Biodiversity of a small water body during the initial filling phase (the Amazar River of the Amur River Basin, Russia)

In 2017, for the purposes of the Pulp and Saw Mill (PSM) “Polyarnaya”, the spillover dam was constructed on the Amazar River, a left tributary of the Amur River. Upon completion of the dam construction, the waters of the river formed a small river reservoir PSM “Polyarnaya”. This work covers findings on components and quantities of the newly formed reservoir at its initial stage and the data on biodiversity of its feeding flows. At this stage, the species composition of the flora and fauna in the reservoir falls in between the lacustrine and the riverine ones. The riverine conditions are observed in the upstream area of the reservoir; the middle area bears an intermediate status; while the limnetic zone near the dam features transformation of the river system into a lake-like running-water ecosystem. Seasonally, in the period from spring to autumn, phytoplankton showed a decreasing trend of the quantitative values; whereas the total abundance and biomass of zooplankton were increasing; zoobenthos featured lack of trends; macrophytes contents were different from season to season being abundant in the Amazar River near the urban settlement in spring and in the Amazar River downstream from the dam in autumn. Consequently, the initial stage of the formation of the reservoir is rather similar to original watercourses in the physical and chemical parameters and in the composition of flora and fauna as well.

General Description of Hydrogen Sulfide Mineral Waters on the Left Bank of the Alazani River

The study object is located in the main hydrographic unit of Shida Kakheti - on the left bank of Alazani river, along the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus and includes a strip starting from the village of Shakriani (Telavi district), ending with the regional center Lagodekhi (Lagodekhi gorge, left tributary of the Alazani river). Within this zone, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) mineral springs are prevalent. Besides, these waters are opened by exploratory - hydrogeological wells. Among these springs, "Torghva Bath" and "Lagodekhi Bath" are especially popular among the local population. The first of these is located in the upper reaches of the Story Valley, and the second - in Lagodekhi gorge, 7 km away from the settlement. The mineral springs "Muni Tsakaro" and "Mkrali Waters" are also important for their healing properties. Based on the analysis of theoretical and field materials, Kakheti hydrogen sulfide waters are characterized in detail and possibly their use for resort purposes.

Early Scythian Barrow With Cremation on the Western Podillia

In the early Scythian time, the Western Podillia group of monuments was distinguished on the territory of the Middle Dniester. A large cluster of complexes stands out in the middle course of the Zbruch River, the left tributary of the Dniester. Barrow groups, in particular, were excavated near Spasivka and Ivankivtsi villages, Horodok district, Khmelnytskyi Region. Barrow No. 5, explored in 2010, was completely plowed up and was distinguished on the surface only by the stone outcropping of which its barrow mound was made. The dimensions of this oval mound are 3,67 × 3,50 m. The largest slabs were located along the perimeter, forming an outer ring. From the south-east it was adjoined with a small display of cobblestones measuring 1,77 × 0,84 m, which was the place of a destroyed side burial. The burial pit, discovered under a layer of stone, was 2,7 m long, 2,37 m wide, 0,6 m deep. In ancient times, it probably had a wooden overlapping. The burial turned out to be robbed, but many things survived. The remains of a burial-cremation carried out on the side were found here. The burnt bones laid in a heap of 0,25 m in diameter. The burial was accompanied by glass beads, bronze earrings, and a handmade ladle. In addition, parts of a pot, a bowl, ladles, and a small cup were found in the layer of barrow stones. The burial rite of the barrow, in particular the presence of a stone barrow mound, a large central and additional side tombs, a type of grave have analogies in the burial monuments of the Western Podillia group. In these antiquities, the rite of burning the dead is also known, which exists along with the custom of inhumations. According to the inventory, the mound can be attributed to the Early Scythian time, and is dated by the Kelermes stage (mid-VII — first half of the VI c. BC). Judging by the cremation rite, a local aboriginal forest-steppe inhabitant was buried here. The modest sizes of the mound make it possible to see in him a simple community member of one of the surrounding settlements.

Intra-annual surface runoff distribution of The Chatkal River in different watery years

In planning water reservoirs, it’s significant to understand surface runoff behaviors, especially in medium and small rivers. The article examines water availability results during different watery years of The Chatkal River, which is the biggest left tributary of The Chirchik River. The computation of intra-annual runoff distribution for three different years of watery and for two distinguished periods of watery was carried out. It is derived that independently from the watery of year, 80% of runoff originates in high water period and 20% in the low water period.

