Natural Resources, 2003, 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; 2003

CONTENTS

Climatic Resources

Summary: A statistical analysis has been made of generally recognized atmosphere pollutants concentrations - SO2, SO4, NO2, dust, Pb, Cd, Hg, 3,4-benzpyrene, DDT and HCCH. Quantitative characteristics of these pollutants, their dynamics and current background levels in the atmospheric air in the Berezinsky Reserve area have been determined. One of the main tasks facing the system of background monitoring has been accomplished, namely, acid-forming gases and aerosols concentrations trends have been defined. An important result of the survey is the conclusion that there are no local sources of anthropogenic pollution in the area. Pollutants concentrations in the air seasonal cycle, which is most pronounced for the substances-products of fossil fuels imperfect combustion, have been established: average monthly concentrations of SO2, and 3,4-benzpyrene, during the cold period are 5 to 10 times higher than similar indices of the warm period. The dynamics of SO4, NO2, Pb is less contrasting in this respect - only up to 1,5...2 times. Average concentrations of acid-forming gases and aerosols, such as SO2 - 0,1...0,6, SO4 - 1,6...3,1, NO2 - 0,4...0,9, dust - 16...27 mkg/m3, during warm periods of the last decade are given as background indices. The average values for other pollutants during the warm periods from 1982 to 1990 are: Pb - 10, Cd - 0,28, Hg - 15, 3,4-benzpyrene - 0,26, DDT - 0,25 and HCCH - 0,17 ng/m3.

Water Resources

Summary: To evaluate possible rivers run-off of Belarus Polesie, a multi-factor model has been developed which is based on a standard equation of water balance of a land site with independent value of basic balance element. Average multi-year climatic run-off was calculated by the method of V. S. Mezentsev using hydro-meteorological data (precipitation, summed up evaporation, maximum possible evaporation, moisture capacity of the active soil layer, relative soil moisture, etc.). When calculating they used a parameter, depending on water-physical features and mechanical composition of soil-grounds and a parameter accounting for hydrological run-off condition. The model of a river run-off formation considered the interrelation of climatic and small rivers bed run-off of Belarus Polesie. The model has been tested on 15 independent values of rivers run-off of Belarus Polesie and has revealed close convergence of calculated and measured monthly and annual rivers run-off consumption. Based on possible climate change assessments, the rivers run-off and summed up evaporation changes have been calculated. At the temperature increase by 2 (C a river run-off will reduce by 10% on the average and summed up evaporation up to 4,7% on the average. 10 % precipitation reduction will result in 24,5 % decrease of the river run-off and in 5,4 % of the summed up evaporation. 10 % precipitation fall and 2 (C temperature rise will result in 29,3 % of the run-off fall (average). The change of April summed up evaporation increases and falls in other moths of the warm period ((0...6 %). In June - August the river run-off decrease will be about 45...55 %. Simultaneous mires drainage, forest felling, creation of new amelioration systems and increase of tillage lands reduce river run-off of a spring flood and increases it in autumn months. A tendency toward the increase of mean values of river run-off change depending on anthropogenic impacts degree is traced.

Land Resources

Summary: Reclamation of peat soils improves their fertility. However, negative balance of organic matter as a result of development of processes of mineralization and anabrosis results in complete removal of peat bed and appearance of spreading mineral rocks on the surface. The questions of biogenic transformation of organic matter in peat bedrocks is closely connected to the problems of degradation processes, application of methods of potential enzymatic activity definition and account of microbial biomass. The calculation of their energy balance enables to develop complex measures on neutralization of negative processes of soil сover degradation. The physical-chemical properties reflect soil features of reclamation meadow, vigor of peat horizons, degree of hydromorphism, structural composition of organogenic and mineral fractions, interrelation with the contents of organic matter, the microelement composition. By biogenic features degradation ecological series of peat soils are built: low power on peat reed-sedge > middle massive on peat mosses-sedge, reed-sedge-wood > potent peat-paludous on peat reed-sedge. The specificity of enzymatic reactions in peat- and peat-humus-gley soils is rather essential, where the activity of soil enzymes is intimately connected to the contents of organic matter, acidity and then moisture. The enzymatic activity of soils grows from low-power and middle massive to potent peat-paludous soils, determines a degree of the decomposing of organogenic mass in peat horizons, mechanisms of metabolic reactions of a microbial complex of peat soils, the role of ecological factors, indication of degradation processes. Judging by the activity dynamics of catalase, invertases, ascorbinatoxydase and contents of the reduced and oxidated forms of redoxon, the greatest antioxidative activity and least oxidation rate of organic matter are characteristic for low-power peat-humus-gley soils. The greatest rate of oxidative degradation of organic matter is observed in potent peat-paludous soils on reed-sedge peat. The antioxidative activity of peat soils determines the degree and rate of oxidative degradation of organic matter and is intimately connected to the metabolism of soil microbiota.

