Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geography. Geoecology

Biological and Ecosystem Diversity in the Steppe Agricultural Landscape of Southern Russia

Elena G. Koroleva — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to assess the biological and ecosystem diversity in the southern steppe agricultural landscapes with a high proportion of arable lands on the example of the Beloglinsky district of the Krasnodar Region for the development of environmental approaches and measures. Materials and methods. Field surveys were conducted in 2023 using route fl oristic and faunistic surveys, geobotanical descriptions and registration of visual encounters and traces of animal activity. Regional Red Data Books, cartographic modeling, remote sensing and GIS technologies were used when processing the material. Results and discussion. For the fi rst time, a comprehensive biogeographical study and mapping of natural ecosystems in the steppe agricultural landscape was carried out. Most of the preserved fragments (forest and steppe areas, fl oodplains and slopes of river valleys, overgrown ravines and gullies, forest belts, boundaries, wastelands) occupy no more than 7 % of the area, but fulfi l a variety of ecological roles: biocenotic, refugium, buff er, transit. As characteristic landscape elements of the steppe agrocenosis, they, along with natural monuments, support a diversity of plant and animal communities, including rare species, and can form the basis of the ecological network of the region. Conclusion. Ecological approaches and low-cost measures for the conservation of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape of southern Russia have been developed on the basis of cartographic models of three large-scale levels (regional, basic and local). They are applicable in the steppe and forest-steppe agricultural regions of Russia.

The Infl uence of Technogenic Landscapes on the Concentration of Chemical Elements in Artemisia Gmelinii in the Trans-Baikal Region

Vladimir P. Makarov — 2025-06-02

The purpose of the research is to fi nd out the infl uence of technogenic landscapes in the ore region on the concentration of chemical elements in plants using the example of Artemisia gmelinii. Materials and methods. The concentration of vital (Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Mo, Co) and toxic elements (As, Pb, Cd, Bi Sb) has been determined in Artemisia gmelinii. The research was carried out in the area of the Sherlovogorsky ore district in the south-east of the Trans-Baikal Region. Plant samples were taken during the fl owering period of Artemisia gmelinii, in natural areas and man-made territories. The determination of the contents of chemical elements in plants was performed at the Kosygin Khabarovsk Institute of Tectonics and Geophysics of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the ICP-MS Elan 9000 PerkinElmer device (USA) by the method of acid decomposition of HDPE F 16.1:2.3:3.11-98. Results and discussion. It was found that Artemisia gmelinii growing in natural-technogenic and quarry-dump landscapes contained signifi cantly more Zn, Mo, Co, Co, Pb, Cd, As, Sb and Bi in relation to the natural habitats of the plant. The maximum content of Mn was found in natural communities in Artemisia gmelinii. In Artemisia gmelinii, the concentration of Pb, Cd and As in technogenic landscapes exceeded the maximum permissible content in medicinal raw materials. In natural plant communities, the content of these elements did not exceed the established norm. Conclusions. Artemisia gmelinii, growing in technogenic landscapes in the ore districts of the Transbaikal Region, contains higher concentrations of a number of elements, including toxic ones.

Conjugation of Geosites with Water Bodies (on the Example of the Belaya River Basin, the Western Caucasus)

Anna V. Mikhailenko — 2025-06-02

The purpose of the study is to determinate of the importance of water bodies for in-situ objects of geological heritage (geosites) in a particular territory and testing a new approach for its evaluation. Materials and methods. The work is based on the results of fi eld studies of geosites and conjugated water bodies in the Belaya River basin in the Western Caucasus. The proposed approach is based on a parameter-score evaluation. Results and discussion. Twenty geosites of the study area are conjugated with water bodies (rivers and streams, waterfalls, lakes and artifi cial lakes, glaciers and snowfi elds). The former diff er substantially by the abundance of the latter. It is signifi cant in fi ve geosites and insuffi cient in seven geosites. The concentration of lakes with high aesthetic properties and peculiar accessibility in the Lagonaki Highland increases the signifi cance of this geosite. The results are important to the more comprehensive understanding of geological heritage, as well as for the determination of the geosites importance to usage for the purposes of science, education and tourism. Conclusions. Water bodies increase value of geosites. Their presence permits to establish the related type of geological heritage in geosites and makes them attractive aesthetically. As the research has shown, it is promising to further study the contiguity of geosites with various non-geological objects of the natural environment and their physiographic interpretation in general.

