Transformations of Organogenic Substances in the White Sea Ecosystem: Assessment Based on the Results of Mathematical Modeling

Methods of systems analysis and mathematical modeling are used to generalize hydrological, hydrochemical, and hydrobiological observational data with the aim to study the biohydrochemical conditions of organic and biogenic substance transformations in eight water areas in the White Sea. A hydroecological model describing transformations of N, P, and Si compounds and dissolved organic C, as well as the regime of O₂ was used as a means of the study. Water exchange between water areas was evaluated using a hydrodynamic model. Averaged data on annual variations in water temperature, illumination, and transparency, as well as run-off characteristics (water flow in river mouths and organic and biogenic matter concentrations in the river water entering the sea) were used to calculate the dynamics of organic and mineral compounds of nutrients in different areas of the sea. The principal attention is paid to the verification of the model against field observational data, assessment of the biomass development conditions of aquatic animals, analysis of model results regarding the turnover time of organic and mineral components, and the evaluation of balances of organic dissolved and particulate N and P forms.__________Translated from Vodnye Resursy, Vol. 32, No. 4, 2005, pp. 435–451.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Leonov, Filatov, Chicherina.     

Environmental monitoring in a gas production area on the northwestern Black-Sea shelf

The results of long-term seasonal oceanographic observations conducted by YugNIRO from 1955 to 1991 in standard cross-sections on the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea and data obtained by monitoring oil and chemical pollution of the marine environment from 1987 to 1993 in the area of gas deposit development are systematized and statistically treated. The oceanographic conditions of pollution field formation in this region are studied. The dynamics and distribution of total concentrations of oil products and microelements (Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Cr) in water and bottom sediments are examined in the areas in Karkinitskii Bay where permanent offshore platforms are operated. The obtained results are compared with data on the background environmental pollution of the Black Sea and World Ocean. A hypothesis is offered to elucidate the possible causes and mechanisms through which offshore gas production affects the hydrochemical conditions on the shelf. The monitoring data are said to be a necessary information basis for the prediction of pollution dynamics in Karkinitskii Bay with the use of a box-type hydroecological model of petroleum hydrocarbon biotransformations in water, and approaches for the use of these data for this purpose are outlined.     

Biotransformation of oil hydrocarbons in Karkinitskii Bay of the Black Sea: Assessment based on mathematical modeling

The transformation conditions of oil hydrocarbons in water are considered for the case of Karkinitskii Bay, the Black Sea, where gas deposits have been developed actively in recent years and oil product pollution of marine environment has been recorded repeatedly. Data on measured oil hydrocarbon concentrations, their input into the northwestern part of the Black Sea, and experimental estimates of oil decomposition in the marine environment are presented. The biotransformation conditions of oil hydrocarbons are simulated by reproducing the biochemical activity of microflora and effecting substrate consumption processes, metabolic product excretions, and biomass decay. These processes maintain the biogenic substance turnover in water environment. The calculations are based on the morphometric characteristics of Karkinitskii Bay, and mean long-term data on the monthly dynamics of marine environmental characteristics (temperature, light intensity, transparency, atmospheric precipitation, and the characteristics of water regime and Danube runoff). A check calculation was performed to reproduce the concentration dynamics of biogenic substances and oil products with allowance made for the effect of river runoff and background pollution of the marine environment. The numerical scenarios take into account the marine environmental pollution conditions (an immediate discharge of 1000, 500, or 200 t of oil products per week) in winter, spring, summer, and autumn. The obtained model estimates of the rates of oil product decomposition and oxygen consumption are shown to agree well with experimental data. The time required for the concentration of oil products to reach the MAC after pollution of the marine environment is estimated.     

