RETRACTED ARTICLE

Aim. The main purpose of the ecological and biological research (EBR) of the Caspian Sea is the information and technical support of decision-making to ensure the environmental management in the region taking into account the increase of anthropogenic impact and change in climatic conditions.

Methods. As a basis, we have adopted the method of theoretical and mathematical generalization of a number of scientific papers and systematic analysis of the proposed solutions.

Results. Analysis and mathematical processing of published literature sources has convincingly demonstrated the need for international cooperation to optimize the ecological and biological research. It has also confirmed the usefulness of the ecological and biological studies of the Caspian Sea in different directions, and the distribution of effort (cost) between them requires coordinated management.

Conclusion. It is shown that the data obtained by EBI have both rapid and long-term value. In the future, it is rational to develop suitable approaches to unified structuring of the EBR data, including their spatial and timing. An important task is to create a single interstate information space on the results of EBR using information and communication technologies.

The aim is to introduce the concept of biogeographical map "Biomes of Russia" (m 1:.7.500000), scientific and methodological principles of the development of its content, the selection of indicators to characterize the biodiversity of the regional biomes and mark its place and role in the development of biogeography as well as biogeographical mapping and in terms of practical application as in education, in the sustainable development of the regions and for solving the problems in the field of nature and environmental protection.

Materials and methods. Map is based on the classification of terrestrial ecosystems (biomes) and eco-geographical approach to their subordination on different levels of organization of the biotic cover.

Results. We have displayed on the map the differentiation of the country on the composition of ecosystems and their biodiversity at the regional level. Biomes at the regional level are central to the study and are mapping units. Legend includes 35 lowland biomes and 31 orobiomes (in the mountains). A characteristic has been made up for each biome, which includes indicators of moisture and heat supply, the number of species of vascular plants, mosses and lichens, terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians). To illustrate this, there is the characteristic of the 3 orobiomes of the North Caucasus.

Conclusion. Using biomes as supporting biodiversity accounting units enables the integrated analysis of botanical and zoogeographic information about biota, as well as the dual study of biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. The current state of biomes is defined by two interrelated processes of transformation and modification of ecosystems and the reduction or loss of biological diversity. Map of regional biomes can serve as a basis for further research on the biome biodiversity on species and ecosystem levels; as the inventory of the biota and the creation of databases on species and cenotic diversity of biomes; for the development and justification of environmental protection measures.

The aim is to consider the features of evolution and determine the nature of the object of ecological knowledge as a basis for professional activities of environmental engineer in the current situation.

Methods. The author suggests the approach, according to which for the understanding of the nature and current status of the object of professional activity of environmental engineer it is necessary to make an analysis of the peculiarities of the genesis of environmental science, which determined the formation of the aggregate of environmental knowledge as an instrument of "transfer" in the learning process from teacher to listener in its development over the historical time. This process is proposed to name eco-genesis, that is the historical development of environmental science content and pedagogy.

Results. The author suggests periodization of epochs eco-genesis which shows the change in ecological thought over the previous historical period. The analysis held on the results of such a periodization of all ages the development of ecological knowledge allowed to highlight some specific features of eco-genesis, namely the qualitative change of the object of ecological knowledge from organismic systems to a global technogenic and natural system, the development and complexity of the methodology of environmental research and studies, the transformation of environmental science from the individual scientific course to interdisciplinary scientific system. The author introduces a new class of systems – exartisphere, as an object of knowledge and environmental bases for the activity of environmental engineer in the modern, the sixth era of eco-genesis.

Main conclusions. The results can be recommended for use in practice, in order to highlight the essential content and new approaches in environmental science and pedagogy of the near future, as well as for the revision of the existing approaches to designing the content of training of environmental engineer.

The aim of the research is to increase the survivability of reproductive cells of sturgeon at cryopreservation and developing reliable technology suitable for use on an industrial scale.

Methods. We have used standard methods of freezing, thawing reproductive cells, fertilization and incubation of eggs and larval rearing of sturgeon. Fundamentally new is cryoprotective composition: for sperm we have adjusted the composition of cryoprotective medium (for beluga 3% of dimethyl sulfoxide, for Russian sturgeon 4% of dimethyl sulfoxide); for freezing the eggs we have used cryoprotective mixture of unrefined vegetable and animal oils.