Current Population Trends in the Tambov Region

Lyubov A. Abramova — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to assess current trends in population change in the Tambov region, the reasons for their formation, and potential consequences for the region's economy. Materials and methods. The source material was state statistical reporting data, on the basis of which the indicators of natural increase and decrease in the population, birth and death rates were calculated. Results and discussion. In recent decades, most regions of the Russian Federation have seen population decline. This is partly due to long-term trends that formed after the Second World War, and partly due to the socio-economic characteristics of recent decades. The population of the region has demonstrated a steady downward trend since the middle of the last century. Over the past three decades, it has decreased by 25,4 % from 1,312,283 people in 1991 to 956,292 as of January 1, 2024. Natural decline is typical for all municipalities in the region. In most municipalities, the value of the general coeffi cient of natural loss fl uctuates within the range of -11,3 ‰…-17,8 ‰. Conclusions. The main reason for this is the signifi cant excess of mortality rates over birth rates, as well as signifi cant migration outfl ow. Despite all the measures taken, it has not yet been possible to change the situation radically, which is due, fi rstly, to the insuffi ciently high effi ciency of the measures taken, and, secondly, to the inertia characteristic of demographic processes.

Industrial Tourism at Light Industry Enterprises

Tatyana A. Balina — 2025-06-02

The purpose is spatial diagnostics of the development of industrial tourism as one of the areas of renovation of light industry. Materials and methods. The data of offi cial statistics and expert survey on the development of industrial tourism in the regions of Russia were analyzed, and the share of light industry enterprises participating in the development of tourism was determined. Results and discussion. Light industry is a problematic, but popular and dynamically developing sector of the Russian economy. One of the promising mechanisms for its structural and territorial renovation is industrial tourism, which allows for the formation of regional brands, popularization of products, attraction of investors, buyers and employees. Risks and threats that hinder the implementation of tourism activities at light industry enterprises have been identifi ed, including additional workload on personnel, complication of reporting, technological arrangement of safe stay of visitors. An expert survey has shown that there are a number of specifi c problems for the development of tourism at small enterprises, prevailing in the light industry. Conclusion. The research showed that industrial tourism is a new and promising direction for some sectors of the economy, including light industry, but there are hidden problems that need to be taken into account when planning. Sustainable trends and real opportunities for the transition of light industry to a new level of development were identifi ed, taking into account openness and accessibility for potential investors and consumers.

Assessment of Economic and Geographical Position of Cities and Regions Using Geospatial Artifi cial Intelligence

Viktor I. Blanutsa — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to build a geospatial artifi cial intelligence system to assess the economic-geographical position and to test this system in determining the position of regions in the modern grid of administrative-territorial division of the Russian Federation and the position of urban settlements of the Irkutsk region in the future network of Tactile Internet. Materials and methods. The political map of Russia, Rosstat data on the population and information on telecommunication lines of the Irkutsk region (as of January 1, 2024) were used. Data mining algorithms, a method for assessing the neighborhood situation and a method for calculating the delay in data transmission between settlements were used. Results and discussion. Geospatial artifi cial intelligence systems have been created to assess the position of the region in the grid of the administrative-territorial division of the country and the position of the city in the Tactile Internet network. A quantitative assessment of the neighborhood situation of 89 regions of Russia was obtained using two coeffi cients of importance of remote neighbors. The internet-tactile position (in terms of the number of potential subscribers) of urban settlements in the Irkutsk Region has been determined. Conclusions. The developed systems allow real-time analysis of two particular types of economic-geographical position. To create an integrated assessment system for all types of economic-geographical position of territorial objects, it will be necessary to move from the existing paradigm of artifi cial narrow intelligence to the paradigm of artifi cial general intelligence.

