Natural Resources, 2004, No.3

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 3; 2004

CONTENTS

Climatic Resources

Summary: In this article the questions concerning the changes of temperature mode, observable rise of climate temperature are considered. Thorough statistical analysis of the average monthly temporary lines for six administrative areas of the Republic of Belarus for the period 1960-2003 was carried out. To study the lines on uniformity/heterogeneity, the concept of multidimensional casual process was used. By means of the developed program complex the dichotomizing division of multidimensional line on homogeneous pieces was made with the purpose of allocation of climatic homogeneous epochs (periods) in the air temperature lines. As a result of division of the chronological lines of air temperature in six administrative areas and in the country as a whole into homogeneous pieces of different length (micro epochs) the conclusion has been made, that modern rise of temperature of Belarus climate is shown as a multistage non-uniform stochastic process. The degree of synchronism of interyear variability of air temperature in administrative areas by calendar months and seasons was investigated. In this article the comprehensive quantitative characteristic of the studied temperature changes is provided. The rise in temperature is most marked in January - April, hardly revealed in the summer period, statistically is not marked in September - October and passes in poorly marked fall of temperature in November - December. Regional climatic bench-marks for January are: 1987, 1994, 1997 for each of areas, 1987 (or 1988) - in March, 2000 - for all areas in July, 1990 - in August, 1988 (or 1987) - for annual temperatures.

Water Resources

Summary: The article is devoted to the problem of ion runoff formation in the Neman river basin from the point of view of data and area. The processes of ion runoff formation are studied as a result of different factors - natural and anthropogenic. The data of hydrochemistry observation period (from 1948 till 2001) have been analyzed. The points of hydrochemistry observations, for which there is hydrology information, are used in the investigation: r. Berezina - Nerovy, r. Cotra - Sakhkombinat, r. Svisloch - Sukhaya Dolina, r. Neman - Stolbtsy, Neman - Grodno, r. Servech - Krivichy, r. Oshmyanka - Velikiye Yatsiny, r. Viliya - Vileika. Chlorides, sulphates, sodium, potassium are used as the research components. Calculations were made every month. Later on they were summed up and rounded for the years under study. On the basis of a new method the natural and anthropogenic periods of the dynamics of ion removing are determined. The dynamics of ion removing from the different drainage basins are analyzed. The main features of ion runoff formation in natural conditions and its change due to anthropogenic load are described. During the period of natural conditions (till 1968-1970) the differences of chemical runoff because of the geochemical peculiarities of drainage basins are observed. As a result of human pressure the increasing of removing pollutants (mainly chlorides and sulphates) from anthropogenic sources and the change of its structure are fixed. The tendency to stabilization of water chemical composition in the basin was determined (from the end of the 1980s).

Ecologically Safe and Resource Saving Technologies

Summary: In this study the problem of efficiency of heavy metal phytoremediation by hyperaccumulator plant Thlaspi caerulescens is discussed. A study of EPS influence on metal dissolution in free form (Cd0) showed that 100 % glucuronic acid EPS (glu) significantly stimulated metal dissolution compared to control and EPS containing 50 % o f glucuronic acid (str5). Treatment of plants with glucuronane stimulated Cd dissolution from pure metal form (Cd0) and its concentration in plant rhizosphere and roots, but liberated Cd heavily transfered to shoots.

Nature Management

Summary: The results are given of the 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 environment components state 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 for ensuring ecological safety of the Republic of Belarus". These programs were intended in order to control the quality of surface and underground waters.

I. I. Lishtvan, I. S. Brakovich, B. V. Kurzo, A. M. Abramets, O. M. Gaidukevich, A. S. Kalinovich, V. E. Pakhomchik, I. L. Yakimovich
MAIN DIRECTIONS OF GEOLOGY PROSPECTING WORKS AND TECHNOLOGIES OF SAPROPEL PROCESSING IN BREST REGION. pp. 35-42

Summary: The present recommendations define the necessity of realization of major geology prospecting works for increasing sapropel resources of Brest region and escalating of the capacity of mining and processing enterprises; location of sapropel mining and processing plants depending on availability of consumers of sapropel production; offer various technologies of sapropel mining and production depending on the prospective investments in manufacture of this production. The recommendations are intended for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection of the Republic of Belarus, its regional and district committees dealing with natural resources, licensing of the development of peat and sapropel deposits and also enterprises planning organization of sapropel mining and production of various products on the basis of peat and sapropel.

