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The method of the social investing of the Arctic subsoil users is considered in this article. As the portfolio of social investments is formed based on the interests of indigenous peoples, the authors used expert assessment and sociological research for social investing modeling. A two-stage procedure for forming a portfolio of such projects is proposed. An approach has also been developed for assessing and selecting investment projects for the Arctic sustainable development according to different criteria of optimality. The authors substantiate the need for a new approach to sustainable development of the Arctic, based not on compensation for the negative consequences of industrial development used in many countries, but on social investment. In this article the proposed approach is tested on the case of the Arctic indigenous community in Taimyr and the optimal social investing portfolio is justified.

The article discusses the mechanism of coordination and harmonization of the interests between indigenous peoples and a mining company during projects implementation on the Arctic industrial development. The purpose of the study is to substantiate methodological approaches for taking into account the interests of the local population when choosing compensation projects in the area of planned mining activities. The hypothesis of the study is the possibility of finding compromise options between field development and economic interests of the local community. The case of extraction project in Anabar national (Dolgan-Evenki) region of Yakutia shows that insufficient consideration of the indigenous interests can lead to conflicts. The methodology of the research consists of the concept of benefit sharing, impact assessment, sociological research. To assess the degree of interaction between the mining company and the local community, a matrix of the balance of their interests has been developed, coupled with an optimization model for the formation of an optimal set of compensation projects. In Results the authors present the methodological tools to provide economic guarantees of the rights of the indigenous peoples during Arctic industrial development.

The article addresses the issues of route selection for minerals’ transportation based on social, economic, and environmental factors to ensure sustainability in the Arctic. The case of the Tomtor deposit of rare earth metals in Yakutia is considered in the paper. The authors analyze its impact on traditional lands and the environment. To ensure sustainability and to optimize the natural resources’ use for route selection for minerals’ transportation in the Arctic, a system of criteria is proposed. It covers not only the cost of transportation and the distance from the deposit to the processing point, but also the damage to traditional lands of indigenous peoples, and environmental and social risks. An algorithm for choosing the optimal solution for the conservation of natural resources and traditional lands during the transportation of minerals is proposed. It depends on the developed criteria. The proposed approaches can be used during industrial development and investment in the Arctic to optimize the routes of mineral resources’ transportation.

Актуальность работы. Карбонатные коры, наросты и выцветы, формирующиеся на фасадах различных зданий и сооружений в результате выщелачивания компонентов строительных материалов, таких как цемент, бетон, известняк, являются наиболее распространенными видами техногенного минералообразования в условиях городской среды. В отличие от непрочных сталактитов и сталагмитов, формирование которых наблюдается только в определенных условиях, подобные образования широко распространены. Развитие карбонатных кор, наростов и выцветов на фасадах зданий не только свидетельствует о процессах разрушения связующих компонентов строительных конструкций, но и оказывает негативное воздействие на эстетическую привлекательность объектов городской архитектуры. Натёчные образования кальцита заполняют микротрещины и неровности поверхностей облицовочных материалов, что приводит к интенсификации процессов разрушения и требует проведения дорогостоящих мероприятий по очистке фасадов. Исследования, посвященные изучению карбонатных новообразований на фасадах различных зданий и сооружений, немногочисленны. Цель работы: выявление особенностей минерального состава, строения и возможных механизмов образования карбонатных кор и натеков, формирующихся на фасадах зданий и сооружений города Тюмени в различных условиях; определение факторов, способствующих данному явлению. Методы: выявление и систематизация объектов городской архитектуры, подверженных процессам формирования карбонатных новообразований, поляризационная и инвертированная микроскопия в прозрачных шлифах, СЭМ-ЭДС, рентгеноструктурный анализ. Результаты. Карбонатные коры и натеки существенно различаются по особенностям строения, минеральному составу и вероятным механизмам формирования в зависимости от конкретного местоположения. Четко разделяются коры, развивающиеся на вертикальных и горизонтальных поверхностях: первые - плоские, достаточно тонкие и имеют слоистую структуру, вторые -плотные и характеризуются глобулярным строением. Формирование карбонатных новообразований происходит при значительном участии живых организмов, а процессы биогенного осаждения кальцита происходят синхронно с хемогенным. Четких связей между возрастом или местоположением конкретных объектов и интенсивностью формирования карбонатных кор не выявлено; соответственно данный процесс скорее обусловлен конструктивными особенностями конкретных сооружений и качеством строительных материалов. Relevance. Carbonate crusts, outgrowths and efflorescences, formed on the facades of various buildings and structures due to components leaching from building materials, such as cement, concrete, limestone, are the most common type of technogenic mineral formation in urban environment. Unlike the unstable stalactites and stalagmites, which are formed only under certain conditions, and the period of existence, as a rule, is limited, such formations are widespread. Development of carbonate crusts, outgrowths and efflorescences on the facades of buildings not only indicates destruction of the bonding components of building structures, but also has a negative impact on aesthetic appeal of urban architecture. Rigid calcite formations fill microcracks and surface irregularities of facing materials, such as granite, which leads to intensification of destruction of natural materials and requires expensive cleaning of facades. Despite the obvious urgency of the problem, there are not many studies devoted to carbonate neoplasms on various buildings and structures. The main aim of the research is to investigate the peculiarities of mineral composition, structure and possible mechanisms for formation of carbonate cores and filaments generated on the facades of buildings and structures of the city of Tyumen under various conditions, and to identify the factors contributing to this phenomenon. The methods: identification and systematization of objects of urban architecture subject to formation of carbonate, crusts, outgrowths and efflorescence; study of structural features of the most representative samples of carbonate neoplasms in transparent sections, using scanning electron microscope; determination of gross mineral composition of tumors (X-ray analysis). The results. The carried out research shown that carbonate cortices and sinters essentially differ in features of structure, mineral structure and probable mechanisms of formation depending on a concrete site. The crusts developing on vertical and horizontal surfaces are clearly divided: the first are flat, thin enough and have a layered structure, the latter are dense and are characterized by a globular structure. Development of carbonate formations probably occurs with significant participation of living organisms. Biogenic and chemogenic processes of calcite precipitation occur synchronically. There are no relationships between the age or location of the studied objects and the intensity of these processes; that is why the constructional particular qualities of buildings and construction materials are the most significant factors.

