Occurrence of Volatile and Semi-Volatile Organic Pollutants in the Russian Arctic Atmosphere: The International Siberian Shelf Study Expedition (ISSS-2020)

Environmental issues in the Arctic region are of primary importance due to the fragility of the Arctic ecosystem. Mainly persistent organic compounds are monitored in the region by nine stationary laboratories. Information on the volatile (VOC) and semi volatile (SVOC) organic priority pollutants is very limited, especially for the Russian Arctic. Air samples from 16 sites along the Russian Arctic coast from the White Sea to the East Siberian Sea were collected on sorption tubes packed with Tenax, Carbograph, and Carboxen sorbents with different selectivity for a wide range of VOCs and SVOCs in 2020 within the framework of the International Siberian Shelf Study Expedition on the research vessel Akademik Keldysh. Thermal desorption gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry with Orbitrap was used for the analysis. Eighty-six VOCs and SVOCs were detected in the air samples at ng/m3 levels. The number of quantified compounds varied from 26 to 66 per sample. Benzoic acid was the major constituent, followed by BTEX, phenol, chloroform, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and carbon tetrachloride. The study allowed for obtaining the first ever data on the presence of 138 priority pollutants in the air of Russian Arctic, whereas the thorough assessment of their possible sources will be the aim of a next investigation.

Download Full-text

Regional features of the arctic states

Journal of Political Research ◽

10.12737/2587-6295-2020-116-128 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 116-128

Author(s):

P. Sevost'yanov ◽

Yu. Davydova ◽

A. Matyukhin

Keyword(s):

System Analysis ◽

Arctic Region ◽

State Regulation ◽

The Arctic ◽

Modern World ◽

Regional Features ◽

Eastern Hemisphere ◽

Wide Range ◽

Historical Methods ◽

The Arctic Region

The purpose of the article is to identify regional features of the Arctic States of the Eastern hemisphere. The Arctic region has enormous geopolitical and economic potential, and in the twenty-first century it is becoming one of the main objects of conflict of interests of the leading powers of the modern world. In their research, the authors used experimental-theoretical methods, as well as system analysis, logical and historical methods. The results of the analysis of the literature used, actual data, and research searches have shown that the key element in determining the region is its borders. There are many definitions of the Arctic, but due to the Northern features, none of them fully corresponds to the tasks of state regulation of territories. Along with the General assessment of the region and space, the article analyzes in detail various approaches to determining the borders of the Arctic region of all the countries participating in the Eastern hemisphere: Denmark, Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland. A retrospective analysis of the existing definitions for a wide range is carried out. The conclusions summarize that among the Arctic countries, the astronomical approach in combination with the administrative and political definitions of the participating countries themselves prevails, which begins to form trends towards changing approaches to the Arctic as a whole.

Download Full-text

Сreation of the National Atlas of the Arctic

Abstracts of the ICA ◽

10.5194/ica-abs-1-363-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 1-1

Author(s):

Andrey Tatarenkov

Keyword(s):

Arctic Region ◽

Temporal Information ◽

The Arctic ◽

Social Activities ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Arctic Region

Abstract. The National Atlas of the Arctic is a fundamental complex cartographic work of informational, scientific-applied nature, containing a set of mutually agreed spatial and temporal information on the physical, geographical and socio-economic features of the Arctic region, intended for use in a wide range of management, economic, scientific, educational, cultural and social activities.

Download Full-text

Russian Arctic region energy balance (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia))

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/201911402005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 114 ◽

pp. 02005 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vasiliy Zakharov ◽

Dmitry Prokhorov ◽

Nikita Pavlov

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Population Density ◽

Energy Security ◽

Arctic Region ◽

The Arctic ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

State Budgets ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

The Republic ◽

Technological Platform

The Arctic territories have a low population density due to the severity of the climate. Nevertheless, the indigenous people have been living in the Arctic for centuries. Ensuring their energy security is a complex technical task and at the same time is one of the significant costs of regional state budgets. The article analyzes the energy balance of the Arctic administrative regions of the largest region of the Russian Federation - the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Potential optimization of energy balance while maintaining the existing technological platform.

Download Full-text

Creating a Synergy

Advances in Computer and Electrical Engineering - Renewable Energy and Power Supply Challenges for Rural Regions ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-9179-5.ch006 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 136-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dmitry Alexandrovich Solovyev ◽

Maria Olegovna Morgunova ◽

Alexander Alekseyevich Solovyev

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Socioeconomic Development ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Arctic Region ◽

Energy System ◽

The Arctic ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

Renewable Energy Resources ◽

Renewable Energy Systems ◽

Limited Experience

The chapter focuses on different aspects and challenges of power supply for remote energy consumers in the Russian Arctic. The authors discuss the potential use of renewable energy, some specified technological features and risks related to the broader deployment of decentralized renewable energy systems in the Arctic region. Even though there is limited experience of renewable energy systems installation in the Russian Arctic and greater technological challenges, the authors see it as a potential opportunity to contribute to innovative and sustainable development of the region. The authors underline the potential synergistic effect of broader deployment of renewable energy systems in the Russian Arctic. The key argument is that a sustainable and efficient energy system will open new development opportunities and stimulate future socioeconomic development of the region through the use of local and renewable energy resources and the implementation of new power generation modes and technologies.