V. F. Loginov, V. F. Ikonnikov
PROGNOSIS OF AQUA ECOSYSTEMS STATE CHANGE. pp. 43-47

Summary: Assessment of water ponds has been done. Deep mesotrophic ponds seem to be most vulnerable. Significant abnormalities of natural recurrence of Belarus lake water levels have been revealed. It was found that lag of series of the dynamics of lakes water levels is much higher than temporary series of water consumption of Belarus rivers. Two basic cyclic components in variation of some bio-limnological characteristics have been revealed (2...3; 7...10 years), which well correlate to level regime, solar radiation and other climatic factors. It was shown that at the present tendency of global temperature rise the ponds productivity may be higher in the nearest 15...20 years by 5...10 %, i. e. at the growth of "thermal forcing" on the ponds one may expect eutrophication processes acceleration. Species composition (groups) shift of phytoplankton to types (groups) of more high temperature optimum (e.x. ciano-bacteria) may cause a great risk to fresh water quality. According to the prognosis, 2...3 fold increase in mineral fertilizers application in agriculture may result in 1,5...2,5 fold increase of pollution rate and rise of bioproductional characteristics (ponds trophical status) for high-eutrophic and mesotrophic aqueous ecosystems and the rate of precipitation accumulation may vary in the range of 5,0...0,5 mm/year respectively.

M. P. Onoshko, I. P. Usova, A. S. Glaz
ECOLOGICAL-GEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SOIL COVER OF MOGILYOV SUBURBS. pp. 48-51

Summary: The ecological and geochemical conditions of the suburb catchment territory are not homogenous ranging from low contamination level of the catchment itself (Zc 5,1...8,4) and local runoff valleys to the south of Mogilyov (2,7...7,8) to moderate contamination in the valley found in the east of the city (up to 13,4). The contamination was found to increase from moderate to significant (Zc 13,7...17,6) in the valley bottom sediments to the east of the city. So, the impact of the city proved to be stronger in soils located in the eastern direction. This is confirmed by the assessment of the sediment composition in the catchment - local runoff valley system. In the valley located to the east of Mogilyov there are 2,5 times more different chemical elements than in the southern direction. The territory of the landfill (Zc 11,7...20,4) is the most contaminated suburb area. Common association of elements concentrated at technogenic geochemical barriers has been identified for both southern and eastern suburb zones (Pb, Cu, V, Ni, Cr).

S. V. Savchenko, S. E. Golovaty, N. M. Bazhenova, I. P. Samsonenko
HEAVY METALS IN SOILS OF FLOODPLAIN ECOSYSTEMS OF THE LUCOML LAKE-RIVER COMPLEX. pp. 52-58