Structural and Morphometric Analysis of the Ihe-Ukhgun Small River Basin (Irkut River Basin)

The article is devoted to the structural and morphometric analysis of a small rivers using the example of the Ihe-Ukhgun river basin (left tributary of the Irkut river), which is based on a complex processing of a digital elevation model (DEM). The author has prepared a hydrologically correct DEM based on the ALOS Digital Surface Model (DSM) satellite data, carried out an automated calculation and mapping of the basin erosion network based on the DEM data, calculated the structural indicators of the third-order basins for analyzing the basin organization of the small rivers network. Structural and morphometric analysis using GIS was practically not used for the Ihe-Ukhgun river basin which is placed in different landscapes, geological and geomorphological conditions. The work is based on geomorphometric and structural morphometric methods as well as the method of geoinformation mapping and relief modeling for analyzing lower-order basins. Thalweg erosion network modeling up to the fourth order of the river basin Ihe-Uhgun was carried out with using of DEM analysis in the ArcGIS 10 program. The map of the erosional network of the basin was constructed, morphometric indicators of rivers (length, area of basins, sum of slopes, coefficient of basin asymmetry, etc.) were obtained, and then the indices of the basin structure (structure of bifurcation, lengths, areas and slopes) were calculated. As a result, an asymmetric erosion network was revealed, which indicates a great work in the transfer of matter of first-order streams. First-order streams exceed those of the second and third orders streams in terms of catchment area, length and steepness of adjacent slopes. The interrelation of morphometric characteristics of different-order streams within third order sub-basins are most fully traced with the using of structural indices and their comparison with modal indicators. In general, the Ihe-Ukhgun river basin is characterized by a heterogeneous structure of the streams ratio of the first, second and third orders. The basins of the Khurguta, Khubyty and Ulan-Gol rivers have the highest degree of homogeneity. At the same time, for the Ihe-Ukhgun river basin, there is no direct relationship with the area of the third order drainage basins.

GLACIERS AND PERIGLACIAL LAKES LAKES OF THE BARTUYDON RIVER BASIN, CENTRAL CAUCASUS

В статье критически рассмотрены литературные данные по ледникам и приледниковым озерам, расположенным в бассейне реки Бартуйдон (левый приток реки Караугомдон, левый приток р. Терек) и изменениях, произо- шедших на них за последние 53 года. В 1966 г. на этой территории числилось 6 ледников и 1 озеро. Сейчас здесь 15 ледников и 6 озер. Дан прогноз возможных природных процессов, которые могут здесь произойти. The article provides a critical review of literature data on glaciers and periglacial lakes located in the Bartuydon River Basin (the left tributary of the Karaugomdon River, the left tributary of the Terek River) and the changes they have undergone over the past 53 years. In 1966 there used to be 6 glaciers and 1 lake. There are14 glaciers and 6 lakes now. The paper provides a forecast of possible natural processes that may occur here.

A METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MONITORING SPRINGS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS

The purpose of the study is to generalize methodological approaches to monitoring springs in the territory of the Carpathian National Natural Park and to identify the main hydrological and hydrochemical laws of their functioning. We conducted research of springs outlined outside the Carpathian National Natural Park (CNNP) – the first (1980) and one of the largest (504.95 km2) nature parks in Ukraine, located in the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk region. The office is located in Yaremche, Ivano-Frankivsk region. Inventory and accounting of springs is included in the plan of annual nature conservation activities held in the park. In 2019, after the grant of two wetlands in the Carpathian National Park (Prut and Pogorelets) international status and their inclusion in the list of wetlands protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Imports of International Imports especially as Waterfowl Habitat, 1971 – the study of environmental components, including springs, becomes more relevant and practical.There are all the necessary conditions for a comprehensive study of natural groundwater output to the surface – scientific, logistical and informational base. For the period 2011-2019 about 40 expeditions were conducted to study the springs located in three main natural complexes on the territory of the Carpathian NNP: the Outer Gorgany, the Yasinsky-Verkhovynsky intermountain basin, the Chernogora massif. In the hydrological aspect, it is a Prut river basin (left tributary of the Danube). The main methodological approaches for monitoring springs were developed and consistently implemented. The general monitoring algorithm, which is considered in the article, can be presented in the form of a flowchart with successive steps: 1) collecting available information about the springs 2) field surveys of the first level (description of the springs and their mapping) 3) field surveys of the second level (measuring flow rates and water sampling); 4) regular observations on reference springs. The water mineralization of most springs in the Carpathian NPP (about 90%) is in the range of “very fresh” and “normally fresh” – 30-500 mg/dm3 (according to the classification of Valentyn Khilchevskyi). There are springs with very low salt content – “extremely fresh” (10-30 mg/dm3), and sometimes “super fresh” with a salinity of less than 10 mg/dm3. Such a low level of spring water mineralization corresponds to the norms of the regional natural background of the salt content in unpolluted atmospheric precipitation.

