Natural Resources, 2001, No.4

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 4; 2001

CONTENTS

Land Resources

Summary: In the paper the authors consider methods and outcomes of the forecast of land resources use in Belarus. Well-known scientific principles of extrapolation prediction and practical experience of land use forecasting have been used. Main variables have been justified (land areas of different categories and kinds of land). Methods of mathematical extrapolation suitable for prediction of land resources use have been justified. Comparable dynamic series are built using the data of land cadastre for 1950-1999. After that, the functions describing main, long-term tendencies of land resources modification in the country were selected. Using the method of isolated dynamic extrapolation (by trend), adaptive methods (model of autoregression and sliding average, method of exponential smoothing), method of structural extrapolation (probability models - Markov chain) some versions of the forecast of land resources use for 2005 have been obtained. Preliminary conclusions concerning reliability of the obtained versions are made. It has been found that the forecast may be correct if the long-term trends in usage of basic kinds of land (decrease of agricultural lands, increase of forestry lands, built-over lands) remain. Thus, the average level of trend changes is used to predict future land usage. The forecast based on the model of autoregression and sliding average allows us to construct self-correcting models responding trend changes and dynamics of recent years. It gives the most efficient forecast of changes in land categories. The method of exponential smoothing enables to take into considerations the influence of its recent figures. This method should be recommended for short-term forecast of land use. The trends of recent years are better considered with the method of structural extrapolation using probability models such as Markov chain, which enables to forecast the changes in land resources for average-term perspective. It is rather adapted for land reforms.

Mineral Resources

Summary: The geological structure of the Brynyov Gypsum Deposit including stratigraphy, tectonic, hydrogeology, occurrence and composition of the productive gypsum-bearing sequence is discussed on the basis of the results of prospecting work carried out in 1996-2000. The deposit is situated in the west of the Prypiat Trough at the zone of articulation of the Petrykov Burial Ledge and the Shastovi(hy Tectonic Step. It is included into the transitional block-horst of the sublatitudinal occurrence that is limited by faults in the north and in the south. The deposit territory is subdivided into the West and East Segments by faults. The gypsum-bearing layers of the Brynyov Deposit are of Middle Famennian age, occur on the depth of 142,8 to 460,3 m and have a thickness which varies from 37,2 to 252,7 m. The sulphate contents of the sequence change from 13 to 67 %, and average about 40 %. The productive sequence concludes four gypsum horizons that are numbered from top to bottom (I-IV). The areas of the horizons spreading are different: the III and IV horizons have the widest development; two upper horizons occur within the territory of extension of the lower ones. The III and IV horizons are of the main industrial significance. The thickness of the III horizon is from 1,2 to 21,.6 m; the horizon mostly consists of one thick gypsum layer; more rarely, there are two layers within the III horizon. The upper layer (IIIа) thickness varies from 1.7 to 11.4 m; the thickness of the lower one (IIIb) is from1.9 to 10,7 m. The IV horizon comprises two gypsum (or mixed gypsum and anhydrite) layers - IVа и IVb. The thickness of the upper layer (IVа) changes from 1 to 20 m; this layer involves one to three limestone streaks as well as gypsum and anhydrite. The IVb layer thickness is up to 36.7 m; the layer comprises gypsum with frequent inclusions of limestone. Mixed gypsum and anhydrite stratum which is as thick as 3,3 to 28,5 m and which consists of anhydrite with large-scale inclusions of gypsum segregates in the middle part of the IVb layer within the predominant area of the Brynyov Deposit. Gypsum rock of the deposit is characterized with granular, lamellar and fibrous textural varieties and by massive, spotty and breccia-like structures. The colour of gypsum is yellow, pink, white, grey and brownish. The thickness of the productive layers of the III and IV horizons varies from several meters to 28.5 m. The gypsum layers are characterized with a high content of gypsum (63.85 to 93,86 % in boreholes and 81,84...89,56 % within casting blocks). Technical properties of the rock are as follows: bulk mass 2,28...2,40 g/cm3, porosity 0,01...0,31 %, natural humidity 0,011...0,324 %, water absorbtion 0,011...0,261 %, contraction resistance in air-dry samples 71,87...191,90 kg/cm2, contraction resistance in water-saturated samples 88,27...178,80 kg/cm2. The calculation of the resources of gypsum and anhydrite has been carried out within the West and East Segments of the deposit to the depth of 300 m from the earth surface. Total resources within the III and IV horizons have been determined to be as high as follows (thousand ton): gypsum of the С1 category - 177074 and of the С2 category - 163416, anhydrite of the С1 category -96208 and of the С2 category - 41454. According to technological properties, the gypsum rock is available for making all kinds of gypsum, for manufacturing additions in production of portland cement and facing materials for domestic refinement as well as for making artistic products. Mixed gypsum and anhydrite rocks as well as anhydrite one are available for manufacturing building blocks. The exploitation of the deposit may be carried out by the underground mode of production.

