Natural Resources, 2000, No.1

PRIRODNYE RESURSY (Natural Resources) Published by The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus & The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk, Belarus

Number 1; 2000

CONTENTS

Soil Resources

Summary: Nucleic acids represent universal constituents of soil organic matter and are predominantly of microbial origin. These substances are of particular interest due to the problem of salinity of organophosphorous substances. The entry of nucleic acids in soil is closely related to mineralization processes of dying off remains of microbial, vegetative and animal tissues. Applied organic compounds are transformed to substances of protein and nucleoprotein nature. With acute deficit of mineral phosphates in soils, plants are capable of assimilating phosphororganic substances including nucleic acids. Most correct is the estimate of the quantity of nucleic acids in soil by the content of their nitrous components using paper chromatography methods and ionophoresis in combination with spectrophotometry in ultraviolet rays. Of great interest is quantitative assessment of nucleic acids as an additional criterion of biomass and productivity of soil microbiota. The analysis of the DNA and RNA content can serve a reliable index of biological activity and biogenic processes in soils of natural biogeocenoses and under anthropogenic stress. The estimate of Me nucleic acids content in soil in comparison to the results of direct microscope methods is the major characteristic of soil biogenity. Application of these approaches enables to solve the problem of microbiota relationship with environmental factors of location in different biogeocenoses and capability of their natural resources estimation.

Climatic Resources

Summary: In the article methods and results of temperature regimes measurement of peat soils upper layers have been presented, as well as ray and convection heat exchange on their surface. As a result of investigations the following regularities have been determined. In windless cloudy weather the amplitude of daily temperature fluctuation on drained peat soils reaches 50 degrees C. This results in drying up of the upper soil layer and night frosts; the air temperature above peat lands with adjacent slopes may be 2... 3 degrees С lower than the standard temperature, which is fixed by the nearest meteorological stations; the minimum temperature in near-terrain air layer at night is found at the height of 2...5 cm over the soil surface. On the basis of the obtained test data using the developed algorithm of numerical simulation a computer modeling of temperature fields in the peat soils upper layer and peat soil composition at variation of meteorological and hydrological parameters has been carried out. The prospect of computer modeling for forecasting and minimizing negative consequences of frosts on peat soils has been shown.

Water Resources

Summary: Fluorine is a biologically active chemical element directly influencing metabolic processes in a human organism. The medicinal use of fluoric mineral waters is conditioned by the optimum (0.7...1.5 mg/dm³) fluorine content. There are four hydrogeochemical types of drinking and medicinal mineral waters containing fluorine found within the most part of the Belarusan territory (chloride-sodium and calcium-sodium, sulphate-chloride, sulphate and chloride-sulphate). The analysis of the data (of about 50 samples) displayed the absence of statistically significant relationships between the content of fluorine in mineral waters on the one hand and their hydrogeochemical type, concentration of certain components as well as mineralization on the other hand. Hence, real distribution of fluorine in the aquifers (complexes) of mineral waters differs significantly from the one occurring in the upper part of hydrosphere containing fresh waters. It is indicative of both: complexity of the processes of fluorine formation and distribution in mineral waters, and lack of knowledge on this element. Taking into account the important physiological role of fluorine in human vital functions as well as increasing extraction and production of drinking mineral waters, the problem of comprehensive study of fluorine and other trace elements becomes especially topical. The detailed study of the conditions of formation and character of distribution of fluoric mineral waters makes it possible to establish a new type of hydromineral resources and significantly broaden the field of its application.

Minayev I.V.
Rational utilisation of local water resources in land reclamation. pp. 26--36

Summary: It was necessary to dig out deep channels in large areas in order to build reclamation systems (the area more than 1 000 ha). The level of ground waters may be raised or lowered in varying degrees as a result of reclamation measures application; it depends on the channel depth. The level of ground waters depends to a great extent on the geological conditions (structure and physical and chemical properties of rocks) and the influx of water from the intake area and places of infiltration. The level of ground waters goes down upon lowering of the basis of erosion and, on the contrary, goes up upon its rise. The position of the erosion basis determines, therefore, the water regime of soils and, consequently, the development of soil formation. The regime and level of ground waters are often related to the vegetation growing on the soil surface that transports moisture from the soil. It is thus possible to regulate the regime of ground waters, which can go as far as the creation of water reservoirs. The amount of water flowing into soil and its expenditure from soil during the considered period characterizes moisture cycle of soil. Changing the water regime one may influence soil fertility. The amount of water present in various horizons of soil at the considered depth is determined byformulas. High and stable level of underground waters and water accumulation in pounds are major sources of moisture. Soil is the factor that limits and regulates water consumption by plants. If water consumption during the vegetative period is under the specified minimum, it is indicative of soil drought and results in crop reduction. Knowing these regularities it is possible to foresee the changes of water balance that enables to manage soil water balance.

