On the question of geological prerequisites of Dnieper-Donets depression hydrodynamic traps formation

Formulation of the problem. Hydrocarbon pools in hydrodynamic traps are known within many oil and gas provinces. The Dnieper-Donets basin is one of the regions where non-vault traps of almost all types and associated with them hydrocarbon pools are widespread, while HT in DDD are not yet typical, although the geological structure of the region indicates the possibility of their formation. Thus, substantiation of the role of geological preconditions in the processes of hydrodynamic type traps formation is the main task of the work. Analysis of recent research and publications. In the monograph of O. Plotnikov (2001) among the promising regions for the search for HT defined DDD. The reason for this was the data on the presence in some productive horizons, in particular in the Sorochinsky and Rudenkivsky fields, of formation waters that lie above gas-bearing deposits. It is believed by some researchers, that the leading role in the formation of gas accumulations at these fields belongs to formation waters. According to the results of geological and geophysical study of the southern slope of the Kalmius-Torets depression and the Krasnoarmijska monocline in the south-eastern part of the DDD (A. Terdovidov (2000), S. Pavlov (2004), favorable geological prerequisites for the formation of HT in Paleozoic sediments established. Selection of previously unsolved parts of the overall problem. The general problem of searching for HT in the DDD as a whole task has not been solved so far. Formulation of the purpose of the article. Estimation of possibilities of a new direction of search and reconnaissance works in DDD, namely on non-traditional non-vault traps of hydrodynamic type substantiation. Results. The Visean dominant productive complex, regionally extended on the monocline slopes of the northern and southern sides of the depression and lithologically represented mainly by sandy horizons, was selected for priority research. The significant content of alluvial sandstones in Visean sediments section allowed the authors to consider them as special reservoirs of fluids, and paleoalluvial systems to study in the rank of independent search objects. Their territorial location is logically related to the existing deflections of the surface of the crystalline basement, most of which are associated with modern river systems, which indicates the current functioning of their relationship. The authors made an attempt to substantiate within the northern side of the DDD the following forecast water exchange systems: 1) expultional overflowing; 2) docking regime (both in the terminology of O. Plotnikov) in Paleozoic sediments; 3) infiltration water exchange in Mesozoic sediments, as necessary conditions for catching migrating upward hydrocarbons. The decrease in the infiltration waters velocity to insignificant values is interpreted by the authors as a typical phenomenon for "closed" monoclines, within which there was an equilibrium between the pressure of infiltrative waters and the resistance of expultional fluids. This equilibrium is seen as a term of creating conditions for hydrodynamic trapping. The conclusions emphasize the need for comprehensive research to confirm the predictive models of water exchange and obtain data for mapping piezometric minimums, where there is an presumable accumulation of hydrocarbons.

Human-geographical peculiarities of the healthcare system of Ukraine in the conditions of modern challenges

Relevance. The paper examines the issues of the health care system development of Ukraine in the context of modern challenges. Today, there are many global environmental, socio-demographic, and economic problems threatening the existence of human civilization. One of the problems was the spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19, which demonstrated unpreparedness of Ukraine and post-socialist countries' health care systems. These countries are undergoing health care transformations, but they do not meet modern world norms and standards. The purpose of the article is to establish the key features of the health care system of Ukraine during its transformation given the positive experience of medical systems in the world, from the positions of human geography to identify current challenges and to assess the ability to respond to social demand and the threat of the global crisis in the form of new diseases, the spread of epidemics threatening to human health, quality and life expectancy. Methods. This research is conducted on the basis of human-geographical approach with use of the set of methods and tools to analyze the health care system, which is extremely important for obtaining verified and scientifically sound results. In particular, the authors used methods of induction and deduction, comparison, formalization, analogy, analysis, systematization, including ranking and grouping, historical, graphical, mathematical and statistical, SWOT-analysis methods. Results. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The features, advantages and disadvantages of existing models of health care systems in different countries were identified. In particular, models of medical systems were considered: a model of the single-payer, model of obligatory insurance, and hybrid system. The peculiarities of the formation of the health care system of Ukraine were determined, the key features and principles of the M.O. Semashko’s system were identified, its positive and negative features preserved to this day were outlined. The distribution of European and post-socialist countries was analyzed according to the indicators of state budget expenditures on health care and GDP, number of doctors, hospital beds per capita. The transformational processes in the health care system of Ukraine, the peculiarities of the medical reform in Ukraine were revealed, the peculiarities of the development of the medical system in the conditions of the pandemic were characterized. The SWOT analysis identified the strengths and weaknesses of the Ukraine’s health care system in terms of reform and transformation, its opportunities and threats in the light of current challenges.

