Natural Resources, 1999, 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; 1999

CONTENTS

Mineral Resources

Summary: Geological zoning of the Pripyat oil-bearing region (POBR) was made more accurately using new results of the sedimentary processes investigation, tectonic evolution of the Pripyat Trough, distribution of the organic material in the geological sequence, degree of their catagenetic transformation, calculation oJ the density of the migrational and emigrational bitlimes, distribution of collectors, oil deposits and their indications. Models of oil and gas formation are created in different statigraphical complexes on the basis of space and time correlations between the places of hydrocarbon formation and collector characteristics of rocks and distribution of oil and gas traps. It has been established that practically in all areas of the Pripyat Trough formation of oil deposits coincides with the stage of relatively stable evolution of these areas. The regions of economic and perspective oil accumulation are suggested. Zones of economic (mining the oil deposits), expected (by a complex of criteria) and possible (by special criteria) oil deposits are motivated within the oil-bearing areas. There are in total 20 zones including 11 oil deposits and 14 places including 3 oil deposits. The directions of oil prospecting works that might lead to opening new oil deposits are motivated on the basis of new geological zoning of the Pripyat oil-hearing region.

Anoshko Ya.I., Bordon V.E., Matveyev A.V., Olkhovik E.T.
Cenozoic polymineral placers in the south of Belarus. pp. 16--22

Summary: A comprehensive study of the geochemical field of the platform cover within the East European Platform has been carried out at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The results of this study were used to elaborate the strategy of buried deposit prospecting under the conditions of covered regions. A concept of the local forecast of polymineral placer deposits by brood dispersion haloes of the trace elements and from mineral clarke values has been developed. Conditions of the formation of Cenozoic placers in the south of Belarus hove been discussed. The formation, lithologic-fades and tectonic factors were proved to be of major importance in the distribution of titanium and zircon placers within the East European Platform. A forecast map of Cenozoic deposits of Belarus promising for polymineral placers has been compiled and substantiated by research data. The map shows zones of probable occurrence of commercial concentrations of ilmenite, rutile and zircon. The most abundant heavy minerals have been comprehensively described, their morphology, safety, relation to other minerals, etc. have been specially characterized. It has been revealed that Paleogene and Neogene sands hold the greatest promise as sources of the abovesaid minerals that occur selectively in seacaast wash zones, as weil as in channel and deltaic environments. The Southern zone promising for polymineral placers with two most attractive sites (Southern and Glushkovichy ones), as well as Brest and Zhitkovichy areas have been outlined. Some key sites located in the south of the Republic of Belarus within the areas promisingfor polymineral placers have been studied in details. These sites are located to the west of the town of Zhifkovichy, southeast of Gomel, as well as in southwestern regions of Belarus.

Water Resources

Summary: On the basis of multy-year hydrometeorological temperature, precipitation, wind velocity observations, regime observations of surface and underground wafers statistical analysis of the change of their quantitative characteristics was carried out. Assessment of multy-year change and hydrographs of the rivers drainage of West Dvina, Dnieper, Neman and Pripyat was done. The rivers drainage change was found to he related to the change of characteristics of general circulation of the atmosphere and climate, as well as to various types of technogenic impact. Considerable enhancement of rivers drainage consumption in the periods with low speed wind and enhancement of drainage of the Pripyat during active amelioration period was marked. Under the impact of technogenic factors the chemical composition of surface and underground wafers has changed. The macrocomponents contents in surface waters (sulphates, natrium and potassium chlorides) 2...3 times exceeds the background concentrations and breakes the limit of their natural oscillations. Decrease of radionuclides concentrations in surface waters in Pripyat, Dnieper, Sozh and Iput by 7, 5, 26 and 33 times respectively is observed if compared to the after-Chernobyl period. Anthropogenic contamination of undeground wafers (agricultural, communal-household and industrial) fakes effect with the highest intensify in ground waters and inter-stratum wafer-carrying complexes of Quaternary deposits. Sites of the most contaminated undeground wafers on the territory of Belarus are given and reasons of their ecological state violation are indicated.

