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Rice crop residues are one of the recalcitrant agricultural wastes in arid conditions. A laboratory experiment was conducted to decompose rice straw with woodlice and millipedes living in the dry steppes of Kalmykia in Russia. Five individuals of two species of woodlice (Armadillidium vulgare and Protracheoniscus kryszanovskii) or two species of millipedes (Brachydesmus assimilis and Cylindroiulus sp.) were placed in microcosms with soil and 2.5 g of rice straw. The straw mass significantly decreased for all species, by approximately 50% on average for the 4 months of the experiment. The content of organic matter in the soil before and after the experiment did not change significantly, which suggests that the selected species of woodlice and millipedes can consume and, thus utilize, rice straw, at least under experimental conditions.

Acceptance tests were successfully conducted and the unit for production of a high—octane, environmentally clean gasoline additive — methyl tert—butyl ether (MTBE) — with output of 60,000 tons/year in feedstock — the C4 catalytic cut — was started up on March 17, 2002 at UKRTATNAFTA OJSC (Kremenchug). The unit was designed by Ukrneftekhimproekt OJSC (Kiev) based on Neftekhimstart Ltd. technology (Yaroslavl') and “turnkey” constructed by Kedr—89 Ltd.

The results of studies of the Ivankovo, Uglich, Rybinsk, and Gorkii reservoirs are analyzed. The studies involved a wide range of hydrochemical (salt composition, biogenic elements, organic matter, oil products, and heavy metals) and hydrophysical characteristics in the summer low-water period. The concentrations of organic matter and major biogenic elements are shown to decrease downstream along the chain of reservoirs with a respective general decrease in the trophic status. Large built-up areas located downstream of the Rybinsk Hydroelectric Plant are shown to adversely affect the river water quality.