Results. Survivability of defrosted sperm sturgeon has been increased: for Beluga it is up to 20%, for Russian sturgeon - 47%. At insemination of cryopreserved eggs of Russian sturgeon with native sperm the fertilization rate has made 41%.

Main conclusions. The research proves the effectiveness of reducing the toxic effect of cryoprotective substances, thus leading to increased survivability of reproductive cells of sturgeon. During the insemination of eggs, stored in liquid nitrogen, the resulting offspring were viable and by the reactivity of the central nervous system and receptor complex it does not differ from the young obtained by conventional technology.

The aim of this study is to determine the level of mercury accumulation in organs and tissues of Caspian seals of different ages.

Methods. Determination of mercury in the organs and tissues of the seals has been performed on atomic absorption spectrometry RA -915+ with RP-91s station.

Results. Comparative analysis of the concentrations of mercury in the bodies of different aged Caspian seals has showed similarities in their distribution. Mercury concentrations in the liver and kidneys are higher than in other organs. The level of mercury accumulation in the liver exceeded the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) in all age groups, increasing with age. In all investigated groups mercury concentration was lowest in the subcutaneous fat of animals. The correlation analysis has demonstrated a high degree of similarity in the accumulation of mercury in organs and tissues of seal pups aged 1-7 years and seals aged 7-12 and 12-17 years. In a comparative analysis, we have observed strong positive relationship between the concentration of mercury in the liver and morphological characteristics, such as age, weight, height, girth of the trunk and the thickness of subcutaneous fat.

Main conclusions. The obtained data indicate different ways of mercury accumulation in organs and tissues of the body of the Caspian seal, which depend on their features and characteristics of the metal. The main route of mercury compounds in the body of animals is alimentary. Therefore, the maximum mercury accumulation can be seen in the liver and kidneys, which is a barrier to the penetration of a significant amount of mercury in other organs and tissues of Caspian seals.

Aim. The study of fossil insects from diatomaceous sediments of Shamb-1 locality of Sisian Suite (Early Pleistocene). The collection of fossils plants and animals of Institute of Botany of NAS RA and authors' findings served as material for study.

Methods. The material is processed and prepared for study by conventional methods in paleontology for prints and fossils of insects from diatomaceous sediments. There are 654 samples studied: 2 samples were with mollusks’ imprints and 652 samples with imprints of insects, from which preserved marks on 291samples allowed to identify them up to order, family, genus and species.

Results. The studied material refers to the Mollusca and Arthropoda (Insecta) types. Insects are represented by species of orders Orthoptera (2 fam.), Homoptera (1 fam.), Heteroptera (2 fam.), Coleoptera (15 fam.), Hymenoptera (2 fam.), Diptera (1 fam.). Coleopteras dominate among them and are presented with following species of the family – Carabidae, Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae, Histeridae, Staphylinidae, Silphidae, Elateridae, Buprestidae, Lampyridae, Scarabaeidae, Chrysomelidae, Tenebrionidae, Coccinellidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae.

Main conclusions. An analysis of the taxonomic composition of paleofauna was done, which corresponds to the recent fauna and with considering modern ecological characteristics of systematical groups and species. In the investigated location of Shamb-1 a version is suggested about the palaeolandscapes and palaeoclimate in the Early Pleistocene.

Aim. The saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica L.) is the last hoofed mammal surviving in the Russian steppe which is on the verge of extinction today. The aim of this article is to assess the current state of the saiga in Russia, determine the causes of the reduction in its population and area and to develop recommendations for the conservation of this species.

Methods. The material, presented in the paper, is the result of the analysis of the available literature sources on the Saiga, personal observations on the animals in the period of 1959-2015 in nature and various nurseries, including the Center for rare animals of European steppes founded in 2004.

Results. The article highlights the issues of population dynamics in Saiga distributions in the last century, the reasons for the reduction in its amount, the measures taken for the protection of this species and its present condition. We consider specific measures for Saiga conservation in the modern world. We also take into account the experience of the Association "Wildlife of the Steppe", where they have developed the biotechnology of breeding Saiga in nurseries, zoos and farms. And for many years this association has been home for self-reproducing groupings of this animal.

Main conclusions. Currently, Saiga antelope in Russia is an endangered species, and conservation requires the state and public to take serious urgent measures to protect and restore the population, including breeding in artificial conditions and release into the wild.

