Natural Resources, 2005, 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; 2005

CONTENTS

Khoruzhik L. I.
REPORT AT THE CONCLUDING SESSION OF THE MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS FOR 2004. pp. 5-14

Climatic Resources

L. N. Turyshev, A. N. Krasouvky, V. V. Zhuchkevich, N. B. Borkovsky, Yu. I. Atrashevsky, Tsvirko M. P., V. V. Sikorsky
DEVELOPMENT OF UV INDEX FORECAST PROCEDURE FOR MINSK REGION. pp. 15-25

Summary: In this paper we present the description of UV Index forecast procedure creation for Minsk region. The UV index forecasting procedure in Minsk is based on sun radiation transfer model UVSPEC from the software package LibRadtran version 0,99 by Arve Kylling and Bernhard Mayer. Predicted ozone, aerosol optical depth and surface albedo estimations, the time and date are the input parameters. The ozone prediction is based on regression equation between the total ozone amount and the average daily surface temperature alterations. The forecasted ozone value is defined by Xi + 1 = Xi + k·DTi, where Xi is the current ozone amount - ozone data provided by Minsk ozone station or the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), DTi = Ti + 1 - Ti is the temperature difference between the expected data and current values and k is the regression factor specified for each month. Statistical analysis for the years 1997-2002 has been used for k values determination. Forecasted ozone and other input data are used to forecast UVI for the clear sky conditions. Daily forecast cloudiness and Cloud Modification Factor (CMF) have been used for real sky condition procedure. UV Index maximal values for May-June in Minsk region are within 5...7 units. Average value for this period for the measured values of UV Index makes up 5,5. By the results of experimental approbation of the prognosis procedure, the value of an aggregate error of the prognosis of UV Index for the cloudless sky in summer can be estimated as near of 10 %.

Biological Resources

F. S. Pyatnitsa, Z. A. Rupasova, N. N. Ruban, A. P. Yakovlev, N. B. Pavlovsky, M. L. Stepanyuk
FRUCTIFICATION PARAMETERS OF BLUEBERRY BY OPTIMIZATION OF MINERAL SUPPLY IN BELARUS. pp. 26-33

Summary: For the first time the results of comparative investigations of productivity of generative sphere of three species of blueberry - early-, media- and late-ripening are given within the framework of field experiments with the 8-variant scheme of N60, P60, K60 application in southern and central agroclimatic regions of Belarus during a 4-year cycle of observations. It is shown, that on the background of annual fructification in southern agroclimatic area its frequency in the central area is defined by the rate of temperature contrasts in early autumn and late spring frosts, as well as in winter. Species and regional variations of productivity values and morphometrical characteristics of fetuses of the blueberry when adding mineral fertilizers a determined. The most efficient experiments have bee defined providing in the southern area of research an increase of crop of baccas in comparison with the control site of the order 50...58 %, at early-ripe - from 75 up to 89 %; in the central district - from 90...140 % - at early-ripe and 145...286 % - at media-ripe up to 119...316 % - at late-ripening kinds. In the central district of research positive reaction of all species of blueberry to application of the mineral fertilizers was marked which was due to by low level of natural fertility of bedrocks and increased in series from early-ripening to late-ripening species. Thus in both areas of research, the absence of positive effect or drop of productivity of blueberry was marked when adding only potassium fertilizer.

A. V. Alekhnovich, V. F. Kulesh
PROPOSALS ON THE RULES IMPROVEMENT OF CRAYFISH CATCH AND PROTECTION IN BELARUS. pp. 34-43

