ISSN 0016-7029, Geochemistry International, 2016, Vol. 54, No. 5, pp. 475–483. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2016. Original Russian Text © V.V. Ermakov, S.V. Baboshkina, 2016, published in Geokhimiya, 2016, No. 5, pp. 484–492.

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9th International Biogeochemical School V. V. Ermakova, * and S. V. Baboshkinab, ** aVernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 19, Moscow, 119991 Russia bInstitute of Water and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Molodezhnaya 1, Barnaul, 656038 Russia *e-mail: [email protected] **e-mail: [email protected] Received November 15, 2015; accepted November 18, 2015

DOI: 10.1134/S0016702916050025

INTRODUCTION —biogeochemistry of aquatic ecosystems and The 9th International Biogeochemical School “Bio- influence of biogeochemical processes on catchments geochemistry of Technogenesis and Modern Problems on the formation of hydrochemical runoff; of Geochemical Ecology” was held on August 24–28, —problems of ecological monitoring of toxicant 2015 at the Institute of Water and Environmental Prob- loading on the environment and new approaches to lems, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences the organization of biogeochemical monitoring; (IVEP) in Barnaul. The school was organized by IVEP —biogeochemical problems in medicine and agri- in cooperation with the Vernadsky Institute of Geo- culture; chemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy —methods of the analysis of chemical elements of Sciences (GEOKhI); Institute of Soil Science and and compounds in natural and anthropogenic objects; Agricultural Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian —biogeochemistry of soils and problems and pros- Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk); Tomsk National pects of the restoration and phytoremediation of con- Research Polytechnic University (NITPTU); Gornyi taminated soils of anthropogenic landscapes; and Altai State University (GAGU, Gorno-Altaisk); and Altai Agrarian State University (AGU, Barnaul) and —biogeochemical problems of the Arctic. was sponsored by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and Department of Earth Sciences of the PLENARY SESSION Russian Academy of Sciences. The school was attended by researchers from 82 scientific and educational insti- Twenty plenary lectures were presented. In the tutions, as well as museums and applied scientific orga- report “Technogenesis and Biogeochemical Evolution nizations of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Lithua- of Biospheric Taxons”, V.V. Ermakov and Yu.V. Koval- nia, Bulgaria, France, Sweden, Israel, Germany, Mol- sky (Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analyt- dova, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The ical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Mos- program included 165 presentations. The school was cow) noted that biogeochemistry is one of the most opened by the Director of IVEP Prof. Yu.I. Vinokurov, important systems sciences dealing with the elemental who pointed out the urgency of the 9th International composition of living matter and biogenic migration of Biogeochemical School and considerable contribution chemical elements and their compounds in the bio- of scientists to the progress of biogeochemistry and geo- sphere. Their lecture focused on the anthropogenic chemical ecology. transformation of the biosphere, its consequences, need for the adaptation of economy, and development The 9th Biogeochemical School focused on the of geochemical ecology, a modern scientific field pro- problems of anthropogenic alteration of biospheric viding a basis for the biogeochemical investigation of taxons, evaluation of the role of biogeochemistry in biospheric taxons, their zoning, and regulation. In economy, and development of modern biogeochemi- addition, Ermakov highlighted the concept of the bal- cal techniques. These topics were discussed in plenary ance of biogeochemical cycles, the energy state of the lectures and the following sessions of the school: biosphere and its adaptation to anthropogenic factors, —biogeochemistry of major and trace elements and the importance of investigations on the identifica- and radionuclides; their global and local cycles; tion and correction of biogeochemical endemic dis- —regional and global problems of the technogene- eases. He pointed out the most acute problems in the sis of the biosphere and its taxons; development of the science.

