Processes in GeoMedia—Volume IX

Table of Contents

1. Frontmatter

2. Ecological Aspects in the Creation and Application of New Oil and Gas Production Technologies

   V. I. Karev, Yu. F. Kovalenko

   Abstract

   The article considers the problems associated with environmental risks in hydraulic fracturing and substantiates the necessity of careful planning of hydraulic fracturing operation before its implementation to minimize these risks. It is shown that in many cases it can be replaced by effective environmentally safe methods of impact on the borehole zone of the reservoir, and the result from their application is often more significant than when using hydraulic fracturing. The technology of directed unloading reservoir developed on the basis of geomechanical approach is given as an example.

3. Mathematical Modeling of Acoustic Fields in the Black Sea

   Yu. I. Papkova, S. O. Papkov

   Abstract

   The results of in situ measurements of sound speed in the marine environment in the coastal part of the Black Sea are analyzed. Based on the processing of the measurement results, a flat-layered model of waveguide sound propagation is proposed. This model includes a water layer with a non-uniform sound speed profile lying on a layer of liquid sediments (sea silt), which, in turn, lie on an elastic layer of bottom sediments. The lower boundary of the waveguide is assumed to be absolutely rigid, which approximately corresponds to a foundation in the form of rocks. For the first time, a Green's function is constructed for this model, which allows expressing the sound pressure potential as a sum of normal modes. The paper provides examples of numerical modeling.

4. Cosmogony of Open Solar System (I): Formation of Giant Planets and Origin of the Moon

   A. A. Barenbaum

   Abstract

   The cosmogonical concept of the “Cosmogony of Open Solar System (COSS)” is discussed. Unlike the Kant–Laplace cosmogony, this concept takes into account the influence of processes in Galaxy on the formation and evolution of Solar System and its planets. Taking into account the phenomenon of jet outflow discovered in Galaxy, the COSS concept postulates that in history of Solar System development there were at least two main cycles of planet formation. At the first stage, presumably 6.6 billion years ago, the Sun and planets arose, and at the second stage 4.6 billion years ago, caused by destruction of planet Phaeton, the Solar System acquired its modern appearance. The adequacy of the two-stage formation of Solar System is substantiated by the agreed solution based on COSS concept to three problematic issues of cosmogony: (1) the origin of giant planets, (2) the nature of meteoritic matter, and (3) the formation of the Moon. In the modern cosmogony of Solar System, these issues are resolved independently and do not yet have a satisfactory explanation.

5. Cosmogony of Open Solar System (II): Model of Secondary Planet Formation, Secondary Accretion Disk of the Sun, Formation of Satellites of Giant Planets, Molchanov’s Resonance, Titius–Bode Rule

   A. A. Barenbaum

   Abstract

   The article continues the substantiation of the cosmogonic concept COSS (Cosmogony of Open Solar System), which for the first time takes into account influence of jet outflow phenomenon on the Solar System origin. The development of Solar System and its planets at the second stage of their formation, initiated by the beginning of destruction of the planet Phaeton 4.567 billion years ago, is discussed. This stage of evolution of Solar System and its planets is currently practically unstudied in theoretical terms. In addition to the issues of the giant planets formation, the nature of meteoritic matter and the Moon origin considered in Article 1, from the standpoint of COOS concept we discuss two more issues: (1) a model of the secondary accretion Sun disk, in which the formation of giant planets and their satellites occurred and (2) the multi-frequency parametric resonance taking place in Solar System, explaining the Titius–Bode rule for planets.

6. Weather Conditions of the Winter–Spring Season in Moscow in Early 2025

   D. M. Frolov, V. E. Gagarin, A. V. Koshurnikov, G. A. Rzhanitsyn

   Abstract

   In 2024, Russia recorded its second warmest year since 1891, second only to 2020. The main consequences of climate change for Russia are melting glaciers and increased frequency of hazardous weather events, which makes the study of winter weather conditions relevant. The 2024/2025 winter season in Moscow was characterised by heterogeneity: snow cover was established in late November and existed until January, reaching a height of 20 cm, but then collapsed. January 2025 was the second January in history with a positive average temperature (+0.1 °C), more than 6 °C above normal, with 16 days of abnormally high temperatures. February 2025 was slightly warmer than normal with less precipitation. The average monthly temperature was −4.8 °C and precipitation was 6 mm. Snow cover was erratic during the month, reaching its maximum height only in the middle of the month. A special system with thermal sensors was used for temperature measurements, and the data were transferred for analysis and graphing in MATLAB, allowing us to observe changes in the thermal state of the air and snow.