Criteria for assessment of hydrocarbon saturation of compact sand-aleurite rocks under DDB conditions

Introduction. In the modern period, the increase in the resource base is largely associated with the exploration of deposits that are under development. The latter process includes the study of non-traditional reservoirs, among which of considerable interest are compacted sand-silt rocks. Steady growth in raw material consumption has led to the search for alternative sources of hydrocarbons. The development of the industry is aimed at studying existing deposits with the introduction and involvement of the latest, advanced technologies. In this regard, the development of this area is relevant. Undoubtedly, the search for hydrocarbons in compacted sand-silt rocks within the Dnieper-Donetsk basin will develop. Purpose. To propose the main geological criteria for detecting hydrocarbon saturation of compacted rocks, which are accompanied by certain indicators. Analysis of previous works. Until recently, information on compacted hydrocarbon-unsaturated sand-silt rocks was most often found only in foreign publications. In the 60's of the XX century, employees of UkrNDIgaz tried to study in detail the compacted hydrocarbon-saturated rocks, but at that time this area was not developed. These studies are associated with the names of Mukharinskaya I, Kharchenko S, Lagutina A. In recent decades, issues regarding compacted sand-siltstone rocks in Dnieper-Donetsk basin have been considered during gas-type gas research. Until recently, the detection of gas in compacted rocks was of a general nature and was not substantiated by actual material. Presenting main material. The nature of the compacted sand-silt varieties is very diverse. Due to the peculiarities of lithological packs, compacted rocks should be considered both separately and in combination with direct contact with traditional reservoir rocks. Scientific and theoretical research and factual material allow us to identify promising stratigraphic complexes in terms of hydrocarbon saturation in compacted sand-silt rocks. Compacted sand-siltstone rocks acquire the greatest development within the Lower Permian-Upper Coal and Middle-Lower Coal complexes. The main criteria for detecting compacted rocks should be considered the degree of saturation of rocks and the nature of hydrocarbons. Consider the indicators that characterize these two processes. Due to the fact that geological criteria and their indicators (a kind of indicator) often interact, complement each other and are "hostages" of causal processes. Conclusions. The proposed criteria are based on a number of geological indicators, such as ascending migration of hydrocarbons, features of lithological composition, conditions of conversion of imported and own organic matter, low water content of the stratum. The activity of most processes, which are indicators of the proposed basic criteria of oil and gas, are accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the local zone of development of compacted sand-silt rocks. In one of these zones the connection of temperature anomaly with the main indicators of prospects for oil and gas bearing capacity of compacted sand-silt rocks is considered. One of the methods of practical detection of the degree of hydrocarbon saturation in compacted sand-silt rocks, especially in the zone of elevated temperatures, can be a direct method of geological-gas-geochemical research, based on the simultaneous study of geological properties and gas-geochemical features.