Specific Features in the Deep Structure of the Naryn Basin–Baibichetoo Ridge–Atbashi Basin System: Evidence from the Complex of Geological and Geophysical Data

New magnetotelluric data were obtained for the Karabuk profile crossing the Naryn basin–Baibichetoo Ridge–Atbashi basin geodynamic system (Central Tien-Shan). The complex geological–geophysical cross section along the profile provides a good agreement between the surface tectonic structures and the deep geoelectric model. The electric conductivity anomalies revealed as subvertical conductors striking along the flanks of basins may be explained by the zones of dynamic influence of faults and cataclasis of granite.     

The faults that appeared near Karymskii Volcano, Kamchatka on January 1–2, 1996: The geometry and mechanism of generation

Unusual (for this location) events occurred near Karymskii Volcano, Kamchatka in early January of 1996: a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, the simultaneous eruptions of two volcanoes, and the generation of extensive ground breakage. This paper is concerned with the breaks, specifically, their positions, structure, and the character of the displacements. The breaks were studied with the help of trenches that were dug across them to expose their internal structure. Crosswise profiles were constructed on some of the breaks to analyze the variation of their geometry along the strike. This work revealed the specific features of the displacement episodes and whether these episodes were multiple ones, established their sequence, and suggested a mechanism of their generation and the overall mechanism responsible for the deformation observed.     

Assessment of the background ecological state of water in the Chayvo Bay, northeastern Sakhalin

The results of studies of the hydrological and hydrochemical regimes carried out in 2001 in Chayvo Bay and microbiological analyses of the abundance of geterotrophic microorganisms belonging to ecological-trophic groups are given. Data on the concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons, phenols, and metals (Fe, Pb, and Cd) in water and bottom sediments were collected. The obtained data were used to assess the water quality in the bay.     

Sulfate reduction in natural water bodies. 1. The effect of environmental factors and the measured rates of the process

Sulfate reduction is an important oxidation process involving transformation of organic matter and its components and taking place in the aquatic environment and bottom sediments of water bodies (both fresh and marine) under anaerobic conditions. The intensification of sulfate reduction in water bodies is a sign of a stronger anthropogenic impact on the environment and natural water bodies. The development of sulfate reduction under natural conditions reflects the influence of many environmental factors. The effect of the most important factors (the concentration of organic matter and its components and sulfates, the temperature of aquatic environment, and the abundance and activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria) on the process of sulfate reduction in the aquatic environment and bottom sediments in water bodies is considered.     

页岩微米孔隙结构重构的非光滑正则化及快速梯度优化算法

页岩微观结构认识是页岩气勘探开发的基础.传统的探测手段是基于表面的有损观测方法.本文应用上海光源同步辐射技术对页岩结构进行无损探测获取投影数据,该技术可以避免X射线硬化.我们利用X射线计算机断层成像技术进行图像恢复,提出了L1模+TV(全变差)非光滑正则化方法抑制噪声影响,提高图像对比度.实验证明,该方法是准确重建页岩微观结构的有效方法.     

The Bol’shoi Semyachik Volcanic Massif,Kamchatka: Geological structure and structural setting

We provide new evidence that bears on the geological structure, history of evolution, and structural setting for the Bol’shoi Semyachik Volcanic Massif in Kamchatka. The new Ar-Ar results for dating of volcanic rocks allowed significant advances in updating the stratigraphy and history of the evolution of the area of study. We discuss the distribution of centers of volcanic and hydrothermal activity in the Bol’shoi Semyachik Massif area. The distribution suggests that the volcanism in the area is progressively migrating southeastward. It is shown that all thermal occurrences, such as sets of steam jets, thermal springs, and heated patches (evidence of present-day activity), are also displaced into the southeastern part of the massif. It was concluded that these patterns are not accidental, but are controlled by dipping magma-conducting and fluid-conducting faults that bound a major basement low on the southeast. The low had been identified earlier from geophysical observations. The dip gives the result that the magma and fluids rise to the surface and simultaneously deviate eastward and southeastward, where the youngest occurrences of volcanic activity and present-day thermal features are found today.