Summary: From the geochemical point of view, the quality of the environment is estimated by the level of chemical elements concentration in various natural components. In this relation most indicative one is the soil cover which accumulates heavy metals existing in soil for a long time. Field investigations were carried out in summer of 2003. The total forms of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn) were analyzed by the method of chemical extraction by a mixture of acids (HF, HNO3, HCl, НClO4). Mobile compounds of metals were evaluated by IM HCl extraction using atomic-absorption method. The investigation of floodplain ecosystem soils of Chashniki area has revealed the existence of heavy metal multielement anomalies with spatial and facieses heterogeneity in the floodplain of the rivers Lukomka and Tsitranka. Basic contaminants of soils of the Lukomka-river floodplain are Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni and Zn. In spatial distribution of metals there is insignificant increase in soils of the central floodplain downstream the river of total concentrations of Mn - 1,9 times, Pb - 1,7, Zn - 1,6, Cu - 1,5, Cr - 1,4 times. The contents of mobile forms also increased in the downstream: Mn - 2,1 times, Cu - 1,9, Pb - 1,8, Ni - 1,5, Cr - 1,2 times. In soils near the river-bed the greatest quantity of metals is observed in middle part of the river, where the concentration of total Zn exceeded the minimum value 7,0 times, Ni - 6,9, Mn, Cr and Co - 6,0, Cu - 4,5, Pb - 2,4, Cd - 1,8 times. The contents of the mobile forms is increased: Ni - in 7,6 times, Cr - 6,9, Zn - 6,0, Pb - 5,3, Co - 3,8, Cu - 3,2, Cd - 3,0, Mn - 2,7 times. The comparison of soils of various facieses structures has showed that the maximum levels of pollution are characteristic for the central floodplain. On the average, the factor of accumulation makes up for Mn - 2,7, Ni - 2,5, Cr - 2,2, Cu - 2,1, Co and Zn - 1,8, Pb - 1,3. No relationship for Cd has been found. Floodplain soils of the Tsitranka-river are characterized by the increased contents of total Cd and Cr in the central floodplain and near the river-bed, as well as by the formation of multi element anomaly of mobile forms in soils near the river-bed, where the contents of Cr, Cи, Ni exceeds maximum accepted levels 1,2...3,1 times. This confirms the prevalence of pollution of water-flow genesis. Facieses distinctions in accumulation of elements in soils of this site are insignificant. The factors of accumulation for the total contents of elements make up 1,2...1,7. The complexity and non-uniformity of the pollution structure of floodplain soils requires the account of the revealed features while monitoring floodplain ecosystems.

V. V. Usenya, E. N. Katkova
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF WILDFIRE DAMAGE IN BELARUS. pp. 59-64

Summary: Fire is the major natural factor negatively affecting forest ecosystems, qualitative composition of the forest fund, ecological functions and resistance of woodlands. In view of their age and species composition and high anthropogenic influence woodlands in Belarus belong to the top-class wildfire hazard and are characterized by high inflammability. Over the last decades annual wildfires within the boundaries of the republican forest fund have covered great areas inflicting grave material and ecological damage to the state. The damage is the greatest in the most fire hazardous periods. The paper provides analysis of the available methods and principles of assessment of wildfire direct (material) and indirect (ecological) damages. Statistical data on wildfires within the boundaries of Belarus national forest fund collected during many years of study served as the basis for the economic assessment of their damage. It is found that annual direct wildfire damage amounts to an average of US $700 thousand, while indirect wildfire damage amounts to about US $340 thousand.

L. A. Kravchuk, Yu. M. Obukhovsky, N. M. Bazhenova, A. A. Topaz, Z. A. Nichiporovich
METHODICAL APPROACHES TO REMOTE EVALUATION OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PLANTED TREES AND SHRUBS TERRITORIES OF CITIES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF MINSK). pp. 65-71

Summary: The structural and functional organization of green territories of cities assumes their differentiation in view of belonging to this or that functional zone, type of landscape-recreational territories, definition of a gardening degree of functional zones, population supply by planted trees and shrubs landscape-recreational territories. The use of remote sensing, in particular air photography, for the solution of this problem is caused by the fact that the existing traditional approaches are expensive and insufficiently operational. One of the challenges of digital processing aero images (AFM) is automation of photo-interpretation process. As a rule, during the automated processing of black-white pictures from direct attributes of photo-interpretation only one is used - brightness of the object. Other direct attributes (configuration, size) as well as indirect attributes of photo-interpretation are hardly given any formalization. As a result, the accuracy of automated photo-interpretation is not always authentic, in connection with small mosaic structure of city territories and identification difficulties of the functional zones of city territories. The problem of allocation and recognition of gardening objects in the basic functional zones of Minsk can not be solved completely by the automated system. So, it is more expedient to apply interactive methods which rationally combine qualitative - heuristic abilities of a man with the abilities of computer systems. Digital processing AFM of Minsk consisted of stages of their vectoring and classification of images, processing of the results of classification. In the process of photo-interpretation it has become possible to define the areas of planted trees and shrubs territories in the basic functional zones in Minsk, to estimate the degree of gardening of inhabited, industrial - municipal, public and transport zones among architecture planning units of the city (blocks, groups of blocks and micro districts).