Development of offshore wind energy of Ukraine in the Sea of Azov: the geographical aspect

Formulation of the problem. Ukraine's energy sector is import-dependent, and one of the country’s sustainable development goals until 2030 is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy sources. The wind potential of the mainland of our country has been thoroughly studied, so the focus of our interest is water areas, which are promising for the development of offshore wind energy. Offshore wind farms in Ukraine could improve the environmental situation and considerably contribute to the decarbonization of domestic energy. That is why the study considers the opportunity of offshore wind farms installation in the Sea of Azov. Methods. The analysis of literary and cartographic sources has been carried out. Mathematical methods have been used to calculate energy indicators. Using geoinformation modeling, taking into account limiting factors, suitable for the installation of offshore wind farms areas have been identified in the Sea of Azov. The purpose of the article is to geographically analyze the wind energy potential of the Sea of Azov with further assessment of the suitability of areas for the offshore wind farms location. Results. Our research has shown that the installation of offshore wind farms is appropriate in the Sea of Azov, because many areas are characterized by average annual wind speed above 6 meters per second. The most promising areas are the northern and northeastern coasts, where wind speed at different altitudes ranges from 8 to 9.3 meters per second. At altitudes of 50, 100 and 200 m, under the action of limiting factors, the most promising for offshore wind turbines areas are reduced by 8–22%. As considered limiting factors (territorial waters, nature protection objects, settlements and airports) have identical influence regardless of height, it is more effective to install wind turbines with a tower height of more than 100 m in the waters of the Sea of Azov. Interdisciplinary research is needed for the final answer on the effectiveness of offshore wind turbines in the Sea of Azov. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The results of the analysis of the wind energy potential of the Sea of Azov have been given, the tendency of its growth from the west to the east has been revealed. Attention has been paid to the method of geoinformation modeling of the location of offshore wind farms taking into account limiting factors. Maps of wind speed, potential of electricity generated by a single wind turbine and suitability of areas of the Sea of Azov for the location of offshore wind farms at an altitude of 200 m above sea level have been presented. These data can be used by designers of wind energy facilities as a basis for determining the optimal power of wind turbines and the type of energy for a particular area of the Sea of Azov.

Health tourism in Lviv region: current state and development prospects

Introduction. Health tourism is considered a kind of tourism which is carried out for the purpose of prevention of various diseases and the recreation and provides for guests accommodation in sanatorium-and-spa establishments. This is a special form of tourism, which includes providing medical treatment (often non-drug) or health improvement services. Problem formulation. Health tourism takes one of the leading places in the tourism industry. This is mostly caused by the increase in the population wellbeing. Analysis of recent research and publications. Studies of the development of health tourism in general and in the Lviv region in particular are presented in the works of many Ukrainian and foreign scientists. The article fulfilled the analysis of foreign and domestic sources, which allowed to identify the following ideas that are of interest for the study of health tourism in Lviv region and many other regions of Ukraine Highlighting previously unsolved parts of the overall problem. The fulfilled study allowed us to assess approaches to the analysis of the current state of health tourism in general and in the Lviv region in particular. The literature is dominated by the opinion that the resort sphere of Lviv region attracts tourists with both favorable prices and a wide range of available services. The issues of estimating the tourist flows coming into the territory of Lviv region were also considered. At the same time, insufficient attention was paid to the study of the status of medical tourism, to the substantiation of proposals aimed at optimizing the development and the improvement of functioning of spa resorts in Lviv region. Formulating the purpose of the paper. The focus of this paper will be set on an objective assessment of the current conditions of the tourism industry based on a quantitative analysis of available statistical data with cartographic and modern statistical methods. Presentation of the main research material. The main directions of formation and development of health tourism in the world are outlined. Cheap health care and leisure services are provided mainly in the resorts of Asia, Latin America and Australia, as well as in some European countries. This is due to the cost of labor, as well as global pricing mechanisms. The main stages in the development of health tourism in Lviv region are distinguished. The description of Lviv region as an arena for the development of health tourism is given. Spa resorts of Lviv region are attractive first of all by the prices, and also by the wide range of available services. The resort sphere of Lviv region has been studied. Tourist flows in the region are being characterized. Conclusions. The main means of popularizing spa resorts of Lviv region have been identified, including advertising, Internet sources, exhibitions, forums and conferences. The proposals have been worked out directed on optimization of development and improvement of functioning of spa resorts of the Lviv region.

