Natural Resources, 2003, No.2

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 2; 2003

CONTENTS

Climatic Resources

Summary: There are many natural and artificial sources of air pollution in Europe. It is known that the western transportation of air masses takes place in middle latitudes of the Northern hemisphere according to physical laws acting in the terrestrial atmosphere. Ecological conditions in Belarus are greatly affected by transboundary transfer of atmospheric pollutants. The geographical position of Belarus requires constant monitoring of the air condition moving from polluted western areas of Europe in the eastern direction. Ozone occupies an important place among small components of the terrestrial atmosphere. Its basic mass is located in the stratosphere and ozone concentration is only about 20 ppb (20 molecules of ozone per billion molecules of air) near the Earth surface. Ozone is a substance of the first class of danger. Being produced by some photochemical reactions of other atmospheric pollutions, ozone is a good indicator of them. There are developed networks of ecological monitoring of the atmosphere practically in all countries of the Western Europe. For example, network stations of Switzerland monitor many gaseous pollutants, and national databases of environment parameters are created in this way. Despite the existing network of air monitoring, measurements of surface ozone concentration are not carried out in Belarus. An optical path indicator for measuring concentration of surface ozone is built in the National ozone monitoring research center. Concentration of ozone is determined with the error of 5 %. The results of measurements give average concentration of ozone along the path. Since July 2002 periodic measurements of ozone concentration at the ground level are carried out in the vicinity of the Belarusian State University (the instrument is installed there). The certified optical path indicator may serve as the primary standard to check and calibrate other more simple instruments for measuring surface ozone concentration. It is suggested to place the instrument in ecologically clean area to investigate the influence of external and internal ecological factors on surface ozone.

Water Resources

Summary: The article analyzes current research approaches to assessment of natural and recreational potential of lake water on the basis of home and foreign science literature review (1970-2002). Two types of recreational assessment out of three main ones are defined and characterized: medical-biological and technological. The main results of the research are the following: theoretical and methodical substantiation for constituent and integrated medical-biological and technological assessments for recreation areas which were practically implemented for defining recreational suitability of reservoirs in different regions. At the same time the majority of works of other authors deal with reservoir shores but not with reservoir water areas as the subject for assessment. This leads to vivid lack of research approaches to hydrochemical quality assessment of water areas. But the growth of industrial production of the last decades of the 20-th century resulted in grave technogenic contamination of the environment and water environment in particular. The outcome is great damage to water ecosystems and human health while at rest at reservoir water areas. In the conditions of deterioration of radiological, toxicological and microbiological water quality the author substantiates the necessity for elaboration of unified (integrated) system of assessment of natural and recreational potential of lake water areas, which will take into account specific character of lake water contaminants in Belarus. One of the ways of such integrated assessment is a structural model of assessment of natural and recreational potential of water areas. It should take into account five main points: lake water recreational use; the structure of its recreational use; the system of aim criteria and indicators of lake water quality; integrated assessment of lake water areas for different types of recreation; regional and catchments zoning of lake water areas. Implementation of the new research approach to integrated assessment of natural and recreational potential of water areas will enable the organizations in charge to avoid negative medical-biological effects to human health and to avoid expenses for additional health care but to get profit from rational recreational nature use.

Land Resources

Summary: Natural factors of water erosion development and their role in the formation of ecological situation on the territory of Belarus Poozerie are considered in the article. The results of soil-ecological micro division of the territory of Braslav region, typical for Poozerye, are given. Five studied types of soil-ecological micro regions differ by the level of potential flushing of soils (t/ha): below 2,0; 2,0...5,0; 5,0...10,0; 10,0...20,0; more than 20. Special type of micro regions is formed in flood-lands of lakes and rivers. Some areas are isolated on the territory of micro regions differing by the level of soil cover erosion degradation and form specific agro-technologic groups of lands. The first agro-technologic group of lands is formed by non-erosion soils and soils with slight features of erosion; the second - low erosion soils; the third - soils with average erosion rate; the forth - highly eroded soils; the fifth - very highly eroded soils. In addition to agro-technologic groups of lands, different systems of ecological safe use of lands have been developed. They include soil safe crop rotation (crop-inter tillage, fruitage-seed, grain-grass, grass-grain) with different ratio of crops and varied guidelines of anti-erosion ability; required organic and mineral fertilizer complexes; special methods of soil cultivation. Introduction of these systems prevents from the loss of humus, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of soils, reduces contamination of reservoirs with products of flushing and improves ecological stability of agro landscapes as a whole.

