Geoheritage of the Monchegorsk Igneous Layered Paleoproterozoic Intrusion (Kola Peninsula, Arctic Russia): Evaluation and Geotourism Opportunities

Monchegorsk is an intrusion complex of basic and ultrabasic rocks of the Paleoproterozoic age. This complex formed during active magmatic mobility that took place in NE Scandinavia 2.5 Ga years ago. These were the subject of intensive exploration and exploitation at the beginning of the 20th century, the latter carrying on through to the beginning of the 21st century. This contributed to the creation of some different forms of post-industrail mining infrastructure in the area. Many mining settlements, including Monchegorsk, mining plants, adits and quarries were established during this time, the relics of which are still present today. The Monchegorsk intrusions complex is formed by several fragmented massifs: Traviannaya, Kumuzhia, Nittis, Sopcha, Nyud, Poaz, and Monchetundra, the highest elevations of which reach up to 1000 m above sea level. These massifs form a landscape of “islands” and mountain ranges that have influence upon the regional landscape over several tens of kilometers. Their geography is characterized by numerous reliefs, glacial cirques, rocky thresholds with waterfalls and trough lakes. The potential of this region lies in the heritage of historical exploitation, numerous monuments of which have been preserved to this day. An important value is a landscape resulting from the relief of these mountains, highlighted by glacial activity in the Pleistocene. There are also interesting examples of Arctic fauna and flora, and of the rocks that form the bedrock in this intrusion. Some of the mineralization of these outcroppings can also be admired in the collections of the local museum that serves as a geocenter. The possibility of admiring relatively easily accessible views (the international route St. Petersburg–Murmansk–Kirkenes passes through the middle of the hills) and the interesting geology of the area abounding in rocks of mineralogical significance, their exposures, and history, along with the possibility of observing various post-industrail forms, make this area of great tourist potential. This article describes the most interesting exposures of outstanding tourist value and proposes routes connecting these points. It also discusses the problem of securing these exposures and the necessary tourist infrastructure, which is currently lacking.

New data on the fauna and the biogeographic structure of the Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Staurozoa and Alcyonacea (Anthozoa) of the Kara Sea

The paper considers the species composition of the fauna of several cnidarian groups of the Kara Sea. The author presents a list of species of the studied groups and indicates the types of habitat for each species. The analysis was based on the literature data, the collections of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and material collected in the Kara Sea during the expedition to the R/V Professor Multanovsky in 2019. In total, 87 species of Hydrozoa, 3 species of Scyphozoa, 4 species of Staurozoa, and 5 species of the order Alcyonacea from the class Anthozoa were recorded for the fauna of the Kara Sea, based on the new material obtained by the author and published literature data. The report presents the biogeographic structure of the discussed cnidarian groups. According to the types of biogeographic ranges, the fauna of the above-mentioned cnidarian groups in the Kara Sea mostly consists of representatives of the Boreal-Arctic type of habitat (63%), the Boreal and Amphiboreal biogeographic groups each containing 12% of the total number of described species, and the Panoceanic and Arctic groups together accounting for only 9% and 4% of the fauna of the Kara Sea. Two species new for the Kara Sea, Neoturris pileata (Forsskål, 1775) and Neoturris pileata (Forsskål, 1775), are described. Neoturris pileata is an element of the warm-water Atlantic fauna that penetrated into the Kara Sea with waters of Atlantic genesis. Nausithoe werneri is an element of the cold-water Arctic fauna that penetrated into the Novaya Zemlya Trough of the Kara Sea from the north-western side from the St. Anna Trough, which was open to the Polar Basin.

Snow cover variability at Polar Bear Pass, Nunavut

Information on arctic snow covers is relevant for climate and hydrology studies and investigations into the sustainability of both arctic fauna and flora. This study aims to (1) highlight the variability of snow cover at Polar Bear Pass (PBP) at a range of scales: point, local, and regional using both in situ snow cover measurements and remote sensing imagery products; and (2) consider how snow cover at PBP might change in the future. Terrain-based snow surveys documented the end-of-winter snowpacks over several seasons (2008–2010, 2012–2013), and snowmelt was measured daily at typical terrain types. MODIS products (snow cover) were used to document spatial snow cover variability across PBP and Bathurst and Cornwallis Islands. Due to limited data, no significant difference in snow cover duration can be identified at PBP over the period of record. Locally, end-of-winter snow cover does vary across a range of terrain types with snow depths and densities reflecting polar oasis sites. Aspect remains a defining factor in terms of snow cover variability at PBP. Northern areas of the Pass melt earlier. Regionally, PBP tends to melt out earlier than most of Bathurst Island. In the future, we surmise that snowpacks at PBP will be thinner and disappear earlier.

The letters between James Lamont and Charles Darwin on Arctic fauna

ABSTRACTIn the summers of 1858 and 1859, the Scot Sir James Lamont of Knockdow embarked on two cruises to Svalbard (referred to by Lamont as Spitzbergen [sic]) to hunt, make geographical surveys, and collect geological and biological specimens. Lamont's return from these voyages coincided with the publication of the joint Charles Darwin-Alfred Russel Wallace paper, ‘On the tendency of species to form varieties; on the perpetuation of varieties and species by natural means of selection’ by the Linnean Society in August 1858 and, a year later, the publication of Darwin's On the origin of species (Darwin 1958). Profoundly influenced by Darwin's ideas, Lamont initiated a correspondence with the naturalist, relating examples of what he considered to be natural selection, observed during his hunting expeditions. In his Svalbard travelogue, Seasons with the sea-horses (1861), Lamont expounded specifically upon walrus and polar bear evolution, ideas inspired by sporadic yet encouraging letters from the renowned naturalist.

New combination for Malacoceros jirkovi and a key for Spio (Polychaeta: Annelida) from Norwegian waters and adjacent Arctic areas

The species Malacoceros jirkovi Sikorski, 1992 is transferred to Spio Fabricius, 1785 in the light of new data (listed below).The de scription of this species is given for the first time in English. About 30 years of the study of polychaetous material from the economic zone of Norway has eventually shown there to be nine species belonging to Spio inhabiting this area: S. filicornis (Müller, 1776) [including S. malmgreni Sikorski, 2001 as a junior synonym], S. mecznikovianus Claparede, 1868, S. decoratus Bobretzky, 1871, S. arctica Söderström, 1920, S. armata Thulin, 1957, S. goniocephala Thulin, 1957, S. jirkovi (Sikorski, 1992), newly described S. symphyta Meißner, Bick et Bastrop, 2011 and S. arndti Meißner, Bick et Bastrop, 2011. The species S. theeli Söderström, 1920 and S. tzetlini Sikorski, 2001 which might be obtained in the adjacent areas (the Barents and White Seas) are also mentioned to fulfill the list of Arctic fauna.