Hazardous phenomena in the slides zone of the Ukrainian section in Azov sea

Formulation of the problem. According long- term data analyses under the slides zone in Ukrainian part of the Azov sea sustainable processes had been marked. Landslides are most active in autumn and spring. The activation of landslides occurs under the influence of man-made and natural factors. The most significant factor is coastal abrasion. Review of previous publications. It was established that the air temperature and precipitation, the temperature and salinity of sea waters and the hydrometeorological regime of the coastal zone and the water balance of the Black and Azov seas as well depends on climatic changes. The rising of the sea level has intensified over the past decades. These changes found a response in the coastal zone that reacted to them and acquired corresponding trends. Purpose is to determine the reasons for the formation of dynamically unstable sectors and the possibility of protecting the shores on the Ukrainian coast in the Azov Sea, the subject is landslide processes, as the result of the abrasion of the shores, the object is the variability of the natural and anthropogenic conditions of the Ukrainian coast of the Azov Sea in the area of interaction between the sea and land. Methods. Analyses of images space and temporal dynamic of Earth remote sensing satellites by DigitalGlobe, USGS LandLook and Sentinel were used and also retrospective long term of hydrometeorological data and standard statistical methods. Results. The places (areas) with pronounced coastal dynamic processes on the Ukrainian coast of the Azov Sea were identified, that require special attention: two in the Kherson region, five in the Zaporozhye region and four in Donetsk. In the coastal zone of the Azov Sea the rate of abrasion from 1 to 4 m per year (in exceptional cases up to 15 m per year) was marked. In a period of significant level rises, the flooding of ports, berths, the destruction of hydraulic engineering structures, storage facilities, and residential buildings is possible. Also, during the period of the significant decreasing of the sea level, the already limited depth of the approach channels decreases again, that disrupts the operation of the fleet. Conclusions. Investigations of the current state of the Ukrainian coastal zone of the Azov Sea, that is significant importance for the sustainable the economy development, the recreational region’s potential and the social level of the population. It has been established that in the eastern regions of the Azov coast of Ukraine there are a deficit of sediments and a high degree of variability of the abrasion form of the coastal-sea relief is noted, and an excess of sediments are formed in the western and northwestern regions.

The biocentres of the ecological network of Vinnytsia сity

Formulation of the problem. Urban landscapes are distinguished from the surrounding territories by the radical transformation of all components under the influence of anthropogenic factor. Flora and fauna which are one of the most important factors in maintaining the ecological balance of urban landscapes are undergoing the largest changes in cities. Therefore, an urgent problem is the conservation of biota in cities. The solution of this problem involves protection of existing and restoration of degraded habitats of flora and fauna in cities; creation of the necessary migration conditions for the exchange of genetic information. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to identify the peculiarities of flora and fauna, landscape complexes of biocentres of Vinnytsia ecological network. Methods. In order to achieve this purpose, a study of flora and fauna and landscape complexes of the urban territory was conducted; the habitats of rare species of flora and fauna, the areas of occurrence of the associations of the Green Book of Ukraine were revealed; features of quasi-natural areas valuable for the conservation of biodiversity were analyzed. The studies were conducted using the following methods: field research (key, area and route), analytical-cartographic analysis, collecting and processing of statistical information, literary-cartographic, theoretical generalization and systematization of facts, analysis, abstraction, analogy, synthesis. Results. 25 biocentres are singled out in the structure of Vinnytsia local ecological network. They represent all the landscapes of the city: typical forest-steppe and mixed forests; river-beds, floodplains, above-floodplain terraces, slopes and watersheds; forest-steppe woodlands, passage valleys and upland oakery; conditionally natural and anthropogenic. The characteristic features of urban ecological network biocentres are determined by their location within certain types of landscape terrain. Therefore, the floodplain, above-floodplain-terrace, slope, watershed and complex groups of biocentres of Vinnytsia are distinguished. Complex biocentres dominate in areas (70.7%). They cover several types of landscape terrains. But slope and watershed types prevail among them. Large areas (22.8%) are covered by biocentres of the above-floodplain-terrace group. Slope (1.9%) and watershed (1.3%) biocentres are the least common. Biocentres are represented by quasi-natural areas where rare species of living organisms and plant associations are frequently seen. Scientific novelty. For the first time since 2015, after increasing the area of Vinnytsia, local biocentres of the city's ecological network have been singled out. The peculiarities of landscape complexes, flora and fauna of biocentres have been revealed, in particular the list of rare species of flora and fauna has been defined. Practical importance. Distinguished biocentres of Vinnytsia local ecological network will help preserve the biotic and landscape diversity of the city, maintain ecological balance of the city territory.