The aim. The main objective of this work is to analyze the survival strategies of 20 species of the Allium genus in the Russian part of the Caucasus (Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Ingushetia and Dagestan).

Methods. Life strategies of wild onions have been considered within the concept of L. Ramensky and J. Grime, using the most significant feature markers at the organismal and population-ontogenetic levels.

Results. Studies have shown that all studied species are characterized by the mixed types of strategy with the presence of the patient strategy component. Often, even closely related morphologically similar species have a different set of mechanisms of stability when growing in similar conditions. Accordingly, the features of the formation of life strategies can be used as diagnostic taxonomic characters in distinguishing morphologically similar species. It has also been shown that under the effectiveness of life strategy it is appropriate to consider the maintenance of stability of coenopopulations as in stable conditions or gradual changes in the ecological and phytocoenotic environment, coenopopulations are resistant thanks to a particular component of survival strategies. Accordingly, when assessing the status of species in nature it is crucial to take into account the peculiarities of its life strategy, which involves carrying out complex investigations.

Main conclusions. Thus, the analysis of plant species survival strategies provides a large amount of information important in differentiating morphologically similar species, determining their state in nature, identifying the functional role of species in ecosystems and their indicator values in assessing the degree of resilience of ecosystems as a whole.

Aim. The aim of the research is to study the ecological and biological features and evaluation of the current state of coenopopulations of Tulipa biebershteiniana Roem. et Schult. in the Terskoy upland conditions of Republic of Ingushetia (RI), a valuable ornamental species decreasing in number.

Methods and materials. T. Biebershteiniana species have been chosen and collected within RI as the material for ecological and biological research. Collection of herbarium material and recording observations, ecological and phenological characteristics of the species have been carried out during two growing seasons (2014-2015) using conventional methods.

Result. We have found that on the territory of Ingushetia population of the species Tulipa biebershteiniana Roem. et Schult. can be found only in the area of the Terek ridge on the slopes of the north-western and south-eastern exposures in the vicinity of the rural settlement of Voznesenskaya and Yuzhnoye, in the bushes in a dry clay soils at an altitude of 500-600 meters above sea level sporadically. On the basis of ecological and biological study of features of T.biebershteiniana in terms of its natural habitat we describe ontogenesis and full morphogenesis of its monocarpic shoots. We have also detected the factors limiting its coenopopulations. The growing places of T.biebershteiniana species have been identified, thus we have carried out mapping of its range on the territory of Ingushetia. The soil texture has been studied from natural places of T.biebershteiniana.

Conclusion. The research on population status of T. Biebersteiniana on the territory of the Republic of Ingushetia has showed a low density and a limited range of its distribution, and therefore we have made recommendations on taking protective measures of natural spaces of its growth and of making it into the Red Book of the Republic of Ingushetia as a category of III rarity status.

Aim. Estimation of pollutants balance at the license area “Severniy” using the operational hydrodynamic model of the Caspian Sea and the data of industrial environmental monitoring.

Methods. A new method was used to estimate pollutants balance at the license area based on the data of the hydrodynamic model and environmental monitoring. The indicated method was developed by Caspian Marine Scientific Research Center jointly with Hydrometeorological Centre of Russia in 2015.

Results. The pollutants balance was estimated for oil products, heavy metals (copper, lead, cadmium, mercury, cobalt, iron, manganese, zinc and nickel) and the total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It was discovered that from 17 to 20 October 2014 the balance of most pollutants was negative and amounted to less than 1% of the total transport. Pollutants outflow was registered 0-5 and 5-10 m layers, and the inflow was discovered in the layers of 10-15 and 15-20 m.

Conclusion. The new approach based on the modified calculation technology of water exchange and pollutants transport has performed well and will make it possible to estimate the balance and flows of pollutants passing through different areas of the Caspian Sea.

Aim. The paper is aimed to estimate the current level of hydrocarbon pollution of the marine environment in the North-Western part of the Caspian Sea.

Methods. The paper discusses the results of three-year studies conducted in 2012-2014 within the framework of Roshydromet’s Programme of monitoring of transboundary waters of the Caspian Sea. Spatial distribution of concentrations of hydrocarbons (total and polyaromatic) in water and bottom sediments of the area was analysed. Concentrations of total hydrocarbons were determined by means of infrared spectrometry and PAHs – of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.