Biological Resources

Summary: Four species of mammals have been introduced in Belarus. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus L., 1758) was detected in the republic in 1948. During 1953-1962 about 2 860 muskrats were delivered to the country and 126 local animals were removed. Forty years later they lived in all regions of Belarus. In 1990s relatively higher density of animals was in the central part of the republic. According to the data, in the period from 1990 to 1999 the number of muskrats increased by 2,5 times - from 13,9 to 36,4 thousand, in 2000 there were 54,0 thousand animals. Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray, 1834) was delivered in 1936 (50 or 100 individual), before that time some animal units were noticed in eastern districts of Belarus. In 1940-1951 173 local animals were distributed in the country and in 1952-1953 143 raccoon dogs were delivered. The space structure essentially did not change since 1960s. In 1990s the highest density was noted in the northwest part of the republic, in other regions it was 3...9 times lower. Maximum number of animals (about 16 thousand) was reached in 20 years (at the end of 1950s - begining of 1960s). Since 1980s up to the end of 1990s their number was about 6...7 thousand individuals. Raccoon (Procyon lotor Linnaeus, 1758) was delivered in 1954 and 1958 to the floodplain of the river Pripyat (127 individuals). In 1965 they were noticed at the distance of 80...100 km from that place, their number was about 1,3...1,5 thousand animal units. By the end of 1960s this number was not higher than 2 thousand. No studies have been conducted since 1970s. In 1990s their number considerably decreased. The area of their habitat extended to all the floodplain of the river Pripyat. It can be assumed that drainage of Polesie swamps and cutting down oak woods promoted the decrease of their number. American mink (Mustela vison Schreber, 1777) was introduced in Belarus in 1953-1958 (892 individuals). By the beginning of 1970s they forced out European minks. The existing space structure of the introduced species corresponds to that of the aboriginal animal. In 1990s its density in southern areas was 2...9 times lower due to the change of hydro regime of reservoirs. From 1986 to 1999 their number was within 9...15 thousand, in 2000 about 16,7 thousand individuals were registered.

Z. A. Rupasova, V. A. Ignatenko, N. P. Varavina, R. N. Rudakovskaya, N. N. Ruban, F. S. Pyatnitsa
INFLUENCE OF MINERAL NUTRITION ON ACCUMULATION OF CARBOHYDRATES IN VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM L. FRUIT AT ITS INTRODUCTION IN THE SOUTH OF BELARUS. pp. 40-47

Summary: For the first time the nature of influence of additional mineral fertilizers N60, P60, K60 on carbohydrate composition of fruit of early-, mid- and late-ripe varieties of Vaccinium corymbosum L. has been established in field experiments during its introduction in the southern part of Belarus. Investigators used 8-variant pattern of fertilizers application. It is shown that Vaccinium corymbosum L. fruits are extremely rich in soluble sugars (over 20 % of dry substance), and the late-ripe variety has the highest sugar content. The leading position in the pool of sugars belongs to monosaccharides with similar shares of fructose and glucose in early- and mid-ripe varieties and with the expressed prevalence of the former in late-ripe varieties. The Vaccinium corymbosum L. fruits are characterized by rather a high content (up to 5...6 % of dry substance) of pertinacious substances with the expressed prevalence of protopectin and at presence of interrelation between the variety and sugar accumulation level. Gradual increase of cellulose content in Vaccinium corymbosum L. fruit of early- and late-ripe varieties has been established and the absence of variety distinctions in the starch accumulation level. It is shown that depending on the agrochemical background, separate fractions of carbohydrates settle down in the following way: glucose > fructose = starch > cellulose = saccharose > protopectin > hydropectin. Thus, the greatest stability to the edaphic factor influence is characteristic for carbohydrate complex of late-ripe variety while the early- and mid-rip varieties have the lowest stability. It is shown that increasing mineral nutrition boosts the accumulation of soluble sugars and cellulose in fruit of all investigated varieties of blueberry. This is most expressed with the combined application of fertilizers promoting also accumulation of starch but at the same time notably inhibits biosynthesis of pectinaceous substances, mainly their insoluble fraction.

