Ophiolitic association of Cape Fiolent area,southwestern Crimea

An ophiolitic association consisting of serpentinized ultramafic rocks and serpentinite, layered mafic–ultramafic complex, gabbro and gabbrodolerite, fragments of parallel dike complex, pillow lava, black bedded chert, and jasper has been identified for the first time by authors in the Cape Fiolent area. The chemistry of pillow lavas and dolerites, including REE patterns and a wide set of other microelements, indicates suprasubduction nature of the ophiolites and their belonging to a backarc basin that has reached the stage of spreading in its evolution.     

Gas mixing with aqueous solution in the ore-forming hydrothermal process: an example of gold

The mixing of gas and aqueous fluid in hydrothermal ore-forming processes is discussed with reference to gold deposits to demonstrate that this phenomenon may affect ore deposition. Data on fluid inclusions in samples from the Sukhoi Log and Olimpiadinskoe deposits in Russia are utilized to demonstrate possible implications of gas mixing with hydrothermal solution when gold ores are formed. A simplified thermodynamic model is suggested to show how interaction between aqueous saline solutions with pure carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide—methane mixture may affect gold solubility. Further studying such processes may provide interesting information for understanding the genesis of ore mineralization.     

Molar tooth structures and origin of peloids in proterozoic carbonate platforms (Middle Riphean of the Turukhansk Uplift,Siberia)

Structures and textures of the peloidal wackestones, as well as size, shape, and composition of peloidal grains, from the Mesoproterozoic (Middle Riphean) Sukhaya Tunguska carbonate platform in the Turukhansk Uplift (Siberia) are considered. It is shown that these grains formed in the course of diagenesis were closely associated with the microsparitic replacement and the formation of molar tooth (MT) structures. Diagenetic transformations of rocks were related to the activity of anaerobic microbial communities inside the buried carbonate silt layers. The microbial activity during diagenesis was governed by the carbonate sediment composition and conservation mechanism of the high-molecular organic matter of primary producers therein, since this organic matter was the nutritious substrate for the primary anaerobe communities.     

Nuclear fuel cycle and its impact on the environment

In this paper, we consider the present-day situation and outlooks of the development of nuclear power generation in Russia and other countries. It was noted that the implementation of the concept of a closed nuclear-fuel cycle accepted in Russia relies on the solution of the problem of the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RAW). This paper presents the main results of investigations focused on the development of radiation-safe methods of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements, including mixed uranium–plutonium oxide fuel for fast-neutron reactors; creation of low waste-production technologies of SNF processing and RAW disposal; and the analysis of fundamental features of the behavior and speciation of radionuclides in environmental objects for the development of efficient methods of radioecological monitoring and remediation of radionuclide-contaminated areas.     

The evolution of slump-induced destruction of Kukuy Griva slope (Lake Baikal) revealed on the base of the data of seismic and acoustic surveys

As a result of careful interpretation of the data of recent seismo-acoustic surveys, two major seismic complexes were identified in the structure of the upper sedimentary section of the north-western slope of Kukuy Griva (ridge). They are composed of several inner seismo-facies, which are very characteristic and separated with well-expressed regional reflector. Seismic and acoustic data revealed evidences of numerous landslide processes which were different in age and peculiarities of manifestation. For the first time, detailed schemes of seismo-facies distribution are compiled for major seismic complexes at the area. The boundary between seismic complexes is dated as 150 thousands years. It is shown that sliding was more intensive during Late Pleistocene and Holocene, reflecting activation of tectonic movements in this part of Baikal rift system.     

The subsidence and thermal history of the Baikit anteclise sedimentary basin

The Riphean rocks of the Baikit anteclise have been examined using pyrolysis Rock–Eval 6 to evaluate the subsidence history and erosion level. The studied Riphean rocks have the МK₃–МK₄ catagenesis grade. Based on the catagenesis of organic matter we propose a model of maximum burial before the beginning of the accumulation of Vendian deposits. Estimated calculations of subsidence and erosion have shown that the assessed catagenesis grade could be reached at a depth of 7 km, while the erosion level was approximately 5–7 km.     

New insight into the composition and the structure of the deep layers of the terrestrial planets

New approaches, which expand the ideas about the compositions and structures of the mantle of the Earth and terrestrial planets, are considered. New data indicate a more fractional structure of the deep layers of the Earth and the Moon. The experimental results at high pressures and temperatures allow modeling the change in the structure and properties of the most important components of the composition of the mantle and cores of the Earth and Moon, as well as the gas (Jupiter and Saturn) and ice (Uranus and Neptune) giants.     

Precipitation variability assessment of northeast China: Songhua River basin

Variability in precipitation is critical for the management of water resources. In this study, the research entropy base concept was applied to investigate spatial and temporal variability of the precipitation during 1964–2013 in the Songhua River basin of Heilongjiang Province in China. Sample entropy was applied on precipitation data on a monthly, seasonally, annually, decade scale and the number of rainy days for each selected station. Intensity entropy and apportionment entropy were used to calculate the variability over individual year and decade, respectively. Subsequently, Spearman’s Rho and Mann–Kendall tests were applied to observe for trends in the precipitation time series. The statistics of sample disorder index showed that the precipitation during February (mean 1.09, max. 1.26 and min. 0.80), April (mean 1.12, max. 1.29 and min. 0.99) and July (mean 1.10, max. 1.20 and min. 0.98) contributed significantly higher than those of other months. Overall, the contribution of the winter season was considerably high with a standard deviation of 0.10. The precipitation variability on decade basis was observed to increase from decade 1964–1973 and 1994–2003 with a mean value of decadal apportionment disorder index 0.023 and 0.053, respectively. In addition, the Mann–Kendall test value (1.90) showed a significant positive trend only at the Shangzhi station.