Modeling the transformation of І and ІІІ types kerogen by the method of entropy maximization

Purpose, methods and research methodology. The aim of the work is to calculate and compare the trends of transformation of organic matter of I-A and III-A type kerogen, which is in contact with organic and inorganic gases in the process of immersion of organ-containing rocks. The calculations were performed for I and III type kerogen and a mixture of organic and inorganic gases within depths of 1-20 km and heat flows from 40 to 100 mW / m2. Results, scientific novelty and practical significance of research. A comparison and analysis of changes in the total entropy of the system was performed for I and III type kerogen, which showed the complex nature of the total entropy functional dependence on depth. It was revealed that the entropy has two reversible sections, the maxima of which are at a depth of 6 and 12 km. The analysis of changes in the Gibbs energy during the immersion of the geochemical system unambiguously indicates the presence of a stability zone for the hydrocarbon component. The maximum of this zone corresponds to the minimum value of the Gibbs energy, depends on the kerogen type and heat flow, is in the range of 4-7 km and indicates the area of stability, or "oil window". The complex nature of the balance between constitutional water and kerogen, depending on the heat flow and depth, has been established. To analyze this equilibrium, a simple dehydration equilibrium constant (Kd) was proposed, which generalizes the transformations of water in the kerogen matrix. Thermodynamic methods were used to calculate and compare the gas-generating capacity of I and III type kerogen for all heat flows, which showed that I type kerogen is the most productive with gas-generating potential, and III type is the least productive. To estimate the proportional composition of hydrocarbon gases in equilibrium with kerogen, the fat content coefficient of the gas generated by I and III type kerogen was calculated. It is shown that with immersion, the fat content coefficient first increases rapidly, which indicates an increase in the proportional content of alkanes heavier than methane. This growth reaches a maximum within 2-3 km for all considered heat flows, after which the fat content coefficient decreases. The equilibrium constant of the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction is calculated, which showed that regardless of the heat flow, the rate of kerosene decarboxylation decreases with increasing depth due to the shift of equilibrium to the left, and the contribution of this reaction to kerogen conversion is insignificant.