Mineral Resources

Summary: The assessment of the innermost depths of the Republic of Belarus regarding brown coals, oil shales and peat contents has been made. The brown coals are distributed in the limits of southern part of Belarus and stratigraphically relate to the formation of lower and middle carbon, middle ura and neogene. The forecast coal resources in the depths of Belarus are estimated as over 1 mlrd t. The construction of brown coal quarry of 2 mln t power at Zhitkovichi deposit is possible. The deposition depth is 20...80 m, natural humidity 47...62 %, ash content about 22 %, heat value of work fuel 4 500...5 000 kkal/kg. Oil shales are widely distributed in the Pripyat sag - about 11 mlrd. t. Two deposits have been revealed - the Lubanskoye and the Turovskoye. Most studied is the Turovskoye one. Average power in the limits of explored mine field is 1,5 m; 697 mln t are reserves, humidity 2,2...2,3 %, ash content 75 %, tar yield - 6,0...9,2 %, heat value 1 100...1 500 kkal/kg, sulfur total - 1,5 %. The oil shales excavation at the primary deposit development may comprise 10 ml. t. 9192 peat deposits of total area about 2,5 ml ha with primary reserves of 5,4 mlrd t have been exposed in Belarus. Within the years of peat industry 0,9 mlrd t has been excavated. There are over 4 mlrd t in the depths at present, of which about 600 mln t may be extracted. The Concern system "Beltopgaz" has 33 peat extraction and processing enterprises. Annual extraction is about 4 mln t, about 1,4 mln t of peat briquettes is produced. Brown coals, oil shales and peat are to be regarded as energy-technological raw material and the one to produce household fuel. Their gasification and liquefaction are possible and economical, as well as composite fuels production when other disperse fuel materials are added.

An. V. Tomashevich
ASSESSMENT OF SPACE DISTRIBUTION OF MINERAL RAW STOCKS FOR AGRICULTURAL CONSTRUCTION ON THE TERRITORY OF BELARUS. pp. 54-62

Summary: The article provides the analysis of the state of housing resources in rural areas of Belarus. The analysis shows that 12,2 % of blocks of flats were built before the Second World War; 34,4 % were put into commission between 1945-1960, half of them are in tumbledown; 75 % of housing resources in rural areas are provided with no running water and sewer system. The amount of building resources is coordinated with building outlook and, mainly, with the prospect of meeting the demand in local building materials. It is shown that over the years of economical crisis in Belarus the production of building materials underwent a sharp decrease, mainly that of the earth brick, which holds the priority in countryside conditions, for it may be produced everywhere with the least delivery costs. Thus in 1993 there were 116 brick works in the republic and the production volume was 2,3 bln items of conventional brick per year; then by 2000 year there are 53 works that produce 0,8 bln items of conventional brick per year - that is three times less. While the concentration of wall-material production in silicate industry does not meet the requirements of rural house building, mainly because of the price. The territorial differentiation of the clay stock used for brick production was analyzed by economical and geographical research methods and covered 118 regions of Belarus. Seven groups of regions were singled out according to the supply level of this fossil. Operation of large enterprises that use this kind of material was analyzed taking into consideration production output, brick prime cost and sale price. The provision of brick works in Belarus with explored stock of material was regarded as well. Geographical position of chalk stock and production was examined. The territorial differentiation of silicate sand used for producing silicate brick has been studied in 118 regions of Belarus. The regions are grouped according to their supply level.

Ecologically Safe and Resource Saving Technologies

Summary: The purpose of the study was to investigate the process of structural changes, composition and water-loss qualities of dense sediment of cleaning systems. The correlation has been ascertained between the conversion of dry ashless substance and humidity, as well as between conversion and ratio of organic and inorganic mass. It is shown that effectiveness of wastes dehydration increases due to high initial humidity and effective conversion of ashless substance during anaerobic digestion. The sediments humidity increase after anaerobic digestion is proportional to conversion and the absolute content of organic material in sediments. This functional dependence has extreme character depending on percentage of ashless material.

Nature Management

Summary: The results are given of implementation of four State scientific and technical programs (SSTP): "Scientific provision of the republican complex program of environmental protection for 1991 - 1995 years"; "Development of the strategy of rational use of nature and environmental protection, assessment of the state of environmental components and forecast of their change and use"; "Development of the system of rational use of nature for ensuring sustainable development of the Republic of Belarus"; "Assessment of the influence of economic activities on the environment, development of the forecast of its change till 2010 and a set of measures in order to ensure ecological safety of the Republic of Belarus". All the works results of the programs implementation can be conventionally divided into some large blocks: instrumental provision for atmospheric observation, development of necessary legislative documentation, improvement of technologies and instruments for cleaning and non-admission pollutants release into the atmosphere.

