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Statistical analysis of a vast body of data collected during five field seasons (2011-2015) was performed to characterize the biological activity of soils in the northern taiga ecosystems of Western Siberia. Automorphic forest soils, hydromorphic (oligotrophic bog) soils, and semihydromorphic (flat-topped and large peat mounds) soils were characterized. Statistically significant differences of average levels of CO2 emission from the soils were identified at the ecosystem level. The CO2 emission from podzols of automorphic forest ecosystems at the peak of the growing season (205 ± 30 to 410 ± 40 mg CO2/(m2 h)) was significantly higher than the emission from semihydromorphic soils of peat mounds (70 ± 20 to 116 ± 10 mg CO2/(m2 h)). The presence and depth of permafrost was a significant factor that affected ecosystem diversity and biological activity of northern taiga soils. Statistically significant differences in the total, labile, and microbial carbon pools were observed for the studied soils. Labile and microbial carbon pools in the organic layer (10 cm) of forest podzols amounted to 0.19 and 0.66 t/ha, respectively; those in the organic layer (40 cm) of peat cryozems of flat-topped peat mounds reached 1.24 and 3.20 t/ha, and those in the oligotrophic peat soils (50 cm) of large peat mounds were 2.76 and 1.35 t/ha, respectively. The portion of microbial carbon in the total carbon pool (Cmicr/Ctot, %) varied significantly; according to the values of this index, the soils were arranged into the following sequence: oligotrophic peat soil < peat cryozem < podzol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the discontinuous cryolithozone in the north of Western Siberia in forest and tundra biogeocoenoses, two field methods for individual determination of root and microbial soil respiration were tested: plant shading and root exclusion (comparison of the plots with vegetation and without it). The proportion of of root respiration in the total soil respiration in the forest biogeocoenosis was 7-50%; in the tundra, 10-50%. The plant shading method has been physiologically substantiated, is the least time-consuming, and the least damaging to soil function (moisture and temperature do not change). The proposed modification of the method (root exclusion on natural objects) demonstrated a satisfactory result, but it is not universal due to the specifics of objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permafrost and varying land surface properties greatly complicate modelling of the thermal response of Arctic soils to climate change. The forest-tundra transition near Nadym in west Siberia provides an excellent study area in which to examine the contrasting thermal properties of soils in a forested ecosystem without permafrost and peatlands with permafrost. We investigated the effects of forest shading, snow cover and variable organic soil horizons in three common ecosystems of the forest-tundra transition zone. Based on the year-round temperature profile data, the most informative annual parameters were: (1) the sum of positive average daily temperatures at depths of 10 and 20 cm; (2) the maximum penetration depth of temperatures above 10 °C; and (3) the number of days with temperatures below 0 °C at a depth of 20 cm. The insulative effect of snow cover in winter was at least twice that of the shading and cooling effect of vegetation in summer. In areas with shallow permafrost, the presence of a thick organic horizon, with an extremely low thermal diffusivity, creates a very steep temperature gradient that limits heat penetration to the top of the permafrost in summer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric corrosion stability of metals can be achieved by coating their surfaces with superthin nanoscale layers. The scientific principles of inhibiting metal corrosion have been under development for many years, but a new direction of progress has emerged recently. The main achievement of research in this new direction is the possibility of covering metals in nanoscale films that, despite their extreme thinness, ensure high corrosion resistance of the metals under various atmospheric conditions. To this end, methods are suggested for producing such coatings from volatile organic compounds that can adsorb on metal surfaces from the gaseous phase. Increasing the irreversibility of adsorption of volatile corrosion inhibitors is necessary to strengthen the protective effect of the nanolayers they form on the surface. Nanolayer-coating protection has a number of fundamental advantages, including retention of article dimensions, a lack of a need for special utilization and degreasing methods, and affordability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The active layer thickness, CO2 emission, and contents of organic substances (including the total organic carbon, labile carbon, and the carbon of microbial biomass) in the soils of flat-topped peat mounds in the area of the Nadym Experimental Station in the north of Western Siberia (experimental site CALM R1) are characterized by considerable spatial variability. The low values of the CО emission are confined to the microelevations on the peatland surface. The high values of the emission (>200 mg CO/(m h)) are typical of the soils with the highest content of the carbon of microbial biomass and the lowest content of the labile organic carbon. The soils of elevated flat-topped peat mounds statistically differ from the soils of waterlogged mires in the contents of total, labile, and microbial carbon and in the CO emission values. Though the soils of elevated flat-topped peat mounds are characterized by the high content of the carbon of microbial biomass (4260 ± 880 mg С/kg soil), the CO emission from them is low (158 ± 23 mg CO/(m h)), which is explained by the structure of microbial communities in the cryogenic soils and by the effect of specific hydrothermic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the features of the search for optimal solutions for balanced development and minimizing the negative impact on nature. According to the authors, economics and environmental protection should go hand in hand in the modern world, since modern eco-friendly technologies will allow entrepreneurs not only to preserve natural resources, but also to increase financial results and increase the level of business reputation, which will increase the degree of consumer loyalty to the products that such a company produces. Accordingly, it should be concluded that the prospects for interaction between ecology and the economy are extremely wide, their implementation will enable the modern economy to receive a significant incentive for growth and development.