Biological Resources

Summary: Detailed geobotanical characteristic of bishop's-weed oak forests of Belarus is given in this paper. Composition and structure of phytocenoses created by English oak in northern, central and southern geobotanical subzones are determined in most common associations of bishop's-weed oak forest. It is shown that in the conditions of this type of wood English oak forms mixed, well close, productive with clearly expressed layering forest stands. Bottom layers of vegetation are well advanced. In underbrush there are up to 15 kinds, in some associations the underbrush forms a close layer. In regrowth oak, maple, hornbeam and ash prevail. In living soil cover the most common plants are those with low demand to soil humidity and fertility. As a whole in surface cover there are 65 kinds of plants. Tables of efficiency of modal forest stands describing current state of oak forests are made. Beginning from the age of 20, in every 10 years the share of English oak and other accompanying species in the structure of forest stands was determined. Decrease of the number of English oaks in the structure of forest stands is evident when going from the south to the north of the republic. The analysis of growth and development of forest stands has been made and the reasons given that led to incomplete use of potential fertility of soil in bishop's-weed oak forests.

Ecologically Safe and Resource Saving Technologies

Summary: Investigation of mechanisms and analysis of the results of preliminary biochemical treatment of wastes for their further thermal recycling into fuel gas in the system of "Waste organic materials treatment" was the purposes of this work. The method of complex recycling of organic containing wastes (CROW) into the high-caloric fuel gas was investigated according to the following scheme: anaerobic fermentation - pyrolysis of fermented wastes - incineration of unpyrolyzed residue. The correlation of ecological and energetic problems is shown in the article. A hypothesis of interaction of origin, element wise content of natural fuel and an efficiency of its thermo destruction was stated. The data on correlation of fossil fuel and composition of fuel gas are given. Concentrating of organic substance per carbon is observed as well as simplifying of molecules structure what is similar to the process of fossil fuels aging. This enables the most effective conversion of organic substance of fermented wastes during following-up thermo destruction (80 % - of biogas and pyrogas, 20 % - thermo isolation of the complex).

Nature Management

Summary: A comparatively balanced system of nature protection planning based on co-ordination of planning documents and prognosis indicators works in Belarus. But the efficiency and scientific validity of plans and prognosis indicators may only be estimated by the results of their realisation and the dynamics observed in ecological sphere as a result. In the article a brief analysis is given of some indicators of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development for the period 1996-2000. It reveals serious divergence of prognosis indicators and real achievements, though in ecological situation of the country some positive dynamics can be observed due to the efforts made by both the bodies responsible for environment protection and enterprises. The improvement of the environmental and economic planning and forecasting should take into account methodical mistakes made during the elaboration of the National Sustainable Development Concept. The National Plan for Environmental Protection Activities is the main document for the period of 5 years in Belarus. The first plan in our country was adopted for the period of 2001-2005. In the article the author analyses methodological peculiarities of the plan elaboration and gives an estimate to this document. At the same time the author notes some incorrect, in his opinion, statements caused by vague formulations given in the plan, its structural imperfection, and gives some methodological and practical recommendations for the elaborators of local Plans for Environmental Protection Activities.

L. N. Ryabova
ECOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL CONDITION OF THE SOIL COVER OF THE VALLEY OF THE AVERAGE CURRENT OF THE DNIEPER. pp. 64-76