Urban Population Dynamics in the Republic of Bashkortostan: Current Trends

Ilnur V. Zakirov — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to analyse urbanization processes in the Republic of Bashkortostan, to characterise the peculiarities of urban population dynamics in the Republic of Bashkortostan and to identify its relevant trends that determine the current tendencies in urban development. Materials and methods. Statistical data on the dynamics of the population by cities of the Republic of Bashkortostan were used to analyze current trends. Graphs method was used to visualize the dynamics of urbanization processes. Economic-geographical methods played an important role in solving the set tasks: description, comparative-geographical, and geo-information methods. Results and discussion. Urbanization processes in Bashkortostan are developing slowly. The importance of large cities and agglomerations is increasing, while the role of small towns and urban-type settlements is decreasing. Factors infl uencing the level of urbanization in Bashkortostan were identifi ed: the sectoral structure of the economy, historical and cultural features, and the level of industrialization. Conclusion. The Republic of Bashkortostan is characterized by urbanization processes that showed insignifi cant development rates during the analyzed period. Despite some stagnation in the development of the urban settlement system, there has been an increase in the share of the urban population in the republic over the past 30 years. This process is accompanied by the concentration of residents in large cities and agglomerations, while small and medium-sized towns face challenges related to limited growth opportunities.

Peculiarities of the Urban Settlement System in the Central Black Soil Region

Andrey A. Olomsky — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to identify the peculiarities of the urban settlement system in the Central Black Soil Region as an important transit region of the country. Materials and methods. The article is based on the analysis of the Strategy of Spatial Development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 with a forecast up to 2036, Strategies of socio-economic development of the regions of the studied region. The article uses theoretical provisions refl ecting the problems of spatial development of the country, the polarization of settlement, including urban, the analysis of regional settlement systems. Results and discussion. The development of the urban settlement system in the Central Black Soil Region is associated with the peculiarities of the nodal and linear elements that create the supporting framework. The main transport highways are described, at the intersection of which settlements are located, supporting the socio-economic potential of the region and ensuring the effi cient use of transport infrastructure. It has been revealed that Voronezh is a key settlement hub in the Central Black Soil Region. From it, the urban areas extend to a signifi cant part of the Voronezh Region, to the Belgorod and Lipetsk Regions, and through Michurinsk, to the Tambov Region. Along with the positive trends that have developed, the Central Black Soil Region, like many other regions, is characterized by a high level of intraregional diff erences, which is manifested in the presence of areas that are insuffi ciently provided with cities and transport infrastructure. Conclusions. The Central Black Soil Region, as one of the transit regions of Russia, is a connecting link that binds the settlement space of European Russia. Despite the grid of nodes and lines that has formed, it traces areas devoid of strong centers.

Rural Settlements “Without Population” in the Kursk Region: Location, Peculiarities, Transformation

Lyudmiva I. Popkova — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to analyse the spatial distribution of rural settlements without population in Kursk Region, their dynamics and key peculiarities. Materials and methods. The object of the study was 335 rural settlements of the Kursk Region, offi cially included in the category «without population» according to the results of the All-Russian Census of 2020. To study the dynamics, materials from the 2002 and 2010 censuses were also used. In the course of the work, the following methods were used: statistical, analysis of satellite images, historical-geographical, cartographic. Results and discussion. The diff erentiation of the growth rates of rural settlements «without population» in the Kursk Region was revealed – both in space and in time. It was found that the spatial localization of rural settlements «without population» in the Kursk Region is heterogeneous; most of them are concentrated in fi ve areas, mainly confi ned to watershed ridges and the upper reaches of small rivers. The specifi city also lies in the species diversity of the studied settlements: farmsteads, villages, settlements and hamlets are dying out, and the farmstead settlement system is the least sustainable. It is traced that almost all areas belong to a certain type of settlement. In addition, using remote typology, it was found that 32 % of all rural settlements «without population» have at least seasonal residents, and 50 % are again occupied by natural landscapes. The distribution of these types across the districts is also uneven. Conclusion. In the foreseeable future, the current trend towards an increase in the number of rural settlements ‘without population’ will continue in the Kursk Region, but its pace will slow down.