Moroz M.D., Golubev A.P., Giginyak Yu.G.
Problems of spring protection in Belarus in the conditions of increased anthropogenic stress on the environment. pp. 37--43

Summary: Springs are unique water bodies. The spring fauna is an important component of the biological diversity of water bodies in Belarus. Specific plant communities are formed around springs with many rare species, some of them are included in the Red Data Book of Belarus. Springs play an important role in a social and spiritual life of the Belarusan people. They are last reserves of pure drinking water in Belarus. Many historical events and legends are connected with them. Due to many reasons the number of springs in Belarus is decreasing rapidly. One of the most important tasks is to discovery springs having unique aesthetic and scientific importance that should be taken underprotection urgently as historical places of the Belarusan nature. It is necessary to introduce the term "Key habitat" into the National Nature Protection Legislation. To efficiently protect springs around the outlets of underground waters and spring streams, water-protective zones and coastal zones must be provided. It is necessary to ban any changes of the original state of springs and urgently implement a system of spring status monitoring covering the whole territory of Belarus.

Nature Management

Summary: The study was carried out in some areas of Brest, Gomel and Mogilev regions suffering from periodical floods. Cesium-137 accumulation byplants of various species and families differing phylogenetically and with different root systems has been investigated. The specific activity of soil (SAS) for ¹³⁷Cs varied within the range of 190... 154 700 Bq/kg and that of overground phytomass was within 20...28 000 Bq/kg. The inverse relatioship was found between SAS and the values of radionuclide accumulation factor (RAF) by plants, the correlation of SAP (Bq/kg) and SAS (Bq/kg) as well as great importance of morpho-physiological characteristics in this process. RAF in highly organized species (angiospermous) is lower than in phylogenetically older plants (lichens, mosses). Thereby the peculiarities and regularities of nuclide accumulation by plants, which are characteristic in the conditions of normal water regime, have been also found in species in the conditions of periodical floods.

Poltorzhitskaya O.V., Pinchuk T.M.
More active vertical migration of ¹³⁷Cs towards the groundwater level within areas of intensive agricultural activities. pp. 50--57

Summary: The effect of agricultural pollutants upon the rate of ¹³⁷Cs migration in soil profiles has been studied. To estimate changes in the radiocaesium migration capacity with the presence of high amounts of potassic fertilizers in February 1998 100 g/m² and 300 g/m² of potassium chloride were applied within experimental plots with podzolic and peat-boggy soils (Babchin and Khmelik plots, respectively). The results of layer-by-layer soil and ground testing within experimental and untreated (without KCl) plots were used to estimate an increase of the diffusion coefficient and ¹³⁷Cs migration rate in these soils in the period from June to September, 1998. In soddy-podzolic soil of the untreated area of the Babchin plot under natural (not arable land) conditions the ¹³⁷Cs inventory centre was noted to migrate to a depth of 0.17 cm, the diffusion coefficient was 0.007 cm²/yr, migration rate -- 0.63 cm/yr. The application of potassic fertilizers (100 g/m²) resulted in the ¹³⁷Cs inventory centre migration to a depth of 0.62 cm and increased the diffusion coefficient by 13 times (0.09 cm²/yr) and ¹³⁷Cs migration rate by 3.6 times (2.29 cm/yr). An increase of the potassium chloride application rate to 300 g/m² moved the inventory centre to a depth of 0.91 cm, increased the diffusion coefficient by 28 times (0.19 cm²/yr) and ¹³⁷Cs migration rate by 5.4 times (3.37 cm/yr). In the peal-boggy soil of the Khmelik plot within the untreated area the inventory centre migration depth was 0.32, diffusion coefficient -- 0.02 cm²/yr, ¹³⁷Cs migration rate -- 1.14 cm/yr. The application of 100 g/m² KCl caused the inventory centre migration to a depth of 0.93 cm, increased the diffusion coefficient and ¹³⁷Cs migration rate by 9 (0.19 cm²/yr) and 3 (3.32 cm/yr) times, respectively. An increase of the potassic fertilizer dose to 300 g/m² moved the ¹³⁷Cs inventory centre 3.76 cm deeper, increased the diffusion coefficient by almost 150 times (3.15 cm²/yr) and migration rate by 11.7 times (1.43 cm/yr). Experimental results obtained suggest that the soil section enrichment with potassium provides a several times increase of the radiocaesium vertical migration along soil profiles towards the groundwater level.