Youth migration in Ukraine: regional dimension

Purpose. This study aims to analyze the regional differentiation of youth migration flows and typify the regions of Ukraine according to the characteristics of the migratory behavior of the youth. Accordingly, the research questions are as follows: 1) what is the relationship between economic indicators (income, unemployment, investment) and youth migration at the regional level? 2) how do the regions of Ukraine differ in the scale, structure, and dynamics of youth migration flows? 3) what types of regions can be identified, and can they be considered to determine the young people’s intention to migrate? Research methods. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between youth migration and economic indicators at the regional level. To prevent skewed indicators distribution, the city of Kyiv was excluded from the analysis. In order to study the regional differentiation of youth migration, we used cluster analysis and constructed Kohonens self-organizing maps. Based on the analysis of spatial and temporal (from 2002 to 2019) trends, we also developed an empirical typification of the regions according to the migration behavior of young people. Main findings. The analysis of spatial differences in youth migration in urban and rural areas shows the diversity and complicated multidirectionality of migration flows. Youth migration has been found to be linked to unemployment and investment attractiveness at the regional level. The assumption that the migration of young people from rural areas is influenced not only by economic factors but also by the lack of prospects for tertiary education, jobs, and the ‘culture of migration’ has been confirmed. The analysis of the relationship between income and out-migration scale shows some signs of a inverse U-shape curve. In general, the results of the study confirmed that at the regional level, economic indicators (unemployment, investment, and income) affect youth migration in Ukraine, but their impact needs to be studied in the broader context of place-specific human capital and life-course transition. Based on the results of cluster analysis and construction of Kohonen self-organizing maps, five clusters of Ukraine’s regions by the similarity of youth migration were identified. The analysis of youth migrations in 2002-2019 allowed to identify six models of their dynamics (monotonically decreasing, abrupt dynamics with a tendency to decrease, abrupt dynamics without changes, abrupt dynamics with a tendency to increase, monotonically increasing, without changes). According to the combination of selected clusters of regions and models of youth migration dynamics, we empirically typified Ukraine’s regions into three groups that can be considered those that, to some extent, determine the young people’s intention to migrate. However, further research should be aimed at analyzing the individualization of migration behavior and liquid migration of Ukrainian youth. Scientific novelty and practical value. The main novelty of the study is its focus on the spatial dimension of youth migration in Ukraine, particularly identifying the features of regional differentiation of migration flows, factors, trends and regional problems associated with youth migration. The practical value of the obtained results lies in the possibility for certain types of regions to become ‘guidelines’ for the migration policy in the regions of Ukraine.

Hydrogen as an indicator of geodynamic processes in coal-bearing strata

Formulation of the problem. The problem of developing and implementing exploration technology that will ensure the protection of mine workings and prevent catastrophes in the development of coal deposits is especially relevant now, when the issue of environmental protection and safety at coal mines is very acute. Analysis of recent research and publications. The idea of degassing of the Earth as a global process of its self-organization was developed by V.I. Vernadsky in a number of works published in 1911, 1912, 1924. This concept has had and continues to have a powerful growing influence on modern Earth sciences. The idea of the key role of hydrogen in degassing of the Earth is developed in the works of V.M. Larin, F.A. Letnykov, А.А. Marakushev, V.V. Khmelyovska, A.V. Shcherbakov, N.D. Kozlova, Yu.A. Kolyasnikov, V.M. Shestopalov, V.I. Starostenko, A.N. Ponomarenko. The purpose of the article is: analysis of the current state of coal mining in Ukraine and in the world as a whole; substantiation of the possibility of using the technology of safe search for hydrogen in minefield development zones. Presentation of the main research material. The new development of safe exploration technology for coal deposits, proposed by the authors, will allow to track in advance, to identify places of possible manifestations of gas-dynamic phenomena and to make operational decisions to eliminate them. The technology is based on the use of exploratory gas-geochemical methods for mapping the places of gas-hydrogen accumulations and together with a set of geological and geophysical methods allows to allocate areas of possible emergency processes in the development zones of mine fields. On a large massif of field work of areal and profile surveys, the feasibility of using search technology has been proven to justify the use of advance degassing wells to prevent uncontrolled explosive processes and technical disasters. The proposed technology has been tested at numerous mining sites in the process of exploration and environmental research in areas of operating and developed mine fields. Conclusions. For the first time in the world practice, new approaches were proposed and substantiated to change the safety paradigm of coal mining, which will prevent the manifestations of unpredictable GDP and the associated material and human losses. Analysis of the results of a complex of fundamental and applied research at coal mining facilities allows, according to the proposed technology, to identify and map the studied areas of abnormal hydrogen concentrations, their characteristics and use it as reliable markers for operational decisions for safe mining by laying advance degassing wells, which will ultimately make emergency GDP impossible. The expediency of application of the proposed technology for substantiation and allocation of geodynamic active and stable zones and blocks promising for industrial exploration of hydrocarbons, determining the locations of possible manifestations of GDP and complex making operative decisions for safety of mining works is proved. And, unfortunately, the research carried out by scientists and the results obtained have not yet found worthy support from the President of Ukraine, state line ministries, commercial structures and the Academy of Sciences.