Download Full-text

Vertical distribution of aerosol particles over the Russian Arctic derived from in-situ aircraft measurements: the September 2020 campaign

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-6909 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mikhail Yu. Arshinov ◽

Boris Belan ◽

Denis Davydov ◽

Artem Kozlov ◽

Alexandr Fofonov

Keyword(s):

Vertical Distribution ◽

Lower Troposphere ◽

In Situ Measurements ◽

The Arctic ◽

Future Climate Change ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

Size Distributions ◽

Cloudy Weather ◽

Wide Range

The Arctic is warming much faster than other regions of the globe. In 2020, temperature anomalies in the Russian Arctic reached unprecedented high levels. The atmospheric composition in this key region still remains insufficiently studied that makes difficult predicting future climate change.In September 2020, an extensive aircraft campaign was conducted to document the tropospheric composition over the Russian Arctic. The Optik Tu-134 research aircraft was equipped with instruments to carry out in-situ measurements of trace gases and aerosols, as well as with a lidar for profiling of aerosol backscatter. The aircraft flew over a vast area from Arkhangelsk to Anadyr. Six measurement flights with changing altitudes from 0.2 to 9.0 m were conducted over the waters of the Barents, Kara, Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi, and Bering Seas. The weather was unusually warm for this period of the year, surface air temperatures were above 0&#176;C through the campaign.Here, we present the results of in-situ measurements of the vertical distribution of aerosol number concentrations in a wide range of sizes. A modified diffusional particle sizer (DPS) consisted of the Novosibirsk-type eight-stage screen diffusion battery connected to the TSI condensation particle counter Model 3756 was used to determine the number size distribution of particles between 0.003 mm and 0.2 mm (20 size bins). Distribution of particles in the size range from 0.25 &#181;m to 32 &#181;m (31 size bins) was measured by means of the Grimm aerosol spectrometer Model 1.109.The flights over Barents and Kara Seas were predominantly performed under clear sky or partly cloudy weather conditions. Number size distributions were wide representing particles of almost all aerosol fractions. When flying in the upper troposphere with a constant altitude over these seas, some cases of enhanced concentrations of nucleation and Aitken mode particles comparable to ones in the lower troposphere were recorded, suggesting in situ new particle formation was likely to be taking place via gas-to-particle conversion aloft.East of the Kara Sea, flights were conducted under mostly cloudy conditions resulting in a lower median aerosol number concentration and narrower size distributions.This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No. 19-05-50024).

Download Full-text

Introducing a New Detailed Long-Term COSMO-CLM Hindcast for the Russian Arctic and the First Results of Its Evaluation

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12030350 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 350

Author(s):

Vladimir Platonov ◽

Mikhail Varentsov

Keyword(s):

Arctic Region ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Atmospheric Model ◽

Reanalysis Data ◽

Environmental Data ◽

Added Value ◽

The Arctic ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

Wind Speeds

Diverse and severe weather conditions and rapid climate change rates in the Arctic emphasize the need for high-resolution climatic and environmental data that cannot be obtained from the scarce observational networks. This study presents a new detailed hydrometeorological dataset for the Russian Arctic region, obtained as a long-term hindcast with the nonhydrostatic atmospheric model COSMO-CLM for the 1980–2016 period. The modeling workflow, evaluation techniques, and preliminary analysis of the obtained dataset are discussed. The model domain included the Barents, Kara, and Laptev Seas with ≈12-km grid spacing. The optimal model setup was chosen based on preliminary simulations for several summer and winter periods with varied options, and included the usage of ERA-Interim reanalysis data as forcing data, the new model version 5.05 with so-called ICON-based physics, and a spectral nudging technique. The wind speed and temperature climatology in the new COSMO-CLM dataset closely agreed with the ERA-Interim reanalysis, but with detailed spatial patterns. The added value of the higher-resolution COSMO-CLM data with respect to the ERA-Interim was most pronounced for higher wind speeds during downslope windstorms with the influence of mountain ranges on the temperature patterns, including surface temperature inversions. The potential applications and plans of further product development are also discussed.

Download Full-text

Mapping of hydrocarbons pipeline transportation in the Arctic Region of Russia

Proceedings of the International conference “InterCarto/InterGIS” ◽

10.35595/2414-9179-2020-1-26-105-115 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 105-115

Author(s):