Diatomites of the Paleocene-Eocene age are widespread in the Trans-Urals and act as soil-forming rocks in river valleys. At the same time the direction and nature of the processes of soil formation on such deposits are practically not studied. The paper presents the results of studying soil formation on diatomites for the territory of the Middle Trans-Ural region within the Sverdlovsk region. The main methods used for studying the soil formation process on diatomites were the soil-morphological and micromorphological ones. The studied soils, formed under pine forests on the indigenous banks of the river, can be classified as sod-podzolic (Albic Luvisols). They are characterized by the presence of-the strong bleached eluvial strata, with a characteristic structure and visually diagnosed traces of dissolution of the original rock. When studying in thin sections and using a scanning electron microscope, it is found that the processes of soil formation occur synchronously with the dissolution and destruction of silicon microfossils. The preliminary results obtained indicate that soils on diatomites and other rocks enriched with biogenic silica are unique natural objects, and their study can be useful for understanding the role of the lithogenic base in the formation of the silicon cycle and the contribution of biogenic silicon to soil formation.

The proposed research is devoted to the effects of the urbanization on the soil cover through the assessment of common organic and inorganic pollutants as well as anthropogenic microartifacts (MAs) over 20 sites characterizing different land use areas within the city of Tyumen, Russia. The analytical methods included measurements of physical–chemical properties of soils (total organic carbon content, pH, and texture), the total concentrations of potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, and Pb) using X-ray fluorescence analysis, and the concentrations of 12 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using high-performance liquid chromatography, and the evaluation of the composition of anthropogenic MAs assemblies by optical microscopy. The results of the study showed that the soils of all studied sites within the industrial areas were characterized by a high level of combined pollution with elements and compounds. For other sites, the duration of urbanization was the strongest factor that influenced the levels of pollution. The sites with the highest pollution levels were also characterized by the highest proportion and diversity of MAs. In contrast to the urban soils of the cities in North America and Western Europe, anthropogenic MAs associated with the use of coal (ash, slag, and silicon spheres) were present, but to a far lesser extent. Apparently, this is due to the fairly late development and intensive growth of Tyumen in the second half of the twentieth century, as well as the use of natural gas and fuel oil. At the same time, MAs associated with construction and domestic debris prevailed both in the soils of demolition sites and residential areas, which indirectly indicates the rapid and chaotic nature of urbanization, characteristic of Tyumen.

The formation of Mg-rich carbonates in continental lakes throughout the world is highly relevant to irreversible CO2 sequestration and the reconstruction of paleo-sedimentary environments. Here, preliminary results on Mg-rich carbonate formation at the coastal zone of Lake Vtoroe Zasechnoe, representing the Setovskiye group of water bodies located in the forest-steppe zone of Southwest Western Siberia, are reported. The Setovskiye lakes are Cl&minus, &ndash, Na+&ndash, (SO42&minus, ) type, alkaline, and medium or highly saline. The results of microscopic and mineralogical studies of microbialites from shallow coastal waters of Lake Vtoroe Zasechnoe demonstrated that Mg in the studied lake was precipitated in the form of hydrous Mg carbonates, which occur as radially divergent crystals that form clusters in a dumbbell or star shape. It is possible that hydrous Mg carbonate forms due to the mineralization of exopolymeric substances (EPS) around bacterial cells within the algal mats. Therefore, the Vtoroe Zasechnoe Lake represents a rare case of Mg-carbonates formation under contemporary lacustrine conditions. Further research on this, as well as other lakes of Setovskiye group, is needed for a better understanding of the possible role of biomineralization and abiotic mechanisms, such as winter freezing and solute concentration, in the formation of authigenic Mg carbonate in modern aquatic environments.