Results. The range of the total hydrocarbons in the area’s water is from slight traces to 240 µg/l, in sediments – from traces to 114 µg/g (dry weight). Total concentrations of PAHs in water varied from traces to 321 ng/l, in sediments – from traces to 699 ng/g (dry weight). For the source identification, data of satellite monitoring of the area were used. The data showed increasing input of hydrocarbons coming into the marine environment with discharges from vessels.

Conclusion. The results of these studies are compared to those of previous research and show that the level of hydrocarbons in the area is typical for slightly polluted areas.

The aim. The aim is to develop the energy efficient technologies to explore hydro geothermal resources of different energy potential.

Methods. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed technologies has been carried out with the use of physical and mathematical, thermodynamic and optimization methods of calculation and the physical and chemical experimental research.

Results. We propose the technology of integrated exploration of low-grade geothermal resources with the application of heat and water resource potential on various purposes. We also argue for the possibility of effective exploration of geothermal resources by building a binary geothermal power plant using idle oil and gas wells. We prove the prospect of geothermal steam and gas technologies enabling highly efficient use of thermal water of low energy potential (80 - 100 ° C degrees) to generate electricity; the prospects of complex processing of high-temperature geothermal brine of Tarumovsky field. Thermal energy is utilized in a binary geothermal power plant in the supercritical Rankine cycle operating with a low-boiling agent. The low temperature spent brine from the geothermal power plant with is supplied to the chemical plant, where the main chemical components are extracted - lithium carbonate, magnesium burning, calcium carbonate and sodium chloride. Next, the waste water is used for various water management objectives. Electricity generated in the binary geothermal power plant is used for the extraction of chemical components.

Conclusions. Implementation of the proposed technologies will facilitate the most efficient development of hydro geothermal resources of the North Caucasus region. Integrated exploration of the Tarumovsky field resources will fully meet Russian demand for lithium carbonate and sodium chloride.

The aim is to determine the optimal technology management that meets the challenges of energy-efficient nature management in forest ecosystems of Transnistria by means of the energy approach. As well as to introduce ecological and economic “energy rouble” based assessment of the effectiveness of the restoration of forest geosystems in Transnistria.

Methods. For the energy assessment of forest geosystems we have used techniques by Russian scientists (A.S. Mindrin and A.V. Pozdnyakov, K.A. Shurkina, M.M. Ivanova, T.Sh. Fusella), modified and adapted to the specific regional conditions of Transnistria.

Results. By using the energy approach and the ecological and economic “energy rouble” based assessment in Transnistria it has been found that reforestation technology number 3 is the least energy-intensive and, as a consequence, the most energy-efficient of all applied in Transnistria. In addition, taking into account the specificity of the technology, it helps the forest environment remain in almost unchanged condition, thus preserving biodiversity, forest communities. This technology reflects the economic and environmental interests, that is, it can be defined as technology of environmental management.

Conclusions. The studies have allowed to significantly increase the energy intensity of human activity on the example of one of the forest enterprises of Transnistria. The proposed recovery technology with the use of the forest environment of parent plants and the elements of the natural regeneration (technology number 3) restores forest ecosystems naturally, preserving biodiversity and habitat forest communities. Thus, it is the direction of the effective environmental management capable to provide the basis for the recovery model of forest geosystems in the republic as well as neighboring countries and regions (including Russia).

Aim. To investigate the mechanisms of variability of the influenza virus.

Discussion. Influenza is one of the most significant problems facing the health care system. Human influenza causes a number of social and economic problems: mortality in high-risk groups, increasing in the load on personnel agencies health and reduced manpower. Features of the influenza virus genome enable the pathogen to cause seasonal epidemics each year, despite the preventive measures (vaccination) and using of specific antiviral drugs.

Conclusion. Variability of the influenza virus genome is provided by antigenic drift, antigenic shift and recombination. This mechanisms of the variability of influenza virus that allow to remain a highly contagious infectious agent able to infect a large number of host species and cause significant problems as a result of epidemics and pandemics.

The aim is to study the process of mechanochemical modification of the physico-chemical and anthelmintic benzimidazole properties of drugs to change their water solubility and increase their efficiency.

