Engineering and geological conditions of the north-western territory of Makhachkala due to flooding

Определение геоморфологических и геологических условий северо-западной площади г. Махачкалы, включая Новолакский район (Новострой), в связи с процессами засоления, осолонцевания и подтопления сельскохозяйственных земель. В настоящее время город интенсивно расширяется во все стороны. Особенно актуально изучение северо-западной территории г. Махачкалы в связи с подтоплением. Район относится к Прикаспийской низменности с отрицательными отметками рельефа. Отсутствие исследований по указанным проблемам может привести к нежелательным материальным и экологическим последствиям. В связи с подтоплением изменяются и несущие способности грунтов. Изменяются сейсмоакустические свойства грунтов, т.е. скорости распространения продольных (Vp) и поперечных (Vs) волн, а также соответствующие коэффициенты и декременты их поглощения. Цель работы. Определить границы слабо дренированных и весьма слабо дренированных зон, которые выявляют барражные участки территории, и гидрогеологические районы в зависимости от водопроводимости составных верхней и нижней толщ грунтов. Методы исследований. Сбор базы данных инженерно-геологических изысканий по химическому составу грунтовых вод и литологии покровных толщ грунтов. Сбор гидрогеологических параметров разных типов грунтов и гранулометрического состава песков целью интерпретации их фильтрационных свойств. Определение уклона рельефа местности с целью выявления зон дренированности территории. Результаты работы. Представлены таблицы химического состава грунтовых вод по 19-ти объектам и гидрогеологических условий площади по данным инженерно-геологических изысканий по 39-ти объектам, в том числе глубины залегания грунтовых вод, типа грунтов по сейсмичности, глубины залегания коренных пород, трех таксонов гидрогеологических районов, уклонов рельефа. Для выделенных гидрогеологических районов: для ГР-1 рекомендуется горизонтальный тип дренажа, для ГР-2 – вертикальный или комбинированный типы дренажа, для ГР-3 – подземный дренаж не эффективен. Указано о необходимости сейсмического микрорайонирования не только исследованного района, но и всего города Махачкалы, с перспективой дальнейшей застройки. Determination of the geomorphological and geological conditions of the north-western area of Makhachkala, including the Novolaksky district (Novostroy), in connection with the processes of salinization, alkalinization and flooding of agricultural lands. Currently, the city is intensively expanding in all directions. Particularly interesting is the study area of ​​the northwestern territory of Makhachkala due to flooding. It belongs to the Caspian lowland with negative relief marks. Lack of research on these problems can lead to undesirable material and environmental consequences. Due to flooding, the bearing capacity of the soil also changes. The seismoacoustic properties of soils change, i.e. the velocities of propagation of longitudinal (Vp) and transverse (Vs) waves, as well as the corresponding coefficients and decrements of their absorption. Aim.Determine the boundaries of poorly drained and very poorly drained zones, which reveal barrage areas of the territory, and hydrogeological areas, depending on the water permeability of the composite upper and lower soil strata. Methods. Collecting a database of geotechnical surveys on the chemical composition of groundwater and lithology of cover layers of soils. Collecting hydrogeological parameters of different types of soils and granulometric composition of sands in order to interpret their filtration properties. Determination of the slope of the terrain in order to identify the drainage zones of the territory. Results.Presented are tables of the chemical composition of groundwater for 19 objects and hydrogeological conditions of the area according to engineering and geological surveys for 39 objects, including the depth of groundwater, the type of soil in terms of seismicity, the depth of bedrock, three taxa of hydrogeological regions, slopes of the relief. For the selected hydrogeological regions: GR-1 - a horizontal type of drainage is recommended, for GR-2 - vertical or combined types of drainage, for GR-3 - underground drainage is not effective. It is indicated that it is necessary to seismic microzoning not only of the investigated area, but of the entire city of Makhachkala with the prospect of further development.