The collection fund of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute contains 56 samples of introduced plants of the genus Sorbus L., belonging to 22 species and 1 subspecies. Sorbus americana, S. aucuparia, S. aucuparia ssp. sibirica, S. commixta, S. gorodkovii, S. sambucifolia bloom and bear fruit every year. S. albovii, S. buschiana, S. fedorovii, S. hybrida, S. koehneana, S. margittaiana, S. matsumurana, S. mougeotii, S. refflexipetala, S. scopulina, S. sitchensis, S. subfusca and S. tianschanica bloom and bear fruit irregularly. S. aria flowers in isolated years, the fruits do not ripen. S. turkestanica does not bloom. S.esserteauiana and S.vilmorinii did not reach generative age. The score of winter hardiness of investigated mountain ashes is 1-3, with the exception of S. albovii, S. buschiana, S. fedorovii, S. subfusca and S. turkestanica, characterized by winter hardiness scores 3-5.

The collections of open and closed ground of the northernmost Russian Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute named after N. A. Aurorin, located 120 km north of the Arctic Circle near the cities of Apatity and Kirovsk (Murmansk region), contain a unique gene pool of introduced and local plants. The collection fund of open ground plants currently includes 1864 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, varieties and plants of hybrid origin from 407 genera of 94 families. An analysis of the existing species diversity of the group of rare and endangered plants in the open ground collections of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden was made. The assessment of the risk of extinction of plant species was carried out using the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The article contains a list of rare and endangered plants grown in the collection nurseries of the garden. The list of rare endangered plants in the collection fund of the Polar Alpine Botanical Garden did not include inadequately studied taxa with the conservation status DD. The Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature includes 212 plants of the open ground collection of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Gardens Institute in need of protection, belonging to 102 genera of 46 families. 2 species have CR status - species that are on the verge of extinction. 5 species of herbaceous and 6 species of wood introducers have the EN conservation status (endangered species) , 2 species of grassy and 1 species of wood introducers are in a vulnerable position (conservation status VU). There are 6 species of grassy and 2 species of wood introducers in a state close to threatened (environmental status NT). 96 species of herbaceous plants, 2 shrubberys and 90 species and subspecies trees and shrubs have LC conservation status.

A list of seeds of cultivated plants collected in 2017-2018 at the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, offered for exchange with other botanical gardens and institutions.

The work is devoted to the study of lateral shoots' seasonal growth of introduced species of Crataegus L. in the Kola Peninsula conditions (as exemplified by the city of Apatity). The alternation of the periods of intensive and weakened growth caused by weather conditions is typical for seasonal dynamics of growth of lateral shoots of the samples Crataegus L. introduced in the central part of the Kola Peninsula. The culmination of the linear growth of shoots occurs with an increase in average daily values of temperature and relative humidity of air. Species affiliation affects the duration of linear growth of lateral shoots of introduced Crataegus species.