Mikhail Gubanov ◽

Tatiana Nokelaynen ◽

Ilia Rilskiy

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Arctic Region ◽

Mapping Method ◽

Transport Infrastructure ◽

The Arctic ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

Pipeline Transport ◽

Gas Network ◽

Delivery Routes ◽

The Arctic Region

Pipeline transport plays a key role in the infrastructure of the oil and gas complex in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. It is the most efficient type of hydrocarbon transportation and currently dominates in terms of freight traffic in the Russian Arctic. Among the shortcomings of this type of transport, one can single out a very high cost of investment in construction, as well as the threat of damage to the nature of the region. An alternative option for transporting hydrocarbons produced in the Arctic region of Russia is the export of oil, liquefied gas and gas condensate by sea tankers. To solve a number of problems that have arisen during the exploitation of the Arctic hydrocarbon resources, spatial analysis and an integrated cartographic assessment of the current transport situation are necessary. As a result of the research, a series of thematic maps of the transport infrastructure of the oil and gas complex of the Russian Arctic was created (scale 1 : 20 000 000). An integrated mapping method has been implemented that takes into account the environmental, technological, transport and economic characteristics of pipeline transport. Assessment and forecast indicators were developed. Thematic content includes: resource potential of the industry; centers for the extraction, storage and processing of oil and gas; network of trunk pipelines with classification according to the number of branches and the diameter of the pipes; existing and potential hydrocarbons delivery routes; the degree of impact of hazardous natural processes and phenomena on the components of the oil and gas complex. The developed maps make it possible to objectively assess the state of the pipeline transport of hydrocarbons in the Arctic region of Russia and can serve as an essential part of the system for making responsible decisions on modernizing the infrastructure of the oil and gas complex to ensure sustainable development and safe operation.

Download Full-text

Geopolitical Risks of Hydrocarbon Development in the Russian Arctic

Arctic and North ◽

10.37482/issn2221-2698.2021.43.109 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 109-127

Author(s):

Olga P. TRUBITSINA ◽

◽

Vladimir N. BASHKIN ◽

Keyword(s):

Legal Status ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Arctic Region ◽

Oil And Gas Industry ◽

The Arctic ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Geopolitical Risks ◽

The Arctic Region ◽

Hydrocarbon Development

The article is devoted to the issues of geopolitical risks (GPR) in the hydrocarbon development of the Russian Arctic. The authors pay special attention to the analysis of modern geopolitical and geostrategic challenges of the Arctic region development. The article identifies the key geopolitical factors that affect the sustainable development of the Arctic and analyzes the similarities and differences in the geostrategic positions of the Arctic Five. One of the most important factors of the XXI century that determines the alignment and interaction of various geopolitical forces is the struggle for resources. In this regard, an increase in GPR in the Arctic, related to its resource potential, is inevitable. For oil and gas industry facilities, GPR can be transformed into opposite environmental factors in the form of additional opportunities or threats, which the authors identify in detail for each type of risk. The authors focus on such positions of the GPR, which are related to ensuring access and obtaining control rights over the Arctic's hydrocarbon resources from different countries, the uncertainty of the legal status of the Arctic region, and the use of geoecological risks (GER) as manipulative priorities of attention to Russia's actions in the Arctic.

Download Full-text

Creating a Synergy

Research Anthology on Clean Energy Management and Solutions ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-9152-9.ch084 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1891-1908

Author(s):

Dmitry Alexandrovich Solovyev ◽

Maria Olegovna Morgunova ◽

Alexander Alekseyevich Solovyev

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Socioeconomic Development ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Arctic Region ◽

Energy System ◽

The Arctic ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

Renewable Energy Resources ◽

Renewable Energy Systems ◽

Limited Experience

Download Full-text

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC (PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS)

10.33396/1728-0869-2019-1-26-33 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 26-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Indigenous People ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

Climatic Factors ◽

Precious Metals ◽

Indigenous Communities ◽

Transport Infrastructure ◽

The Arctic ◽

Russian Arctic ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Impact

The aim of the study identification of factors that ensure the vital activity of indigenous smallnumbered peoples of the North in the Arctic, as well as the analysis of their impact on the preservation and development of the ethnic group. Identifying problems and assessing the prospects for the development of indigenous people consists of 3 stages: analysis of foreign and domestic sources, the results of scientific research teams; systematization of statistical data, including information on the dynamics of the development of indigenous people (number, employment in traditional activities); the impact assessing of legal, economic and social factors on the preservation and development of indigenous people. A comprehensive analysis of a wide range of legal, economic and social problems of ensuring the traditional life of indigenous people within the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) has shown the need to improve legislative, financial and managerial actions to preserve them as a specific community, adapted to the extremely severe conditions of permanent residence beyond the Arctic Circle and as a unique phenogenotype, whose activity is closely conjugated with the environmental state of the macroregion and in fact is entirely dependent on it. The exclusive role of indigenous peoples in preserving the natural complexes of the Arctic in the 21st century for future generations was emphasized. Under the conditions of proliferation of technogenic and anthropogenic burden on the natural complexes of the macroregion, associated with the intensive development of fuel and power resources, deposits of rare and precious metals, development of coastal transport infrastructure and a multiple increase in the population in the Russian Arctic with a creation of “stronghold areas” the threat of the indigenous peoples’ disappearance appeared (Enets about 200 people remain and less than 100 people – the Votes). Under the conditions of a largescale, integral impact of manmade, anthropogenic and climatic factors on indigenous communities in the Arctic, their life environment and traditional management the need for urgent adoption of a complex of specific and targeted legal, economic and social measures aimed at ensuring and preserving their livelihoods is obvious.

Download Full-text