Physical-Geographical and Economic Factors of Solar Microgeneration Effi ciency in the European Part of Russia

Adam I. Skafarik — 2025-06-02

The purpose is an investigation of one of the niches for the use of renewable energy in Russia – microgeneration solar-power stations. In particular, an assessment of the infl uence of physical-geographical and economic factors on the economic effi ciency of solar microgeneration systems (SMS) in the European part of Russia. Materials and methods. Modeling of SMS operation was carried out taking into account natural conditions (solar resources and temperature) in a number of regions of the European part of Russia. A residential building and an offi ce are considered as the typical electricity consumers. Results and discussion. Regions with an optimal combination of natural and tariff conditions have been identifi ed. The payback periods for SMS have been determined for various enregy load schedules and electricity tariff s: Sochi (from 7.3 to 7.6 years), Krasnodar (from 7.5 to 7.8 years), Rostov-on-Don (from 8.2 up to 8.4 years). In the northern regions of the European part of the Russian Federation, payback periods increase to 10.5-11 years, which reduces the attractiveness of SMS for consumers. For these territories, optimal tariff s for the sale of generated electricity have been calculated, which should be 7.3-7.8 rubles/kWh. Conclusions. To motivate potential prosumers to use SMS and therefore for increasing distribution of renewable energy in Russia, net-grid companies should set higher tariff s for the purchase of electricity from microgeneration systems.

Peculiarities of Water Regime Formation in Reservoirs of the Kama Cascade

Vitaliy G. Kalinin — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to identify patterns of water regime formation in reservoirs of the Kama cascade. Materials and methods. The initial data were the materials of daily observations of the infl ow, discharge and water level for 2002-2021. Geographic-hydrological and statistical methods were used. Results and discussion. Long-term changes in water balance components and water level in the Kama reservoirs are determined by natural river fl ow on the one hand and cascade regulation on the other. The Kama reservoir is a regulator of the cascade. The infl ow to the Votkinskoye reservoir is fully dependent on water discharges through the Kamskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant, and the water fl ow rate is determined by the operating regulations of the Votkinskoye Hydroelectric Power Plant. At the Nizhnekamskoye reservoir, the water regime is a consequence of joint operation of the Kama’s cascade reservoirs and regulated lateral infl ow. Conclusions. The water level regime of the Kamskoye and Votkinskoye reservoirs refl ects the phases of spring rising, summer-autumn stabilisation and winter water level decrease. In the Nizhnekamskoye reservoir these phases are practically absent, and weekly fl ow regulation is clearly traced in the character of infl ow and discharge. The intra-annual distribution of water balance components in high-water years is appeared in high spring infl ows and superposition of rain fl oods waves, which cause the high-water level in the reservoir for a long time during the summer-autumn stabilization period and increased water discharge through the Normal Retaining Level throughout the entire year. The intra-annual distribution of the studied characteristics in low-water and average-water years has a similar character.

Elements of Baseline Monitoring in Hydroecological Studies of Rivers in Belgorod Region

Maria V. Raevskaya — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to identify the background indicators of small rivers in the Belgorod Region for biogenic elements (nitrates and phosphates). Materials and methods. The data of the study of biogenic elements content in water of small rivers of Belgorod Region (5 rivers in their upper watercourses) in diff erent hydrological seasons for the period 2024-2025 were investigated. Hydrochemical parameters were determined using potentiometric and photocolorimetric analysis methods. Mapping and landscape-functional zoning of catchment areas were carried out in the QGIS 3.40.2. The Pearson correlation was calculated using the STATISTICA 10. Results and discussion. Results and discussion. The sites in the upper watercourses of the Oskolets River, Olshanka River, Seversky Donets River, Vorskla River, and Korocha River were identifi ed, which can be considered as background, both in terms of values of current concentrations of biogenic elements and the nature of their seasonal change. The features of the agricultural background of rivers on the terms of the development of extensive agricultural activity are outlined. Conclusion. There is a steady agricultural background due to the infl ux of biogenic elements for the upper courses of the Belgorod Region rivers. Quasi-natural areas on the riverbeds with a "bioplato eff ect" make a contribution to the self-purifi cation of rivers.

