The Mousterian loess sequence La Combette (France) and its chronological framework: A re-investigation

The La Combette rock-shelter, located in the Luberon mountains (Southern France), is an essential local archaeological discovery. The site comprises several Palaeolithic layers suggesting multiple phases of Mousterian occupation. The sediment sequence of c. 7 m thickness indicates rapid changes in the environmental conditions, which led to an abandonment of the site. While the first chronological studies were carried out in the late 1990s, in 2014, new sediment samples were taken for state-of-the-art luminescence-dating analyses using fine grain (4-11 µm) quartz and polymineral separates. Samples were taken from the loess-dominated upper archaeological levels A to D (upper main unit) as well as from the anthropogenic layer E, embedded in a fluvial context, and from the bottom deposits of the layer F/G. Here we present the obtained chronological dataset in conjunction with 24 so far unpublished thermoluminescence dating results from burnt flint artefacts from layers E and F/G. We combine and discuss our results against previous chronological datasets, which seem to be broadly confirmed by our new findings framing the sedimentation history of La Combette at 78.3 ka to 39.4 ka. In summary, it appears that the local environmental conditions were deeply impacted by the climatic changes during MIS 4/3. This caused rapid sediment influx that finally rendered the rock shelter uninhabitable as a potential refuge, until its re-discovery in the second half of the 20th century.

Genetic features of the formed population of the genus Eisenia worms

It is known that molecular genetic methods can provide researchers with new, more accurate means for differentiating species of earthworms and determining phylogenetic distances among them. Therefore, using neutral molecular markers, ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat) examined the internal genetic polymorphism of genus Eisenia rainworms from the vermiculture array of the Biotechnology Department of the Ukrainian State Chemical Technology University, the parent forms of which were irradiated with an LGN-208B laser for different temporary exposures and cultivated on different organic substrates. Studies have shown that the line of animals has a fairly high level of heterogeneity despite the fact that it was bred from six individuals of the same array. The laser radiation action and the hard substrate during cultivation (bottom deposits) appeared as powerful factors of selective pressure.

FEATURES CHEMICAL COMPOSITION BOTTOM DEPOSITS OF THE GRUSHEVKA AND TUZLOV RIVERS

An the heavy metals content in the bottom sediments of the lower reaches of the Grushevka and Tuzlov rivers was estimated. A comparative analysis of the degree of contamination of bottom sediments is carried out.

The study of the suitability for use in agriculture of sludge and hydrochemical indicators of water in the reservoirs of the fish farm LLC “Albashi”

The study of suitability for the use in agriculture of sludge deposits and hydrochemical indices of water bodies of fish-growing enterprise of LLC “Albashi” were carried out. It is an enterprise engaged in breeding and growing pond fish and sturgeon in pools and gardens, crayfish, growing aquapon greens. Fresh water bodies of reservoir type LLC “Albashi” contain a large number of bottom deposits. The layer of sludge deposits on the bottom in places reaches the power of 2-5 meters, and the underground power is difficult. Bottom sediments were taken from a depth of 1.0-1.2 m from the surface. The hydrochemical regime of the studied water bodies fully corresponds to the cultivation of aquaculture objects and hydroponic plants. Sufficient suspended matter in water (8.2 mg/dm3). The complete absence of dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane, its metabolites and pesticides characterizes the products produced as environmentally safe. Consequently, bottom sediment site under study can be considered suitable for agricultural production.