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The monitoring of food safety in the food industry istry of the Biosphere” and proposed a new interpreta- of Serbia was discussed by Prof. L.N. Jovanović (ALFA tion of experiments on the interaction of chemical ele- University, Beograd). She noted that the introduction ments with living matter. These experiments focused of the HACCP system in the Republic of Serbia on the sorption of chemical elements on biomass and became obligatory in 2011 in accordance with the Law mortmass of aquatic plants and biological detritus. It on Veterinary and the Food Safety Law. The main was concluded that the concept of the biogenic purpose of the study was the analysis of the main migration of chemical elements should be revised aspects of the HACCP methodology for its application with emphasis on their immobilization. Professor in Serbian companies. Each producer is obliged to N.V. Baranovskaya (Tomsk Polytechnic University) provide a certificate for food quality and safety. discussed modern biogeochemical ideas in her lecture The lecture of Prof. A.V. Puzanov “Biogeochemis- “Geochemistry of Living Matter” by the example of try of the Altai–Sayan Mountain Land” illustrated the the elemental composition of humans and demon- diversity and complexity of geomorphologic, geo- strated its dependence on the particular habitat. The logic, hydrographic, and climate conditions; the con- lecture of Prof. V.S. Besel (Institute of Plant and Ani- trasting lithochemical background; and the ecology of mal Ecology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sci- mountain soil formation and related diverse soil- ences, Yekaterinburg) “Once More about Living Mat- forming processes in the system of vertical zoning of ter” concerned the existence of a system of histohe- the Altai–Sayan mountain land. These factors matic barriers in animal organisms. This results in resulted in a pronounced heterogeneity of the trace significant differences between the concentrations of a element composition of its soil and biogeochemical number of elements (Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Br, Sb, La, Ce, characteristics of Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, and Hg migration and Sm) in organs (liver), placenta, and fetus in back- in regional soils, plants, and food products. ground and chemically polluted environments. This enables normal functioning of the reproductive system The presentation of Doctor in Agriculture of mammals and population sustainability under O.A. Elchininova (Gorno-Altaisk) “To the 85th Anni- extreme conditions. versary of the Birth of M.A. Malgin, a Prominent Sci- entist in the Field of Biogeochemistry” was concerned The character of anthropogenic metallization of with the biography and scientific achievements of the soils starting from mining activity was considered in renowned scientist not only in biogeochemistry, but the lecture of Prof. V.A. Alekseenko “Problem of the also in agricultural chemistry, soil science, and ecol- Technogenic Metallization of Soils”. Areas of differ- ogy. He had studied the biogeochemical situation in ent size with specific contents of metals in soils were southern Western Siberia for almost 50 years and distinguished within biospheric taxons. The formation authored or coauthored more than 160 scientific pub- of such areas begins from the mining of mineral depos- lications. Malgin was the first to address the problem its and continues up to the disposal of devices and of iodine deficit in environmental zones of the Altai– materials, which is accompanied by increasing soil Sayan mountain land and the potential danger of metallization in agricultural landscapes. Professor endemic goiter. G.G. Morkovkin (Altai Agrarian State University, Bar- naul) reported the results of a study on the estimation The history of radionuclide biogeochemistry was of heavy metal contents in the soils of the steppe zone discussed by Prof. L.P. Rikhvanov in the lecture “Geo- of Altai krai. chemistry of Nuclear Technogenesis”. He pointed out that the second half of the 20th century was marked by Professor E.V. Evstaf’eva (Georgievskii Crimean the beginning of a new stage in the evolution of the State Medical University, Simferopol) noted that, in biosphere related to the utilization of nuclear energy. line with the methodical recommendations of the Since the onset of the epoch of nuclear technogenesis, Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) artificial radioactive isotopes and elements (transura- Convention, critical loads are used as an ecological nium elements) have appeared in the biosphere. The parameter of the permissible level of pollutant impact local concentrations of alpha-emitting elements in the on different types of ecosystems; the critical loads biosphere have changed by factors of 2.5–3.0. Anthro- allow accounting for the natural diversity of ecosys- pogenic nuclides were involved into biological cycles, tems and their resistance to anthropogenic impacts. which gave rise to a number of global and local envi- Systematic medical–physiological and biogeochemi- ronmental problems. Rikhvanov also pointed out the cal investigations of the population of the Crimean development of a new scientific discipline, geomedi- Peninsula revealed certain relations between biologi- cine, which has some common features with biogeo- cal and geochemical factors. The obtained integrated chemistry and the geochemical ecology of humans. quantitative estimates can be used for ecological assessment on a regional scale. Several authors addressed V.I. Vernadsky’s concept on the geochemical role of living matter. Professor The presentation of Prof. A.I. Syso (Institute of S.A. Ostroumov (Moscow State University) presented Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Siberian the lecture “Development of V.I. Vernadsky’s Con- Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk) cepts on the Role of Living Matter in the Biogeochem- “Russian Hygienic Allowances of Ecological Estima-

GEOCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL Vol. 54 No. 5 2016 9th INTERNATIONAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL SCHOOL 477 tion of Soils, Their Scientific Justification, and Prob- I.G. Boyarskikh (Central Siberian Botanical Gar- lems of Use” contained an in-depth analysis of den, Novosibirsk) presented results obtained by a hygienic standards existing in the Russian Federation research team (Central Siberian Botanical Garden, and demonstrated their weak scientific justification Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences; Insti- because of poorly developed methodic approaches. tute of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sibe- With respect to major and trace elements, the stan- rian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosi- dards contradict the knowledge of agricultural chem- birsk; and Center of Natural Sciences, Vilnus, Lithua- istry, biogeochemistry, and geochemistry on the natu- nia) on the activity of natural and anthropogenic ral level of their contents in the soils of different radionuclides at the fault zones of the Ust’-Koksinskii regions, necessity for plants, and danger for the envi- district of Gornyi Altai. They established the effect of ronment. The use of such parameters for the assess- geophysical and geochemical anomalies on the inten- ment of soil pollution may be misleading. sity of mutation of the species Lonicera caerulea and accumulation of biologically active phenol compounds in fruits of plants growing under stress conditions. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF MAJOR AND TRACE ELEMENTS AND RADIONUCLIDES; The geochemistry of precipitation in the taiga zone THEIR GLOBAL AND LOCAL CYCLES of the Komi Republic was addressed by M.I. Vasilevich (Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural The session comprised nine presentations. Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar). It G.A. Leonova (Sobolev Institute of Geology and Min- was concluded that the chemical composition of the eralogy, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sci- snow cover of uncontaminated areas of the taiga zone ences, Novosibirsk) considered the chemical and is formed mainly owing to distant transport, whereas microbiological composition of a 4-m core of Holo- the contribution of local sources is insignificant. cene sapropel from Lake Kotokel (Baikal region). It was shown that the sapropel was formed mostly from I.N. Drozdova (Komarov Botanical Institute, Rus- phytoplankton, and bacteria played the major role in sian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg) considered the decomposition of organic matter and formation of the accumulation of heavy metals in soils and plants of organomineral complexes and pyrite. the North Caucasus. She detected regional features of heavy metal migration in the soil–plant system and Professor Yu.L. Mel’chakov (Ural State Pedagogi- identified species promising for the monitoring of cal University, Yekaterinburg) pointed out incorrect heavy metal contamination in arid environments. interpretation of migration processes in landscapes related to the inadequate estimation of the atmo- Several presentations of researchers from the Insti- spheric cycle. He demonstrated an important role of tute of Water and Environmental Problems of the evapotranspiration in the background taiga landscapes Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences of the Urals and attempted to estimate the poorly (Barnaul) addressed the biogeochemical estimation of known flux of endogenous gas emission. the landscapes of Altai krai. O.A. Elchininova showed that copper contents are close to the average crustal The reports of researchers from the Kazakh value in the soil-forming rocks of the Altai mountain Republic on the biogeochemistry of radionuclides region, higher than this level in the soils, and compa- attracted much attention. Yu.G. Stril’chuk (Filial of rable with the background contents in various regions the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, of Russia in the plants. S.V. Baboshkina described the National Nuclear Center, Kurchatov, Kazakh Repub- results of an investigation of the chemical composition lic) determined radionuclide contents in environmen- of various soil types of the high-mountain Ukok Pla- tal objects and concluded that they are not hazardous teau. It was found that the concentrations of most ele- over most of the area studied; hence, the territory can ments are no higher that the mean values in the be used for economic activity. M.T. Aktaev and col- uncontaminated soils of Altai and global mean values; leagues analyzed radionuclides in the water of Lake significantly higher contents of P, as well as Zn, Cu, V, Atomnoe in the area of the former Semipalatinsk test and Cr were observed in the northeastern part of the site. It was shown that the distribution of anthropo- plateau. It was noted that the distribution of metals in genic radionuclides in the lake is related to the stratifi- cation of the water column. the soil profile of the Ukok Plateau is rarely accumu- lative, which indicates the absence of current anthro- A.I. Mal’tseva (Institute of Physicochemical and pogenic pollution. Yu.V. Robertus discussed the prob- Biological Problems of Soil Science, Russian Acad- lem of the formation of anthropogenic negative geo- emy of Sciences, Pushchino) discussed the character chemical anomalies in Gornyi Altai. He highlighted of biogeochemical transformation of organic matter in the role of the input of particles with low contents of a model experiment. She explored the influence of a chemical elements in this process. S.N. Balykin mineral matrix on this process and concluded that reported the results of landscape geochemical investi- bentonite has a higher stabilizing ability compared gations of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the with kaolinite. position area and adjacent territories of the Vostochnyi

GEOCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL Vol. 54 No. 5 2016 478 ERMAKOV, BABOSHKINA spaceport before the beginning and during various siliceous sapropel, which is due to the prevalence of stages of its construction. diatoms among the phytoplankton of these lakes and I.V. Alekseenko (Moscow State University) consid- silicon-accumulating reed among the aerial–aquatic ered local and global problems of the technogenesis of vegetation. N.I. Ermolaeva (Institute of Water and the biosphere and its taxons and emphasized the con- Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch, Russian sequences of forest fires under various landscape con- Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk) considered the ditions of the Baikal Biosphere Reserve and changes in dependence of the composition of sapropel from the the properties of taiga soils. It was shown that the main lakes of southern Ob–Irtysh interfluve on hydro- landscape factors controlling the degree of soil trans- chemical conditions and the level of bioproductivity in formation are the slope exposure and the type of veg- the lake. Aquatic organisms play a significant role in etation. the migration of N, P, and Corg during sapropel forma- tion. D.A. Allayarov (Tyumen State University) quan- Very interesting results were reported by tified copper sorption by bottom sediments. It was S.V. Mukhacheva (Institute of Plant and Animal Ecol- found that the limiting sorption is correlated with the ogy, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, surface area of the bottom sediments. A.V. Alekseenko Yekaterinburg). She showed that, despite the signifi- (Gornyi National Mining University, St. Petersburg) cant decrease in the intensity of industrial emissions, reported the results of the biogeochemical monitoring the content of major pollutants in the diet and organ- of aquatic landscapes of the Tsemes Bay on the basis of ism of forest voles did not change significantly. In her the evaluation of chemical element accumulation in opinion, these results support the inertia hypothesis macrophytes and geobotanical data. A.A. Khva- on the long-term restoration of terrestrial ecosystems shchevskaya (Tomsk National Research Polytechnic after reduction or cessation of emission. University) showed that the appearance of periphyton S.A. Ostroumov (Biological Faculty of Moscow owing to the activity of iron bacteria in water supply State University) presented new experimental data on systems is related to their poor state rather than the interaction between chemical elements and biogenic quality of drinking water in them. D.M. Bezmaternykh materials. The results on the sorption and immobiliza- (Institute of Water and Environmental Problems, tion of chemical elements are of theoretical signifi- Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bar- cance and may have applications to the development naul) reported new data on the environmental state of of environmental biotechnologies. streams in the area of the position site of the Vostochnyi spaceport. He argued that the monitoring system of the spaceport should become part of the BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF AQUATIC ecological monitoring of Roskosmos. Optimal sites for ECOSYSTEMS. INFLUENCE regular sampling and methods of biological analysis OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES were proposed. T.A. Rozhdestvenskaya (Institute of IN CATCHMENTS ON THE FORMATION Water and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch, OF HYDROCHEMICAL RUNOFF Russian Academy of Sciences, Barnaul) described the Eleven reports were presented during this session. dependence of the hydrochemical runoff of the rivers of Professor V.F. Zaitsev (Astrakhan State Technical Gornyi Altai during extreme rainfall floods on the soil- University) discussed some features of selenium accu- geochemical conditions of catchments. She expressed mulation by the organs and tissues of sturgeon. He concern about the increasing contents of nitrogen min- supposed that the presence of selenium compounds eral compounds in the surface waters and pointed out plays an important role in the low-temperature toler- the preferential occurrence of heavy metals in a sus- ance of Russian sturgeon. Some problems of the eco- pended form in the river waters of anthropogenically logical and biogeochemical state of the Kuril–Kam- transformed landscapes during rain floods. chatka region, as a biogeochemical province, were Professor V.D. Korzh (Shirshov Institute of Ocean- considered by Prof. N.K. Khristoforova (Far East Fed- ology, Russian Academy of Sciences) used the meth- eral University, Vladivostok). She showed that the odology of empirical generalization to construct the concentrations of toxic microelements (Hg, As, Pb, System of the distribution of chemical elements in the and Cd) in pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and