Temperature anomalies of a cold period on the territory of Ukraine in 2010-2019

Regional climate change in Ukraine in recent decades is accompanied by an increase in the repetitiveness of intense waves, both heat and cold; there is a tendency to increase the frequency of warm winters, but sometimes there are periods with significant decreases in temperature. The aim of the study is to determine the specifics of the formation of air temperature anomalies in the cold period 2010–2019. According to the distribution of the average monthly air temperature at the stations Odessa, Kiev, Kharkiv, Lviv investigated positive and negative deviations from the climate norm. In January, the average monthly air temperature in most cases was above normal, except for 1–3 years. The maximum positive anomaly was 4–5°C in Kyiv and Lviv (2015), the largest negative deviations were 3.8°C. In February, the trend continues – only 2–3 years with negative anomalies, the largest deviations to 3–6°C in 2011 and 2012, and positive deviations maximum in 2016. In March, negative temperature anomalies were observed 3–4 years, with a maximum of 2–3°C in 2018, positive anomalies in 4–6°C were observed in 2014, 2017. Temperatures in November were variable, with the prevailing positive anomaly, a high of 6–8°C in 2010. The distribution of air temperature in December was characterized by positive deviations of a maximum of 5–6°C in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Months of the greatest positive and negative air temperature anomalies over Europe have been highlighted. Among the colder months, the biggest anomaly stood out in January 2010 and February 2012 to 5–6°C. Among the warm months, the temperature anomaly was observed in February 2016, positive deviations from the norm to 8°C. Heat waves formed in winter with a zonal type of circulation, when warm moist air from the Atlantic shifted across the periphery of the Icelandic low. In March, waves of heat formed in low–gradient fields. Powerful waves of cold over the European sector were mainly formed under the influence of “eastern processes” in the spread of the Siberian anticyclone to Europe. In some years, significant cooling over Ukraine is formed in cyclonic systems with a high–altitude thermobaric field characterized by polar or ultrapolar hollow.

Duration of the phase of preservation and destruction in cases of deposits of iced categories of SHP (spontaneous) in the territory of Ukraine in the month of the cold period of the year during 1991–2016

The article deals with the question of the duration of the preservation and destruction phase which were calculated for ice-free periods of the category of SHP and were observed on the territory of Ukraine in the month of the cold period of the year during certain periods 1991–2000, 2001-2010 and 2011-2016. It was established that the duration of the preservation phase and the destruction of ice-oily deposits in the category of SHP is very volatile and ranges from near-instant destruction after reaching a maximum diameter of several hours or several dozen hours. However, there are cases where the duration of this phase can be 4 days in a row and more than several hundred hours. The study found that for the most part during the investigated period, the glacial deposits of the SHP category were dominated by non-prolonged conservation and degradation phases, regardless of the region where the sediment was formed, and regardless of the overall duration of the sediment itself, which could be significant. In 2001–2010 and 2011–2016, unlike in the period of 1991-2000, in January and December, the number of cases of ice-ousted categories of SHP increased. Moreover, in January, especially in 2011–2016, the number of cases with a significant duration of the phase of preservation and destruction of ice deposits of the category of SHP was increased. From the above we can draw a number of conclusions, namely: – During 1991–2000, the phases of preservation and destruction of ice-clay deposits in the category of HPAs were mostly non-prolonged and ranging from several hours to several dozen hours. The most prolonged phases of preservation and destruction of deposits of iced ice of category SHHA were in cases of sediments in Lower Zirgozakh in January 1996, in March 1998 in Kropivnitsky and most often in November 1999 in Gadyach, Dolynska, Komissarivka, Mariupol, Prisheby, and also in 2000 It is in Novodnistrovsk, Separate, Lyubashevtsi, Serbs, Voznesensk, December 1997 in Loshkarivka, Kryvy Rih, Nikopol, Lyubashevtsi, Prisheb and especially in Donetsk. – In 2001–2010, the amount of ice-cream deposits in the category of SHP increased slightly. In addition, the duration of the preservation and destruction phase compared to the previous period changed slightly, taking into account the individual months. So, in January, along with the relatively long phases of preservation and destruction of ice-clay deposits of the category of SHP (up to several dozen hours), in 2010 deposits with very long phases of conservation and destruction in Debaltsevo and especially in Mysovoye were observed. In December of this period, the long phases of preservation and destruction of deposits of iced ice of category SHP were observed in 2004 in Dar’yivka, and in 2008 in Vinnitsa and Ovruch. In the remaining months, the duration of the conservation and destruction phase was overwhelmingly within a few hours, at least to several dozen golds (11–25 hours) – Unlike in the years 1991-2000 and 2001-2010, in January the number of cases of ice deposits of the category of SHP increased in the five-year period of 2011–2016. They met practically in most regions. Significantly increased cases with them, where the duration of the preservation and destruction phase was significant and exceeded the duration of 4 consecutive days. Such cases were observed in January 2013 in Rava-Ruska, Kamianets Buzka and Poltava, in January 2014 – in Rava-Ruska, Ternopil, Amvrosiyivka, Rosdilna, Mykolayiv, Ochakov, and Simferopol. In December 2012, a similar accident happened in Evpatoria.