A. P. Gusev
PLANT INDICATION OF FLOODING PROCESSES IN CITY LANDSCAPE. pp. 72-76

Summary: Flooding of territory is an engineering-geological process widely distributed in city landscapes. The method of plant indication of flooding has been developed. Diagnostics of ground humidity is based on application of ruderal types of indicators. Groups of ruderal indicators were allocated on the basis of parameters of their correlation with classes of humidity. Connection between the occurrence of ruderal indicators and humidity of ground has been established. Growth of ground and soil humidity is displayed by the following species (depth of the ground waters level is less than 1 meter) - Bidens tripartitus L., Ranunculus scelerantus L., Lycopus europaeus L., Alisma plantago-aquatica L., Typha latifolia L., Cirsium palustre (L.) Scop., Phragmites communis Trin., Butomus umbellatus L.

Protected Objects of Nature

Summary: The necessity of creation of local status biological (botanical) reservations in Zhitkovichi district is scientifically substantiated on the basis of performed investigations and analysis of location nature conditions of declared reservations, their nature potential and on the estimation of productivity of wild berry plantation and radiation situation. The territories of districts № 36, 49, 50 of Milevichi forestry and № 26, 27 of Zalutichi one are declared as biological reservation in order to preserve in natural conditions forest formations with a complex of economically useful species as well as rare and disappearing species from the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus. Forest districts of these reservations have high productivity of wild bilberries and great bilberry and natural background radiation. The specific radiation activity of bilberries collected in the foregoing districts of Milevichi and Zalutichi forestry doesn't exceed 60 Bk/kg, that is less than 30 % of the permissible rate. Main recommendations were developed for protection and utilization of reservations, for conservation of the conditions required for growing forests with optimum characteristics, which promote vegetation and high productivity of wild bilberries. Оn the basis of performed investigations Zhitkovichi Executive Commitee decided to declare Milevichi and Zalutichi biological (botanical) reservations of local status.

P. A. Mitrakhovich, Z. K. Kartashevich, V. M. Samoilenko
ECOLOGICAL CONDITION OF THE LAKE SELYAVA. pp. 83-92

Summary: The paper contains the results of limnological studies of the lake Selyava situated in a landscape reserve. The lake is of glacial origin, its maximal depth is 20 m. Formation of hydrochemical and hydrobiological regimes of the lake takes place under the conditions of relatively week anthropogenic influence. Local sources of eutrophication and pollution are absent. In the structure of drainage area, considerable role is played by forests (26 %). Relatively small regions of agricultural lands are rather far from the water line or separated from it by forest bed. The mass of water in the lake is well stratified. The layerwise distribution of oxygen corresponds to water bodies of mesotrophic type. The sum of ions is 270...277,7 mg/L, hence the water mass of the lake belongs to hydrocarbonate-calcium class. The sequence of ions distribution according to their concentration, as well as their relative and absolute values, indicate that in the system "drainage area - lake", natural processes are dominating. According to phosphorus concentration, the lake resembles water bodies of low eutrophic type. The transparency is 3,5...4,0 m. Taxonomical diversity of phytoplankton and composition of the complex of dominants were stable throughout the years of investigations, but quantitative ratio of prevailing species considerably varied. The biomass is quite stable and reaches 7 g/m3 during summer maximum. The most prevalent are Cyanophyta. The case of intensive development of colonial alga Volvox aureus was pointed out, which is unusual for Belarussian water bodies. The summer biomass of zooplankton does not exceed 1,7 g/m3. More than 50 % of biomass belongs to Cladocera. The composition of dominant species complex corresponds to water bodies of mesotrophic type. Single species of Bosmina obtusirostris and Ceriodaphnia pulchella, characteristic of eutrophic waters, were observed. Zoobenthos is of chironomid type. In the littoral of the lake, nonindigenous mollusc Dreissena polymorpha is widely distributed. As compared to long-term monitoring data, the increase of quantity and biomass of macrozoobenthos was observed. The trophic status of the lake has not changed during the last 30 years. Boundary position of the lake between mesotrophic and eutrophic types is very vulnerable, and it is possible that after the increase of anthropogenic influence, the lake will quickly reach an eutrophic state. The stability of the ecosystem will be determined by the load on it, as well as by level and timeliness of protection activities in the drainage area of the lake.

