NEW PALEOLITHIC FINDS IN THE LOWER DON REGION

Изучение среднего и нижнего палеолита юга Восточно-Европейской равнины до сих пор во многом связано с редкими памятниками, расположенными в Северо-Восточном Приазовье (Герасимовка, Рожок I, Носово) и в нижнем течении р. Северский Донец (Хрящи, Михайловское), поэтому любые сведения о новых комплексах этих эпох представляют большой интерес. В статье впервые представлены материалы нового местонахождения каменного века Батай III, открытого более сорока лет назад, расположенного в дельте Дона в устье р. Койсуг. На строительной площадке в перемещенном грунте аллювиального генезиса (рис. 1: 2,3) была собрана коллекция кремневых изделий, состоящая в основном из артефактов среднепалеолитического облика. Основой для них послужил местный галечный кремень. Цвет сырья буро-коричневый (рис. 2: 1b). Патина варьирует от желто-коричневой до красновато-бурой. Коллекция включает нуклевидные изделия, пренуклеусы, небольшой плоско-выпуклый бифас миндалевидной формы (рис. 3: 1a, b), остроконечник (рис. 3: 4a), различные сколы. Наиболее близкие аналогии происходят из местонахождения палеолита у х. Михайловское - недалеко от впадения р. Северский Донец в Дон. So far the studies of the Middle and Lower Paleolithic in the South of the East European Plain have been linked to rare sites located in the northeastern of Azov Sea region (Gerasimovka, Rozhok I, and Nosovo) and the downstream of the Severskiy Donets river (Khryashchi, and Mikhaylovskoe); that is why, any information on new assemblages dating to these historical periods are of great interest. Materials from Batay III, which is a new Stone Age location discovered more than forty years ago, are described for the first time. This site is located in the Don estuary in the mouth of the Koysug river. An assemblage of flint items made up mostly of the Middle Paleolithic artifacts was collected in alluvial soil removed from the construction site (Fig. 1: 2, 3). Local pebbles were used as the main source material. The raw material is reddish-brown (Fig. 2: 1b). The patina varies from yellow-brown to reddish-black. The assemblage includes core-like items, pre-cores, a small almond-shaped plano-convex biface (Fig. 3: 1а, b), a point (Fig. 3: 4а), and various flakes. The closest analogies come from a Paleolithic location near the village of Mikhaylovskoe not far from the place where the Severskiy Donets joins the Don.

Detection of water surface natural objects based on the satellite sensing data

The article shows an application of satellite sensing data method in geoenvironmental monitoring of water surface. It is expected to apply combination of LBP and neural network approaches for detection and identification objects of natural and anthropogenic origin. The applying of satellite images, the implementation and operation of the filtration method and satellite sensing data assimilation in real or near-real time are considered to detect the blooming areas and their coordinates. The research demonstrates the need and possibility to apply neural approach and the theory of deep learning for solving the tasks. The results of computer experiments are presented basing on the images from satellites Resurs-P, WorldView and Landsat over the Azov sea area.

Comparative characterization of the roach Rutilus rutilus heckelii (Nordmann, 1840) sampled in different areas of the Sea of Azov during its spawning season in 2021, based on its physiological and biochemical parameters

Four samples of Rutilus rutilus collected in various water bodies of the Azov Sea Basin have been investigated. Individuals were examined during their spawning migration in the spring season of 2021. The differences in some physiological and biochemical parameters between the studied samples were considered. It has been found that the content of lipids in the sexual products of males was higher than in the gonads of females, and the protein was lower. Biochemical analysis of fish blood serum showed differences in the level of albumin between females and males and in the amount of triglycerides in the individuals from different fishing sites. In the liver of the fish from the Vostochno-Akhtarskoe (East Akhtarsk) Hatchery, a low activity of all investigated enzymes of the antioxidant system has been recorded.

Image processing algorithms application for the modeling biogeochemical cycles of the Azov Sea

In the article biogeochemical processes of the Azov Sea were researched. Mathematical non-stationary 3D model is proposed which describes the development dynamics of the two most common species of phytoplankton populations in the summer, the growth of which is limited by a single biogenic element, is proposed the linearization of continuous mathematical model on a uniform temporal grid is made. For a continuous model, a discrete analogue is constructed and an optimal method for grid equations solving is selected. To determine the boundary of the considered computational domain of a complex shape an image processing algorithm has been developed, implemented as a software module on Python, which makes it possible to obtain a dynamically changing contour of the Azov Sea from satellite images.

Mathematical Modeling of the Phytoplankton Populations Geographic Dynamics for Possible Scenarios of Changes in the Azov Sea Hydrological Regime

Increased influence of abiotic and anthropogenic factors on the ecological state of coastal systems leads to uncontrollable changes in the overall ecosystem. This paper considers the crucial problem of studying the effect of an increase in the water’s salinity in the Azov Sea and the Taganrog Bay on hydrobiological processes. The main aim of the research is the diagnostic and predictive modeling of the geographic dynamics of the general phytoplankton populations. A mathematical model that describes the dynamics of three types of phytoplankton is proposed, considering the influence of salinity and nutrients on algae development. Discretization is carried out based on a linear combination of Upwind Leapfrog difference schemes and a central difference scheme, which makes it possible to increase the accuracy of solving the biological kinetics problem at large values of the grid Péclet number (Peh > 2). A software package has been developed that implements interrelated models of hydrodynamics and biogeochemical cycles. A modified alternating-triangular method was used to solve large-dimensional systems of linear algebraic equations (SLAE). Based on the scenario approach, several numerical experiments were carried out to simulate the dynamics of the main species of phytoplankton populations at different levels of water salinity in coastal systems. It is shown that with an increase in the salinity of waters, the habitats of phytoplankton populations shift, and marine species invasively replace freshwater species of algae.