Mathematical Modeling of Thermal Regime and Dissolved Oxygen Dynamics in the Kuibyshev Reservoir

Alexsandr V. Rakhuba — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to estimate spatial and temporal patterns of distribution of water temperature fi elds and dissolved oxygen concentration in the water area of the Kuibyshev reservoir under conditions of a hot year using a mathematical model. Materials and methods. A numerical 2D spatially inhomogeneous model of the dynamics of water temperature fi elds, primary production and dissolved oxygen content has been developed. The model describes the formation of the oxygen regime taking into account the unsteady fl ow regime and uneven warming of the reservoir water area with a spatial step of 200 meters and a daily time step. Results and discussion. On the basis of numerical experiments, the convection of the temperature fi eld, the dynamics of oxygen dissolved in water and primary production in the Kuibyshev reservoir during the ice-free period are studied. Diff erent-scale zones of the water area with diff erent warming of the water column and oxygen content have been identifi ed. It is shown that in autumn the spatial heterogeneity of water temperature is about three times higher than in spring and summer periods. There is a large contribution (>50 %) of phytoplankton photosynthesis to the overall oxygen balance during the fl owering period. Conclusion. Maps of the spatial distribution of water temperature, dissolved oxygen content and primary production in the hottest year of 2016 in the last 10 years have been obtained. The comparison of the calculated and full-scale values of the indicators was evaluated by the Tail criterion, which showed satisfactory convergence. This makes it possible to use the developed model for further studies of the current state of the Kuibyshev reservoir.

Comparative Analysis of Reanalysis and Aerological Sounding Data and Its Validation for the Indicator of Possible Aircraft Icing on the Example of Voronezh Point

Vladimir S. Balakin — 2025-06-02

The purpose is comparative analysis of meteorological characteristics (air temperature and relative humidity) based on reanalysis and airborne sensing data at certain point. Methods and materials. The data of reanalysis NCEP/DOE AMIP-II and airborne sensing telegrams are initial information. Nonparametric criteria of applied statistics were used to compare multiyear data series for each month. Results and discussion. It was found that the corresponding sets of air temperature and humidity values for reanalysis and atmospheric sounding at the levels of 925, 850, 700, 500 hPa in each month have identical distributions. It was determined that the statistical correspondence of the compared pairs of parameter values is not observed. Validation of the analysis was carried out using the example of calculating the climatic index for assessing the possible icing of an aircraft. Conclusions. The reanalysis data (temperature and relative humidity) can be used in climatological studies, with the exception of air humidity parameter of 1000 hPa level. Operational forecasting based on reanalysis data is problematic.

Microclimatic Component of Geosystems in the Mountainous Areas of the Central Pribaikalie Region

Anna Yu. Bibaeva — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to identify the features of the thermal regime of the upper altitudinal zones of the Primorsky Ridge (including areas susceptible to pyrogenic eff ects) against the background of changes in temperature indicators in the foothill territories of the Central Pribaikalie Materials and methods. The data of meteorological monitoring using autonomous thermographs Thermochron iButton DS1925L-F5 for 2021-2022 at three sites in the northern part of the Primorsky Ridge, as well as data from the Roshydromet network (Bayandai, Uzur, and Kachug stations) were used in this work. Results and discussion. The fi rst results of monitoring observations of surface air temperature in the upper zones of the Primorsky Ridge in 2021-2022 were obtained in comparison with the indicators at the foothill stations. The annual dynamics of air temperature was determined, the sums of positive temperatures and the duration of frost-free period for diff erent locations were calculated. Conclusions. The average annual air temperature in the upper zones of the Primorsky Ridge has negative values of -0.8÷-2.3 ºС; it is lower compared to the surrounding foothill landscapes; the annual amplitude of air temperature also decreases in the high-mountain part by 2.5-9 ºС. The dates of transition of stable air temperatures through 0 º, +5 º; +10 º; +15 ºС for the subalpine and mountain taiga zones are similar, except for the autumn period, when the transition below +5 ºС in the subalpine zone was 19 days earlier. Burnt areas are characterized by higher absolute and dynamic air temperatures compared to areas untouched by fi re.