hydrosphere; in his opinion, it has a strong predictive chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) were lower than the potential and may serve as an ecological standard. maximum admissible concentrations for seafood, and the contents of Zn, Cu, and Pb reflected the elemental composition of the salmon habitat. PROBLEMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL Several reports on the lacustrine sapropel beds of STANDARDS Western Siberia were presented. In particular, A special session considered the problems of eco- V.D. Strakhovenko (Sobolev Institute of Geology and logical standards for toxicant impacts on the environ- Mineralogy, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sci- ment and new approaches to the organization of bio- ences, Novosibirsk) established that the lacustrine sap- geochemical monitoring. This session comprised sev- ropels of the Baraba plain are dominated by organic– eral reports of researchers from the Tomsk National

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Distribution of the presentations with respect to countries and the number of young participants Number of presentations School number total Russian non-Russian CIS countries other contries young scientists 138326515 218216220128 15 32051842114725 4 171 151 20 14 6 26 515711047434 23 6154142124825 78876125726 8 142 92 50 43 7 29 916714126197 30

Research Polytechnic University. They emphasized leagues estimated iodine supply in the agricultural the use of the elemental composition of living matter landscapes of Bryansk oblast. A number of authors as an ecological and biogeochemical marker, which discussed the trace element composition of plants and allows defining the geochemical signature of the food with application to the correction of microele- region (B.R. Soktoev, Sh.Zh. Arynova, etc.). mentoses of humans and animals (T.M. Maimanova E.N. Chernova (Pacific Institute of Geography, Far et al., Gorno-Altaisk State University and Institute of East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivo- Water and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch, stok) considered indicator organisms from the western Russian Academy of Sciences, Barnaul; E.A. Kole- part of the Sea of Japan and methods for the calcula- snikova et al., Tomsk National Research Polytechnic tion of the upper and lower threshold concentrations University; S.V. Baboshkina et al., Institute of Water of heavy metals. Professor S.A. Ostroumov (Faculty of and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch, Rus- Biology, Moscow State University) also discussed the sian Academy of Sciences, Barnaul, and Blagovesh- acceptable level of toxicant loads on water systems and chensk State Pedagogical University). reported new observations on the biotic self-purifica- tion of water. ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS IN NATURAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROBLEMS AND ANTHROPOGENIC OBJECTS IN MEDICINE AND AGRICULTURE The session was opened by V.N. Danilova (Ver- T.K. Krupskaya and colleagues (Grodno Univer- nadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical sity, Republic of Belarus) presented the report “New Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences), who Opportunities for Monitoring of Endoecological Sta- described new opportunities of the use of HPLC-NAM tus of Handicapped Children: Feasibility of Dietary- spectrofluorimetry for determining biologically active Based Correction”. N.K. Dzhabarova reviewed the sulfur-bearing compounds. L.I. Kalmykova et al. (Ver- studies of the Filial of the Tomsk Research Institute of nadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Health Resort Treatment and Physiotherapy on the Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences) reported use of natural mineral table waters of Siberia for health the results of thermodynamic modeling of iodine and improvement. M.A. Solodukhina (Institute of Natural selenium speciation in the water–rock system and Resources, Ecology, and Glaciology, Siberian proposed their landscape geochemical interpretation. Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chita) and Zh.K. Shomanova presented the results obtained by L.A. Mikhailova (Chita State Medical Academy) researchers from Kazakhstan on the composition of emphasized the importance of the investigation of ash–slime waste of the Aksu ferroalloy plant for utili- endemic diseases in Transbaikalia. zation and catalyst production. Three reports of researchers from the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF SOILS of the Russian Academy of Sciences were presented AND REMEDIATION OF ANTHROPOGENIC during this section. V.A. Safonov described relations LANDSCAPES between the antioxidant and trace element status of cattle. S.F. Tyutikov reported the use of the chemical V.S. Artamonova (Institute of Soil Science and elemental composition of animal hair for the diagnosis Agricultural Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian of chronic microelementoses. V.Yu. Berezkin and col- Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk) evaluated the

GEOCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL Vol. 54 No. 5 2016 480 ERMAKOV, BABOSHKINA growth characteristics of soil bacteria Azotobacter environmental factors (Institute of Water and Envi- chroococcum and freshwater plant of the genus Lemna ronmental Problems, Siberian Branch, Russian Acad- in the presence of anthropogenically contaminated emy of Sciences and Altai Filial of the Blokhin Rus- meltwater and soil. It was found that ecological tactics sian Cancer Research Center), and characteristics of of growth advantageous for survival are activated by the physiological growth of adolescents in areas Azotobacter in chemically contaminated environ- exposed to anthropogenic loads (Institute of Water ments. G.K. Vasil’eva (Institute of Physicochemical and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch, Rus- and Biological Problems of Soil Science, Russian sian Academy of Sciences, Barnaul; Altai State Uni- Academy of Sciences, Pushchino) described a new versity). combined approach to the sorption bioremediation of A research team under the leadership of Prof. soils, which can be used for the elimination of the con- A.V. Puzanov (Institute of Water and Environmental sequences of accidental spills and persistent soil pollu- Problems, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sci- tion. L.N. Belan (Life Safety Research Institute, Ufa) ences, Barnaul) prepared several presentations on the considered persistent organic pollutants in urban soils anthropogenic transformation of biospheric taxons of Bashkiria. In his opinion, the highest levels of local and methods of their investigation, including “Envi- soil contamination with persistent organic compounds ronmental Aspects of the Influence of Anthropo- in the region are observed in the towns of Ufa (in the genic–Mineral Objects on the State of Surface Waters area affected by industrial emissions) and Sterlitamak. by the Example of the Gold Beneficiation Plant of the Veselyi Mine” and “Features of Kerosene tc-1 Distri- BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROBLEMS bution at the Emergency Passage on the Soil”. In OF THE ARCTIC addition, several posters described the results of bio- geochemical investigations of steppe and forest land- This session comprised several reports on the accu- scapes. M.M. Goryachaya, A.N. Bestuzheva, and mulation of metals and ash elements in the organism V.V. Lobyntsev (ZAO NPF ARGOS, St. Petersburg) of wild reindeer and willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lago- presented innovative assessment of the extent of pol- pus) near Norilsk, polyarene accumulation by tundra lutant spread in an aquatic environment related to plants, and the chemical composition of water from accidents of marine and space systems. the small lakes of the Kola Peninsula. In particular, P. V. K o ch k a rev (Central Siberian State Biospheric Reserve, Krasnoyarsk krai) considered the dynamics FINAL SESSION of the trace element composition of the organs and tis- OF THE 9th BIOGEOCHEMICAL SCHOOL sues of wild reindeer during northward migration The final discussion of the reports and problems (away from the contamination source), and revealed a considered during the meeting focused on the decrease in the heavy metal contents. M.M. Bazova unsolved problems of ecological standards, methodi- (Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical cal issues, and state of education in the biogeochemis- Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences) investi- try specialty. E.V. Evstaf’eva proposed to introduce gated variations in water chemistry in the small lakes of biogeochemically justified standards. In her opinion, the Kola Peninsula and showed that an increase in dis- the further use of maximum admissible concentrations solved organic matter content is caused by a decrease as reference values for the identification of pollution in in the precipitation of sulfur and nitrogen oxides. various environmental objects has become inade- E.V. Yakovleva (Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific quate. In the light of modern knowledge and interna- Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences) tional practice, it is necessary to employ modern eco- established that the contents of polyaromatic hydro- logical standards, which is declared in appropriate carbons (PAH) on the surface of plants in the tundra state documents; their methodic basis is described in zone was largely controlled by external factors, the modern international guides (European Economic whereas the PAH content inside the plants depended Commission, Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollu- on their physiological features and polyarene absorp- tion Convention, LRTAP). Evstaf’eva argued that the tion capacity. ministries of ecology and health care must estimate the state of habitats and its influence on the health using ecological parameters of critical loads and their POSTER SESSION excesses as a necessary analytical tool for administra- The poster session included 12 presentations on tive decisions, which is reflected in risk assessment new results of investigations of biogeochemical risk guides. A.I. Syso, Managing Director of the Institute factors in the genesis of the Urov endemic disease, of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of the Sibe- metal enzymes and biogeochemistry of rhenium (Ver- rian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences nadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical (Novosibirsk) criticized some Russian hygienic param- Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences), regional eters used for the ecological assessment of soils. He zoning (Tomsk National Research Polytechnic Uni- emphasized their poor scientific justification and need versity), correlation of carcinogenic diseases with for improvement. Professor L.P. Rikhvanov (Tomsk