Summary: Rules of crayfish catch and protection in European countries and Belarus have been analyzed. It is suggested to legislatively change the rules of crayfish catch and protection in Belarus on the basis of the rules of catching native crayfish species and alien crayfish species should be different. Native crayfish species (narrow-clawed crayfish and noble crayfish) have always been a part of Belarusian fauna. American invader - spiny-cheek crayfish is an alien crayfish species and its presence in Belarusian water bodies is not desirable because it can be a bearer of crayfish plague. All rational measures to stop spiny-cheek crayfish breeding and minimize its number should be taken. There should be no catching restrictions concerning a season or quantity of spiny-cheek crayfish. Its breeding should be restricted. In Belarus sexual reproduction of narrow-clawed crayfish takes place at the end of autumn followed by laying eggs. Female bear eggs during winter and spring. Hatch is held since the end of May till June. These circumstances determine the terms of crayfish catching restrictions. Catching a crayfish should be regulated taking into account the sex of cray-fish species, expanding the terms of catching males. The size of caught narrow-clawed crayfish is recommended to keep without any changes: 9,0 cm (from eyes to the end of the telson) so the total length is 10,5 sm. The terms on restriction of catching narrow-clawed crayfish should be: females - 8,5 months from October 15 till July 1; males - from April 1 till July 1.

Mineral Resources

N. Bambalov
THE ROLE OF HYDRO-THERMAL FACTORS IN DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATERIAL AND PEAT FORMATION PROCESSES. pp. 44-52

Summary: Temperature and hydrological regimes, being determining factors of peat formation, can not be the reason of different values of peat decomposition degree because of long-term presence of dead plants in acrotelm layer under periodically changed conditions of aeration, moistening and temperature. Widely spread and included into textbooks hydro-thermal hypothesis contradicts many well known facts of growing and decomposition of plants in mire medium, as well as stratigraphy of peat deposits and their evolution in holocene. Hydro-thermal hypothesis explains only the reason of peat formation but it does not explain why peat has different degree of decomposition. This hypothesis would be correct for explanation of different values of peat decomposition degree if conditions of aeration and moistening are constant during all the time of the presence of dead plants in acrotelm. But there are no such conditions in the nature because of water level pulsation in biologically active layer of every peat deposit depending on weather conditions in different seasons, years and many-year cycles. It is evident that the reason of different values of peat decomposition degree should be found among other than hydrothermal factors of peat formation.

Nature Management

I. M. Bogdevich, J. V. Putyatin, T. M. Seraya, V. J. Ageyets, Yu. M. Zhuchenko, A. I. Kostyrko
EFFICIENCY OF COUNTERMEASURES DIRECTED TO DECREASE THE DOZE OF INTERNAL IRRADIATION OF THE POPULATION LIVING IN THE TERRITORY CONTAMINATED BY 137Cs. pp. 53-58

Summary: A villager uses in his diet 90 % of food produced in his household. Accordingly on the contaminated territories, an individual doze of internal irradiation is formed as a result of consumption of food from his household, especially milk and potato. The purpose of the study is to study the influence of countermeasures on the decrease of radionuclide transfer in the chain soil - grassy forage - milk and the doze of internal irradiation of the population living on the territory with 137Cs density of contamination - 555...1110 kBq m-2. Investigations were carried out in the settlement Svetilovichi, Vetka district, Gomel region in the years 2003-2004 on two experimental sites. Radical improvement of pastures included: application of lime (3 t/ha), application of extirpating herbicide, mechanical soil treatment, application of optimum rates of mineral fertilizers N60Р50...70К180...240 and seeding with highly productive pasturable grasses. Seeding rates of grass in the experiment were: tall fescue (Festuca pratensis) - 4 kg/ha, red fescue (Festuca rubra) - 4 kg/ha, timothy grass (Phleum pratense) - 6 kg/ha, dew-grass (Dactylis glomerata) - 7 kg/ha, white clover (Trifolium repens) - 3 kg/ha. Mixed fodder with the addition of 0,6 % Prussian Blue (ferrocine) has been entered into the diet of dairy herd at the rate of 0,5 kg for the cow per day. Soil, grass and milk samples were put into Marinelli beakers (1,0 L) and measured by gamma spectrometry with a HP-Ge detector Canberra GC4019 in a low-background environment. Relative uncertainty of 137Cs activity measurement in all samples was < 10 % (P = 95 %). Whole body (WB) measurements of the individual contents of 137Cs in inhabitants were conducted by SKG-02T spectrometer with NaI detector. The received results have been processed by the method of descriptive statistics. As a result of radical improvement of pastures, 137Cs accumulation by pasture grass decreased more than 2 fold. 137Cs specific activity of grass of the first experimental site decreased from 77 to 38 Bq/kg, of second site from 269 to 168 Bq/kg. The concentration of 137Cs in milk reduced on the average 3.3 fold. The first series of milk measurements (25 samples) before countermeasure were applied have shown that 137Cs contents in 15 milk samples exceeded the permissible in Belarus level 100 Bq L-1. Average values of 137Cs specific activity of milk were 132 Bq L-1 within 46...276 Bq L-1. The second series of milk measurements from the same cows after 2 months of Prussian Blue application demonstrated sharp decrease of 137Cs concentration in milk. Average values of 137Cs specific activity in milk was 40 Bq L-1 with fluctuations of 5...178 Bq L-1. As a result of countermeasure application internal doses of irradiation of adults of investigated group have decreased in women by 23 %, in men - by 9 %. The implementation of countermeasures is top-priority task for the radiation protection of inhabitants living on contaminated territories.