Summary: Investigations carried out have revealed agrochemical and geochemical indicators that may be used to differentiate pedogeochemical sites within the Dnieper valley area found between the towns of Mogilev and Rogachev. Such a differentiation is justified by peculiarities in the geological structure, geomorphology and evolution history of the landscapes. The pollution rate of the soil cover in the study area as a whole is assessed as low or nearly medium. Radial and lateral barriers determined in this area are among the factors creating inhomogeneous ecological and geochemical conditions: low and medium accumulation of Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb was noted in humus horizons of floodplain soils. The pollution of these horizons has a mosaic pattern. The pollution index of humus horizons is more than 16, i. e. showing unfavorable soil conditions against a low and medium degree of pollution typical of the Sopiazhinka site; biogeochemical barriers created in illuvial horizons of sandy and sandy-loamy soils make the migration of industrial trace elements, firstly Zn and Cu, more difficult because of the presence of iron oxides and hydroxides; the rates of Pb and Cu pollution that are respectively 1,3 and 1,3...1,5 times their maximum allowable concentrations were determined in the sod and soil humus horizons of terrace floodplains that are lateral geochemical barriers. Soils in the Dnieper valley are divided into three groups by a degree of their resistance to chemical pollution. Soils showing high resistance degree are confined to terraces above floodplain. They are sandy and loamy-sandy in granulometric composition and with organic matter content up to 2 %. Soils showing an intermediate resistance degree are those of terraces and floodplain found in a zone of widespread loessial sandy loams. Soils described by a low degree of resistance are those of a terrace floodplain, and their section includes abundant buried soils, peat beds and thick gleyed horizons. This group involves sandy and loamy-sandy soils of terraces, their sections exposing poorly permeable cemented ferruginous layers. Among floodplain soils, loamy and loamy-sandy ones found in a zone of widespread occurrence of watershed and terrace light soils are considered to be the least resistant to pollution. The results obtained for the soil resistance to pollution and their agrochemical and geochemical characteristics have provided the basis for a complex assessment of the ecological environment in the Dnieper valley.

M. P. Onoshko, A. S. Glaz
ECOLOGIC-RADIOGEOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN LANDSCAPES ADJACENT TO THE CHERNOBYL NPP 30 KM ZONE. pp. 77-83

Summary: Monitoring observations carried out in the territory of the northern part of the Chernobyl NPP 30 km zone in the settlement of Khoiniki have shown that high contamination level (> 1 480 kBq/m2 for Cs-137) still exists in untilled lands of eluvial landscapes. Maximum concentrations of this radioisotope (13,462 Bq/kg) are typical for the sod layer. Radiocesium migrated in this area to the depth of 0,6 m, but its concentration in the underlying deposits was hundred times less than Ao, ranging from 292 Bq/kg in the upper part of the humus horizon to 7,6 Bq/kg in the illuvial one. High isotope concentrations are due to the initial contamination of the territory, a long-term decomposition of leaf debris, an additional supply of radionuclides due to dust defletion transportation. During ten years specific ?(-activity decreased 10 times and radiation exposure dose rate reduced 1,8 times in soils of personal plots in the village of Novoselki of Khoiniki district, while Cs-137 concentration and ?(-activity decrease was less significant (by 3,1...12,1 %). The Cs-137 content of the tilled horizon of personal plots varies between 580 and 3 192, averaging 1,724 Bq/kg, which is 5,9 times that of the humus horizon of virgin lands. The radioisotope concentration in local foodstuffs (potatoes, vegetables) decreased by an order of magnitude and more. Contamination of the territory in the village shows a spotted pattern and ranges from 173,9 to 939,8 kBq/m2, averaging 518 kBq/m2 because of irregular decontamination works carried out there. Contamination of the territory of superaqueous landscapes with peat-boggy soils from their washing by floodwater from reclamation canals is not very high (203,5...277,5 kBq/m2). The radiocesium content in the sod layer on the surface of peat land is 2,452 Bq/kg. Its maximum concentration were determined at a depth of 4...15 cm (2,881...2,895 Bq/kg). It sharply decreases below 15 cm and can not be instrumentally detected in a depth range of 50 to 60 cm. High Sr-90 concentrations (up to 7,231 Bq/kg) were measured in the upper horizons of sediments. The Cs-137 activity of bottom silts from reclamation canals ranges from 928,9 to 1,065 Bq/kg. A series of maps describing ecological and radiogeochemical conditions within the studied territory was compiled.

