2020 Issue №1

Artificial electromagnetic fields are a byproduct of the electrical or elec­tronic devices as an inevitable consequence of the modern scientific and tech­nical progress, and at the same time poorly studied environmental impact fac­tor.  Research of current levels and spatial distribution of electromagnetic fields in Kaliningrad aimed at mapping, defining statistically significant characteristics for types of land use and building types, revealing abnormal areas and their correspondence to hygienic standards and levels safety. The conducted research of electromagnetic fields of industrial frequency has shown that intensity of electric fields in the central part of Kaliningrad reaches con­siderable values only in immediate proximity to a high-voltage line. Magnetic fields of industrial frequency are extended everywhere and extremely uneven­ly that has been presented in the original map. Hygienic standards of magnet­ic induction are observed, but safety levels are exceeded in the abnormal loca­tions caused by underground cables.

The article focuses on changes in the composition of the Pregolya water eco-systems in the city of Kaliningrad due to the anthropogenic transfor­mation of the coastal area from 2013 to 2018. The work identifies the modern structure of the Pregolya eco-systems. The research included standard meth­ods of studying the aquatic vegetation.  The lower current of the river Preg­olya within the Kaliningrad city borders is studied for the period from 2013—2019. The associations are named in the traditions of the dominant system. It is established that the total number of species in the direct impact zone and downstream has remained the same. However, the structure of plant commu­nities and their species composition has changed. Some species have fell out of communities or reduced their projective coverage; some communities in the city center have disappeared. Inherent to the β-mesosaprobic and eutrophic waters, Lemna minor, Cladophora glomerata have increased their abundance in communities, acting as dominants and codominants. The most significant changes in the river vegetation have been identified for two districts. Since 2013, associations with the dominance of Phragmites australis, Scirpus lacus­tris, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Butomus umbellatus, Carex acuta, Potamogeton lucens, etc. have disappeared in the construction zones. In 2019 several loca­tions witnessed the initial stages of restoration of plant communities that were destroyed here earlier.  

The areas of disturbed bedding, which are considered as glaciodislocations are one of the structural features of the Quaternary strata of the Kaliningrad Region. Known for a century and a half and characterized by a variety of forms, they have not yet been practically studied, and there is very little knowledge of  their formation mechanisms. Meanwhile, some of the disloca­tions, such as the glacial blocks, may be of interest as amber deposits. The aim of the work is to characterize and systematize the unique glaciotectonic for­mations observed in the surface, mainly Quaternary, sediments of the Kali­ningrad Peninsula. Based on the classification proposed by E. A. Levkov (1980), some glacio-dislocations have been systematized. Formations of active ice — folded-scaly dislocations, glaciodiapirs and glacial blocks, and “dead” ice — glaciokarst disturbances, injective forms, have been identified and char­acterized.

The study is focused on features of hydrometeorological conditions in the southeastern Baltic Sea and their trends assessment for 2005—2019 (climatic half period). The authors used the data from field observations of atmospheric pressure, wind direction and speed, and air temperature from the automatic hydrometeorological station located offshore, as well as the satellite data from the infrared and microwave (radar images) ranges to determine sea ice and sea surface temperature, respectively. The research also reveals characteristic fea­tures of long-term dynamics of hydrological conditions in the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea for 2005—2019. The average annual atmospheric pres­sure is close to regular and equals to 1014.6 ± 1.7 hPa; its growth is estimated at a rate of 0.10 hPa/year. South-west and west winds prevail and they in­crease their speed during cold season. Increase in the number of storms is shown (+ 2 storms/15 years), however, the duration of storms has decreased and the maximum recorded wind speed has declined. The average annual air temperature over the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea has increased by 1.6°C compared to the middle of the XX century and it rises annually at a rate of 0.04° С/year. The sea surface temperature simultaneously is rising with a slower rate (0.02° С/year) and the maximum area of the ice field ob­served in the sea is decreasing (– 112,5 km2/year).