In memory of the scientist :: OSTAPENYA Alexander Pavlovich

Alexander Pavlovich Ostapenya (29.01.1939, Minsk – 25.02.2012), a scientist in the field of hydrobiology. Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (1996), Doctor of Biological Sciences (1989), Professor (2005).

— Graduated from the Belarusian State University (1961).
— In 1965-1971 - Senior Researcher, 1971-1991 - Head of the Hydrobiology Sector of the Problem Research Laboratory of Experimental Biology of the Belarusian State University.
— In 1991-2001 and since 2005 - Head of the Research Laboratory of Hydroecology of the Biological Faculty of the Belarusian State University.
— In 2001-2005 - Director of the Interdepartmental Center of National Parks and Reserves of the Belarusian State University.

Major works in the field of hydrobiology. He substantiated the position that Seston is a structural unit and functional block of aquatic ecosystems, plays a key role in the most important mechanisms of the biotic circulation that determine the productivity of water bodies and the formation of water quality. Investigated the role of detritus in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. With his participation, a system for the environmental monitoring of the lakes of the Naroch Group was developed and implemented. Gave a quantitative assessment of the biotic circulation processes causing decontamination of water and restoration of the natural features of reservoirs contaminated with radionuclides.

Author of more than 200 scientific papers, incl. 3 monographs.

Awarded with the Francisk Skaryna Medal (2001).

Major papers:

Биологические процессы и самоочищение на загрязненном участке реки. Мн., 1972 (в соавт.).
Детрит и его роль в водных экосистемах // Общие основы изучения водных экосистем. Л., 1979.
Экологическая система Нарочанских озер. Мн., 1985 (в соавт.).
A mass-balance model for phosphorus in lakes accounting for biouptake and retention in biota (в соавт.) // Freshwater Biology. 2003. Vol. 48.