Research history of geoarcheological sites of the Middle Dnieper Left Bank

The article presents an analysis of the study of archeological sites by methodology of natural sciences on the left bank of the Middle Dnieper, namely 23 sites from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Iron Ages (11 in Chernihiv region; 2 in Sumy region; 6 in Poltava region; 2 in Kyiv region and 1 in Dnipropetrovsk region). Three stages in the sites research have been established on the basis of the complex of methods applied: 1) 1st half of the 20th century - 1980s – the discovery of majority of the sites and settlements on the left bank of the Middle Dnieper region; mainly geological and palaeontological studies. 2) 1980s–2000 – introduction of new (or improved) natural science methods, the complex interpretation and analysis of former research materials. The first appearance of pollen data in the studied area was an important milestone; 3) the beginning of the 21st century – nowadays – further implementation of pollen and palaeopedological methods in the study of the previously known and newly discovered sites. Uneven distribution of the Palaeolithic sites in the area studied was shown (with their significant concentration in the Desna region). The geoarchaeological sites were studied with a different number of methods – 13 out of 23 sites were dated by the radiocarbon method, 9 sites also had palynological and palaeopedological data, 18 of them had paleontological findings. The most complete and representative information is obtained for the following Palaeolithic sites: Pushkari I, Buhorok, Dobranichivka, Hintsi, Buzhanka II, Obolonnia and the Neolithic site Pohorilivka-Vyrchyshche. The Bronze and Chalcolithic sites in the area were studied less intensely and with less number of methods than the Palaeolithic sites. The necessity for further palynological and palaeopedological studies of the archaeological sites is highlighted.

Characteristics of the wind regime of Libya based on NCEP / NCAR reanalysis data and surface weather observations

The surface wind field are formed by the interaction of general circulation mechanisms with the local physical, geographical and climatic characteristics of the region. The success of the implementation of the different weather models is based on the representativeness of the initial information. The paper presents the results of comparing meteorological data, such as the average monthly speed and direction of the surface wind, from the NCEP / NCAR reanalysis archive with data of surface weather observations for the period from 2015 to 2019. Considering the difficulty of obtaining data, the absence of continuous observations at many meteorological stations in Libya, it was decided to analyze the most complete series of observations for the last period and compare it with the model data of reanalysis. Meteorological stations are located in different geographic regions of Libya (Derna, Zuara, Efren, Misurata, Godames, Jagbub, El-Kufra and Ghat). Based on the monthly average values of the surface wind velocity components for past five years, was done a study of the intrannual structure of the wind field over the territory of Libya and maps of the wind field for this period were constructed. The obtained results of comparison of the NCEP / NCAR reanalysis data with Surface weather observations showed a relatively good agreement between the observed and calculated wind. Noted that the wind, according to NCEP data, is some weaker than observed at the stations. The main reasons for this are the complexity and diversity of the topography around the stations, as well as the representativeness between gridded data and meteorological measurements. Analysis of the distribution of the average monthly wind speed over the territory of Libya indicates a tendency for an increase in the surface wind speed from the southwest to the northeast, both as according to the NCEP / NCAR reanalysis data, where the average wind speed doesn’t exceed 4.7 m/s, and according to actual observations 6.7 m/s.

Development of comparative approach elements in the classical natural geography

At the current stage of scientific research development, the comparative approach, an efficient logical method of cognition of the Earth’s nature, does not lose its significance in the light of new and classic scientific methods, particularly in geography. The article presents the in-depth analysis of the origins and development of comparative approach in natural geography on the basis of national geographical sources. The researchers who applied comparative approach to their studies are also presented. The time intervals – stages of development of comparative approach in geography are defined. Two of them are considered – pre-antique and antique. Such periodization is based on time, because this approach has been developed and improved along with the development of physical-geographical ideas and knowledge. The stages of its development were defined on the basis of different, characteristic for them, logical features of comparative approach. Considering the various aspects, one can learn about various significant events during the various stages of developing of geographical sciences. The pre-antique stage of origin and the enriched development of the components of the comparative approach (stage 1) were characterized by all significant comparisons, and therefore comparisons, the content of which, in particular, even reached the idea of possible distant lands similar to the known ones. The beginnings of geospatial representations in our ancestors began to take shape at the dawn of human culture. On the background of the limited cognitive tools of ancient science, the comparative approach was distinguished by its capabilities and applications as one of the most effective in the then scientific and practical knowledge of the world.