Cherepansky M.M.
Hydrogeological prognosis of groundwater abstraction impact on river flow. pp. 39--51

Summary: In the conditions of interrelaion of surface and ground waters the abstraction of the latter can result in the changes of river flow. The prognosis of river reduction value during ground water abstraction for long-term periods is usually carried out by hydrodynamic methods. In recent years the numeric computer modeling became wide spread. It is based on the solution of differential equation system supplemented by corresponding system of initial and final conditions, describing the process of ground water filtration by the final difference method (FDM). When carrying out the hydrogeological prognosis by the numeric modeling method real natural conditions should be introduced as a computation chart. The calculation of the computation chart is a result of stage-by-stage work, resulting in the consecutive range of models: hydrogeologic, geofiltration, gydrodynamic, mathematic, net (grid), final-difference, numerical (computation). As a result we receive numeric (graphic) charts/diagrams of calculated (modeled) values of parameters and characteristics of present and prognosis hydrogeological conditions. In order to get the calculated and present models adequate to the natural object they are corrected in the result of solution the number of inverse stationary problems and epignos modeling. The corrected model reflecting present conditions is the base for carrying out the prognosis calculations. In order to carry out the prognosis of ground water abstraction impact on river flow the laboratory of ground water use and protection elaborated a number of programs: MKP0 and MKP3, automated systems AS "Sand-pit" (1992-1993), AS "Water Make" (1994-1995), programs МKР-95, MKP-97 and system of special Software SPS (1997-1998) and "Multifunctional automated system of ground wafer flow modeling and of assessment of abstraction impact on environment" (MAS) (1997-1999). The elaborated programs and automated systems are widely used at making prognosis of water discharge impact from sand-pits Gralevo (1983, 1989), Minsky (1988-1991) and Khotislavsky (1988-1992) and ground water intakes Belevichy and Gulevichy (1985), South-Voronezhsky (1990-1991), Vitskovshchina (1993), Drazhnya (1993-1994), Novinky (1995), Petrovshchina (1996), Karabanovsky (1997-1998). The results of prognoses formed the base for elaboration of water protection and small river restoration projects.

Biological Resources

Summary: In 1915-1925, 4000 wolves were registered in the republic. In 1930's, 25...30% from the registered number were shot annually and this number decreased to 2500...3000. By the end of World War II the number of wolves was near 4 000 within the present borders of Belarus. In 1946-1950, 2840 wolves were shot annually. Decline of harvest started from 1970, when 243 wolves were killed by people. Decline of the wolf number continued during 1967-1968, when near 420 wolves were registered. Decline of the harvest, campaign for wolf protection, increasing densities of ungulates, all this resulted in the increase of wolf number by 12...37% and 2850 predators were registered in 1979. The highest number of wolves (2680) were killed in 1980. In 1980-1988, 77...105 % wolves from the number before begining biological year were harvested and the wolf number decreased annually from 1.5 to 9 per cent. In 1989, 1720 wolves were registered. In 1990s deep economic crisis led to sharp harvest decline by 40 % from the registered number. In 1996-1998, 2100--2200 wolves were registered in Belarus according to the official statistics, but actually it might be two times as much. The density of wolves is different in northern, central and southern parts of Belarus. Protective conditions are more important in the northern part of the republic, feeding and protective conditions are important in the central part and only feeding conditions are more important in the southern part. This is due to different natural factors and antropogenic impact.

Deryabina T.G.
Game: nutritional value, danger of consumption (elk as example). pp. 60--67

Summary: The content of 10 macro- and trace elements was determined in muscles and tissues of interior organs of Elks from Belarus regions with different level of anthropogenic impact. Elk meat was rich in Mg and in, heart tissue -- Mg and Сu. The largest concentrations of Fe, Сu, Mn, Pb were in liver, Ca, Mg and Cd -- in kidneys. Fe and Zn content was higher in Elk meat than in beef and pork. Pb and Cd content was higher than in meat of domestic animals (cows and pigs). Increase in Cd concentrations in kidneys with the animal age was revealed. If restricts kidneys consumption. Cd content in kidneys of young animals was 0.53 ppm (wet weight), in adults -- 4.08 ppm, that is to say almost 8 times higher. The differences in elements content in elks from different regions were revealed in connection with the diet peculiarities as well as environmental contamination. Maximum level of dangerous toxicants (Pb and Cd) was in tissues of Elks from Minsk region (the territory with intensive anthropogenic contamination): Pb in liver -- 17.04 ppm (mean 0.96); Cd in kidneys -- 9.54 (mean 2.82). Pb concentrations in Elks from Minsk region and Cd concentrations in Elks from all investigated regions were higher than toxical levels of these elements in meat for human consumption. But there is no threat for human health in Belarus, except for hunters and their families, because of small amount of game and rare consumpton.