Water Resources

Summary: One of the main problems of Belarusian Palessie is periodic flooding of the assimilated areas during the period of floods and high waters that causes considerable economic losses. At the same time it is still very difficult to forecast them correctly, there is no true and generally accepted techniques to calculate the losses and there is no concept to protect built-up areas and objects of economy. Such factors as the lack of purifying works in built up areas, rain waters are not purified, the usage of mineral and organic fertilisers is not regulated, all affect the quality of surface waters in a negative way. The estimation of the influence of human factors on water resources still remains one of the most urgent problems of Belarusian Palessie. Besides, the problem of transborder transfer of polluting substances remains unsolved. It is necessary to pay attention to the extremely bad quality of fresh water in rural areas due to the large-scale chemical pollution of the environment and consequences of the Chernobyl accident. The quality of underground waters corresponds to the requirements of the State Standard and changes slightly while being used. Still, in a number of cases due to the non-observance of sanitary conditions the local pollution of the collected waters takes place. Prospecting and exploitation of oil and other minerals also cause serious ecological impact. Thus, it seems expedient to concentrate further research of water resources on the following trends: prevention and decrease of negative consequences of flooding; improvement of the surface waters quality, protection of water sources at mineral fields exploitation; surface and underground waters management, which provides biosphere functioning of natural ecological systems; creation of the basin scheme of managing water resources in Belarusian Palessie.

Biological Resources

Summary: On the basis of examination of structural and functional changes, which occurred during 18...20 years at the permanent test areas, that were built in pine, fir, oak, birch and black-alder plantation of Minsk forest and park zones, the data were received about the state of prevailing arboreal layer. Renewal character of forest forming species, state of underbrush and brisk of solid cover can be estimated. The degree of viability for coniferous and leafy trees was determined and reasons of their weakening and degradations are shown. Along with geobotanical and forest pathological study at the above mentioned objects and under control conditions in the forests of Berezinsky biospheric reservation and Zhornovskaya experimental station of the Forest Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, phyto indication estimation of technogenic pollution levels of assimilation trees organs in all forest phytocenosis was done (sulphur contents in needles and foliage was determined spectrophotometrically). It has been found that because of the marked reduction of technogenic pollution of the environment, timely taken measures in forestry, forest and park plantations in many cases have satisfactory state and the forecast for the next 10 years also gives hope. There is only one exception: hornbeam forest at the territory of the Central Botanical Gardens of the National Academy of Sciences that is indicative of degradation due to affection of fungi and bacterium diseases. In some cases some spruce stands in Minsk suburbs are also weakened because of recreational pressure, fungi diseases and decays. Indices of state of the above mentioned weakened stands are 2,23 and 2,05, correspondingly. In other cases they do not exceed 1,34, that is characteristic of healthy stands. At the subordinate layers of stands studied during the last 20 years digressive processes are observed almost everywhere and result in changes of associative indications of this or that forest. Also, some changes of pine stands structure have taken place during natural successions.

J. A. Rupasova, T. I. Vasilevskaya, R. N. Rudakovskaya, V. A. Ignatenko, N. P. Varavina
COMPARATIVE ESTIMATION OF POTENTILLA L. GENUS SPECIES AS A POTENTIAL RAW MATERIAL SOURCE OF CHLOROPLAST PIGMENTS, ORGANIC ACIDS AND TERPENOIDS IN THE CONDITIONS OF BELARUS. pp. 60-65

Summary: For the first time we present the results of the comparative estimation of quantitative accumulation of photosynthesis pigments, organic acids and terpenoids in the overground bodies of 6 kinds of Potentilla L.- recta, argentea, tanacetifolia, meyeri, nepalensi and alba during the mass florescence phase in the conditions of Belarus. It is shown that the highest content of chlorophylls is characreristic of potentilla recta, tanacetifolia and alba; carotinoids - p. nepalensi; (-carotin - p. recta; free organic acids - p. recta and tanacetifolia, fatty oils - p. nepalensi. It was discovered that p. recta and tanacetifolia have the highest ability (among the other kinds) to biosynthesis of plastid pigments and various kinds of organic acids which makes their raw material the most promising natural source of these substances. As to terpenoids, the highest value is represented by p. nepalensi medicinal raw material.

