A NEW METHOD OF THE STOICHIOMETRY INCREASE OF THE LITHIUM NIOBATE NONLINEAR-OPTICAL CRYSTAL

Experimental and theoretical data on the influence of В2О3 flux on the crystal-melt system, the structural features, and the optical properties of a crystal of lithium niobate are summarized. The Gibbs energies of the borate impurities formation (Al4B2O9, CaB2O4, CaB4O7, Ca2B2O5, Ca3B2O6, PbB2O4) in a congruent composition charge of lithium niobate are calculated. It was found that the element boron, as an active complexing agent, in the composition of the В2О3 flux aligns the distribution coefficients of lithium (KLi) and niobium (KNb). Also, the element boron is able to prevent the transition of trace amounts of impurity metals into the structure of a lithium niobate crystal. Boron increases the ordering of structural units of the cation sublattice and distorts the anionic framework of the crystal. This is due to the fact that boron is embedded in the tetrahedral voids faces of the crystal structure in trace amounts (4∙10-4 mol.%). This leads to changes in bond lengths O-O of the oxygen octahedra O6, thereby changing polarizability oxygen-octahedral cluster NbO6, determining nonlinear optical and ferroelectric properties of the crystal.

THE WAY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL LINTISITE FROM A MINERAL TO ITS SYNTHETIC ANALOGUE: USEFUL PROPERTIES, POTENTIAL AREAS OF PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The article presents a general description of lintisite – a rare mineral of the Khibiny and Lovozersky alkaline massifs. The mineral is considered as a base for the creation of a number of new interesting and useful substances for the modern science of materials. The characteristics of a natural sample are compared with its synthetic analogue AM-4. Examples of potential applications of AM-4 and its new form as the "nano-scale puzzle" for the field of organic synthesis are given. Different methods of AM-4 granulation are shown. The text is presented as a science fiction in order to attract the interest of people to the publication.

ORGANIZATION OF MONITORING STUDIES ON THE FORESTS CONDITIONS IN THE LAPLAND NATURE RESERVE

The article presents the history of monitoring studies of northern taiga in the Lapland Nature Reserve. It is shown that the data on the characteristics of various components of forest biogeocenoses obtained through long- term monitoring are relevant and are not inferior to the European level of research. The results of long-term monitoring revealed the negative impact of atmospheric emissions from the Severonikel metallurgical smelter on the spruce and pine forests of the Reserve. To continue studying the responses of forest ecosystems to industrial air pollution, it is necessary to support stationary monitoring studies in specially protected natural areas.

RARE OBSERVATIONS FROM THE LIFE OF THE BROWN BEAR, WOLF AND WOLVES

Unusual results of observations (1971-1988) of large mammals are presented in the Lapland Nature Reserve (Murmansk region): brown bear, wolf and wolverinel. The article is dedicated to the memory of Doctor of Biological Sciences Valentin Sergeevich Pazhetnov, a famous researcher of the brown bear.

STRAIGHT TO THE NORTH: ARCTIC EXPLORATION IN ARTISTS’ WORKS.

The article provides an overview on the history of the Kola Arctic region and the Arctic artistic exploration based on the “Straight to the North” temporary exhibition in Murmansk Regional Art Museum, 2019. Pieces of icon painting, decorative and applied arts, books, household items, painting and graphic arts and collection of the Kola Peninsula minerals were exhibited there. Some art works are described in details: paintings of Russian artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Soviet artists, including painters from Murmansk and members of “The Arctic” creative team in 1978–1985. The authors analysed, how social and economic development of the Kola Arctic region influenced new art styles and directions: from plein air painting under the Extreme North conditions to industrial landscapes and creation of an art community. The authors dedicate the article to the memory of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, the leader of “The Arctic” creative team Arvi Ivanovich Huttunen (31.08.1922–27.08.2020).

HOW TO COLLECT THE PICTURES ON THE FISH MORPHOLOGY.

Collecting fish morphology data in the field is usually difficult and time consuming. The method of digital photography with further computer processing is currently widely used in biology and facilitates the acquisition of morphological data of fish. The article gives recommendations for obtaining high-quality digital photographs of fish, which we have tested empirically on a large ichthyological material. The studies of the morphological variability of fish following these recommendations showed several positive aspects: accelerating the collection of morphological material, increase of the accuracy of the data obtained, organizing the material in the form of a data bank, the ability to repeatedly refer to a photograph of an object, and a quick exchange of material.

TO THE QUESTION OF THE ORIGIN OF FINLAND HYDRONYMS.

The article is devoted to the linguistic analysis of Finnish hydronyms. The origin of the names of large and significant rivers in the region is considered. The systematization of hydronyms, which received a name in the Baltic language environment, has been carried out. River names have an etymology akin to concepts such as river, channel, stream, current. The proposed article makes it possible to clarify the archaeological and historical aspects of the life of ancient people in the region. The revealed patterns in the etymology of hydronyms correlate with the data of anthropology and genetics. The language of ancient pre-Finnish tribes that existed on the territory of Finland belonged to the Baltic language group.

ANNALS OF THE KOLA SCIENCE CENTER. YEAR 2015.

The chronology of the main events of the history of the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2015 is presented: the results of researches, scientific and management activities, information on events, social life, state and scientific awards and transformations, as well as photographs from the Archive of the Department of Science Management of FRC KSC RAS.

Evaluation of ecotourism potential of protected areasin the Murmansk region.

The methodology of ecotourism potential evaluation in protected areas has been presented, the Mur-mansk region as a case study.The attractive protected areas for tourismtrade have been defined at the first stage. Among areas with the maximal scores are: National Park«Khibiny», Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, Nature Parks «Poluostrova Rybachy i Sredny» and «Korablekk», Zakaznik «Kutsa», the Lapland State Nature Reserve and Nature Monuments «AstrophyllityGoryEveslogchorr», «Kriptogram-movoyeUshchelye», «Ushchelye Aikuaivenchorr», «Vodopad na Reke Shuoniyoki » and «Amethysts of Ship Cape». Whether it’s possibleto combine the tourism and nature conservation, we have evaluated at the next stage. National Park «Khibiny», Nature Park «Poluostrova Rybachy i Sredny», Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Instituteand Zakaznik «Kutsa» have got the highest scores. The recommendations for tourist trade have been offered for each group of protected areas.

The origin of the mountain (goltzy) deserts of the European Arctic: A review of theories .

The main theories of origin of the European Arctic tundra and subarctic mountain(goltzy)deserts are reviewed, in application to the Kola Peninsula. The theory of «tabula rasa» stated that all plants died during glaciation, and then immigrated fromtheCentral Europe, Siberia, and British Isles. According to another theory, during several Pleistocene glaciations, plants survived in ice-free refugia. Modern bota-ny point of views supports post-glacial migration of species and rather «tabula rasa»theory. The border of the timberline moving up inthe Holocene thermal optimum did not affect the subarctic mountain de-serts, unlike the tundra zone. Based on this, the evolution of the high mountain deserts vegetation probably meant the establishment of groups of species that differ from modern communities of the lower disposed tundra zone. Many types of mountain tundra vegetation, apparently, came from the mountains of North-East Azia; however, many species have been originated from the forest communi-ties. The subarctic mountain deserts have apparently not changed since the retreat of the glacier.