Geoecological Assessment of Comfort Potential and Development Prospects of the Cities of Samara and Saratov Using Geoinformation Methods

Svetlana A. Dubrovskaya — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to identify the potential for the development and optimization of landscape development in the cities of Samara and Saratov based on the developed geoinformation index of the comfort of the urban environment. Materials and methods. An assessment was made of the potential for developing the comfort of the urban environment, taking into account the existing and future anthropogenic situation. The initial materials for calculating index indicators were: digital terrain models, geomorphometric information, approved master plans for the development of municipalities. Results and discussion. The index values in the studied areas demonstrate an uneven distribution of green areas and areas where environmental protection measures can be carried out. About 40 % of green spaces in the city of Saratov are included in the territory with highly positive index values, while in Samara the share of these territories is less than 2 %. Landscape structures with negative values occupy more than half of the urban area. Conclusions. The geoinformation calculations carried out for the cities of Samara and Saratov made it possible to identify the high compactness of the planning structure, which determines the need for rational use of urban land. According to the ratio of the distribution of areas of landscape structures and green spaces to the value of the index, Samara and Saratov belong to the same group with a predominance of negative values of landscape units, but to diff erent subgroups with the distribution of green spaces, and in Saratov it is more even.

Ecological and Hygienic Assessment of Soils in Urban Ecosystems

Nina A. Dyakova — 2025-06-02

The purpose is an ecological and hygienic assessment of the urbocenoses soils in the Central Black Soil Region by the content of the highest priority heavy metals and arsenic. Materials and methods. Using the example of the Voronezh Region, 13 sites for sampling the upper layers of urbocenoses soils in the city of Voronezh were selected, as well as one protected area as comparison samples. The content of gross and mobile forms of heavy metals and arsenic was determined by the atomic absorption method. Results and discussion. The content of the main toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, nickel, zinc, cobalt, chromium and copper) in the soils of urbocenoses and protected areas of the city of Voronezh was studied, and their concentrations were compared with various world claras. The territories characterised by contamination of the upper layers of soils with certain elements are shown. It has been revealed that the most important infl uence on the state of soils of urbocenoses of Voronezh city is exerted by auto and railway transport, energy enterprises, as well as a number of industrial enterprises. Conclusions. The most signifi cant limiting indicator of the quality of the studied soils of urbocenoses was the content of mobile forms of copper – an excess of the maximum permissible standards for this indicator was found in 57 % of the studied samples, which can be associated with insuffi cient effi ciency of cleaning of emissions into the atmosphere of industrial enterprises and transport, as well as with low humanization of urbanized soils, and, as a result, low capacity for strong fi xation of metals.

Distribution of Mobile Forms of Heavy Metals in Soil Horizons of the Southern Taiga (Tyumen Region)

Anatoly P. Kolobov — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to estimate the distribution of the content of mobile forms of heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Cr, Mn, Cd, Pb) in genetic horizons of taiga soils of the Kondinsky lowland within the Tobolsk district of the Tyumen Region. Materials and Methods. The soil area under study is located near settlements on the left bank of the Irtysh and Tobol rivers and their infl uents – Shaltsa, Erek, Taima and Suklyomka. Extraction of mobile forms of heavy metals from the soil was carried out by acetate-ammonium buff er solution, with subsequent determination of their concentrations by atomic absorption method. Results and discussion. Results and discussion. The increase of concentrations of mobile forms of Mn and Cd with increasing share of sandy particles in the granulometric composition of the studied soils was revealed. Conclusions. Variation of concentrations of mobile forms of the studied elements is related to the granulometric composition and pH of the medium in diff erent types of soils.

Comparative Analysis of Solid Municipal Waste Management Systems in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus

Alexandra B. Manvelova — 2025-06-02

The purpose is a comparative analysis of solid municipal waste (MSW) management systems in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. Materials and methods. The sources of information were materials from relevant departments in the fi eld of environmental protection and environmental safety, data from state statistics of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. Statistical methods, methods of analysis and comparison were used. Results and discussion. The experience of the Republic of Belarus in the fi eld of waste management is considered, as well as an assessment of the level of formation and disposal of MSW in the Russian Federation is given. Some issues of the legislative framework in the fi eld of MSW management are analyzed. A comparative analysis of targets and key characteristics of MSW management systems in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus has been carried out. Conclusions. A comparative analysis of waste management systems has shown that neither the Russian Federation nor the Republic of Belarus achieve the same level of recycling as European countries, which on average recycle more than 50 % of MSW. At the same time, there is a fairly high growth rate in the share of MSW use in the Republic of Belarus due to the implementation of state policy regarding the collection and harvesting of secondary material resources. In the Russian Federation, the steady share of waste directed to recycling indicates that an increase in the amount of waste directed to processing does not lead to an increase in the volume of recycling. There is a lack of unifi ed indicators for evaluating the eff ectiveness of government policies in the fi eld of waste management.