The data on the influence of the microstructure of In2S3 films produced by thermal evaporation upon their optical properties in relation to the film’s thickness are reported. The atomic force spectroscopy data for the layers that are produced in identical technological conditions, but exhibit different spectral positions of the optical absorption edge are presented and discussed. Variations in the optical band gap from 2.0 to 3.6 eV under variations in the thickness of the In2S3 films from 800–450 nm to 50–30 nm are observed. The variations are interpreted as a result of variations in the content of grains, specific in dimensions and microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependence of the microstructure and spectral parameters of thin cadmium sulfide layers on the thickness of these layers and conditions of their chemical deposition from salt solutions has been investigated by methods of absorption spectroscopy and atomic‐force microscopy. The chemical composition of the mixture of salt solutions and conditions of deposition of homogeneous buffer layers of definite thickness, the optimum structure, and reproducible composition have been determined on the basis of experimental data. Our investigations have made it possible to fabricate film‐type solar cells based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 with a conversion efficiency of 10–11%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependence of the microstructure and spectral parameters of thin cadmium sulfide layers on the thickness of these layers and conditions of their chemical deposition from salt solutions has been investigated by methods of absorption spectroscopy and atomic‐force microscopy. The chemical composition of the mixture of salt solutions and conditions of deposition of homogeneous buffer layers of definite thickness, the optimum structure, and reproducible composition have been determined on the basis of experimental data. Our investigations have made it possible to fabricate film‐type solar cells based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 with a conversion efficiency of 10–11%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the disadvantages of digital measuring instruments. Formulated the task of modeling the measuring device for different waveforms and measurements with the use of microcomputers. Studied and selected mathematical models to describe the behavior of measuring instruments and for different waveforms. Modeled amperage characteristics of a simple electrical circuit to check the correctness of the choice and implementation of the models. Implemented a program of virtual simulation for signals of different forms. The program allows measurements regardless of the waveform that is a distinctive feature of the developed program.

There are representatives of 27 families, 60 genera, 306 species and 44 intraspecific taxons (3 varians, 17 forms and 24 classes), 22 hybrids, 372 taxon in total, 792 samples in the collections of woody introducents. The collection is dominated by plants of cultural origin, grown from seeds. 88 percents of plants are characterised by score of winter hardiness from 1 to 3. More than a third of the plants have been in testing for 31-40 years. Generative development is typical for most plants.

The features of asymmetry and shape of small-leaved linden leaf blades (Tilia cordata Mill.) on the Kola Peninsula (Murmansk region, Kirovsk) and in the middle part of Russia (Moscow region, Orekhovo-Zuevo) were studied. The size of leaf blades in the northern population (Murmansk oblast) was significantly smaller (p

The results of investigations of chemical composition and emission rates of the welding fume, generated during welding using electrodes for copper alloys, are presented with the aim of improvement of their sanitary and hygienic characteristics. It is shown that in order to create new grades of welding electrodes with improved hygienic characteristics, it is necessary to have the data of the initial sanitary and hygienic evaluation in accordance with international standards. It was established that the use of binder based on pure lithium liquid glass in the coating of electrodes for welding copper alloys, increases the rate of welding fume emission into the air, as well as the content of manganese and copper oxides in it. The minimum rates of harmful emissions were recorded during the use of sodium-potassium binder, which is recommended for mass production of this type of electrodes.

Soil respiration (SR) is one of the largest fluxes in the global carbon cycle, exceeding anthropogenic CO2 emission by more than an order of magnitude. Estimation of the heterotrophic component of SR is necessary to assess the carbon balance on the ecosystem and on the regional, national, and global scales. Within the framework of the most important national innovation project "Development of a System of Ground-based and Remote Monitoring of Carbon Pools and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes on the Territory of the Russian Federation," the first Russian national network is organized to monitor CO2 emission from soils and other linked parameters. The SR values and the relationship with the temperature of the upper 5- to 10-cm layer of soil (TS) are analyzed for the first time on the territory of Russia based on methodologically identical field measurements conducted simultaneously in the summer period (June–August 2023) at 75 monitoring sites in the different ecosystems in the main Russian bioclimatic zones from the tundra to the semidesert. The positive effect of soil temperature on the mean summer SR rate and the maximum monthly SR values is observed in the interval of mean TS from 10 to 20°C. Among the ecosystems studied, the lowest SR values are recorded in tundra and bog ecosystems, while the highest values are in the forest–steppe. Amongst the forest ecosystems, the lowest SR rates are characteristic of larch forests, while the highest SR values are observed in broadleaved forests of the forest–steppe zone. To clarify the regularities obtained, it is necessary to expand studies in all bioclimatic zones, but mainly in agrocenoses, tundra, and steppe ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]