ICE REGIME IMPACT ON THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE AZOV SEA

Azov is freezing sea it means that forecast of the time of the beginning and the end of ice fields formation needs. The ice condition limited of maritime safety. Modern condition of ice regime in the Azov Sea has been considered. The navigation of the Ukrainian ports Berdjansk and Mariupol depends on ice regime, duration and ice cover thickness. For the passage of vessels along the sea approach channels and recommended courses in the winter, the use of icebreakers is required. The demolition of confining buoys by ice fields and their restoration is reflected in the economic opportunities of the ports. Purpose of the article is to establish the characteristic winter periods of the last decade, taking into account the climatic changes for the rational using of the results of the impact on the economic activity of the marine infrastructure and hydrographic services. The specific purpose of this publication is to evaluate the displacement of the means of navigation equipment – buoys in the winter, taking into account meteorological factors. The authors set the following tasks: 1) to identify periods and vectors of buoys; 2) to define wind and ice characteristics in separate periods; 3) to reveal the basic meteorological cause of the movement of the buoys. It is important to note that there are no similar publications concerning this region. It became very actual after the climate change period was marked. The reserach is based on the data of direct and remote observations, the dates of ice formation in the area of seaports of Ukraine (Berdyansk and Mariupol) the characteristics of ice, the end of freezing, the opening and clearing of ice from the water areas of ports and bays and using the information from NAVTEX warning system, the archival materials of the weather site meteo.ua. The features of the physicochemical properties of sea water during ice formation and the general circulation of the waters of the Azov Sea are examined, which is linked with the influence of fresh runoff of Don and Kuban rivers. In the period 2013–2021 the observations were made on the displacement of navigation aids (buoys) during the winter periods from the approach channels of the port of Mariupol and Berdjansk as well as noticed buoys from the Azov-Don Marine Channel (Russian Federation). The characteristic of winter periods and conditions during the last decade are considered taking into account the influence of climatic changes. It is noted that the ice regime of the Sea of Azov is closely related with the sum of average daily air tem peratures over the sea for the season and wind power. According to this criterion, winters are usually divided into three types: severe, moderate and mild. Over the past 30 years, there were only two severe winters in the Azov Sea in 2005–2006 and 2011–2012. During these winters, the Azov Sea was completely ice covered. The influence of the ice regime to the coastal zone was examined, because it is very important for the industrial and economic needs of state building. To maintain the safety of navigation and reduce economic losses, it is necessary to consider the possibility of removing buoys, which are most often displaced by ice drift. Long-term average observations indicate the beginning of ice formation in Mariupol on December 14, and in Berdyansk on December 20. The Taganrog Bay and the ice accumulation areas are cleared of ice most recently – March 20–28. Under modern climatic changes (increasing the frequency of mild winters, actual costs for the operation of ships, hydrographic, icebreakers, etc.) are expected to be an order of magnitude lower than standard indicators.

Сhanges of the Structure Indicators and the Salinity Field Average Value in the Sea of Azov

Purpose. The work is aimed at continuing the started in the previous papers investigations of structure of the Azov Sea salinity field based on the oceanographic survey data collected since 2000. Interest in studying this parameter is conditioned by its anomalous increase after 2006. Methods and Results. The data of 49 seasonal oceanographic surveys carried out in the Sea of Azov by the Azov-Black Sea Branch of "VNIRO" ("AzNIIRKH") from 2001 to 2016 permitted to calculate the following: the radii in the concentration region of the field spatial correlation function in the meridional and zonal directions for the surface and bottom layers (the characteristic of the field homogeneity); the ratio between these radii; the sea-average values of salinity field for the surface and bottom layers. The time graphical and the paired correlation analyses of the calculated indicators’ series were done. The average values of the meridional and zonal radii of the concentration region of the spatial correlation function (42.5 and 47.1 km) testify presence of two relatively isolated zones in the sea related to the water circulation. These zones are formed under the conditions of the eastern winds dominating in the region. The average values of the above-mentioned radii the near-bottom sea layer were approximately equal, whereas in the surface layer, the average zonal radii exceeded the meridional ones. In spring and summer, the meridional radius in the bottom layer surpassed the zonal one. Long-term variability shows that in the surface layer, the meridional radius values tend to increase, and in the bottom layer, the zonal radius ones – to decrease. These trends demonstrate a change in the nature of water exchange in the sea, namely from predominance of the zonal transport to that of the meridional one. Conclusions. Since 2006, the changes in the structure of the Azov Sea water salinity field (trends towards decrease of the zonal radii and increase of the meridional ones in the concentration region of the field spatial correlation function) resulted from decrease in the river water inflow and increase of water exchange with the Kerch Strait, and were accompanied by growth of average salinity. Water exchange with the Kerch Strait in the bottom layer was the most active in spring and summer. The anticipatory shift of the field structural characteristics by 1 and 2 years relative to its average values makes it possible to forecast them with a two-year advance time.