Komissarov F.D., Datskevich P.I., Khvalei O.D., Bondareva E.F.
Study of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr content in surface and subterranean waters in water catchment areas of polluted territories of near and distant zones of the Chemobyl trace. pp. 58--65

Summary: At present, the radioecological situation is characterized by the decrease of pollution densities of higher lying water catchment areas and by wash-out of radionuclides to lowlands, bottom lands and deep into the ground. On this account, increase of surface pollution density takes place in lowlands and flood lands. Investigation of the state of surface, ground waters and soil of flood lands in different areas of Belarus has revealed the following regularities characteristic only of the near zone of PSRR and polluted areas of Mogilyov region. The increase of radionuclide content in rivers along the flow vector is characteristic of the resettlement zone rivers. This process is especially obvious in r. Braginka with two diversion channels to r. Dnieper. The content of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr in surface waters has decreased considerably in all water flows of Pripyat and Sozh traces as compared with their content in the first post-accident years. The content of ⁹⁰Sr constantly exceeds that of ¹³⁷Cs by 1.2... 13.0 times in the water of r. Nesvich. In the rivers of Slovechna, Braginka, Senna the content of ⁹⁰Sr is constantly exceeding that of ¹³⁷Cs by 1.2...23.0 times, although such excess in river Lipa is registered more seldom, probably due to specific hydrological features of water flows and physical and geographical structure of the area. The tendency of equalization of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr content in bottom deposits of water flows and in soil has been found in the zone of maximum pollution. In some cases, the exceeding of ⁹⁰Sr content over that of ¹³⁷Cs was registered in bottom deposits of wafer flows. This indicates the increase of migration properties of newly formed compounds of ¹³⁷Cs. In the soil of the near zone the content of ¹³⁷Cs is mainly 2... 10 times higher than that of ⁹⁰Sr. However, this dependence is not characteristic of all observation sites. In the sites of Kazhushki, Tamozhnya, Gden, Bragin, Malinovka the content of ⁹⁰Sr is 1.2...4.0 times as high as that of ¹³⁷Cs. The same is observed in the distant zone, where there are samples with exceeding of Sr-90 content over the content of ¹³⁷Cs by 3... 13 times. The cases have been registered when the radionuclide distribution along the soil profile is not even: there is more ¹³⁷Cs on one sorption barrier and ⁹⁰Sr -- on another. The analysis of radionuclide content in ground water of the distant zone shows the exceeding of ⁹⁰Sr content in ground water over its content in surface water by 3.6...42.0 times. And its content in ground water is 2... 5 times as high as that of ¹³⁷Cs. Comparison of the data on ground water from the wells of constant observation in the near zone shows that the content of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr in ground water is lower than that in surface water by 2... 15 and 3. ..90 times, respectively, in observation sites of the near zone it depends on time and place of sampling.

Maslovsky O.M., Rykovsky G.F.
Transformation of natural complexes, conservation of biodiversity and ecological management of the Polessky radio-ecological nature reserve territory. pp. 66--80

Summary: Investigation of mechanisms of radionuclide contamination influence on natural complexes after the Chemobyl disaster showed that the contamination level is not dangerous for the majority of plant and animal species within the larger part of 30 km zone and outside it. Medical aspects are discussed in another article. The nature as a whole has coped with the negative influence of the Chemobyl disaster. At the same time natural complexes of the Polessky State Radio-Ecological Nature Reserve (PSRENR) have transformed after the removal of antropogenic stress. Different succession changes take place, biodivesity has sharply increased. It allows us to consider this territory as one of the most important nature protection objects not only in Belarus but also in East Europe. All this requires updating the ecological management plan of the territory. For this purpose Structural and-Functional Zoning Plan of PSNENR was developed which forms the basis for ecologically sound and optimal management of the reserve nature complex.

Kudelsky A.V., Lukashev V.K. †, Kovalyov A.A.
Geochemical study of militaly bases impact on the environment in Belarus. pp. 81--93

Summary: It has been established that the geochemical and ecological situation in the sites formerly occupied by military bases does not satisfy nature management and living standards. The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Mo and Cu), oil products and semi-volatile organic compounds in soil and ground which exceed the permissible contamination limits make them dangerous for utilisation and require cleaning up measures.