N. V. Novikova, A. L. Efremov
ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY AND BIOGENIC ABILITY OF SODDY-PALE-PODZOLIC SOILS OF MOGILYOV ENVIRONS. pp. 59-70

Summary: The purpose of the study is to trace specificity of biota functioning in the conditions of intensive technogenic load in the anthropogenically transformed woods and toxicity of weed growing in the surface cover. An a result of technogenic and recreation load, the anthropogenically transformed woods in the vicinity of Mogilyov represented by coniferous and broad-leaved forests have lost their original appearance, the structure of soil cover of oxalidosum, bilberry and moss phytocenosises is replaced by meadow and weeds with 90...95 % dominance of neetle gonochoristic Urtica dioica. The density of forest litter phytostructure of soddy-pale-podzolic soils in the anthropogenically transformed woods changes in accordance with the load of the anthropogenic regime which is more intensive in coniferous than in foliaceous plants. Biogenic mass of carbon in forest litter makes up 18...33 %, the least values are mainly characteristic for low-power, degraded, overgrown with neetle litters, while high values are recorded in middle powerful litters of spruce-oak plantations, in the soil horizons the contents of organic carbon makes up 1,3...2,5 %. The microbial biomass in 150 centimeter of soddy-pale-podzolic soils of the technogenically damaged coniferous and foliaceous plantations makes up 0,96...1,95 kg/м2, that is 7...12 % from the organic mass and 3...8 % from the mass of soil. High correlation interrelations between a biomass and enzymatic activity of soil microbiota (r = 0,72...0,82) are detected, high correlation coefficients between the biomass of biota and total phosphorus (r = 0,60), microbial biomass and the mass of organic matter (r = 0,75), the mass of biota and porosity (r = 0,97) are found. The intensity of decomposing of biogenic bonds in phyto substrata and soils is caused by power expenses of enzymatic pool of microbiota.

E. Y. Tratsevskaya
GEOLOGICAL GROUNDS OF THE ENGINEER PROTECTION OF GOMEL TERRITORY FROM UNDERFLOODING. pp. 71-77

Summary: On the basis of carried out works intended to develop the measures of engineering protection of Gomel territory from underflooding some measures were suggested. The main reason of underflooding of the urban territories is the water balance change under the influence of the factors caused by human activity. As a result, construction conditions and the conditions of the use of the built-up territory become more complicated and the ecological situation becomes much worse. The scale and the intensity of underflooding process caused by human activity is determined by the geological structure and the character of the load caused by human activity. According to the engineer and the geological conditions within the city four types of territories were singled out that have different geological environment reaction on underflooding: 1) flooded (during the spring high waters), 2) underflooded (during the spring high waters), 3) potentially underflooded (during the spring high waters if there are the sources of underflooding caused by human activity), 4) territories that are not underflooded. For each singled out type some problems were revealed that appear during engineering exploitation of the territory and the objects of the engineering defense. The main reasons of underflooding were defined and the main groups of factors were singled out which were caused by human activity that have influence on its development. The main reasons of underflooding caused by human activity are the following: additional infiltration feeding of the un-derground waters conditioned mainly by the systematic water leakage from the water communications and water leakage caused by the accidents; breach of the territory drainage conditions; breach of the underground flowing conditions. The territory engineer protection measures should be directed towards the main reasons of underflooding taking into consideration engineer and geological conditions of their formation. And only then one should pass to the protection from its consequences. In accordance with the singled out territory types, some measures were recommended which comprise the system of the city engineering protection.

