The article examines different sources of chemical energy bound in crystals and minerals and its role in metamorphic
processes and the Earth's crust formation. The author justifies the idea of the key role of the solar energy in the formation and development of crust.
The article presents the results of many years' research (1991-2007) on the chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations, biomass and primary production of phytoplankton in the Curonian Lagoon. The main factors affecting the level of biological production and the trophic status are determined by the comparison of hydrological and chemical indicators. Water temperature is a key environmental factor that regulates the phytoplankton production and abundance in the Curonian Lagoon. The greater seasonal rise in water temperatures in 1990-2000, presumably, a consequence of the climate change, alongside with other factors (freshness, slow water flow) creates conditions for cyanobacterial «hyperblooms». Probably, the 1990-2000 climate warming is the cause of the eutrophication of the Curonian Lagoon, which continues despite significant reduction in external nutrient load.
The article attempts to 'bring together' different approaches to the nature of the El Niño — La Niña phenomenon on the basis of a multicomponent qualitative model. The capability of model is demonstrated by means of meteorological and oceanological conditions forecast in the South Eastern Pacific Ocean. The author emphasises the general impact of these conditions on the biological and fishery productivity in the area where the El Niño — La Niña phenomenon represents the most important element of the present-day climate variability.
The rainfall variations on the European part of Russia over the period of instrumental observations (1901-2005) are considered in comparison to the hemisphere and global rainfall variations. A positive rainfall trend is indicated over the observation period. The most significant increase in precipitation over the European part of Russia was recorded in the second half of the 20th century and amounted to 20.6 mm/10 years.