[Heavy metals and hydrocarbons content in soils of settlements of the Yamal-Nenets autonomous region].

In August 2015 there were executed investigations on the study of the soils diversity of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. One of the directions of this work got be the study of urban soils of settlements of the Yamal-Nenents Autonomous Okrug. The sectors for the observation were settlement of Harsaim, village Aksarka, city of Salekhard, settlement Harp and city of Labytnangi. About 20 soil samples were collected during the field work. Samples were collected from a depth of 0-5 cm and 5-20 cm. Heavy metals (HM) were detected with the use of X-ray fluorescent analyzer "Spectroscan-MAX". The HM content values were compared with the corresponding Approxible Permissible Concentrations and Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) adopted in Russia. Hydrocarbons content was determined by gravimetric method. Values of the hydrocarbons content in studied soils were compared with the existing regulations of the Russian Federation. The levels of soil contamination by hydrocarbons were determined. The study of soil samples from different settlements allowed to reveal characteristic features of soil contamination of separate settlements by HM and hydrocarbons and to compare them against each other. The vast majority of samples are characterized by arsenic exceedance of MAC, which should indicate to a high regional background of this element. For a more adequate assessment of the Zc meaning as the value of the total pollution index of soils there were used not only arithmetical average values of the coefficients of the chemical composition concentration (Kc), but also their average geometric values. According to levels of total soil contamination most of soil samples are characterized as non-hazardous (Zc<16). Calculation of soil pollution index showed that the most of soil samples have values less than 1. It characterizes soils as unpolluted. Statistical processing of obtained data in the media of the analytical software interface STATISTICA 10 showed a statistically significant difference in the content ofHM and hydrocarbons for the layer of 0-20 cm of the soils for three elements (Cu, Zn, Ni).

[Features of fractional composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and multielement contamination of soils of urban territories and their hygienic characteristics (on the example of soils of functional zones of Saint-Petersburg)].

This study is devoted to the investigation of quantitative and qualitative composition and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils on the example of recreational, residential and industrial areas of Saint-Petersburg (Russia). The evaluation of soil contamination levels with heavy metals and metalloids of the first and second classes of hazard is given as well. Total PAH content in soils of the studied area in most cases exceeds international soil quality guideline values (1 mg/kg), varying from 0.67 to 17.45 mg/kg. In most samples benzo[a] pyrene concentrations were found to be higher than MPC for this substance in soil. Calculated BaP-equivalents of PAHs indicate to the high carcinogenic risk for health, associated with soil contamination. Mean PAH concentrations in soil differ authentically between various types of functional zones and in the whole of the city. The significant positive correlation between soil organic content and PAH levels in soils was revealed in most samples. Calculated values of the total index of soil contamination (Zc) by heavy metals and metalloids were characterized by low values (47.28-121.14), that corresponds to the category of dangerous pollution (32 < Z < 128).

[Microbial communities in regions of arctic settlements].

The composition and the structure of microbial communities in areas of Arctic settlements were studied. The main attention has been given to microscopic fungi. As result of observation of 5 Arctic regions 117 species of microscopic fungi are revealed in soils and anthropogenic substrates. The identification was carried out with the use ofmycological and molecular genetic methods. Most ofspecies belong to the Ascomycotina. Genus Penicillium is characterized by the most species diversity (24 species). Most offungi are destructors of various materials and potential human pathogens. Dominant species are revealed. The distribution of microorganisms in the living and working areas of polar stations, as well as the adjacent areas are described. Black-colored fungi adapted to unfavorable environment are often the dominated group of microorganisms on soils and anthropogenic substrates. The shaping of soil microbiota was shown to be related to the anthropogenic impact. Considerable similarity of microbial communities composition in the soil and man-made substrates is fixed. As result of mycological analysis of contaminated soils 76 species of microscopic fungi were observed, but 41 species of them (53.9%) were identified in the areas of Arctic polar stations on the man-made materials. These species include the representatives of the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Exophiala, Geomyces, Humicola, Penicillium, Mucor, Phoma, Rhodotorula, Trichoderma and Ulocladium. The obtained data show a significant similarity in species composition of contaminated soils and anthropogenic substrates. Human activity contributes to the distribution of cosmopolitan species, including opportunistic fungi, in the Arctic region. The high numbers of organotrophic bacteria were revealed in soil samples. Some species of microorganisms produce the organic acids in an external environment that promotes the erosion of materials.

[Biological and sanitary evaluation of Sibaisky quarry dumps of the Bashkortostan Republic].

Dumps of quarries for the extraction of copper pyrite in Urals region of the Bashkortostan Republic are the problem object, which represents a main technogenic source of environmental pollution. Soils of Sibaisky quarry dumps are characterized by the elevated content of heavy metals relatively to maximum permissible concentrations and regional geochemical background. In sanitary hygienic evaluation of the pollution by studied technosols according to the total pollution index (Zc) it was revealed that according to the content of total forms studied technosols are referred to moderately hazard, while in regards of the same index concerning the content of the mobile forms technosols are referred to the category of hazardous. In this regard, in plant products grown in the area adjacent to the dumps, there was revealed an excess on cadmium. The biological activity of soils is very low, due to the low microbial community development. Soil formation in the dumps is almost not expressed, appearing in the formation of low-thick underdeveloped humus horizon with a little diversity of species and projective cover. Sanitary-hygienic situation in conditions in the quarry dump area is unfavorable, that does not allow newly formed soils to carry out environmental functions effectively

[CONTENT OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN SOILS OF ANTARCTIC STATIONS REGIONS].

