D. G. Matishov

Natural decrease of the intensity level of artificial radioactive isotopes in the Barents Sea

The results of radioecological investigations carried out within the framework of the Russian-Finnish high-latitude expedition in 2007 are presented. The characteristics of the present-day accumulation level of the significant radioecological isotopes 137Cs, 90Sr and 239,240Pu in the Barents Sea are described. The comparative analysis is performed for the radiation pollution of the environment in the 1980s and 1990s and in the first decade of the 21st century. Natural purification processes in the marine environment are the main factors of the decrease in the intensity level of artificial radioactive isotopes. These processes include repeated dilution, nuclear decay, occlusion by sediments and suspended solid material, and accumulation by aquatic inhabitants. A stable decreasing trend is observed for the intensity level of artificial radioactive isotopes in the Barents Sea.

Spring production cycle of phytoplankton in the Kara Sea.

It is well known that annual phytoplankton production in Arctic ecosystems is mainly determined by the duration of the vegetation period. The onset of the vegetation period is controlled by the increase in solar radiation and by the state of the ice cover. Because the majority of the annual phytoplankton biomass is formed during spring bloom, the accuracy of an assessment of the gross productivity of a given water basin depends significantly on the adequate detection of the onset of biological spring. This is particularly true for Arctic seas, because biological processes in solid-ice coating and in air holes in ice fields in spring are obscure. For example, only scarce and limited data are available on the Kara Sea biology during the ice-free season (late summer to early fall) [1–3].

Assessment of 137Cs and 90Sr fluxes in the Barents Sea

The annual balance of radionuclides inflow/outflow was assessed for 137Cs and 90Sr isotopes in the Barents Sea, taking into account the atmospheric precipitation, inflow from the Norwegian and the White seas, as well as riverine discharge, liquid radioactive waste disposal (LRWD), and outflow to the adjacent seas. The original and published data for the period of 1950–2009 were analyzed. According to the multiyear dynamics (1960–2009), the inflow of 137Cs and 90Sr into the Barents Sea was significantly preconditioned by the Norwegian Sea currents; and precipitation played a major role in the 1950s, 1960s, and in 1986. Currently, the trans-border redeposition of 90Sr prevails over 137Cs redeposition in the Barents Sea, and constitutes about 99% of inflow of each element.

Analysis of distribution of artificial radionuclides in the ecological system of Barents Sea.

Three main fields of studies took shape in the period of the formation of marine radioecology (1950–1960): (1) systematic studies of the radioactive substance content of marine ecological systems to providing data for tracing radioisotope migration in the sea and calculating the doses of ionizing radiation absorbed by organisms; (2) experimental study of the accumulation and release of radioactive substances by different components of marine ecological systems; and (3) studies of the biological effect of small doses of radiation of different isotopes on the vital activity, reproduction, and development of marine organisms, as well as the structure and biomass of their populations and biocenoses [1].

Separation and study of the range of plasminogen isoforms in patients with prostate cancer.

Using affinity chromatography, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, plasminogen isoforms were separated and identified in blood plasma. Healthy donors and patients with prostate cancer in various stages of development were included in the studied sample. With the development of prostate cancer, four additional specific plasminogen isoforms are registered in blood plasma; they are characterized by lower molecular weights and higher pI values compared to isoforms found in the control group.

A condition for the existence of quasi-periodic nonlinear internal waves in the ocean shelf zone

Free internal gravity waves, which are typical of the shelf ocean zone are studied. A necessary condition for the existence of nonlinear wave disturbances quasi-periodic in time in a continuously stratified sea with variable depth H is found in the quasistatic and the “hard cap” approximation with respect to dissipative factors and latitudinal variation in the Coriolis parameter. The obtained assessment is equivalent to the condition obtained within the framework of linear theory for the case of the f-plane and a constant depth H.

Assessment of the Modern State of the Black Sea Ecosystem (Republic of Abkhazia)

Marine scientific research in the southern seas of Russia is a priority goal of the Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In the last five years, we have carried out more than 30 expedi� tions to the Black Sea [1]. Despite the fact that the ecosystem of the Black Sea is considered well studied [2–6], detailed studies in the waters of the Republic of Abkhazia were carried out up to the middle of the 1980s and were completely terminated in 1991 owing to disintegration of the USSR and a military conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia. In June 2010, multi� disciplinary ecosystem studies were carried out for the first time in 20 years in the territorial waters and exclu� sive economic zone of the Republic of Abkhazia according to the suggestion of the leaders of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Rosneft Open Society. A background assessment of the modern ecological state of the Abkhazian waters was performed. These studies were directed to the conservation and repro� duction of the natural resources and termination of the negative influence of economic activity on the envi� ronment and liquidation of its possible consequences. The field studies were carried out according to the actual legal regularities and international obligations of Russia and the Republic of Abkhazia in the sphere of ecology and safe nature management in the Black Sea basin. The expedition studies within the Gudauta licensed site included hydrobiological works (hypo� neustone, zoo�, bacterio�, phyto�, ichthyoplankton, zoo�, and phytobenthos), ichthyological investiga� tions, and observation of birds and marine mammals according to the generally accepted methods at 15 sta�

Comparative assessment of the metal load in the bays and inlets of Murmansk coast by the metal pollution index

Comparative assessment of pollution by metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Fe, and As) was performed for the first time for the bays and inlets of the Murmansk coast of the Barents Sea; the international Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was applied for the fucoids. The background pollution was assessed for each studied element by MPI in the fucoids taking into account the seawater salinity. It was found that the MPI index calculated for fucoids might be recommended for the qualitative assessment of the metal pollution level with regard to the water salinity for both the studied sampling sites and the natural environment. The comparative monitoring of Pb, Cu, Cd, Fe, and As concentrations in the bays and inlets of the Murmansk coast of the Barents Sea using MPI evidenced that Pechenga Inlet was the most polluted area; Korabel’naya Inlet was the least polluted, which reflected the existing level of the anthropogenic load.

Quantitative Analysis of Metabolic Profile and Tamm‐Horsfall Protein in Pediatric Stone Patients

According to some studies, the secretion of urinary glycoprotein Tamm‐Horsfall protein (uromodulin) plays a significant part in the suppression of calcium nephrolith formation. The aim of the present study was to detect correlation of Tamm‐Horsfall protein with soluble Ca2+ in the urine of urolithic patients and compare it with a control group, in order to estimate the degree of the disease progress, as well as the prognosis for the disease. The research included 29 urolithic patients, aged 8, 0±0, 2 y. The content of soluble Ca2+ in fresh urine was estimated by the method of capillary zone electrophoresis. The level of Tamm‐Horsfall protein in urine was measured from cryoprecipitate using SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis and semiquantitative analysis. Urine from the urolithic patients was consistently higher in Ca2+ and in Tamm‐Horsfall protein concentrations than urine from controls, at all periods of the day.

Content of artificial radionuclides in the birds of the Barents Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Coastal birds are important elements of both the trophic chains and the process of transformation of radioactive substances in ecosystems. Colonial birds are of considerable interest for monitoring local sources of radioactive pollution associated with nuclear sites, including testing sites, located in the coastal zone [1–5]. The objects of radiation hazard in the region studied in this work are concentrated in the towns of Murmansk, Severomorsk, Polyarnyi, and Gadzhievo; the Kola Bay; the Motovskoi Bay; and in the estuaries of the rivers Saida, Olen’ya, Pala, Zapadnaya Litsa, Ura, and Ara. The colonies of birds contain from several hundreds to tens of thousands of specimens within a limited space, increasing thereby the concentrations of the biogenic substances and pollutants.