Nature Management

Summary: Anthropogenic impact on the soil cover is characterized by intensive introduction, accumulation and migration of different contaminants. Their behavior is dependent on the type of geochemical barriers existing in landscapes. The investigation is aimed at detection and description of pedogeochemical barriers and their indices. The associations of elements accumulated in soils of Belarus were found. Some data on the mineralogical and granulometricul composition, colloidal combinations of Si, Fe, Al, Mn, agrochemical have been used. The buried soils have been dated using C14 method. Average statistical data on the chemical element concentration in soils indicate that concentrations of Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ti, Ni, Co, V and Cr in them are below clarke values, Si - within the clarke values and Ca, K, Zr, Cu - above the clarke values. The chemical elements concentrations in the soil profile change within the pH intervals 4...5; 5...6; 6...7 and 7...8. Mn > P > Ca > Cu > Pb are most intensively absorbed by plants. Co > Cr > Ti, Ba > Ni > Na, K are less absorbed. Fe, Al, Mg, V, Zr are among the elements poorly absorbed by plants. The distribution of chemical elements in the soil profile depends on the type and capacity of geochemical barriers. The indicators of a combined biogeochemical and sorption barrier in humus horizons are P > Mn > S > Fe > K > Cu > Pb (KK 1,1...1,4); sorption illuvial horizon - Fe > P > Al > Ti > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cu (KK 2,0...2,8); alkaline barrier - Mn > Fe > P > Sr > Cr (KK 1,1...3); neutral barrier - Cu > Mn, Fe > Cr > Ni > V (KK 1,2...10), gley barrier - Fe > Ni > Co, Cr, V, Cu (KK 1,2...1,4); sorption barrier of ortsands - Cu > Fe > Al > V > Ni, Ti, Mn > Pb (KK 1,1...3); buried barrier of humus horizons - Mn > Ba > Fe > Cr > Cu > Ti > Ni (KK 1,4...5,7), superimposed barrier of secondary humus horizons - Co > Mn > Ti, V > P > Ni, Cu, Cr, Fe (KK 1,1...4,3); paleobiogeochemical barrier - Al, Cu, P (KK 2,1...3,0), agrotechnogenic barrier of the lower part of arable layer - Mn > Cr > Pb, Ni > Cu, Ti (KK 1,3...2,6). The differences in the local migration of elements in soils of eluvial landscapes are not so great as those found in the profile. The concentration of Mn, V, Cu in humus horizons is increased 1.5...1.7 times in soils of trans accumulation deposition. The geochemical difference of soils in the "terrace - floodplain" system is clearly defined: Ca, V, Ni, Cu, Ti are dispersed within the terrace and concentrated within floodplains. The data obtained may be used for ecological mapping of barriers. A map showing the chemical element migration and accumulation on the barriers allows tracing the paths of their migration within geosystems, and revealing the sites of their accumulation, transfer and removal.

V. N. Kiselyov, E. V. Kiselyova, A. E. Yarotov, P. A. Mitrakhovich
HELIOPHYSICAL AND CLIMATIC FACTORS OF CHRONOLOGICAL VARIABILITY OF TREE RING GROWTH OF SPRUCE AND PINE IN THE CONDITIONS OF TECHNOGENIC POLLUTION OF THE AIRIAL ENVIRONMENT IN MINSK. pp. 80-88

Summary: For cross correlation analysis 95 samples of spruce and pine timber (kerns) were taken in the forest and park of Zavodskoi district and outside the city. Chronological variability of tree ring growth of spruce and pine in the conditions of technogenic pollution is synchronous to spruce and pine growth outside the territory of this factor influence. In tree ring growth of 135-years-old spruces there were revealed two Bruckner cycles - at the end of the XIX century and during the first half of the XX century. Their appearance is connected with the 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th cycles of solar activity (according to the Zurich numeration) characterized by high dimension of V. F. Loginov's wave index. The phases of increased and decreased growth in the Bruckner cycles are not climatically justified. After 1960 the low-amplitude growth rhythms of the pulsating curve of tree ring width with its trend of decreasing are due to 11-years solar cycles. In the conditions of technogenic pollution the width of tree rings increased as well as the amplitude of its fluctuation. The increase of annual temperature and precipitation (lag = 2 years) causes the decrease of growth of spruce. In tree ring growth of the 160...180-years-old pines two kvazicentural cycles were revealed with the time boundary located between the XIX and XX centuries. During the last 45 years the decrease of pine growth is connected with the warming of climate. In the polluted environment the amplitude of tree ring growth fluctuation of pine decreases. The factor of climate (warming) along with the heliophysical factor are the leading ones for productivity of spruce and pine in the conditions of technogenic pollution.