Infl uence of Heavy Metals on the Intensity of Bioluminescence Formed in the Pelagial of the North-Eastern Black Sea

Elena B. Mel’nikova — 2025-06-02

The purpose is the assess the infl uence of the marine environment pollution by heavy metals on the change in the intensity of bioluminescence of both pelagial inhabitants in general and the numerous representative of bioluminescent organisms in the Black Sea – Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid & Swezy, 1921. Materials and methods. Data on the intensity of bioluminescent glow were obtained on the voyages of the vessel "Professor Vodianitsky" in 2010-2013 at stations located in the North-Eastern part of the Black Sea. In addition, literature data on the amplitude and duration of the N. scintillans bioluminescent fl ash were used in the calculation and analysis. Results and discussion. It was shown that when exposed to CuSO4 and HgCl2 with a concentration of more than 10 μg/l after 7 days, bioluminescent glow of N. scintillans stops completely, and when exposed to PlCl2 and ZnCl2 , the intensity of bioluminescence decreases to the level of 30 % of the control group. The response of pelagial inhabitants in the Kerch pre-spill region to heavy metal pollution is to reduce the intensity of bioluminescence by 1,37 times when contaminated with one of the heavy metals and 3 times when contaminated with three metals. Conclusion. An assessment was made of a decrease in the intensity of bioluminescent glow in the pelagial of the Kerch pre-spill region during pollution of seawater with heavy metals.

Application of Mathematical Modelling Methods in Mesoand Small-Scale Assessment of Atmospheric Air State

Alsu V. Semakina — 2025-06-02

The purpose is a meso- and small-scale characterisation of atmospheric pollution using mathematical modelling tools. Materials and methods. The method of mathematical modelling was applied to characterise the level of atmospheric air pollution for large areas. Concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere were calculated for the territories of the Volga and Urals Federal Districts, the Republics of Udmurtia and Bashkortostan. To take into account the infl uence of orographic factor it was proposed to introduce a correction coeffi cient. Results and discussion. The areas of increased pollution were identifi ed. Application of the adapted technique (taking into account orographic factor) showed the necessity of its approbation for the territory with more fragmented relief (regions of Eastern Siberia). Conclusions. The results of statistical verifi cation showed the admissibility of using mathematical modelling methods in assessing the atmospheric air state of territories characterised by large size.

The Model for Reducing the Carbon Footprint of the Forest Industry Enterprises

Mariya O. Yakusheva — 2025-06-02

The purpose is to study the peculiarities of greenhouse gas emissions in the process of activity of enterprises of the Russian forest industry, as well as modeling the processes that contribute to their reduction. Materials and methods. The research is based on domestic and foreign research, as well as its own developments. Statistical information is used from the EMISS. Data processing was performed in MS Offi ce Excel and Statistica. Results and discussion. The study revealed that the forestry industry is a unique subject in the issue of atmospheric carbonation. An analysis of all the components of production processes in the timber industry has made it possible to identify the main sources of greenhouse emissions, as well as possible ways to reduce them. The conceptual model of decarbonizing activity of timber industry complex enterprises has been developed. Conclusion. The decarbonizing eff ect of forest plantations in Russia completely covers the volume of greenhouse emissions from the activities of the timber industry complex. However, even the current size of the carbon footprint needs to be reduced. For this, the Russian timber industry has all the necessary prerequisites, and the level of development of modern technologies and trends in the energy sector correspond to the growing public demand for reducing the carbon footprint.

Vyacheslav Vitalievich Podkolzin is a Magical Name Among Geographers, Scientists, and Public Figures of Russia

Natalia V. Proskurina — 2025-06-02

On the 5th of January, 2025, Vyacheslav Vitalievich Podkolzin, the prominent fi gure of pedagogical education, scientist, geographer, remarkable teacher, gifted leader and public fi gure, passed away at the age of 86. The article reveals the life path of V.V. Podkolzin from school to the rector of Voronezh State Pedagogical University.