M. K. Chartko, A. A. Karpichenko
GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF SECONDARY MORAINE LANDSCAPES OF BELARUS. pp. 84-91

Summary: Lateral and radial geochemical structure of secondary moraine landscapes of Belarus has been studied for the first time. Main factors of forming structure and its spatial allocation under conditions of Belarus have been identified. The classification of geochemical structures has been developed on the basis of regularities of variation of chemical element concentration within geochemical katen and the nature of their accumulation in different soil layers. There are the following lateral geochemical structures that have been determined within landscape geochemical profile: ascendtial, descendtial, depressional, peaked, even. There were determined more radial geochemical structure than lateral: ulterior or even, humic or organogenic for peat soils, humic-illuvial, humic-eluvial, eluvial, illuvial, lessivageral or pseudolessivageral for peat soils. The formation of geochemical structure of secondary moraine landscapes is connected with high contrast of soil structure by texture, genesis and lithology. As a result, the network of radial geochemical barriers got a wide spreading. Mechanical and dispersion barriers are dominating in eluvial landscapes related with them. The humic sorption barriers has subordinated role. The organogenic sorption and reductive gley barriers prevail in superaqual landscapes.

S. V. Kakareka, S. V. Salivonchik
METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CRITICAL LOAD ON ECOSYSTEMS. pp. 92-100

Summary: In this paper the state of methodological basis for heavy metals critical load assessment has been analyzed. Most up-to-date approaches and procedures elaborated by RIVM (Netherlands) have been considered. They were recommended for application according to obligations under the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution fulfillment. Brief analysis of these approaches is given. Main algorithms, model parameters, calculation procedures are shown. Appropriate information for critical loads modeling is given. Stages of critical load assessment and mapping in line with initial data for models of different complexity are described. Composition of initial data depends on the level of minuteness of metals fluxes in soil system consideration. Main metals fluxes are leaching with water infiltration, uptake by roots and foliar, return with litter fall and weathering from soils. First results of cadmium and lead critical loads assessment for the selected ecosystems of Belarus are given also. As test sites two administrative districts (Polotsk and Svetlogorsk) were selected. Site Trosno in Polotsk district was studied also during detailed field research of modeling parameters. Steady-state calculation approach together with Maximum Permissible Levels of heavy metals content in soil was used. It was revealed that meadows are in general less resistant to cadmium and lead loads in comparison with forest ecosystems. Calculated values of cadmium and lead critical loads were compared with the levels of real deposition of these metals for model ecosystems estimated by modeling within EMEP. The share of ecosystems with exceeding critical loads was estimated.

I. G. Tanovitsky, N. V. Molokova, N. I. Tanovitskaya, V. A. Rakovich, T. V. Selivonchik
ECOLOGICAL REABILITATION OF LAKE-MIRE COMPLEX "OSVEYSKY" PEAT LAND. pp. 101-105

Summary: The increased anthropogenic effects on the lake-mire complex (LMC) "Osveysky" have caused accelerated degradation of one of the largest lakes in the republic - Osveyskoye. LMC "Osveysky" includes the lake Osveyskoye, three large peat lands Osveyskoye, Tserkovnoe and Vidrino and water catchment territory with nine shallow peat lands. Lake Osveyskoye is genetic core and main structure element of LMC. The peat lands are situated in common depression with lake and functionly are interlinked with it. It has been revealed that the peat lands Osveyskoye and Tserkovnoe, the lake Osveyskoye are subjected to the greatest anthropogenic conversions. Main destabilizers of LMC territory are: drainage and deposit output of peat land Osveyskoye, drainage of peat land Tserkovnoe, construction of the channel Degtyarevka, outflow from deposit output fields into the lake, outflow of polluted waters from communal-economic, industrial and other objects. As a result of drainage and deposit output of peat land Osveyskoye and Tserkovnoe have lost their main biospheric functions; they act as destabilizers of water regime of the lake Osveyskoye. Ecological reabilitation measures are required for recovering mire creation processes and deleted habitats of mire biodiversity and for restoration of atmosphere cleaning from excessive carbon dioxide and for preventing probable fires. The choice of use for each anthropogenically transformed peat land is to be carried out individually with due regard of its geomorphological, hydrological features and degradation degree. It is most expedient to apply a passive way of ecological reabilitation of above mentioned peat lands without subsequent regulation of water regime. The rise of underground water level is carried out due to cross connections installed on drainage channels. The main biospheric functions of mires will be recovered after the performance of ecological reabilitation of depleted peat lands of LMC "Osveysky". It will promote revival and conservation of proper diversity on mires in natural condition and will render positive effect on the lake Osveyskoye.