V. Ageyets
ASSESSMENT OF THE PARAMETERS OF RADIONUCLIDE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL MIGRATION IN RADIATION CONTAMINATED AREAS AFTER THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT. pp. 89-98

Summary: The paper presents the assessment of the magnitude of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr migration in radiation contaminated Belarusian areas after the Chernobyl accident. The areas were monitored in 1986-1997 at twelve permanent monitoring stations (benchmarks) established on major types of soil in Gomel and Mogilev regions. The benchmarks were established on soils of different genesis and fertility levels intended for various agricultural use. At the monitoring stations ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr contamination densities of soil were 74...3552 kBq/m2 and 4,8...566 kBq/m2, respectively. The rate of ¹³⁷Cs migration through the automorphic soil profile was the lowest. In the uppermost 5 cm layer there was some 95 per cent of ¹³⁷Cs inventory deposited in the 30cm layer. In very hydromorphic soils ¹³⁷Cs deposition was pronounced at a depth of 30...35 cm. In moderately wet soils the rate of the radionuclide vertical migration is lower than in gley and gleyish soils. But this is higher than in automorphic soils. The rate of ⁹⁰Sr migration vertically down soil profile is higher than that of ¹³⁷Cs, that is caused by the high content of exchangeable and mobile radionuclide forms and a low content of the immobilized fraction. The ⁹⁰Sr halftime of decontamination of the upper root layer of hydromorphic soils was determined. In 1997 ⁹⁰Sr deposition in the uppermost 5cm layer varied from 37 to 56 per cent of its total inventory deposited in the 35 cm soil layer. In agricultural lands the total amount of radionuclides has been deposited in the plowing horizon. In 1989-1991 we performed a field study on mowed areas to make a quantitative assessment of the secondary contamination of the hay of perennial herbs caused by the wind erosion. It has been found that the contribution of dust transfer to the annual secondary contamination of the perennial herbs may be as high as 8...15 per cent of that of the root uptake of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr, which cannot have a pronounced effect on the quality of fodder.

I. G. Tanovitsky, T. V. Selivonchik, N. V. Molokova
THE ORDER OF ORGANIZATION OF NATURE PROTECTION OBJECTS ON THE AREAS OF PEAT DEPOSITS. pp. 99-102

Summary: The existing document on remediation of lands damaged as a result of mining of peat deposits and mineral resources as well as that developed by the Institute for problems of natural resources and ecology "The recommendations for use of anthropogenically damaged areas of peat deposits " pay special attention to nature protection. However, the order of organization of nature protection objects on the worked out areas of peat deposits is not developed. The attempt to define the stages, their executors and customers is made. At the first stage it is offered to define the direction of use of anthropogenically damaged peat deposits on the basis of normative documents. Then the scientific substantiation for creation of protection area should be carried out. If it is approved by the district executive committee, the working documents for the protection area establishment should be prepared. Later on the works on recultivation should be carried out which provide the required water regime. After performing the recultivation the commission effects taking-over of works and gives the conclusion on readiness of the protection area. If in the design documentation on peat mining the recultivation of the cut-out areas was determined not for the nature protection direction, it is necessary then to forward a petition to the department, which would approve the design with the changes of recultivation direction. Usually designs on peat mining are ratified by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus. The article is offered for discussion.

A. G. Podolyak, S. F. Timofeyev, N. V. Grebenshikova, T. F. Persikova
THE DYNAMICS OF ¹³⁷Сs AND ⁹⁰Sr TRANSFER TO GRASSES IN RIVER MEADOWS DEPENDING ON BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PLANTS. pp. 103-108