The paper presents the results of studying the development of calcite neoformations on the surfaces of modern buildings within the city of Tyumen. The objects of the study were carbonate crusts and stalactite-like bodies formed on the surfaces of five representative buildings in the city center. Research methods included visual diagnostics, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and semi-quantitative determination of the mineral composition by X-ray diffraction analysis. The results of the study show that calcite is the main component of all carbonate crusts, while other minerals were found in small quantities. The microscopic studies revealed the differences in morphology of crusts developing on horizontal and vertical surfaces. The mycelium of fungi (presumably of the Penicillium group), represented by filamentous and often hollow hyphae covered with calcite, as well as relics of bacterial colonies were found in all studied samples. It was noted that the mycelium forms the structural frame of carbonate crusts and stalactites. Studies have shown that the prokaryotic&ndash, eukaryotic communities are responsible for the high rate of the urban speleothem growth and play the main role in calcite precipitation at the initial stages of their development.

Buried soils within aeolian deposits are considered an important tool for diagnosing, determining the age, and estimating the intensity of aeolian processes at the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene in the Northern Hemisphere. Late Pleistocene aeolian coversands and ancient inland dunes are widely distributed in the periglacial zone of Western Siberia. In contrast to the territories of Central and Eastern Europe, the paleosol archive of the aeolian sands and dunes of Western Siberia has not yet been studied. This paper presents the first findings of late Pleistocene paleosols within the ancient inland dunes in the southeast of Western Siberia (Ob&ndash, Tomsk interfluve, Tomsk region). The soils and their stratigraphic position were studied in the outcrop of the quarry, located in the junction zone of the second Tom river terraces and the ancient valley. Two types of paleosols were identified. The first one is confined to the central part of a small dune and is represented by a slightly developed Albic Arenosol with fragmentary humus horizon Ahb and a well-pronounced Eb. It can probably be considered as an analogue of the European Usselo soil. The second paleosol was found at the bottom of the interdune depression. It is represented by a brown Bwb horizon and probably corresponds to a Brunic Arenosol (Dystric). The second paleosol is characterized by a higher content of clay fraction and organic carbon, the presence of weak signs of illuviation, and richer and more diverse mineral composition. This soil is apparently an analogue of the European Finow soil. Radiocarbon dating of the charcoals found in the paleosols suggests that the first dates from the Younger Dryas (ca. 12,036 cal. yr. BP), and the second one from the Aller&oslash, d (ca. 13,355 cal. yr. BP). The study results propose that the natural environment in the periglacial zone of the south of Western Siberia was generally similar to those in Central and Eastern Europe, and the activation of aeolian processes, which led to the formation of a dune relief, occurred at about the same time.

In order to confirm the irradiation behavior of ODS steels and thus judge their applicability to fuel claddings, fuel pin irradiation tests using 9Cr and 12Cr-ODS claddings developed by JAEA were conducted to burn-up of 11.9 at% and neutron dose of 51 dpa in the BOR-60. Superior properties of the ODS claddings concerning FCCI, dimensional stability under irradiation and so on were confirmed and indicated good application prospects for high burn-up fuel. On the other hand, anomalous irradiation behaviors, fuel pin failure and the microstructure change containing coarse and irregular precipitates, occurred in a part of the fuel pin with 9Cr-ODS cladding. This paper describes evaluation of the obtained irradiation data and the investigation results into the cause of the anomalous irradiation behaviors.

An investigation of coloration of SrPrGaO 4 single crystals grown by the Czochralski method is reported. As-grown crystals were dark green with some red stripes, but after annealing in N 2 +H 2 atmosphere the crystals became transparent green. The recorded X-ray photoelectron spectra of Pr ions show no difference depending on the samples' color and disprove the suggestion about the influence of Pr valency on coloration. For as-grown dark green samples, an extra O is peak at 527.05 eV absent for annealed transparent green samples was found and assigned to the presence of an interstitial oxygen. The existence of interstitial oxygen atoms in the SrPrGaO 4 crystal lattice and its influence on coloration of the crystals was also confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetry measurements.

As sensor technology and applications have advanced over the years, the size of sensor windows has grown substantially to satisfy current and future demands. Rubicon Technology, with their strong history in scaling sapphire crystal growth and large scale production processes, has successfully produced large sapphire blanks using a highly modified horizontal directional solidification process. Several prototypes have been synthesized up to 1.75 inches thick, 14 inches wide and 20 inches long. Crystal properties and optical characteristics such as transmission and refractive index homogeneity will be presented on several polished bubble-free windows with excellent results. This research sets the standard for high quality monolithic sapphire sheets large enough for use as seamless integrated optical windows in both military and civilian applications.

Undoped and Fe-doped (0.35, 0.5 and 0.7 at% Fe) LiNbO3 single-crystal fibers were grown using the micro-pulling-down method with resistivity heating. The fibers chemical homogeneity was examined with electron probe micro-analysis and crystallographic orientation was checked with Raman spectroscopy. The engraving of an optical waveguide in a Fe-doped LiNbO3 single-crystal fiber was performed with an optical vortex beam, which creates a guiding core in the fiber with an increase of the refractive index via the photorefractive effect presents in lithium niobate. This waveguide was tested by probe beams at 633 and 1550 nm.