Ecologically Safe and Resource-Saving Technologies

Summary: Microfertilizers play an important role in forming high yields of flax and high quality of flax production. They are especially good for long-stalked flax cultivation with the use of intensive technologies, as well as for over-limed soils with low mobility and accessibility of the majority of microelements leading to affection of the flax by calcium chlorosis. The article generalizes the results of the research conducted in 1986-1997, dealing with rational use of microfertilizers for growing long-stalked flax on the sward-podzolic loamy soils of the Mogilev region with different degrees of acidity. It has been established that microelements application methods and doses depend on the content of microelements in the soil and the degree of its acidity. On soils poor in microelements one should apply microfertilizers with macroelements before sowing; on soils with the average content of microelements one should apply microfertilizers with additional fertilizers by incrustation or in the earliest period; they are not applied on the soils with the high content of microelements. The microelements application, based on scientific methods secure obtaining high yields and high qualify of flax, irrespective of meteorological conditions of the region.

Nature Management

Summary: Palynological and geochemical analysis were used for investigating the sediment of the lakes Medvezhino and Shchuchino. Evolution of the vegetation, climate and sedimentation confirm the development of Medvezhino from DR-3 and Shchushino from AT. The peculiarities of the structute of the spectra expressed in the maximum of Pinus and Betula in DR-3; Pinus -- PB-1; Picea -- PB-2; Retula -- BO-1; Pinus, Betula and Quercetum mixtum -- BO-2, Quercetum mixtum (Ulmus), Alnus, Corylus -- AT-1; Quercetum mixtum, Alnus, Corylus, Picea, Pinus -- AT-2, Quercetum mixtum (Ulmus, Quercus, Tilia), Alnus, Corylus -- AT-3; Pinus -- SB-1; Picea -- SB-2, Pinus -- SA-1; Picea -- SA-2; Pinus -- SA-1; the rational curve of Picea with AT-1, tha late development of the curve of Alnus in the relation to pollen Quercetum mixtum, the predomination of Ulmus among of broadleawed plants, great role of Alnus during AT, SB and SA, weak expression by pollen of the anthropogenic influence (in SA) on the environment and sharp expression by concentration Pb, Сu, Mn, Ni. In the lake Medvezhino in PB-1 there was sedimentation of the undersapropel peat. These peculiarities bear witness about the common, regional and local factors on the change of natural environment of watercollection and waterbodies.

Kolmykov V.F., Chizh D.A.
Land use location influence on agricultural production efficiency. pp. 88--93

Summary: The problem of land use location influence on agricultural production efficiency is shown on the example of slate and collective farms of Vitebsk region. This investigation is topical because of the clear territorial character of land withdrawal from this type of farms. It leads to the breaks in the structure of main production factors, which in its turn affects the effectiveness of land use. The investigation is carried out using the statistical data of 341 farms of Vitebsk region obtained during 1996-1997. The resuits of farm classification show that the location of a farm more influences production factors while land fertility influences the indicators of farm production effectiveness. As a result of the investigation correlative models of the cost of gross revenue depending on the main production factors were built. They show that the farther the farm is from the district center the higher is gross revenue. With the help of correlation and regression analysis the effect of "middle" land use location and ifs influence on resource potential and the effectiveness of its use were determined. It means that farms, which are situated 10...24 km from an administrative centre, have actual costs of gross revenue higher than it was expected and farms, which are located next to the centre, have lower costs. This happens because of different speed and size of land withdrawal from collective and state farms. In the areas located close to towns the land is taken for construction of individual houses and dachas and it leads to excessive number of buildings and lack of landfor feed production. In distant from administrative centers areas some lands are overgrown with bushes and turn into swamp. To help the development of rural territories, it is necessary to use different subsidies and privileges, rates of land tax, change specialization of specific farms. These problems should be justified in special prognosis and design land management documents.

Kabushko A.M., Vermeenko T.D.
New methods of ecological safety provision. pp. 94--101

Summary: Increasing human intervention in the environment requires application of regulation methodical systems not only for elimination but for reduction of pollution as well. There are new methods of ecological protection regulation including independent estimation of Me ecology level for various natural, industrial and producing systems, as well as insurance of pollution risks. Methodical basis is given for the offered methods usage of the ecological protection provision, that allows to reduce the degree of the negative influence on the environment. Organization-financial mechanism of the mentioned methods is suggested. The possibilities and opportunities of the ecological audit and insurance, which are taken from the foreign experience are analysed for their use in Belarus. The ways of ecological audit and insurance creation are given. The realization of a steady development strategy in Belarus presupposes a balanced solution of social-economic tasks and preservation problems of our surroundings. Ignorance of ecological problems during a long period of time led to the emergence of ecological calamity zones, the exhaustion of many lands of natural resources, the growing amount of surrounding contamination. The solution of these problems and the necessity of providing ecological security of the state are impossible without reorientation the governing process from the traditional adoption of decisions in different branches to their economic-ecological basing aimed not only at the liquidation, but also at preventing the reduction lever of natural resources contamination. In the unique combination of methods for providir ecological security an important significance is played by ecological audit and insurance. In this article we try to ground in the connection the necessity and the goal of application of these governing methods in the Republic of Belarus, analyze their social-economic essence, organizing and financial mechanism of realization, the subject and object, examine the granted various consultative services. We also listed the preconditions of development and distribution of the procedures of ecological audit and ecological insurance in industrial-developed countries, threw light on clamed demands. We proposed the possible directions of development of ecological audit and insurance in the republic of Belarus, analyzed the conditions of their putting into management practice on the basis of elaboration and affirmation of the corresponding standard-legal ground, accounting the principles ISO 14000 and other international requirements. Some programmes are being considered which are aimed at realization of analyzed types of activity, bounds, system of corresponding indices and data as a basis of optimizing the regional activity of the society.