Berlovich S.V., Germenchuk M.G., Matveyenko I.I., Golovko M.S., Samoilova T.L, Martsinkevich G.I.
Methodical approaches to the implementation of radiation-ecological and sanitary investigation of the areas of the former military bases and recreation zones adjacent to them. pp. 94--101

Summary: According to the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus № 856 dated 21. 12.93, the possibility of using the former military bases for remediation of the population from the Chernobyl accident affected areas has been investigated. If was necessary to conduct a detailed investigation of the territory, as there was no information on sanitary and radioecological state on the sites. Firstly, contamination level and contamination areals were to be defined, as well as evaluation of danger risk for the population. Secondly, the obtained results of the investigation should form the basis for further estimation of the environment state on the sites, as well as for decision making on the territory remediation. In this connection a complex of measures has been developed. These measures are necessary for comprehensive estimation of the sanitary and radioecological situation on the territory of former the military bases which became free after the withdrawal of military units of the Russian Federation strategic forces. These methodical approaches have been used in the State Committee for Hydrometeorology since 1994 and have been tested while investigating 15 former military settlements that are subordinate now to the Ministry of Emergencies of the Republic of Belarus.

Tsyganov A.R., Vildfloosh I.R., Kal M.N.
Methods of decreasing cadmium mobility in soil and its accumulation in the plants of spring wheat grown on contaminated sword podzolic soils. pp. 102--106

Summary: The aim of this research was lo study the influence of different levels of sward-podzolic light-loamy soil contamination with Cd on the spring wheat yields, Cd accumulation in grain and straw as well as to find methods of decreasing its entry in the plants. The following regularities were found as a result of the small-plot experiment. On the average in 1997--1998 the yield of spring wheat at the maximum application of cadmium sulphate (9 mg/kg of soil) decreased by 33% compared to the cadmium sulphate-free soil. The content of Cd mobile forms in the soil increased by 18 times, Cd accumulation in grain by 2.2 times and in straw -- by 8.3 times. At the high level of soil contamination with Cd application of double lime dose decreased Cd mobility in the soil by 14.8% and its accumulation in grain and straw by 21.5%. Application of 50 t/ha of manure and 5 t/ha of humus on highly contaminated with Cd soils led to the decrease of its mobility by 12.1% and 10.5%, respectively. Accumulation of Cd ingrain and straw decreased by 15.1% and 18.1%, respectively. Combination of lime application with that of 50 t/ha of manure turned out to be the most rational method of decreasing Cd toxicity for spring wheat grown on sward-podzolic light-loamy soil. In these conditions the average Cd mobility in soil in 1997--1998 decreased by 19% and Cd accumulation in straw decreased by 23.5%, in grain -- by 24%.

Discussions

Summary: In the statistical theory of meadow vegetation succession that is being developed by the authors phytocenosis and edaphotope are described by numerical values of ecological coordinates, soil nutrient content and humidity, using Ramensky scales. The edaphotopes on mineral soils (15 trophotopes and 5 gigrotopes levels) and on peat ones (12 and 5 levels, respectively) as well as corresponding to them soil groups which have been identified by the drainage and humidity conditions are considered to be standard. The choice from the list of the object standard edaphotopes of the nearest one by similarity criterion is believed to be edaphotope ecodiagnostics. The edaphotope under diagnostics corresponds to some phytocenoses given by the list of botanical plant species with their impotencies, with ecotope coordinates, which are obtained as a result of the solution of the ecological ordination direct task. Students t-criterion is used as a measure of similarity. The criterion is calculated for soil nutrient content and humidity separately. Statistical basis for theoretical construction consists of the conception developed by the authors of Gaussian (normal) phytocenosis, edaphotope (ecotope), botanical species and is intended to be used in the IMS (information modeling system) "Biogeocenotic variety of Belarus".

Chronicle

Conference on lake ecosystems. pp. 115--119

VI congress of the Belarusan Geographical Society. p. 120

Conference devoted to the 90-th anniversary of V. A. Dementiev. p. 121

Geochemical ecology: Second Russia school. pp. 122--123

Dissertation Assesment. p. 124

References and Reviews

Environment protection of the city of Mozyr. p. 127

Cyanide extraction of noble metals out of industrial waste and ore concentrates. p. 128

New approaches to cartography of the geological environment. pp. 129--130

Anoshka V.S., Pirozhnik I.I., Smyayan M.I.
I.S. Lupinovich -- To 100th anniversary. pp. 135--136
Click here to read this article in Belarusian (Win 1251)

Lis L.S., Kalinin M.Yu.
V.F. Loginov -- To 60th anniversary. pp. 137--139
Click here to read this article in Russian (Win 1251)