Analysis of the long-term lark population dynamics (Alaudidae, Aves) in the semi-desert in the Northwestern Caspian lowland

The dynamics of the numbers of larks inhabiting several areas differing in physical and geographical (landscape) conditions and the level of anthropogenic impact (pasture) on the natural environment is considered. Four key sites (“Akhmat”, “Zhdanov”, “Baiguzha”, and “Vetelki”) are located on the Priuzenskaya plain in the Aleksandrovo-Gaysky district of the Saratov region. The described territory is characterized by a high mosaicity of the facial structure of landscapes and, consequently, plant communities. This habitat diversity forms the structure of the communities as well as the population density of the individual lark species at the key sites surveyed. Our study of the dynamics of the numbers of species inhabiting the named key areas was carried out using calculations of logarithmic trends in the bird densities by the years of our study. In total, there were five species of larks (Alauda arvensis, Calandrella rufescens, Melanocorypha calandra, M. leucoptera, and M. yeltoniensis). As a result of our statistical processing of the obtained materials, significant differences were found in the dynamics of the numbers of individual lark species nesting in the key areas differing in landscape-ecological conditions and the level of anthropogenic load on ecosystems. In all likelihood, the dynamics of the density of the nesting lark population in the semi-desert of the Trans-Volga region is associated with both changes in the structure of habitats and, apparently, with the dynamics of the abundance of these species in the main part of their habitats, and with a number of other factors.

Analysis of Mineral Aerosol in the Surface Layer over the Caspian Lowland Desert by the Data of 12 Summer Field Campaigns in 2002–2020

In-situ knowledge on characteristics of mineral aerosols is important for weather and climate prediction models, particularly for modeling such processes as the entrainment, transport and deposition of aerosols. However, field measurements of the dust emission flux, dust size distribution and its chemical composition under realistic wind conditions remain rare. In this study, we present experimental data over annual expeditions in the arid and semi-arid zones of the Caspian Lowland Desert (Kalmykia, south of Russia); we evaluate characteristics of mineral aerosol concentration and fluxes, estimate its chemical composition and calculate its long-distance transport characteristics. The mass concentration in different years ranges from several tens to several hundred of μg m–3. The significant influence of wind velocity on the value of mass and counting concentration and on the proposed entrainment mechanisms is confirmed. An increased content of anthropogenic elements (S, Sn, Pb, Bi, Mo, Ag, Cd, Hg, etc.), which is characteristic for all observation points in the south of the European Russia, is found. The trajectory analysis show that long-range air particles transport from the Caspian Lowland Desert to the central regions of European Russia tends to increase in the recent decades.

The use of natural conditions of the high alpine province of Dagestan for reproduction of prospective varieties and hybrids of potato