T. I. Kukharchyk, S. V. Kakareka, A. V. Krylovich, M. I. Kozyrenko
SCIENTIFIC AND METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESULTS OF POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL INVENTORY IN BELARUS. pp. 78-86

Summary: In the paper scientific and methodological principles of the first polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) inventory conducted within the framework of the State Scientific-Technical Programme "Ecological Safety" are discussed. The PCB inventory was based on four main principles: detection of PCB-containing electric equipment taking into account their types and condition; coverage of different types of economic activity into PCBs inventory as much as possible; filling in questionnaires by enterprises. The criteria of enterprises selection, procedures of data collection, standard and methodological acts for PCBs inventory are given. About 1800 enterprises filled up the reports. It was revealed, that the following types of PCB-containing equipment are used or stored in the enterprises of Belarus: power transformers, power capacitors, barrels with PCBs and small capacitors. About 56 % of the total PCB volume is found in power transformers and 43 % - in power capacitors. Significant part of PCB-containing equipment up to the moment is no longer used in operation. The structure of PCBs and PCB-containing equipment distribution by departments and economy branches is given. It was established that the enterprises of the Ministry of Industry and concern "Belneftekhim" have the largest volume of PCBs. Besides the enterprises of the Ministry of Energy, Concern "Belbiofarm" and Concern "Bellegprom" are the owners of significant PCBs. The enterprises of different economy branches have PCB-containing equipment, including engineering industry, metal-working, chemical and oil chemical, electric power, light industry, food production, housing and communal services, etc. The heterogeneity of territoriall PCB distribution is shown. Mogilev region has one-fourth of the total amount of PCB, Minsk region and Minsk 16 % and 18 %, respectively. Assessment of the quality of PCBs inventory results is given.

Protected Objects of Nature

M. D. Moroz, I. Pakulnitska
WATER BEETLES OF FLOOD-PLAIN FORESTS OF THE NATIONAL PARK "PRIPYATSKI". pp. 87-92

Summary: Development of the faunistic research and making biodiversity inventory of specially protected natural territories is one of the most important scientific goals in the protection of the fauna of Belarus and Europe. The fauna of water beetles of flood-plain oak forests of the National Park "Pripyatski" was studied and 107 species of them were revealed belonging to the following families: Haliplidae - 7 species; Noteridae - 2; Dytiscidae - 62; Gyrinidae - 3; Hydrochidae - 3; Helophoridae - 5; Spercheidae - 1; Helophoridae - 18; Hydraenidae - 4; Scirtidae - 1 и Dryopidae - 1 species. The new ones in the fauna of Belarus proved to be: Agabus melanocornis ZIMMERMANN, 1915 и Laccophilus variegatus (GERMAR ET KAULFUSS, 1817). For the first time in the fauna of the National Park ten species of water beetles were registered: Hydrophilus planus (FABRICIUS, 1781); Agabus chalconotus (PANZER, 1797); Agabus clypealis (THOMSON, 1867); Agabus erichsoni GEMMINGER et HAROLD, 1868; Agabus subtilis ERICHSON, 1837; Ilybius aenescens THOMSON, 1870; Helophorus nanus STURM, 1836; Cymbiodyta marginella (FABRICIUS, 1792); Enochrus ochropterus (MARSHAM, 1802); Cercyon tristis (ILLIGER, 1801). It was concluded that the fauna of the taxons studied is rich and is represented not only by rare but also by the protected species of water beetles too. Dominating species among the members of the families Haliplidae were Haliplus ruficollis (5,56 % of a total number of water beetles); Noteridae - Noterus crassicornis (3,35 %); Dytiscidae - Hydroporus palustris (11,98 %); Gyrinidae - Gyrinus marinus (2,88 %); Hydrophilidae - Berosus luridus (3,69 %), Hydraenidae - Hydraena palustris (3,96 %), respectively. Members of other families were not numerous. The results obtained prove that flood plain oak forests of the National Park are of great importance as a model territory for plain landscapes of Europe.