Scientific Communications

Summary: Information on preparatory work for re-publication of the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (section "Plants and Mushrooms") is presented. The plan of a new edition of the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus has been elaborated, annotated tacsonomic lists have been formed: "A list of plants and mushrooms species recommended to be excluded from the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus" (it consists of 31 species). "A list of plants and mushrooms species recommended to be included into the third edition of the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus" (it consists of 274 species). "An additional list of plants and mushrooms species which need to be under prophylactic protection" (it consists of 290 species). Also differentiated "Black list of plants and mushrooms species" (it consists of 65 species). On the basis of the collected information on spreading, ecology, biology, vital state and protection of plants and mushrooms species recommended to be included into the new edition of the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, texts of sketches on various species and maps of their distribution on the territory of Belarus have been prepared.

N. A. Yurgenson, A. A. Senyuk
CREATION OF NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE RESERVES "ARLEISKI", "SURMINO", "MYLICHINO", "PYSHNOGORY", "STAROBINSKI" AND "PODVELIKY MOKH". pp. 96-99

Summary: Scientific and technical substantiation for the creation of natural protected areas has been done. Comparative data are given of the present status of fauna, flora and landscape characteristic of the territory. Reserves "Arleiski" and "Starobinsky" do not possess valuable nature complexes, so their status should be cancelled.

O. V. Lukashev, V. M. Yatsukhno, Ju. P. Kachkov, V. V. Savchenko, V. S. Lyushtyk
ECOLOGICAL GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK "NAROCHANSKY" TERRITORY. pp. 100-103

Summary: Ecological geochemical investigation of the national park "Narochansky" was conducted in order to organize a monitoring net. The methods of investigation and the results of investigation of soil and Pinus sylvestris L. needle (2ґ2 кm sampling grid) are given.

N. L. Makarova, N. A. Zhmakova, T. F. Ovchinnikova, A. K. Gorbunov, G. V. Naumova
ON THE CONTENTS OF SOME PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS GROUPS IN SPHAGNUM PEAT DEPENDING ON DECOMPOSITION DEGREE. pp. 104-107

Summary: The article deals with the investigation results of various sorts of phenolic compounds found in sphagnum peat with different decomposition rate selected from the Orekhovsky Mokh (moss) (Minsk region) peat deposit. It was found that this peat is characterized by great content of free phenolic compounds, which include phenol-carbonic acids, catheholes, phlavanoles. Their smaller share is represented by volatile compounds. It has been shown that peat decomposition in a deposit results in phenol-carbonic acids reduction and parallel considerable increase of phlavanoles, an important group of biologically active compounds.

G. D. Agafonov
ELNINSKY SECTION OF ORE MANIFESTATION. pp. 108-111

Summary: Dispersed mineralization of sulphides was discovered in the area of mapping drilling. In order to reveal accumulations of the sulphides nonstandard ways of investigation by a transient electromagnetic method were applied. The only reception loop registered local anomaly of the conduction. Inclination borehole 8-П detected the zone of higher conduction and the enrichment at the depth of 320...430 m. The profiling by two opposite receiving gauges helped to define more precisely the bedding of this mineralization zone. Raw material of the borehole was distinguished by high polarization, the contents of copper, zinc varies from 0,3...0,5 up to 2...3 kg/t. This place deserves more detailed study. Similar investigations were recommended for other perspective sections in Belarus.