Humus condition of brownish-podzolic soils of the Pregorganian Precarpathians

The indicators of humus condition reflect not only the productivity of soils, but also the features of the genesis, intensity and direction of soil-forming processes. It was found that the brownish-podzolic soils of the Pregorganian Precarpathian region are characterized by a low content of humus (1 36-3.7%) within the NE gl horizon, and in the lower horizons its content decreases sharply. Profile distribution of humus is determined as regressive-accumulative type, which is typical for most soils with elluvial-illuvial type of profile. The content of humus in the silty fraction of the studied soils is 1.5-2.0 times higher in comparison with the fine soil, and within I (e) m gl of the horizon the accumulation of humus is established, which is due to the lessivage process. Brown-podzolic soils are characterized by fulvate type of humus (C ha: C fa = 0.2-0.5). The movement of fulvic acids within the profile, especially organo-mineral colloids, is caused by the lessivage process. Among fulvic acids, the fraction connected with the mineral part (FC-3) has the highest content, which increases with the depth from 17.6 to 35.1%. The enhance in the content of this fraction with depth is primarily due to the ability to migrate within the profile. It can cause both the movement of fulvic acids deep into the profile with their sorption on peptizing colloids, and the joint movement of organo-mineral peptized colloids in the profile. The highest level of humification (28.10–28.75%) have upper humus-elluvial horizons, because they create the best conditions for the intensive activity of microorganisms. The humus content in clay cutans is 1.5 times higher than in the contained illuvial horizon, which is caused by lessivage and clay granulometric distribution. The humus content in the nodules is lower (0.26%) in comparison with the contained horizon. The results of the optical density analysis indicate a decrease in the extinction index from NE g1 to I (e) m gl of the horizon, which correlates with the indicators of the profile distribution of humic acids, the total content of which decreases with the depth. Such characteristics of humus composition indicate the genetic affinity with brown forest soils.

Anthropization of valuable natural territorial complexes of the subalpine and alpine highlands of Chornohora under the influence of recreational and tourist activities in the vicinity of Brebeneskul Lake (Ukrainian Carpathians)

The results of the study of anthropization of valuable natural territorial complexes of the subalpine and alpine highlands of Chornohora under the influence of recreational and tourist activities in the vicinity of Brebeneskul Lake (Ukrainian Carpathians) are presented. Anthropization is caused by continuous cutting of bushes, clogging and trampling. The study is based on the results of expeditionary field research. A map of degradation centers of natural territorial complexes of the subalpine and alpine highlands of Chornohora in the vicinity of Brebeneskul Lake on a scale of 1 : 10 000 at the level of simple tracts and subtracts with the use of modern mapping methods is made. Peculiarities of formation, area and configuration, as well as landscape differentiation of centers of development of degradation processes of high-mountain landscape complexes in the vicinity of Brebeneskul Lake are analyzed. It is established that the most recreational load is experienced by the complex tract of my-boulder moraine-scree bottom of the Brebeneskul Cirque of the south-eastern exposition. The cutting of mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra) and littering on the area of about 0,8 ha, trampling of the soil and vegetation cover on the area of 1,0 ha were recorded here. The deterioration of the ecological situation in the vicinity of Brebeneskul Lake is the result of unorganized recreational and tourist activities. Recommendations for reducing the negative impact of recreational activities and reducing the degradation of natural territorial complexes subalpine and alpine highlands of Chornohora in the vicinity of Brebeneskul Lake are outlined.

Map semiotics of educational subdivision in the atlas of university (atlas of HEI)

Map semiotics, which studies the properties of signs and sign systems as language formations, is considered in the application to cartographic modelling of the main indicators that characterize the possibility of providing educational services by educational units in the atlas of higher education (HEI) educational-managerial type. The information environment for the development of each of the sections of the atlas is focused on legal, planning and economic, financial, administrative and economic and organizational and methodological support, in particular, on the credit-module system of educational process (KMSONP). The creation of a cartographic work of this type became possible with the development of a ‘standardized structure of semiotic aspects of the content of the ‘‘objective’’ language of the map’. In modern cartography, with its advent, there is a situation where there is no better system of control (quality assessment) of the content of cartographic products - it is a standard of compliance of any geoimage to the requirements of interconnected semiotic aspects of content. In thematic cartography, even more than in general geography, this semiotic structure is able to comprehensively characterize the whole range of techniques and methods of displaying objects, processes and phenomena of reality, as well as the use of certain GIS tools that are transmitted (during construction) and perceived (when used) various elements of the content of the electronic map. The developed model of the cartographic model, in the form of a classical map diagram, reflects in absolute scales some of the most important analytical indicators of training for each of the university departments, characterizes and allows their comparative analysis and evaluation of features needed to control and make management decisions in education.