Summary: As a result of long-term research it has been established that the family of cereals (Poaceae) (TF 0,3...7,5) is characterized by the lowest accumulation of ¹³⁷Cs in river meadow and sedges (Cyperaceae) (TF 38,4...40,5) are characterized by the highest values. According to the increase of ⁹⁰S transfer factor, the basic botanical groups can be put in the following order: cereals (Poaceae) > sedges (Cyperaceae) > leguminous (Fabaceae) > motley grass. In the structure of river meadow grasses certain species of meadow plants characterized by the highest radionuclides transfer rate have been distinguished: (Rumex confertus Willd.); (Rumex acetosa L.); (Carex vulpina L.); (Carex acuta L.); (Achillea millefolium L.), (Lotus corniculatus L.). The results of the research have shown that on the river polluted lands it is necessary to strictly coordinate the forecast of radiological situation and the ecological research. In every collective farm where there are such meadows it is necessary to carry out not only radiological inspection of meadows but also take into account the structure of meadow phytocenosis for the estimation of the forage volumes and the forage quality from the river meadows. It is also necessary to provide the system of countermeasures that would allow to preserve grass species producing high yield and accumulating low level of radionuclides. It is established that agrochemical countermeasures allow to decrease transfer factors for ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr in 2-3 times. These countermeasures are effective on meadows which have low density of radioactive contamination (37...185 kBq/m2 ¹³⁷Cs and 3,7...18,5 kBq/m2 ⁹⁰Sr) and valuable grasses (45...50 % of species of botanical groups cereal and leguminous).

Protected Territories

Summary: The fauna of water mites of the Landscape Reserve "Zvanets" was investigated. 44 species of water mites were revealed. It was concluded that a diversity of water mite species composition is relatively high. Among them there are species that are rare in Europe and those firstly found in Belarus - Hydrachna incognita (Vajnstejn, 1976); Hydryphantes crassipalpis Koenike, 1914; H. octoporus Koenike, 1896; H. planus (Thor, 1889); Piona alpicola (Neuman, 1880); P. longipalpis (Krendowsky, 1878); P. neumani (Koenike, 1883); P. stjordalensis (Thor, 1897); Acercus latipes (Muller, 1776); Pionides ensifer (Koenike, 1895); Arrenurus bifidicodulus (Piersig, 1897); A. bruzelii (Koenike, 1885); A. claviger (Koenike, 1885); A. compactus Piersig, 1894; A. crassicaudatus (Kramer, 1875); A. cuspidator (Muller, 1776); A. integrator (Muller, 1976); A. inexploratus (Viets, 1930); A. maculator (Muller, 1976); A. nodosus Koenike, 1896; A. sinuator (Muller, 1976); A. truncatellus (Muller, 1976), A. tubulator (Muller, 1976); Mideopsis orbicularis (Muller, 1776). It is noted that the species preferring small permanent eutrophic water-bodies and temporary springtime pools are typical for a community of water mites of the Reserve. An important feature of a water mite species composition is that the species of northern origin prevail. It is concluded that the wetland serves as a connecting link between contemporary water faunas of North of Europe and Belarus. Among water-bodies studied channels are most important while large stagnant water-bodies (ponds, reservoirs) are of the least importance. Finally it may be concluded that this study confirmed an importance and status of strictly protected territory of the Landscape Reserve "Zvanets".

Scientific Communications

Summary: Protein amount and retribution within protein fractions in leaves of 26 taxa of decorative introduced perennials have been investigated. It has been revealed that these protein characteristics are connected with the plant ecoclimatic adaptation as well with the species onthogenesis type. For a example, plants which preserve their specific life cycle, have a xerophytic type of the protein metabolism in new ecoclimatic conditions: comparatively high content level (up to 40 %) in leaves of unlabeled protein forms (glutelines, prolamines). They are: Achillea candicans, Polygonum affine, etc. At the same time plants with a rapid life cycle by introduction have a high level (up to 90 % and more) labile protein forms (albumines, globulines) in leaves Campanula carpatica, Tradescantia x andersoniana, Betonica grandiflora, Hosta sieboldiana, etc. Plants with disturbed life cycle by introduction (Epimedium alpinum, Erica herbacea, Hosta plantaginea, etc.) have a conservative biochemical status.

G. D. Agafonov
THE PROBLEM OF REVEALING ABUNDENT IRON ORE DEPOSITS WHICH POSSESS OWN COMPLICATED GEOMAGNETISM. pp. 120-125

Summary: The natural induction magnetism of the Earth has caused the origin of different forms of magnetization in ores with ferromagnetics. The experience of search works in different regions of the country shows that rich ferriferous deposits frequently have more complex magnetic anomalies, increased inductive magnetization and high electric conductivity. On the territory of the Republic of Belarus there are similar magnetic abnormal fields which require target complex geophysical research and drilling of boreholes.