S. Golovaty, S. Savchenko
BASIC MODEL FOR REDUCTION OF HEAVY METAL MIGRATION IN THE SYSTEM SOIL -- PLANT. pp. 76-81

Summary: On the basis of received practical results and theoretical generalizations the basic model was developed for estimation, prognosis and reduction of heavy metal migration in agroecosystem components in the areas with tecnogenic pollution. The designed model has four blocks. The first block includes geochemical study of heavy metal cobtents in agroecosystem soil cover, detection of ecologically hazard zones, main pollutants and sources of pollution. Also, a study of agroecosystem components of ecologically adverse zones was conducted. This study includes an estimate of soils, agricultural cultures, forages, cattle productions and takes into account the features of behaviour of heavy metals in each component. The second block gives a detailed estimation of each component. It includes investigating physical-chemical features of soil cover of specific area that determine major factors of heavy metal mobility in polluted soil. Also, it gives an estimate of individual features of plants concerning heavy metals, the type of used vegetation, conditions of animal feed and accumulation of heavy metals in obtained cattle production. The third block puts a problem of establishing maximum threshold concentrations of heavy metals in soil, plants and forage with registration of natural features of the area, and also develops measures enabling to limit the amount of pollutants in foodstuffs. The fourth block includes organization of regular monitoring observations on the territories used for agricultural production. It will enable to receive the database and make ecological-geochemical maps for decision of theoretical and practical problems in the study of agroecosystems. This model can be used for any territory and region with reference to their territorial features and also for any kind of chemical pollutants and ways of their entering into agroecosystem components.

O. M. Zhukova, M. G. Germenchuk, E. D. Shagalova, I. I. Matveyenko, S. M. Vakulovsky
RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION OF WATER BODIES ON TERRITORIES OF BRYANSK-GOMEL-MOGILEV CHERNOBYL "SPOT" AND IMPROVEMENT OF RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM. pp. 82-86

Summary: As a result of the Chernobyl accident water bodies on the territory of Bryansk-Gomel-Mogilev "spot" have been contaminated with radionuclides. Now the concentration of long living radionuclides in surface waters is determined by secondary processes: radionuclides wash off from the contaminated catchments and interaction with bottom sediments. For the control of radiation-ecological situation in this region of Belarus and Russia a wide network of supervision over radiation situation on water bodies has been created. The data of radiation monitoring of water bodies of Bryansk-Gomel-Mogilev "spot" within 1986-2000 have shown that mid-annual concentration 137Cs in all controllable rivers is much lower than Republican control levels for portable water (RCL-96, 99) and lower than Sanitary-and-hygienic specifications accepted in the Russian Federation. Decrement of 137Cs runoff through the control sites on the rivers of Dnieper-Sozh catchment on the territory of Belarus is marked too. Now in many closed water bodies located on the territory of Dnieper-Sozh catchment where the level of contamination by 137Cs is 185 kBq/m2 are higher, volumetric activity of surface water is close to Maximum Control Levels. Levels of bottom sediments contamination on some sites in the lakes Revuchee and Svyatskoe by 137Cs are such that they can be called low level hard radioactive waste. Concentration of 137Cs in surface water of the lake Kozhanovskoe by 1999 has fallen up to 4,5 Bq/l. In the lake Svyatoe in 1999 - up to 10,7 Bq/l. In the lake Kozhanjvskoe concentration of 90Sr in the solution to 1999 has made 1,1 Bq/l, in the lake Svyatoe - 0,42 Bq/l. In the lakes of Dnieper-Sozh catchment very high levels of accumulation of 137Cs in some kinds of fishes are marked. For storage, processing and transfer of the information an experimental sample of specialized computer database has been developed and approved. Specialized computer database ensures storage, representation and data exchange of radiating monitoring information between Russia and Belarus. The proposals on improvement of radiation monitoring system on the territory of Dnieper-Sozh catchment are given.