Economics of Nature Management

A. Kabouchko
ENVIRONMENTAL PASSPORT SYSTEM AS THE INSTRUMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT OF TERRITORIES. pp. 93-97

Summary: The role of information in the process of environmental safety management of territories шs considered. Environmental passport system of territories and enterprises can be used as information basis for the environment safety management. The offers on the expediency of the present environmental passports improvement by supplying them with the economic information are presented.Economic indicators of industrial and economic activity, tax privileges connected to the environmental activity, expenses for implementation of nature protection measures, internal and external damage and payments to nature protection funds are given. It is noted that the information submitted to the economic block will create an opportunity to increase the optimum volume of expenses for the actions of industrial and ecological orientation, to assess ecological and economic effect of their implementation, to find financial and economic resources for indemnification of damage caused by economic activities. The offers on formation of the content of the problem and target block of the passport are directed to reveal, estimate and range environmental problems by the degree of importance. Possible directions of improving environmental passports of enterprises with the aim of providing the users with a greater volume of information about their influence on environmental condition of territories, opportunities of assessment of ecological and industrial potentials, opportunities of forecasting effects of economic activities on the environment are offered.

A. I. Danilchik, V. R. Pogotskaya, E. I. Malyshkina
SUBSTANTIATION OF THE METHODOLOGY FOR CALCULATING THE PREVENTED ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMICAL DAMAGE. pp. 98-105

Summary: The economical theory knows two main approaches to environmental and economical damage assessment connected with man-made impact on the environment: direct calculation and indirect (empirical) assessment. Methods of direct calculation are very complicated and demand specific data therefore not always they can be used in practice for calculation of prevented environmental and economical damage. The most complicated aspect of damage indirect assessment approach is the derivation of indicators of damage from a "standard" unit of conditional pollution, it means the specific indicators. Theoretically they can be derived through methods of direct calculation by dividing economic losses into appropriate emission (disposal) masses. But in the practice it is very difficult to do due to the problems related with collection and processing of the original information about such losses. Nevertheless, recently the increased interest to the environmental and economical damage derivation issue is observed. The results of such studies are often detailed or enlarged damage assessments within separate regions. It enables to give basis for and derive specific damage indicators from conditional pollution unit for different nature environments. Thus, the analysis of advantages and disadvantages of existing methodical approaches demonstrated that the most proper approach to derive prevented environmental and economical damage estimation is the indirect assessment. This method meets the requirements to similar indicators: it is oriented to get the true assessment of environmental and economical losses, quite simple for practical use and enables to get pollution damage value for any specific enterprise.

Scientific Communications

A. P. Platonov, S. G. Kovchur, I. I. Lishtvan, A. V. Grechanicov
BASIC TECHNOLOGY FOR COMPLEX UTILIZATION OF THERMAL POWER PLANT WASTE. pp. 106-109

Summary: The chemical contents of thermal power plant waste have been defined. The volume of hard metal contents has been defined by atomic-emission analysis. Waste utilization technology designed for the production of road construction materials and facade paint has been developed.

К. М. Mukina, L. L. Gonchar, E. L. Gribko, S. I. Bludov
SUGGESTIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICAL PAYMENT SYSTEM. pp. 109-110

Summary: Methodical recommendations have been developed on determination of payment for the use of surface water objects for power production and for recreation. The authors have developed a method of ecological taxation index for environmental pollutions because of the change in prices.

A. V. Martynenko, N. M. Oparina, G. Ch. Dushkina, N. I. Shut
ECOLOGICAL PASSPORT OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE TERRITORIAL UNIT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS. pp. 111-112

Summary: This normative document comprises the data expressed by a system of figures which reflect ecological, social and economical condition of the territory, natural resources, the degree of their use and their protection in administrative districts of Belarus.

Chronicle

O. S. Shimova, G. A. Kamyshenko
PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT: INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE

A. A. Shvetsov
NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

Jubilee

A. P. Ostapenya, L. M. Sushchenya, R. Z. Kovalevskaya
100th JUBILEE of G.G. VINBERG