Большое значение в увеличении продуктивности картофеля имеет внедрение в производство перспективных высокоурожайных сортов и гибридов, приспособленных к местным природно-климатическим условиям возделывания, от чего зависят эффективность отрасли и себестоимость продукции. Цель работы – изучить влияние климатических условий на продуктивность и качественные показатели сортов и гибридов картофеля, а также использование ими благоприятных почвенно-климатических условий высокогорья Республики Дагестан, для размножения и внедрения в производство новых перспективных, высокоурожайных, приспособленных к условиям среды выращивания сортов картофеля с комплексом хозяйственно-ценных признаков. Объектом изучения послужили сорта картофеля раннего, среднераннего и среднего сроков созревания российской, белорусской и иностранной селекции. Полевые опыты закладывали в 2014–2017 годах на высоте 2000–2200 м, на землях горного опорного пункта «Курахский» Курахского района и на равнинной провинции (Прикаспийской низменности) на территории дачного массива «Наука» Махачкалинского района Республики Дагестан. Схема посадки – 70×30 см, повторность – четырехкратная. Технология выращивания картофеля – гребневая. При проведении полевых опытов использовали общепринятые методики. Практически все сорта картофеля, выращенные на равнинной провинции, сформировали высокий урожай в первый год и при дальнейшем размножении в результате развития вирусных болезней резко снизили свои продуктивные качества. Наиболее высокая урожайность в среднем за три года отмечена у сортов Жуковский ранний (20,8 т/га), Импала (20,5 т/га), Невский (17,8 т/га), Предгорный (16,9 т/га) и Удача (16,3 т/га). В свою очередь, горная провинция Дагестана характеризовалась благоприятными почвенно-климатическими условиями для возделывания как продовольственного картофеля, так и для организации первичного семеноводства на безвирусной основе и размножения перспективных сортов этой культуры. В среднем за годы исследований в горной провинции по урожайности выделились сорта Сильвана (37,4 т/га), Удача (37,6 т/га), Рокко (33,3 т/га), Импала (31,7 т/га), Жуковский ранний (29,0 т/га), Предгорный (27,7 т/га) и Примобелла (27,7 т/га), а также гибриды № 12.40/17 (43,1 т/га) и № 13.61/61 (38,8 т/га). The introduction of promising high-yielding varieties and hybrids adapted to the local natural and climatic conditions of cultivation is of great importance in increasing the productivity of potatoes, which determines the efficiency of the industry and the cost of production. The aim of the work is to study the influence of climatic conditions on the productivity and quality indicators of potato varieties and hybrids, as well as their use of favorable soil and climatic conditions in the highlands of the Republic of Dagestan, for breeding and introducing into production new promising, high-yielding, adapted to the growing environment of potato varieties with a complex of economically valuable characteristics. The object of the study was potato varieties of early, mid-early and medium maturation periods of Russian, Belarusian and foreign selection. Field experiments were conducted in 2014–2017 at an altitude of 2000–2200 m, on the lands of the mountain stronghold Kurakhsky of the Kukhar district and on the plain province (the Caspian lowland) on the territory of the suburban area Nauka of the Makhachkala district of the Republic of Dagestan. The landing scheme is 70×30 cm, the repeatability is four times. The technology of growing potatoes is combed. When conducting field experiments, generally accepted methods were used. Almost all potato varieties grown in the lowland province formed a high yield in the first year and, with further propagation, as a result of the development of viral diseases, sharply reduced their productive qualities. The highest yield on average for three years was observed in the varieties Zhukovskiy ranniy (20.8 t/ha), Impala (20.5 t/ha), Nevsky (17.8 t/ha), Predgornyy (16.9 t/ha) and Udacha (16.3 t/ha). In turn, the mountain province of Dagestan was characterized by favorable soil and climatic conditions for the cultivation of both food potatoes, and for the organization of primary seed production on a virus-free basis and the reproduction of promising varieties of this crop. On average, over the years of research in the mountain province, the varieties Silvana (37.4 t/ha), Udacha (37.6 t/ha), Rocco (33.3 t/ha), Impala (31.7 t/ha), Zhukovskiy ranniy (29.0 t/ha), Predgornyy (27.7 t/ha) and Primobella (27.7 t/ha), as well as hybrids No.12.40/17 (43.1 t/ha) and No.13.61/61 (38.8 t/ha) were distinguished by yield.

NATURAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS OF OPISTORCHOSIS CIRCULATION IN WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION

The formation and course of epidemic and epizootic processes of opisthorchiasis is influenced by natural-ecological and socio-economic factors. Geographical position of the Ural River basin, the proximity of the Volga focus, species diversity and abundance of commercial species of cyprinids, ecological conditions in the Ural basin, in floodplain water bodies and in small rivers of West Kazakhstan region, connected with the Ural River, the dietary habits of people, intensive migration of population create optimal conditions for the functioning of parasitic system of opisthorchiasis and contribute to the spread of this invasion among the population of the Ural region.The risk of infection with opisthorchiasis at the natural and social levels remains high. The territory of West Kazakhstan region has the following natural and ecological conditions: it is confined to the Ural-Caspian lowland. Surface waters of West Kazakhstan region are represented by rivers, lakes and reservoirs. In the Ural River and its basin, there are many mollusks Bithynia leachi and fish species, among which there are potential carriers of opisthorchian metacercariae – bream, ide, dace, redfin, tench, wild carp, carp, white bream, roach, asp, prussian and crucian carp, chub, minnow, sabre fish, blue bream. In the region, the incidence of opisthorchiasis in people is annually recorded. A significant part of the infected population lives in settlements located along the banks of the Ural River and its floodplain reservoirs.