GEOGRAPHICAL METHODS OF LOCALIZATION OF HISTORICAL EVENTS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE BATTLE OF THE BLUE WATERS)

Goal. To consider the role of geographical methods in the study of localization of places in the last century there were great fateful battles. Carry out a comparative analysis of the two probable sites of the Battle of the Blue Waters by the methods of geographical science. . The research methodology consists in using a system of complex methods of geographical science for preliminary search of places of great battles of the past and their possible adaptation to the methods of historical and military sciences. An attempt is made to adopt a group of geographical research method to the needs of archaeological science. The following research methods were used: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, comparison, systematization, abstraction, etc. Results. The analysis is carried out by the method of excluding two probable locations of the battle of the Blue Waters. Geographical arguments are presented that refute the current official opinion about where this battle took place. This study gives archaeologists the location of the area where they can conduct excavations, since the official version did not give them food to obtain the relevant artifacts. A scientific and methodological background has been created for the use of the toponymic research method in archeology and military science/ The importance of hydrological and economic-geographical factors in the scientific search of districts is emphasized as in the past there were great fateful battles. A specific territory of Vinnytsia region near the village of Ulaniv on the Snyvoda River, which is a left tributary of the Southern Bug River, has been proposed for archaeological excavations. Scientific novelty. For the first time in the domestic tourist and geographical literature the comparative analysis of two probable places of battle at Blue Waters by methods of geographical science is executed. The principles of using the methods of geographical science in exploratory research of historians, archeologist, local historians etc. of the places of great battles, which took place many centuries ago and which were not precisely localized in the written sources of the hast , are offered. Practical significance lies in establishing the historical truth, providing archaeologists with a specific area for excavations, creating an appropriate methodology of geographical science with its further use by the historical and military science. The concept of landscape-favorable conditions for historical battles, the importance of which has deepened in the past for the victory of one or another side, has been proposed. The results of this study will also be of interest of geographical, historical, tourism specialties and specializations.

Msta-Mologa group of antiquities of the mid-1st millennium AD at the Volga-Baltic watershed

A separate cultural and chronological Msta-Mologa group of sites of the mid-1st millennium AD was defined through the available archaeological evidence, in the area of the Volga-Baltic watershed. Pottery complexes from two regularly investigated settlement-sites — Troitsa 1 and Ovsishche 1, are the main markers of this group. The mass material is similar to the pottery distributed in the Moshchiny culture and late Dyakovo settlements in the Upper Volga region. The initial territory of the new population, according to the evidence of pottery and other finds, possibly was that of the basin of the Upper Mologa (left tributary of the Volga). The presence of derivatives of the pottery of the Msta- Mologa group in the burial monuments of the culture of Pskov long barrows in this region suggests that the population of the group under consideration dissolved in the massif of that early mediaeval culture.

Distribution and population density of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L., Talpidae, Insectivora) in the Middle Volga of Russia

To date according to the registration work, the number of the Russian desman determined actually is 588 individuals in Mordovia. Based on extrapolation, the total desman population in Mordovia is about 1,400 individuals. We may assume that the most of the desman population is concentrated on floodplain lakes and reclamation canals. The highest density of the desman population in Mordovia was recorded in Krasnoslobodsky and Temnikovsky Districts (10.5 and 8.2 burrows per km, respectively). About 400 animals may live on the shore of the rivers Vad, Partsa, Yavas, Vindrey, Nuluy, and Kundybolka. The mean value of density of the desman population on the rivers was 0.9 burrows per km of the coastline, which corresponded to habitat quality class IV (0.5–5 burrows per km). The distribution of habitats across river basins is extremely uneven. The main part of the desman population is restricted to the Moksha basin (more than 1,350 individuals), and in the Alatyr basin (left tributary of the Sura River) just twenty individuals were recorded.