1937 was carried out by means of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and direct ordination along ecological factor scales. The three associations representing the proper zonal units of the area, namely Querco-Tilietum cordatae Laivinš 1983 in the hemiboreal forest zone, Aceri campestris—Tilietum cordatae ass. nov. hoc loco in the broad-leaved forest zone, and Aceri campestris—Quercetum roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch 1991 in the forest-steppe zone are characterized. Although all the forest stands described are small geographically isolated fragments, their floristic composition demonstrates the existence of syntaxonomic continuum and seems to be influenced by landscape features and anthropogenic disturbance just as strong as by zonal climatic factors. As a result of the undertaken analysis, the syntaxonomical revision of the Central-Russian broad-leaved forests of the alliance Carpinion betuli Issler 1931 em. Meyer 1937 is proposed.

scholarly journals Occurrence of the insectivores and rodents in the Samarskaya Luka (European Russia)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadezhda Kirillova ◽  
Alexander Kirillov ◽  
Victoria Vekhnik ◽  
Anastasia Klenina
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
European Russia ◽  
Russian Plain ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Volga River ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Samarskaya Luka

In this paper, we present our dataset containing up-to-date information about occurrences of small mammals (Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha and Rodentia) on the territory of Samarskaya Luka. It is a bend of the Volga River in the southern part of the forest-steppe zone of the Russian Plain (European Russia). This unique territory is surrounded on almost all sides by water. The dataset summarises small mammal occurrences noted in long-term studies in Samarskaya Luka from 2000 to 2020. A major part of the dataset was obtained during our helminthological study of small mammals. Besides, some data were attained when studying the ecology of tree-dwelling rodents. Our studies of small mammals were conducted by trap lines and direct observations in the wild. The dataset includes 8147 records of erinaceomorphs, soricomorphs and rodents of 26 species (of total 28) belonging to three orders, nine families and 21 genera. It is based on the research of the staff of the Institute of Ecology of the Volga River Basin of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Zhiguli State Nature Reserve. The distribution of erinaceomorphs, soricomorphs and rodents in Samarskaya Luka has not been completely studied and further investigation may well discover new small mammal habitats. Our dataset contains new information on occurrences of erinaceomorphs, soricomorphs and rodents in Samarskaya Luka (European Russia). All occurrence records of 26 mammal species with georeferencing are published in GBIF for the first time. The occurrence data are stored in our field journals and we would like to make them available to all researchers.

scholarly journals White poplar (Populus alba L.) stands in Ukraine: the current state, growth specificities and prospects of using for forest plantations

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72
Author(s):  
Natalia Vysotska ◽  
Maksym Rumiantsev ◽  
Oleksii Kobets
Keyword(s):  
Age Distribution ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Productive Capacity ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
White Poplar ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Natural Zones ◽  
Current State ◽  
State Growth

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the current state and evaluate the productivity of white poplar stands by natural zones within Ukraine and to define the prospects for their use for plantation forest cultivation. The objects of the study were white poplar stands in Ukrainian forests grown on the area of more than 7,600 hectares in various natural zones, namely Polissya (forest zone in Ukraine), Forest-Steppe, and Steppe. The study was carried out based on the analysis of forest inventory data (Ukrainian forest fund database) containing given stand characteristics such as origin, age, diameter, height, type of forest site conditions, etc. The characteristics were estimated by grouping the plots by age. The growth specificities (dynamics of the main mensuration characteristics) and the productive capacity of the white poplar stands were analyzed based on the developed tables. It was found that white poplar stands are mainly concentrated in Steppe and Forest-Steppe in Ukraine. The stands are of coppice or artificial origin; they grow in moist fairly fertile, fresh fairly fertile and moist fertile sites. The age distribution of the white poplar stands is severely imbalanced due to a significant predominance of stands aged over 40 years in all natural zones within Ukraine. More productive are the white poplar stands growing within Polissya and Forest-Steppe. The developed growth and productivity tables should be used when planning and prioritizing the relevant forestry interventions in white poplar stands.

scholarly journals Land-Use/-Cover Changes and Their Effect on Soil Erosion and River Suspended Sediment Load in Different Landscape Zones of European Russia during 1970–2017

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1631
Author(s):  
Artyom V. Gusarov
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Suspended Sediment ◽  
Sediment Load ◽  
Gully Erosion ◽  
European Russia ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Suspended Sediment Load ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Study Region

Contemporary trends in cultivated land and their influence on soil/gully erosion and river suspended sediment load were analyzed by various landscape zones within the most populated and agriculturally developed part of European Russia, covering 2,222,390 km2. Based on official statistics from the Russian Federation and the former Soviet Union, this study showed that after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, there was a steady downward trend in cultivated land throughout the study region. From 1970–1987 to 2005–2017, the region lost about 39% of its croplands. Moreover, the most significant relative reduction in cultivated land was noted in the forest zone (south taiga, mixed and broadleaf forests) and the dry steppes and the semi-desert of the Caspian Lowland—about 53% and 65%, respectively. These territories are with climatically risky agriculture and less fertile soils. There was also a widespread reduction in agricultural machinery on croplands and livestock on pastures of the region. A decrease in soil/gully erosion rates over the past decades was also revealed based on state hydrological monitoring data on river suspended sediment load as one of the indicators of the temporal variability of erosion intensity in river basins and the published results of some field research in various parts of the studied landscape zones. The most significant reduction in the intensity of erosion and the load of river suspended sediment was found in European Russia’s forest-steppe zone. This was presumably due to a favorable combination of the above changes in land cover/use and climate change.

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