2025 Issue №4

The state of the macrozoobenthos of the Curonian Lagoon of the Baltic Sea under complete ice cover during the hydrological winter was examined based on data from 2010 and 2011. No information on the under-ice benthos of the lagoon has been previously published. Benthic grab samples were collected at six stations in the profundal zone of the lagoon, and underwater video recording was also performed at one station. The composition and structure of the macrozo­obenthos at most stations were similar to each other and to those in the summer period, although quantitatively richer in winter. In the macrozoobenthos of the open part of the lagoon on silty substrates, chironomid larvae (Chironomidae) and oligochaetes dominate. In the central part of the lagoon, the gastropod Valvata piscinalis is the dominant species in the benthic community. In the area near Cape Rybachy, an extensive biocenosis dominated by the bivalve Dreissena polymorpha was observed, whereas in the area influenced by the Deima River, where the same biocenosis existed for decades, only its derivative was present—without living individuals, but with well-preserved shells — indicating their relatively recent mortality. It was shown that the environmental conditions during both winter seasons were favorable for hydrobionts in terms of temperature and dissolved oxygen content; in this context, active growth of the potentially toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii is discussed as a possible cause of Dreissena mortality. Quantitative data on the subglacial macrozoobenthos of the Curonian Lagoon are presented for the first time.

The paper presents the results of a study of the acute contact toxicity of imidacloprid and thiacloprid to honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758). The experiment assessed survival and behavioral activity of insects at 4, 24, and 48 hours after a single exposure to various concentrations of the insecticides. It was found that both compounds exhibit high insecticidal activity; however, the nature of their effects differs significantly. Thiacloprid shows an earlier onset of toxic effects and bee mortality, particularly at the maximum concentration (10 μg/ bee). Imidacloprid acts with a temporal delay, reaching maximum effectiveness 48 hours after exposure. Analysis of behavioral activity revealed a depressive effect of both compounds on the central nervous system of bees: imidacloprid induces mixed responses, whereas thiacloprid demonstrates consistent suppression of locomotor activity without a stimulation phase.

The aim of this study was to investigate morphological anomalies in representatives of the Carabidae family in industrial areas of Tula city and to assess environmental quality in these territories. Such sites are subject to intense anthropogenic impact, which can disrupt normal organism development and manifest as various morphological deviations — teratologies. A total of 1,675 ground beetle specimens were collected from the sanitary-protection zones of two metallurgical enterprises, as well as from control sites. Beetle sampling was carried out using standard Barber soil traps. Five types of morphological anomalies in Carabidae were identified during the study. The highest number and frequency of anomalies were recorded in the industrial areas of the two metallurgical plants — 14.66 and 11.17 %, respectively. At the control sites, these values were significantly lower — 2.52 and 1.82 %. Based on the frequency of morphological anomalies, environmental quality in the industrial areas and control territories was assessed. In the sanitary-protection zones of the metallurgical enterprises, environmental quality was classified as “very heavily polluted,” whereas at the control sites it was classified as “good” and “excellent.”