7. Trace Еlements of Oil Fields of the Orenburg Region

   G. A. Ponomareva

   Abstract

   The work is conditioned by the need to study the concentrations of microcomponents of hydrocarbon raw materials, which makes it possible to consider oil and its derivatives as valuable organomineral raw materials, as well as to solve a number of fundamental problems such as the origin of metals in oil, oil itself, and a number of others. To date, more than 70 different elements have been found in oil, including metals, the concentrations of which change very widely: from traces to hundreds of grams per ton of oil, which became possible as a result of the development of analytical methods. The increased content of trace elements is usually characteristic of highly viscous heavy oils and natural bitumen. Thus, significant amounts of vanadium, titanium, and a number of other metals are contained in oil, which may allow expanding their mineral resource base in the near future. Vanadium and nickel will probably play the most prominent role, as technologies for extracting them from oil already exist. On the other hand, the presence of these metals in oil, petroleum products, natural bitumen, asphaltites, and other naphthoid products greatly complicates the refining processes. It should also be noted that many forms of metals contained in oil, oil waste, and petroleum products, primarily vanadium, pose a serious environmental hazard. Metal compounds are toxic, they can affect the respiratory, digestive, circulatory and nervous systems, as well as cause inflammatory and allergic skin diseases. In this regard, the concentrations and distribution of metals in the oil fields of the Orenburg region of the Volga-Ural oil and gas province were studied. As a result of the conducted research, additional data was obtained on the content of a number of metals in the oils of the Buzuluk depression deposits—copper, lead, chromium, titanium, molybdenum, zirconium, vanadium, nickel, cobalt, gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. It has been established that the oil from the Orenburg deposits is enriched with a number of metals, such as titanium, vanadium, and zirconium. The age levels differ in the nature of the accumulation and distribution of the studied metals. Comparatively high concentrations of metals in oil are found in the deposits of the lower and middle carboniferous.

8. Long-Term Variability of the Ice Regime in the Mouth Areas of Tributaries of the Western Coast of the White Sea Against the Backdrop of Climate Change

   V. N. Baklagin

   Abstract

   The paper presents the results of statistical analysis of data on the main elements of the ice regime of the rivers of the western coast of the White Sea (Republic of Karelia and Arkhangelsk Region) for the period 1956–2020. General patterns of long-term variability of ice regime formation processes along with climate changes that occurred during the period under review are revealed.

9. Tsunamis Are an Urgent World Problem

   K. V. Pokazeev, T. O. Chaplina

   Abstract

   Tsunamis belong to the group of the most terrible natural disasters. The catastrophic tsunami events at the beginning of the third millennium demonstrated the need to improve existing tsunami warning systems and to conduct a wide range of scientific research on tsunamis. The recent development of warning systems should significantly improve their effectiveness and make living in coastal regions safer.

10. On Lagrangian Description of Standing Surface Gravity Waves

    V. A. Kalinichenko, A. O. Fomenko

    Abstract

    The article presents the results of the analysis of finite-amplitude standing surface waves in Lagrangian variables using asymptotic methods that allow describing the wave profile in parametric form. The formulas for the transition from Lagrangian variables to Eulerian variables are given. The integral estimates of the accuracy of using Lagrangian and Eulerian variables are presented. Theoretical wave profiles are compared with experimental data on the excitation of Faraday waves on the surface of a liquid of different depths. The limits of applicability of the theoretical model for wave steepness and liquid depth are obtained. It is shown that Lagrangian approximation is more accurate than the Eulerian counterpart of the same order.