Invasion of the Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius L.) (Picidae, Aves) into the Dyakovsky (Saltovsky) forest on the array of sands near the Yeruslan river

The paper considers the fact of the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius L.) colonization of the Dyakovsky (Saltovsky) forest area, which occupies more than 18,000 hectares on the Yeruslan sands in the Saratov and Volgograd Trans-Volga regions. This forest area is located 25 km from the semi-desert of the Caspian lowland. According to our data, the black woodpecker appeared in the Dyakovsky forest in the winter of 2011–2012 after an extensive fire in the very hot summer of 2010. The mass of dead trees led to an outbreak of xylophagous development, which most likely led to the emergence of a settled population of the black woodpecker in the Dyakovsky forest. For 10 years, we have been conducting observations of the named population. Using the route method, parameters of its density in the winter period were determined, part of the nesting sites was identified, which confirms the year-round habitation and reproduction of the black woodpecker in the Dyakovsky forest. Our observations of the black woodpecker dispersal in the Trans-Volga region are consistent with the data of those authors who established the appearance of this species on the Lower Volga in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain. In all likelihood, the black woodpecker dispersal in the Trans-Volga region is associated with both some change in the structure of habitats, with some increase in the abundance of this species in the main part of the habitat, and with other factors cited in this work. According to modern concepts, the location of habitats is determined by the “climatic space”, which is potentially suitable for the settlement of a particular species. Other factors interacting with the climate determine the actual development of the territory of this space by the species. Such facts of changes in the boundaries of the habitats of separate species as a result of climate change and factors interacting therewith are widespread in the world.

Halophilic bacteria of salt lakes and saline soils of the Peri-Caspian lowland (Republic of Daghestan) and their biotechnological potential

The article presents the results of studying the biodiversity and biotechnological potential of halophilic microorganisms from the thermal highly mineralized Berikey Lake, the salty Lake Tarumovskoye and saline soils of the Peri-Caspian Lowland (Republic of Daghestan). Denitrifying halophilic bacteria of the genus Halomonas and Virgibacillus were identified using microbiological methods and 16S rRNA gene analysis. A new species Halomonas sp. G2 (MW386470) with a similarity of the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes is 95 %. Strain G2 is an extreme halophile capable of growing in the range of 5–25 % NaCl (optimum 25 %) and forming a carotenoid pigment. Mesophil, 30–37 °С (optimum 30 °С); neutrophil, pH 6–8 (optimum 7.2–7.4). Strain G2 chemolithotroph; reduces nitrate or nitrite as electron donors; catalase-, amylase-, protease- and β-galactosidase-positive; lipase-, oxidase- and urease-negative. Not able to hydrolyze inositol, indole; produces lysine, gelatin, ectoine; uses citrate and sodium malate as a source of carbon and energy; does not produce ornitin, H2S or acid from d-mannose, sucrose, glycerol, cellobiose, except for lactose and d-glucose. Susceptible to trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, kanamycin, vancomycin, rifampicin, cefuroxime, ampicillin, ceftazidime, fosfomycin, clarithromycin, cefepime, cefaclor. The G+C content in DNA is 67.3 %. A distinctive characteristic of the isolate was the production of industrially significant hydrolytic enzymes such as amylase, protease, β-galactosidase, and oxidoreductase (catalase) at a NaCl concentration of 25 % in the medium. Habitat: saline soils on the territory of the Tersko-Kumskaya lowland (Republic of Daghestan, Russia). The rest of the halophilic isolates of H. ventosae G1 (MW386469), H. elongata G3 (MW386471), V. salinarius B2 (MW386472), and V. salinarius B3 (MW386473) had a high degree of similarity (100 %) with the type strains of H. elongata DSM 2581Т and V. salarius DSM 18441Т; the content of G+C in DNA was 65.8, 66.5, 42.8 and 37.3 %, respectively. The strains had a high biotechnological potential at NaCl concentrations of 5 and 25 % in the medium. The data obtained expanded the understanding of the diversity and ecological significance of denitrifying bacteria in the functioning of arid ecosystems and make it possible to identify strains producing enzymes of industrial importance.