Vlasov B.P., Dudko G.V., Gigevich G.S., Leshkovich L.E.
Working out proiects of water conservation zones and lake bank strips of Naroch group lakes. pp. 102--110

Summary: Prime practical and economic measure aimed at conservation lake waters and their prevention from simporerishmend and pollution is to work out projects of creation water conservation zones and bank strips around water reservoirs. The complex of nature conservation steps carried out at the catchments of Lakes Naroch, Miastro and Batorino has given positive results and resulted in improvement of the ecological situation of the basin. Decrease of anthropogenic activity has resulted in improving the quality of the water. The available legal documents, results of the estimate of currently existing ecological systems ami economic utilization of land, original relief form maps considering the features of soil and plant соver within the catchments of waterreservoirs and watercourses constitute methodical basis of the activities directed to creating water conervation zones and lake bank strips. The article lists sources of polluting Lakes Naroch, Miastro and Batorino as well as principal water conservation measures against harmful effect of pollution.

Protected Objects of Nature

Summary: The investigation of water insect fauna of the projected landscape reserve "Olmany Wetlands" was carried out. Investigated huge tracts of forests and bogs are situated in the central part of Polesie (the Republic of Belarus) between the rivers Lva and Stviga. The total area of the projected reserve is about 160 sq. k. 56 species of water insects were discovered. On the basis of the investigation results the conclusion was made that fauna of water insects of the projected reserve is relatively rich and is presented not only by species rare for both Belarus and Europe, but also the species, which were discovered in the republic for the first time. Investigation carried out confirmed the necessity of putting the studied territory underprotection.

Scientific Communications

Summary: Investigation of the annual harmonics of temperature series for the period of instrumental observations at a number of meteostations of Belarus has been done. Analysis of the results shows the Belarus continental climate to decrease and its variability to increase, which is due mainly to the increase and variability of winter temperatures. Certain reduction (ah. 0.1 degree C) of the annual temperature variation for the past 40 years under the anthropogenic impact is also marked. The highest indices of the annual temperature course amplitude coincide with the period of the least volcanic activity during 30s--40s.

Terentiev A.A., Tomson A.E., Lipskaya T.I., Sokolova N.E., Sokolova T.V., Pekhtereva V.S.
Some aspects of peat oil sorbents production. pp. 122--126

Summary: The struggle against oil pollution of the environment requirtes the creation of resource-saving and economically profitable technologies of peat oil sorbents production. From the point of view of scientifically substantiated approach to this issue, the impact of various factors (moisture, dispersion ability and thermal treatment) upon the peat sorption properties toward oil and wafer has been considered in this paper. It has been shown that the main factors in the creation of peat- based oil sorbents are its structure and hydrophobic ability. Oil absorption by peat is in inverse proportion to the material bulk density, the reduction of which from 190 to 126 kg/m³ results in the increase of oil absorption from 4.09 to 5.84 kg/kg. The rise of drying temperature up to 130°C promotes hydrophobisation of peat and allows 2.3 fold over-all moisture capacity reduction of the material (at 20% initial samples moisture content). Freezing of samples results in the rise of water and oil absorption, this being stipulated by peal structural features. This proves again the regulation of sorbents properties to be started from the initial raw material structure change. Based on the research results, some optimal conditions of peal oil sorbents creation have been obtained: raw peat moisture content 10... 15%, particles size 0.5... 3.0 mm, drying temperature 130°C.