11. Mechanical Tests of Frozen Snow, Ice and Frozen Ground

    D. M. Frolov, A. V. Koshurnikov, V. E. Gagarin, G. A. Rzhanitsyn

    Abstract

    This chapter examines the use of frozen snow, ice, frozen sand and clay as building materials in polar regions for construction, including underground storage facilities. Rapid climate change in the polar regions makes it necessary to maintain sustainable infrastructure, and snow, ice and frozen ground, due to its mechanical properties at low temperatures, become a promising option. For the reliable construction of these structures, calculations and modelling of the mechanical stability of these structures are important. To determine the calculation coefficients and modelling parameters, mechanical tests of the constituent frozen rocks are necessary. The paper presents the results of such laboratory mechanical tests.

12. On the Existence of Hydrodynamic Connection Between the Outputs of Intensive Energy-Carrying Intramantle Vortexes and Its Influence on the Change of the Caspian Sea Level and Bottom Relief

    S. Yu. Kasyanov

    Abstract

    The chapter shows that in the Earth’s mantle between the outlets of two hot energy-carrying intense vortices located beneath the Himalaya-Tian Shan Mountain Ring and beneath the area of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, an exchange of matter can occur. The hydrodynamic communication channel between these outlets passes under the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and the Black Sea. The flows of hot molten mantle matter between the two outlets of intense vortices are controlled by astronomical factors through the attraction of the planets of the solar system and cause changes in the pressure in the mantle under the Caspian Sea, leading to corresponding changes in the relief of the Caspian Sea floor and level, and also cause changes in the flows of endogenous heat into the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. All the above-mentioned geological and climatic changes are controlled by astronomical factors.

13. Features of Seiche Oscillations in the System of Adjacent Bays

    Yu. V. Manilyuk, S. V. Dovgaya, V. V. Fomin

    Abstract

    The expansion of the mode composition and amplification of long-wave oscillations in systems of adjacent bays due to their coupling through entrances can make a serious threat to the operation of ports and their coastal infrastructure. Based on the nonlinear numerical model FUNWAVE (fully nonlinear WAVE model), seiche oscillations in a system of two adjacent model bays of different sizes, excited by the action of a soliton, were studied. It was found that the large bay A has a significant effect on oscillations in the adjacent smaller bay B, in which, due to the coupling, an intense oscillation with a period corresponding to the Helmholtz mode of bay A is generated, dominating over all other eigenmodes. The condition under which the Helmholtz mode of bay A does not penetrate into bay B was obtained. Higher frequency eigenmodes are also excited in the bays under consideration. Their intensity is low and weakly depends on the distance between the bays.

14. Thermal and Radiation Regime Modern Changes of the Asian Territory of Russia, as Well as the Movement of the North Magnetic Pole

    A. V. Kholoptsev, R. G. Shubkin, A. N. Baturo

    Abstract

    The thermal and radiation regimes of any region of the world have a significant impact on the population life safety, as well as the development features of its economy and ecosystems. Therefore, the idea development about the reasons for their change for the Asian territory of Russia is a topical problem of physical geography, ecology, and emergency safety. The thermal regime of each area of the Earth’s surface depends largely on its radiation regime, a significant factor of which is the change in the transparency coefficient of the atmosphere above it. Significant influence on the dynamics of the latter is exerted by variations in the state not only present over this area of aerosol (including cloud cover), but also the corresponding ozone layer. One of the reasons for the latest changes are the flow’s variations of incoming rays to the atmosphere over the studied areas of the Earth’s surface, which affect the intensity of its ionization, as well as the vorticity of the polar vortex. Therefore, a hypothesis has been put forward that the thermal and radiation regimes of the territory under consideration is linked for some spring months with the approach to the peninsular of Taimyr of the North Geomagnetic Pole. Its verification confirmed that the distribution changes of 2000–2024 of the monthly average values of total ozone for spring months over the region under study correspond to existing perceptions about the possible consequences of moving this pole. For many study sites, significant inter-annual changes in this indicator have been identified, as well as a number of characteristics of their radioactive and thermal regime with variations in solar activity that control the flows of incoming cosmic rays, also dependent on the position of the pole. The results suggest that if the pole moves further in the same direction, the rate of warming of the climate of the Asian territory of Russia will increase, and the incoming streams of solar ultraviolet will raise. Ice conditions on the Northern Sea Route will be more favorable for shipping, but in the Arctic Zone of Russia a chance of accidents at man-made facilities and in its Forest Zone fire hazard will increase due to weather conditions.