Sediment composition within relict and modern spits of the Late-Holocene Kiliya delta of the Danube

The authors aimed to perform granulometric analysis of coastal sediments in the area of scattering of long-shore drift in the Jebriani bay within the Danube delta on the basis of mass sampling on the ancient relict and modern accumulative forms. The present study used the standard lithodynamic research methods. The paper presents the study results of sand deposit samples on ancient relict and modern sandy spits (‘grindu’) in the northern part of the mouth of the Danube. Overall, 24 samples were analyzed: 12 samples were collected on the tops of the aeolian hills and the other 12 – between the hills and ridges. In addition to this at the middle part of the Jebriani spit a typical cross-section was made, where 24 samples were retrieved based on microrelief features. For the first time in coastal literature, comparisons of the granulometric composition of sediments which compose ancient and modern generations of wave shafts within the Kiliya part of the Danube Delta have been carried out. The obtained samples were processed in the laboratory using standard methods of water and sieve analysis. The results were presented in the form of histograms and other types of graphics which allowed to us to compare and analyze the ratio of the composition of the relic and recent grindu. The obtained results revealed that ancient generations of grindu were composed of sediments from the same sources and in accordance to the same laws as modern ones. They are both composed of the same minerals, among which the primary role is taken by quartz, calcite, feldspar, magnetite, with a corresponding density (2.6-2.7 g/cm3, increased in calcite). In recent decades, the so-called beaches and borders of the grindu have disappeared. “Carpathian gravels”, which are fragments of the Early-Holocene terrace of the ancient Dniester, are today located at the bottom of the Black Sea in offshore environment. The synthetic composition of modern grindu branches is characterized by a reduced content of fractions ≥ 0.5 mm and ≤ 0.1 mm. The primary fraction is 0.25-0.5 mm (56-61%), although in the ancient relict form it reaches 69-75%. The average concentration of the second fraction of 0.1-0.25 mm is surprisingly stable in the grindu of different ages, namely 20-22%, including on the beaches, on the tops of the shafts and in the inter-shaft lowlands. The shapes of particles are very similar on the forms of different ages, rounding points value 3-4 are of leading importance. The particle size distribution in the area of sediment flow scattering allows to determine the behaviour of rock particles in a moving marine environment, the structure of sediments and sedimentary rocks of coastal, marine and aeolian origin.

On methodology of palaeogeographical studies of karst cave deposits of Ukraine

New approaches developed within the complex palaeogeographic methodology of cave deposits studies for reconstruction of the past ecological conditions are presented in the paper. The relevance and reliability of results of such studies are shown on the cases from the previous research of cave systems in Ukraine. The methodology based of palynological and lithological (including grain-size analysis) study of terrigenous cave deposits is proposed, and the advantages of their complex application within the multidisciplinary palaeoenvironmental study are proved. The reliability of palaeovegetational reconstructions based on pollen studies of clastic cave deposits is confirmed by the compatibility of their results with those obtained from coeval subaerial deposits. The same patterns were shown by a comparison of pollen from hyaena coprolites in the cave and their enclosing sediments. It has been found that the content of redeposited pollen in the clastic sediments of caves depends on their particle size distribution, sharply increasing in sandy deposits. The grain-size composition of cave deposits also provides information on the genesis of deposits and, thus, indirectly, on paleoenvironmental conditions. Changes in clay, large silt and sand fractions are of main importance for the interpretation of the results. A direct correlation of paleoclimatic signals obtained by the results of pollen and lithological analyses with the indicators of magnetic susceptibility has been established. The use of these paleogeographic methods for studying cave deposits, namely pollen analyses, lithological (in particular, grain-size), palaeontological, petromagnetic, palaeogenetic, radiocarbon and paleomagnetic methods, will be able to control the reliability of the reconstruction by collate them. Multidisciplinary study of the cave deposits has a great potential for reconstructions of the ancient Man environments as deposits of many caves include archaeological horizons of different material cultures from the Early Palaeolithic to the Early Iron Age.