Pinchuk N.N.
Geologo-economic assessment of the underground fresh water deposits. pp. 126--128

Summary: Involving in the natural water exchange system "precipitations -- surface and underground run off -- evaporation" of large quantities of technogenic admixtures, as well as their accumulation on soil and bottom sediment surfaces is the factor of stable contamination of surface and, partly, underground water. The article is devoted lo some aspects of ecological-economic and social assessment of effectiveness of underground water resource utilization as portable water source within the Ukranian territory taking into consideration technogenic factors. The author proposes the new method of annual dynamics of the underground water resource index calculation which takes into consideration integral influnce of the technogenic factors. There is a calculation scheme and equations for ecological-economic assessment of underground water utilization in comparison with surface water resources. This model lakes into account local population illnesses and water ecological risk. Besides, additional account illustrates new economic effects of fresh underground water utilization due to the reduction of expenses for cleaning and preparation of water before pumping it into water pipelines.

Rupasova Zh. A., Ignatenko V.A., Vasilevskaya T.I., Varavina N.P., Rudakovskaya R.N., Kukhareva L.V.
Biochemical composition of Vinca minor L. when introduced in the conditions of Belarus. pp. 129--136

Summary: Accumulation rate and variation range of the content of main fractions of soluble sugars, pectic substances, amylum, cellulose, free organic and chlorogenic acids, vitamin C, fat oils, antocianic pigments, catechins, flavonols, tanning substances and lignins have been determined in some organs and overground phytomass of Vinca minor L. during vegetation period when introduced in soil and climatic conditions of Belarus for the first time. It has been estalished that biochemical composition of overground phytomass of Vinca minor L. in the conditions of Belarus is marked by expressive lability during vegetation period with the following range of biologically active substance content variation (in dry substance): soluble sugars -- 3.4... 5.9%, including glucose -- 0.5... 0.9%, fructose -- 0.9... 1.5%, saccharose -- 1.9... 3.7%, pectic substances --5.5... 8.2%, including hydropectin -- 0.8... 1.8%, protopectin -- 4.6... 7.3%, amylum -- 2.1... 2.5%, cellulose -- 19.7... 28.3%, free organic acids -- 2.0... 3.1%, ascorbic acid -- 214... 410 mg%, chlorogenic acids -- 1502... 2393 mg%, bioflavonoides -- 870... 1730 mg%, including antocianic pigments-12.7... 15.6 mg%, catechins -- 296... 445 mg%, flavonols -- 486... 1291 mg%. tanning substances --2.7... 3.4%, lignins -- 15.3... 20.3%, fat oils -- 3.8... 4.8%, ursolic acid -- 1.1... 2.1%. Profiling tendencies in seasonal dynamics of the mentioned biologically active substances in some organs and overground phytomass in the whole. It has been shown that during vegetation period decrease of the content of soluble sugars, free organic, ascorbic and chlorogenic acids, flavonols, fat oils and ursolic acid takes place in overgropind phytomass. Although for pectins, catechins, tanning substances and lignins the highest level of accumulation was determined in the second half of the season. Considering the features of biochemical composition of Vinca minor L. it is reasonable lo use its overground mass primarilv as a source of terpenoids, fat oils and ursolic acid and in a lower degree for pectic substances, vitamin С and chlorogenic acids.

Kravchuck L.A., Kakareka S.V.
Experience of indicator estimation of air pollution in the city of Gomel. pp. 136--140.

Summary: The experience of use of various lichenoindication parameters (a cover, species number, index of poleotolerance) is analyzed in the article for the estimation of air pollution of Gomel. For this city such a research is carried out for the first time. On the basis of the data received as a result of two-level monitoring of lichens in Belarusian cities the connections of lichenoindication parameters with different pollutants of the air were estimated. It is revealed, that the index of poleotolerance, species number reflect in the first place strong concentration of acidification pollutants (SO₂, NO₂). The connection of the concentration of specific pollutants (H₂S, CS₂, formaldehyde) with all lichenoindicafion parameters is weak. For Gomel, the factor of cross-correlation of the index of poleotolerance (IP) with the index of air pollution (IAP) is rather high. Therefore the IP structure in Gomel reflects complex air pollution in the city. Ifs spatial characteristics are caused by the availability of enterprises -- emitters and basic transport flows in the northwest and central parts of the city.

Galai E.I.
Changes of physical and chemical properties of soil under the influence of highly mineralized waters. pp. 140--145

Summary: Interaction of cations and anions of highly-mineralized waters and soil causes certain changes of the soil absorbing complex. The rate of sorption of natural brines in sod-podsol and peat soils is defined. The influence of PWC on the acidity of soil and electric conductivity is shown. Electric hysteresis while watering or drying soil is determined by sorption of polyvalent ions by soil absorbing complex. The rate of sorption increases with the increase of the quantity of ions of polyvalent metals in brines.

Chronicle

Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. pp. 149--158