15. Method of Assessing the Influence of Snow and Vegetation Cover on the Thermal Regime of Soils Using the Example of the Msu Weather Station

    V. E. Gagarin, A. V. Koshurnikov, D. M. Frolov, T. A. Sidorova, Ozoda Akhmedova

    Abstract

    The chapter describes the methodology for assessing the influence of snow and vegetation cover on the thermal regime of soils. These works were carried out at the MSU meteorological station. There thermometric boreholes were drilled: one on the site with vegetation and the other on the site without vegetation and snow cover. The thermometric measurements obtained were used to construct thermoisopets, which allow analyzing the effect of cover on heat fluxes in the ground and are essential for understanding the freezing and thawing processes. The results of the research can be useful for engineering decisions in the design of foundations under conditions of climate change. The research is carried out within the framework of state budgetary themes at the Geography Department of MSU.

16. Influence of Technogenesis on the Hydrosphere Condition of the Eastern Orenburg Region

    I. V. Kudelina, T. V. Leontyeva, M. V. Fatyunina

    Abstract

    Depending on the methods and systems of deposit development, technogenic disturbances of the geological environment have different effects on its pollution. Pyrite complex deposits of the Orenburg region, developed by open-pit mining, have a technogenic impact on the environment. The ores of these deposits are a natural concentration of toxic elements. The main agent that ensures the oxidation of elements, removes reaction products, regulates the migration process of heavy metals in the conditions of external waste rock dumps is water. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of technogenesis on the hydrosphere conditions of the Eastern Orenburg region. As a result, it was concluded that there are periodic excesses of such indicators as iron, manganese, lead, zinc, oil products at the “Autumn” and “Summer” copper-pyrite deposits. The hydrochemical situation at the copper-pyrite deposits of the Dombarovsky industrial hub is generally satisfactory. Regular monitoring and implementation of new technologies and, in particular, the use of complex barriers are recommended.

17. Uncertainties in Chlorophyll-A Concentration Estimation from OLCI Satellite Data Over the Sea of Japan in April 2023 Due to the Presence of Dust in the Atmosphere

    A. S. Papkova, P. A. Salyuk, D. M. Shukalo

    Abstract

    The occurrence of a high concentration of absorbing dust aerosol over the sea surface significantly complicates satellite measurements of the Ocean Color characteristics. This study presents an analysis of the variability of satellite estimates of the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration during the transfer of mineral dust over the Sea of Japan in April 2023. This transfer is confirmed not only by visual analysis of satellite images, but also by the calculation results of the SILAM software package. Statistical processing of OLCI satellite data for the central and northeastern parts of the Sea of Japan shows that on the days of a high concentration of mineral dust over the region, the Chl-a concentration sharply increased by 3–4 times compared to the average monthly values. This is a clear consequence of the atmospheric correction error, since even if mineral dust affects an increase in the Chl-a due to the deposition of mineral substances into the upper layer of the sea, this effect cannot occur immediately. This study examines possible causes of this error, namely physically incorrect values of the remote sensing reflectance (Rrs(λ)) of the Sea of Japan obtained during standard processing of OLCI data.

18. Multifractal Analysis of Seismic Energy Spatial Distributions in the Process of Preparation of the Pedro Bay Earthquake (Alaska, 2016, М = 7.1)

    I. R. Stakhovsky

    Abstract

    The paper proposes the method of structural analysis of the seismic flux in the focal area of a strong earthquake, applied to study the preparation process of the Pedro Bay earthquake (Alaska, 24.01.2016, M = 7.1). The method includes the use of the sliding time window and multifractal analysis of seismic data. 19 spatial distributions of seismic energy, characterizing the development of the Pedro Bay earthquake preparation process in time over 20 years, were studied. It is shown, that as the seismogenerating system approaches the moment of strong earthquake, the structure of the seismic flux experiences significant changes. The quantitative characteristics of the detected effects, as well as their physical interpretation are proposed.