Potentially Toxic Elements Uptake and Distribution in and Growing on Diamond Mining Area (Yakutia, Russia).

This study was conducted in the territory of the industrial site of the Udachny Mining and Processing Division (Yakutia, Russia). The objects of study were permafrost soils and two species of shrubs ( and ). Soil and plant samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry for the presence of potentially toxic elements (Pb, Ni, Mn, Cd, Co, Co, Cr, Zn, Cu, and As).

The description of octahedral crystals using five parameters.

The shape of a flat-faceted octahedral crystal can be uniquely defined by the measured distances between pairs of its parallel facets and the length of one of its false edges. In total, only five numerical values are involved in this approach. Some interdependencies of parameters that allow one to control the correctness of measurements were derived.

Long-term geochemical monitoring of the soil cover in the impact zone of diamond mining enterprises: a case study in the Nakyn kimberlite field, Russia.

The most severe disturbance of the earth's surface occurs when the open-cut method of mineral deposits mining is used. The geoecological situation was assessed based on the nature of the soil cover based on the example of an industrial site of a diamond mining and processing plant located in the permafrost zone. During the period from 2007 to 2018, the soil cover of the industrial site is characterized by polyelement contamination.

Immiscible metallic melts in the deep Earth: clues from moissanite (SiC) in volcanic rocks.

The occurrence of moissanite (SiC), as xenocrysts in mantle-derived basaltic and kimberlitic rocks sheds light on the interplay between carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the lithospheric and sublithospheric mantle. SiC is stable only at ƒ < ΔIW-6, while the lithospheric mantle and related melts commonly are considered to be much more oxidized. SiC grains from both basaltic volcanoclastic rocks and kimberlites contain metallic inclusions whose shapes suggest they were entrapped as melts.

Molecular hydrogen in minerals as a clue to interpret ∂D variations in the mantle.

Trace amounts of water dissolved in minerals affect density, viscosity and melting behaviour of the Earth's mantle and play an important role in global tectonics, magmatism and volatile cycle. Water concentrations and the ratios of hydrogen isotopes in the mantle give insight into these processes, as well as into the origin of terrestrial water. Here we show the presence of molecular H in minerals (omphacites) from eclogites from the Kaapvaal and Siberian cratons.

Hair microstructure of the first time found calf of woolly rhinoceros Coelodonta antiquitatis.

Hair microstructure of the first calf of the woolly rhinoceros Coelodonta antiquitatis found in Sakha in 2014 (the neck and hind leg hair) was examined by the light and electron scanning microscopy. The calf hair features were compared with those of two adults studied earlier. The calf coat color was much lighter than in adults, from pale ashy to blond.

Past climate changes, population dynamics and the origin of Bison in Europe.

Background: Climatic and environmental fluctuations as well as anthropogenic pressure have led to the extinction of much of Europe's megafauna. The European bison or wisent (Bison bonasus), one of the last wild European large mammals, narrowly escaped extinction at the onset of the 20th century owing to hunting and habitat fragmentation. Little is known, however, about its origin, evolutionary history and population dynamics during the Pleistocene.

New data on the distribution and taxonomy of fossil Soergel's ox (Soergelia sp., Bovidae, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) in Yakutia.

Novel findings of fossil remains of the extinct artiodactyl Soergel's ox, as well as some findings that were not analyzed previously, are presented in the article. Soergelia remains are extremely rare; therefore, the species range of these animals remains uncharacterized by now and the taxonomic positions of some findings are not clear. Analysis of the new material extends the knowledge on the species range and the limits of morphological variation of the Soergel's ox and allowed a more precise assessment of the taxonomic position of the findings from Yakutia.

Preliminary analyses of the frozen mummies of mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), bison (Bison priscus) and horse (Equus sp.) from the Yana-Indigirka Lowland, Yakutia, Russia.

The frozen bodies of a young woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), a wild horse (Equus sp.) and a steppe bison (Bison priscus) were recently found in the northern Yakutia (northeastern Siberia). All specimens have preserved bones, skin and soft tissues.