Comparative investigation of the soil contamination by polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) has been performed on examples of three polar stations of the Antarctic Peninsula. Data obtained are especially interesting for the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Academician Vernadsky" were no such investigations were performed since the technogenic spill of the hydrocarbons in 1992. Results of investigations permit to establish the values of the total background level of the PAC pollution as the base for the further monitoring of anthropogenic contamination. The data of analysis of soils from the all ecological zones of Point Thomas oasis (Polish Station "Genrik Artstovskiy") show the PAC homogenous background pollution to be similar to identified at the Galindez Island (the region of the station Academician Vernadskiy). Local pollutions are revealed in some areas of the Galindez Island. At the same time results of the investigation of the soils pollution from the various areas of the Fildes Peninsula (the station Bellingshausen.) show the absence of clearly pronounced contrast between the background and "hot points" that is likely related with the even pollution of the Peninsula. There was demonstrated the necessity of the development of regional standards and the establishment of a local background concentrations of PACs within the Antarctic Peninsula. At the same time, significant differences between the contamination of soils taken from the stations"Academician Vernadsky" and "Bellingshausen", apparently are associated with a lesser capacity of soils on the island Galindez that in the commensurable pollution creates greater concentrations in an investigated sample of the soil. There was shown the necessity of the development of the regional standard and the establishment of a local background concentrations of PACs within the Antarctic Peninsula.

[Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content in Antarctica soils as exemplified by the Russian polar stations].

The comprehensive study of the qualitative and quantitative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils of Antarctica (reference landscapes--mountains Hudson, Haswell Archipelago contaminated soil--Mirny, Druznaya-4, Bellingshausen--and imported soils) was performed with the use of HPLC in a gradient mode. A characteristic feature of the studied PAHs content of soils is the predominance of low-molecular polyarenes in them. Due to anthropogenic pollution the quantitative accumulation of both light and heavy PAHs occurs under the qualitative increase in the proportion of heavy polyarenes. Polyarenes pool in the studied soils is represented mainly by light PAHs: naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, etc. The content of benzo(a)pyrene does not exceed the MCL (adopted in the Russian Federation) for this ecotoxicant. Performed primary factual and statistical analysis of data permitted to reveal that heavy PAH pollution of Antarctica soils is in the most initial stage, there is no sustained and statistically significant accumulation of PAHs in soils of maritime as well as continental Antarctica. There are established the levels of the actual content of various PAHs in soils of different regions of the Antarctica, which is the basic data for further comparative analysis of data of geochemical studies.

[The content of heavy metals in soils of the Yamal Peninsula and thE Bely Island].

In 2012 for the first time the Government of the Yamal-Nenets region in conjunction with the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of RosHydromnet, performed the first comprehensive expedition for the examination of the Yamal Peninsula (KAEMB Arctic Yamal-2012). As key observation plots there were selected: settlement Novy Port, Ust Yuribey and the Island Bely. To the last section now there is attracted the maximum attention of the public, because it is selected for the starting of the program for the cleaning up Arctic from the debris and the wastes accumulated during the process of the functioning of polar infrastructure. Soil samples were selected from the prospecting pits in August, 2012. Heavy metals, as well as the content of oxides of silicon, aluminum, iron, titanium, manganese were detected with X-ray fluorescent analyzer "Spectroscan-MAX. The values obtained were compared with thre Approxible Permissible Concentrations and Maximum Allowable Concentrations adopted in Russia. Since the accumulation of heavy metals is related with their fixation by soil organic matter, concomitantly there was evaluated the content of organic carbon and nitrogen with the use of the device VARIO EL III. The application of the profile approach to the study of the chemical composition of soils helped to establish mid-ground and deep supra permafrost accumulation maximums of priority inorganic toxicants and other heavy metals. This is most likely related to the development of two groups of soil processes: eluvial-illuvial and cryogenic mass exchange. As a result of the eluvial-illuvial processes, some heavy metals are redistributed along the profile, and accumulating in the middle part of the profile. Meanwhile, in the tundra soils dominant processes are cryogenic mass exchange, leading to a strong mixing of the soil column and the accumulation of certain components in the chemical composition in the supra permafrost or surprapermafrost-gley horizon. This is the main reason for the second peak of the content of heavy metals in the bottom of the soil profiles. Performed studies show that although most heavy metals are accumulated in the upper soil horizons, in the case of tundra, soil profile redistribution processes lead to the fact that in the case of the surface sampling, there is underestimation of the total reserves of substances in the soil profile.

[Mycobiota of soil and anthropogenic substrates of the Yamal Peninsula].

There are presented results of mycological examination of samples of soil and anthropogenic substrates, collected on the Yamal Peninsula. 40 species of micromycetes have been identified. The obtained results indicate to the qualitative difference in the complexes of micromycetes from soil and anthropogenic substrates in the examined area. On anthropogenic substrates dark-colored fungi were dominated Predominant group were known destructors of different materials and commensal human pathogens also. In soil samples from different depths species of the genus Penicillium and fungi of the genus Fusarium dominated clearly, that is quite typical for tundra soils. There is noted a general downward trend in species diversity and abundance of micromycetes with the increasing of the depth of the soil and the frozen ground. In the surface layer of soil there may occur species capable to move to man-made materials. The data obtained shows the feasibility of using the structure of complexes of micromycetes as an indicator index of anthropogenic impact on Arctic ecosystems.