N. A. Lysukha, D. M. Yeroshina
THE STORAGE SITES OF MUNICIPAL WASTE AS GREENHOUSE GAS SOURCES. pp. 106-111

Summary: One of greenhouse gas sources is waste buried on municipal solid waste storage. The composition and amount of gases being produced by waste decomposition depends on the size of a storage site, exploitation period, technology of waste storage, waste composition, etc. In 1993 the Belarusian Research Centre "Ecology" carried out first studies of biogas composition on storage sites of solid waste in Gomel and Mozyr. СH4 (over 15 % of the chemical content), CO2 (to 5,5 % of the chemical content) and CO2 in detached places were discovered in the biogas composition. According to the Guidance of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) daily and yearly methane emissions were counted. The discordance made up not more than 10 per cent and testified the acceptability of two methodical approaches. According to the Guidance of IPCC methane emission from solid municipal waste storages was assessed in the Republic. The monitoring of gas generation processes on the solid municipal waste storage sites and the posterior collection and use of biogas on large sites for purpose of energy supply will enable both reduce greenhouse gases emissions and ensure the fuel save. The total amount of methane and CO2 released from storage sites of solid municipal waste has been changing from 2 370,400 ton in use to 2 749,700 ton in 2000 or 2 % to 5 % in the general greenhouse gas emission in the Republic.

Protected Territories

Summary: A repeated geobotanical inspection of the vegetation cover of meadows and fen mires of the reserve was performed in 2000-2002. An ecological-floristic classification of the contemporary meadow communities was developed using the classical Braun-Blanke methodology improved by the integral approach. As a result, 12 classes, 17 orders, 27 unions, 59 associations and 359 sub associations were established. New associations for the reserve were described. Significant differences have been observed in the territorial distribution of the herb communities in the longitudinal profile of the Berezina floodplain. The upper river houses the whole spectrum of plants. Vegetation stands of wet and mire meadows predominate in the middle reaches with the lowering surface. The southern part is almost fully permeated with monodominant large-cereal and large-sedge miry communities. Noninundated fen mires are characterized by monotonous vegetation cover and absence of zoning in the distribution of vegetation associations. The territory of the reserve meadows is 8 812,1 hectares with 77,8 % of them in the Berezina floodplain, 12 % in the Serguch floodplain and 10 % is occupied with noninundated fen mires. Mire herb communities and acidophilic communities of fen mires are predominant and account for 65,2 % of the total meadow area. During last 15...20 years an intensive overgrowing of flood-plain meadows with trees and shrubs has been observed as a result of the change in the regime of their usage.

Scientific Communications

Summary: Boundary problems and analytical solutions for calculation of interrelation coefficients of surface and underground waters when using water intake in three-layer half-limited aquifer, aquifer-strip, aquifer-quadrant, aquifer-half stripe are indicated in the article.

E. V. Shahtarina, V. K. Zhukov, V. S. Golubeva, C. V. Parmon
ENERGY-TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSING OF BIOMASS OBTAINED FROM DRAWN PEAT BOGS. pp. 132-133

Summary: The technology of thermal processing of the plant biomass is suggested. It is one of the problem solutions of the biosphere compatible use of drawn peat bogs in the Republic of Belarus. The technology allows producing gas and liquid power-carriers and sorption materials on the basis of flash pyrolysis of biomass coke.

V. I. Bokhonko
ASSESSMENT OF ECOLOGICAL EFFECT OF FIRES ON DRIED TURFARIES OF BELARUSIAN POLESIE. pp. 134-135

Summary: Fires on turfaries of the Republic is steel one of the main problems of spring-and-summer fire-dangerous period, and their number during the last years increased. It has been established that for the last 25 years fires have completely burnt out 10 hectares of peat in Pinsk district, i. e. average rate of burning out of peat makes up 0,4 hectare per year.