Methods. We have used the technology of solid phase mechanical processing of substances with polysaccharides to obtain the supramolecular complexes, which are characterized by a complex of physico-chemical methods (IR spectroscopy, DTA, XRF, solubility, etc.) as well as tested for anthelmintic effect in laboratory models and experiments on sheep.

Results. The drug has a high efficiency in laboratory models of helminthes and in experiments on sheep infested spontaneously with nematodes of gastrointestinal tract lowering the dosages of substance.

Conclusion. Solid phase mechanochemical processing of certain substances of benzimidazole anthelmintic drugs with polysaccharides shows the possibility of obtaining environmentally friendly products with improved solubility, bioavailability and increased biological activity against nematodes.

The aim of research is to study coenopopulations of Halocnemum strobilaceum on soft salt marshes of the lake "Cagan USN" (Yashkul district, Republic of Kalmykia).

Materials and methods. The article presents data on the ontogeny, demographic and spatial structure of H. strobilaceum for practical and theoretical use due to the degradation of pastures and secondary salinity in the water reclamation. Research on coenopopulations of Halocnemum has been carried out according to the methods of studying spatial and demographic structure of the plant phytocenoses (1950), plant collection and herbarization (1977), and making sites of 3x3 meters.

Results. Research has allowed us to identify 6 age phases of H. strobilaceum: p, im, v, g1, g2-g3, svg, s, and the ontogenetic state: p - 5%, im - 5%, v - 5%, g1 - 35 %, g2-g3 - 35%, svg - 5%, s - 10%. During the research of coenopopulations of Halocnemum strobilaceum we have revealed the polyvariance ontomorphogenesis phenomenon, which is manifested in the transition of individuals from senile (s) age condition, in particular, to senile-virginal-generative (svg). In addition, at this stage, we have observed new shoots, habitually similar to vegetative, able to bloom the following year (the state svg). The analysis of ontogenesis of individuals of Halocnemum strobilaceum has showed the predominance of young (g1) and middle-aged (g2-g3) generative phase.

Conclusion. Thus, a temporary rejuvenation of Halocnemum strobilaceum communities at the lake of "Cagan USN" is considered by us as the occurrence of certain adaptations to the effects of different natural and anthropogenic factors. This ability of Halocnemum strobilaceum to quickly restore spatial demographic structure of its coenopopulations indicates the high ecological and biological potential of this kind of dominant on the soft salt marshes.

Aim. The aim is to study morphological diversity of long-legged wood frog larvae after continuous exposure to a magnetic field of varying intensity during embryonic development from neurula to leaving the egg membranes.

Methods. We have created hypermagnetic conditions by increasing the tension of the natural magnetic field. Petri dish with fragments of laid eggs has been placed in a low carbon steel container (20,5x17x9). Outside, the container has been covered with a shell made of sheet copper.

Results. Rana macrocnemis, obtained in the first experiment, compared with the control specie, showed a significant increase in tail and body length. The second experiment showed an increase in tail and body length. The third experiment, compared to the control specie, showed no difference. The fourth experiment showed an increase in tail and body length. The fifth experiment also showed an increase in tail and body length.

Conclusions. The effect of magnetic fields on the embryonic development period from neurula to hatching showed that the length of the trunk is a more stable feature, the tail length increases in the experiments, and only in the third experiment it remained unchanged compared to control species.

Aim. The article deals with the main methods and techniques for the prevention of caries of temporary and permanent teeth in children of preschool and school ages, as well as the methods for evaluating and the percentage of the effectiveness caries prevention.

Discussion. Reducing the amount of digestible carbohydrates for up to five times a day and a daily double-entry tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste matched according to age of the child and the standard technique. In most cases these measures are sufficient and prove to be effective. The research on the incidence of dental caries in children has found that among children with disordered eating behavior and nicotine intoxication (passive smoking) dental caries prevalence rates are 3 times higher, and the intensity is 18 times higher than that of children with the right diet and not exposed to passive smoking.

Conclusion. Thus, at the moment there is a fairly wide range of different means and methods of preventing dental caries in children of preschool and school age, but none of these guarantee the prevention of caries, but with implementation of preventive measures on the advice and under the dentist's supervision carious processes can be slowed or moved over longer periods while treatment of carious disease can be psychologically difficult for the child.