T. Selivonchik, I. Tanovitski
RECOMMENDATIONS ON ECOLOGICAL REHABILITATION OF ANTHROPOGENICALLY DAMAGED TERRITORIES OF THE UPPER SLUCH. pp. 87-90

Summary: The modern ecological situation in the upper Sluch is given in connection with the development of peat deposits for production of peat and agricultural use. As a result of anthropogenic influence on the peat-mire complexes, the area of natural bogs reduced in 5 times and the area of farmland, on the contrary, has increased in 4,7 times. Such essential changes of farmland structure resulted in downturn of the level of earth waters in the upper Sluch. This caused degradation of peat soils, mineralisation of organic substance, wind erosion, numerous fires on the drained peat deposits. For improvement and stabilization of ecological conditions in area of the upper Sluch it is suggested to carry out ecological rehabilitation of anthropogenically damaged areas of peat deposits. The measures on ecological rehabilitation provide for restoration of the level of earth waters, revival of vegetation and fauna through repeated bogging up of the produced areas. For creation of necessary conditions, repeated bogging up of nature protection objects of various levels is suggested. On the produced areas of the peat deposit Ptich it is offered to create the protected area of hydrological value with the area 1700 ha. In the flood-lands of the river Sluch ten landscape-ecological niches (LEN), including on lands-melioration - seven LEN, on bogging wood lands - three LEN are recommended to organize. When reconstructing the meliorating systems it is offered to allocate nature protection coastal strips along the channel Sluch and to organize nature protection objects of the second level.

N. I. Tanovitskaya
HYDROLOGICAL ROLE CHANGE OF PEATLAND "OSVEISKOYE" AFTER ITS ECOLOGICAL REABILITATION. pp. 91-98

Summary: Impact problems of peat land in natural, drainage and depleted conditions on hydrological regime of lake-mire complex (LMC) "Osveisky" are discussed. It is indicated that hydrological conditions of lake-mire complex water collector characterized by the factors determining the formation of surface and underground outflows from peat land and adjacent area. The procedures of its formation till and after drainage as well after deposit output of peat land are not identically. It is necessary to consider the questions of redistribution of surface and underground outflows from depleted areas and adjacent ones in every particular case with due regard of its geomorphology, subsurface grades and underground water levels (UWL) in drainage channels and catch-water. The depleted areas of peat land are the place of accumulation of surface outflow from adjacent land and of peat land underground water. The more bloom relief water collector has and the larger amount of depressions it has, the worse is the surface outflow from it and the larger water volume is necessary for filling up the surface capacity. Thus with increasing of areas of internal-drainage valleys such as artificial depressions, operating area of LMC water collectors is decreasing. If the level of underground water of peat land in natural conditions is higher than the level of water in the lake then after drainage and deposit output UWL of peat land significantly will fall. Due to availability of open drainage channels water levels of lake and of flooded zones of peat land are practically equal. UWL deviation amplitude of peat land as well as adjacent land included in lake-mire complex increases as a result of drainage and deposit output. Thus the peat land looses its stabilizing role of lake hydrological regime. The performance of peat land ecological rehabilitation measures enables to recover hydrological function as well as other biospheric functions proper to mire in natural condition. The composition and implementation effects of peat land ecological rehabilitation measures are suggested.

Protected Territories

Summary: In the process of investigation of the current state of natural complexes including geobotanical structure of ecosystem alluvium, a conclusion about the importance of the Berezina valley for the formation of the national ecological network has been drawn. Ecosystems of the Berezina valley are characterized by high biological and landscape diversity. The current situation and perspectives of the development of nature protection territories within Berezina valley are considered in the article. In the area of the Berezina valley Berezinsky biosphere reserve is located as well as five protected areas of the republic level, about 30 natural monuments and peat land conservation fields are situated. Two landscape reserves and the national park Svisloch - Berezina are planned to be created. Natural potential of the ecological state of natural protection areas located in the valley Berezina has been analyzed. Peculiarities and distinctive features of morphological structures of the valley landscape in the eastern part of Polesie are described. Interrelationship of climatic, soil, geomorphologic, edaphically and intrazonal factors of the watershed of Berezina have determined the increase of ecological capacity, habitats diversity and landscape as well. Standard natural formations, rare and disappearing species of plants should be subjected to protection. They form an important natural basis in the quality of regional components for forming ecological network of the Republic of Belarus.

Scientific Communications

Summary: The article presents the results of chemical composition study of sphagnum mosses of Sph. Magellanicum and Sph. Apiculatum collected on peat deposit Domgeritskoye of the Berezinski nature conservation area. These mosses were shown to have a wide range of biologically active matters and carbohydrates: flavanoids, catechols, pectins, phenol-carbonic acids, pigments, vitamins and may be regarded as renewable raw material for obtaining biologically active compounds in the future.