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National Research Polytechnic University) also dis- birsk), Prof. L.P. Rikhvanov (Tomsk), Prof. cussed the problem of standards. He noted that the Yu.I. Erokhin (Omsk), and Prof. V.A. Alekseenko method of biomarkers, cytogenetic characteristics of (Novorossiisk); and Letters of Appreciation were pre- various test objects, reference estimates, and estima- sented to Prof. L.N. Jovanovic (Beograd), Prof. tion of the deviation from the reference values should E.V. Evstaf’eva (Simferopol), Prof. N.V. Baranovskaya be more actively used for the assessment of toxicity. He (Tomsk), Prof. Yu.L. Mel’chakov (Yekaterinburg), also recommended the participants to publish more candidate in biology S.B. Baboshkina, candidate in actively the results of their scientific studies in the biology T.A. Rozhdestvenskaya, candidate in physics journal Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. and mathematics D.N. Troshkin, junior researcher Professor S.A. Ostroumov (Moscow State Univer- I.A. Troshkova, and secretary Ya.E. Kuznyak (Insti- sity) pointed out insufficient participation of Russian tute of Water and Environmental problems, Siberian ecologists in international conferences. He recom- Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Barnaul) for mended providing additional funding for the partici- their contribution to the development of biogeochem- pation of Russian researchers in European and World istry and geochemical ecology and organization of the conferences. Professor N.I. Khristoforova (Far East school. Federal University) suggested that the program of the In general, the participants appreciated the high future 10th Biogeochemical School should include level of conference organization under the supervision several lectures on particular directions in biogeo- of the head of the Organization Committee, Deputy chemistry, which would be especially instructive for Director of the Institute of Water and Environmental young scientists, in order to elucidate main problems Problems of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Acad- and possible approaches to their solution. emy of Sciences Prof. A.V. Puzanov, members of the In the final talk, Prof. V.V. Ermakov considered the Organization Committee, and Director of the Insti- organization of an interinstitutional scientific council tute Prof. Yu.I. Vinokurov. They emphasized the on the problems of biogeochemistry and geochemical urgency of problems discussed in the presentations ecology. He pointed out that the goal of the organiza- and a number of new methodical and practical solu- tion and functioning of the council is the coordination tions for various issues of biogeochemistry and ecol- of studies in biogeochemistry and cooperation of ogy; efficient development of a biogeochemical scien- experts in different disciplines studying biogeochemi- tific center at the Institute of Water and Environmen- cal problems on a common methodical basis estab- tal Problems aimed at multidisciplinary systems lished by V.I. Vernadsky and his pupils and followers. investigations; and the need to combine scientific He emphasized the special role of the council under efforts on the problems of trace elements in the frame- the conditions of the market economy and, primarily, work of a scientific and industrial council. in regard to the development and production of numerous food additives containing major and trace elements. Their uncontrolled use ignoring specific COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS biogeochemical conditions (contents of elements in OF THE 9th BIOGEOCHEMICAL SCHOOL the environment and food products) may be hazard- ous to the health of humans and animals. It should be noted that the number of report pre- Ermakov also informed the participants that a Dis- sented during different biogeochemical schools varied sertation Council was organized on the specialty bio- depending on the place, but remained relatively stable geochemistry (no. 03.02.09). Currently the scientific over the last three years. Since 2000, the number of specialty biogeochemistry is approved by the High young scientists has increased up to 20–25 and Attestation Commission of the Russian Federation in remained constant, and the number of foreign partici- the field of biological sciences, and candidate’s and pants (except for the Commonwealth of Independent doctoral degrees in biology and chemistry can be States, CIS) was no higher than eight (table). The high granted based on dissertations in this discipline. How- number of participants from the CIS in Semey (for- ever, the systems character of the specialty may be lost. merly Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan) and Grodno It is more expedient to create a combined dissertation (Belarus) was related to the activity of local researchers. council for studies in geological, biological, and chem- The analysis of the number of reports on different ical sciences, for instance, at the Vernadsky Institute of research directions indicates a decrease in the number Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian of reports on the medicinal and veterinary aspects of Academy of Sciences and other large biogeochemical biogeochemistry (figure). In contrast, the number of centers, including leading experts in biogeochemistry innovative reports, though significantly variable, has from different institutes and universities. increased up to 2015. In addition, from school to Finally, Certificates of Appreciation of the Organi- school, there is an increase in the number of reports on zation Committee of the V.V. Koval’skii Biogeochemi- the anthropogenic transformation of biospheric tax- cal Readings and Koval’skii Medals were awarded to ons and problems of biogeochemical indicators of Prof. A.V. Puzanov (Barnaul), Prof. A.I. Syso (Novosi- their ecological state.

GEOCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL Vol. 54 No. 5 2016 482 ERMAKOV, BABOSHKINA

Number of presentations was created under the supervision of V.V. Koval’skii 40 in the 1970s. а (8) New and existing biogeochemical innovations c should be developed and improved for application in 30 the economy, medicine, and veterinary. (9) The standardization of ecological factors (trace b elements, toxic metals and their compounds, and 20 radionuclides) should be investigated more actively accounting for variations in the regional background. The list of biogeochemical and ecological criteria for 10 the assessment of various landscapes, aquatic ecosys- tems, and soils has to be expanded, refined, and adapted to international standards. 0 (10) The methods and methodology of biogeo- 1 23456789chemical indicators for the ecological state of bio- School no. spheric taxons should be improved. New biogeochem- ical techniques should be developed for exploration of mineral deposits and extraction of ore elements. Distribution of the number of presentations on the biogeo- chemical schools: (a) medicine, (b) veterinary and live- (11) The equipment of research and applied labora- stock breeding, and (c) innovations. tories should be modernized by introducing modern scientific instruments, unified analytical methods, standards, and reactants. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PARTICIPANTS (12) Operations on the rehabilitation of natural OF THE 9th INTERNATIONAL environmental systems contaminated with heavy met- BIOGEOCHEMICAL SCHOOL als and radionuclides should be conducted using mod- ern efficient biogeochemical techniques of utilization (1) Available data on biogeochemical processes and disposal of industrial waste and discharges. and phenomena should be systematized, and the the- (13) Large integration projects should be proposed oretical basis of biogeochemistry and the scientific on the diagnosis and correction of microelementoses legacy of V.I. Vernadsky should be developed. in the framework of international scientific coopera- (2) Theoretical aspects on the transport and inter- tion. Special emphasis should be placed on the pre- action of biogeochemical fluxes should be further vention of endemic, cardiovascular, and carcinogenic developed on the basis of the concept of geochemical diseases of humans and correction of the trace element fields and modeling of biogeochemical processes. status of the population of areas affected by the Cher- nobyl nuclear power plant accident. (3) Comprehensive paleobiogeochemical investi- gations are necessary for the estimation of the tenden- (14) It is expedient to create new and activate exist- cies of changes in the global and local cycles of chem- ing scientific and applied centers on biogeochemistry, ical elements. agricultural biogeochemistry, and aquatic biogeo- chemistry. (4) The methods of accounting for (inventory) transformations of the chemical elemental and isoto- (15) More attention should be paid to education in pic composition of living matter in the biosphere the fields of biogeochemistry and geochemical ecol- should be improved. ogy. Efforts of different schools in the biogeochemis- try of heavy metals and radionuclides should be com- (5) Additional comprehensive investigations are bined to publish textbooks and handbooks on ecolog- needed on the interaction of major and trace elements ical and biogeochemical problems accounting for in biogeochemical cycles. specific regional features. (6) The speciation of chemical elements in the (16) It is recommend to the ministry of education environmental objects and organisms should be more of the Russian Federation to introduce in full extent actively investigated. A methodology should be devel- the specialty Biogeochemistry (03.02.09) into the oped for combined biogeochemical investigations and classification and organize appropriate dissertation methods of the analysis of the elemental and molecu- councils for granting doctoral and candidate degrees lar composition of natural materials. in biology, geology and mineralogy, and chemistry. (7) The system of biogeochemical monitoring, (17) In order to coordinate biogeochemical inves- regional zoning, and mapping should be modern- tigations, development of technologies and their ized. It is necessary to launch a mega-project on approbation, and creation of joint projects on the updating, using modern GIS techniques, the map of prevention of microelementoses, it is advised to orga- biogeochemical zoning of the former USSR, which nize a multidisciplinary scientific and industrial

GEOCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL Vol. 54 No. 5 2016 9th INTERNATIONAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL SCHOOL 483 council on the problems of biogeochemistry under of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the the Russian Academy of Sciences with the participa- Russian Academy of Sciences. tion of other countries. The cultural and educational program of the (18) The publishing of the Proceedings of the Bio- school included excursions in Barnaul, a trip to geochemical Laboratory should be continued and rec- Gornyi Altai, excursions to the museum and tourist ommended for the inclusion into the list journals on complexes of Gornyi Altai, and a short course on bio- chemical, biological, and geological–mineralogical geochemical field investigations in mountainous sciences of the High Attestation Commission of the regions. Russian Federation. A new international journal on The participants of the 9th International Biogeo- problems in biogeochemistry and geochemical ecol- chemical School strongly believe that this interna- ogy should be organized in Russia, and its electronic tional scientific forum will push the development of version should be registered. fundamental and applied investigations in biogeo- (19) It is necessary to recommend the Federal chemistry and geochemical ecology and will promote Agency of Scientific Organization to support the orga- further cooperation of scientific teams from universi- nization of the international symposium “Biogeo- ties and academic institutions of various countries. chemical Ideas of V.I. Vernadsky and Their Develop- The materials of the school were published in ment” in 2016 at the Vernadsky Institute of Geochem- Biogeochemistry of… (2015). istry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian This chronicle is based on the lectures, presenta- Academy of Sciences. This symposium will be dedi- tions, and materials of the 9th Biogeochemical School. cated to the 90th anniversary of the biogeochemical laboratory (BIOGEL) grounded by Vernadsky. (20) The 10th International Biogeochemical REFERENCES School “Modern Problems of the State and Evolution 1.Biogeochemistry of Technogenesis and Modern Problems of of Biospheric Taxons” is planned to be held in 2017 at Geochemical Evolution (in 2 Volumes) (Barnaul, 2015) the Institute of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Sci- [in Russian]. ence of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk) and the Vernadsky Institute Translated by A. Girnis

GEOCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL Vol. 54 No. 5 2016