Artinskian-Sakmarian boundary in the Verkhoyansk region is located within the lithological monotonous and paleontological poor lower part of the Echian horizon. To replace of extensive Arkachanian ammonoid association in the base of Artinskian Endybalian association appeared which was taxonomic depleted and locally distributed. It is proposed to consider as the main indicator of Artinskian lower boundary the appear- ance of subspecies Neoshumardites triceps hyperboreus, which morphologically and genetically is very simi- lar to the Early Artinskian Neoshumardites of South Urals. The spread of the South Urals Neoshumardites in the Verkhoyansk region was probably due to the period of maximum warming of seawater, which occurred at the Sakmarian-Artinskian transition. As a result of this warming, the brief invasion of the biota of the Urals occurred, which was later superseded by Siberian invertebrate taxa. In the absence of the ammonoids find- ings to determine of Artinskian lower boundary it is possible to use a change in section of brachiopods genus Jakutoproductus by Inoceramus-like bivalves. Paleontological characteristics of the main sections, located in the mouth of the Dielendzha river (the Tumara river basin) and the Arkachan-Echij interfluves are briefly considered.

In silty limestones of the Kharayutekh Formation of the Vendian (Ediacaran) of the Kharaulakh moun- tains (lower reaches of the Lena river), the imprint of the Beltanelliformis brunsae Menner in Keller et al., 1974 – one of primitive Coelenterata, widely known on different regions of the East European platform, was discovered for the first time. Findings of the Precambrian remains and traces of vital activity of organisms are of great interest, due to the fact that, life just originated in those very remote geologic periods, it was not characterized by great biologic diversity, observed at the Earth since the Cambrian period. The finding, de- scribed in the article, complements paleontological characterization of the Vendian (Ediacaran), represented by mostly carbonate type of the section in the Siberian platform and its framing.

A new method for reconstruction of the Late Pleistocene vegetation using indicator species of mammals – therioindicators is proposed. Two-level approach in using therioindicators in relation of the size of animals is justified. The first level is represented by rodents, the second level by medium and large size mammals. Re- productive station is proposed as the main in using therioindicators, as it is phylogenetically fixed in the course of evolution of a species. It is stated that the presence of a large number of animals associated with forest communities in mammoth fauna complexes shows wider participation of forest communities in the Late Pleistocene vegetation than it was considered before. The high species diversity of fossil mammals of Northern Yakutia can be explained by the greater mosaic of vegetation in comparison with the present time. It is suggested that in the course of a natural adjustment at the turn of the Pleistocene and Holocene forest communities expanded their area, becoming a zonal type of vegetation while grass communities, former zonal, were preserved in the intrazonal habitats.

Preliminary results of studies of taxonomic type (genus and species) of the skeleton fragment of the juvenile specimen found in 2008 on the bank of the Amga river (area «Gora Korolenko», Amga District, The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia) are presented. The remains of the late Pleistocene animals such as woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) and fossil hare (Lepus sp.) were found in the same layer with the juve- nile specimen remains. On the first investigation the skeleton was identified as Lynx (Lynx lynx). In this work the description of the cranial and post-cranial skeleton of the found specimen, as well as anatomical and morphological comparisons with modern lion (Panthera leo) and lynx (Lynx lynx) cubs are carried out. The features of the structure of skulls of P. leo and L.Lynx, manifested in the early stages of individual development are noted. The results of the investigation showed that the found specimen in its anatomical structure is closer to a modern lion cub than to a lynx and may be attributed to the extinct species Panthera spelaea. This is the first finding of almost complete skeleton of the Cave lion cub.

Dispersive soils are multi-phase, multi-component systems. The number of phases and components depends on the amount and state of water in soil voids determining the values of index physical properties, which in turn affect the thermal, strength, deformation and other properties of the soil. Studies of soil physical properties involve the determination of four values – the mass and volume of a sample in a natural state, the mass of a dried sample, and the volume of solids which are used to determine the main parameters. This study examines variations in the main indices of soil physical properties based on the known provisions that an increase in soil moisture content to complete saturation does not lead to an increase in soil volume and that full moisture capacity for thawed soils is maximum moisture content, while frozen soils may have moisture contents far in excess of full moisture capacity due to moisture migration. Formula are presented to calculate the mass of soil with a change in moisture content and the volume of frozen soil in the range of moisture contents exceeding the full capacity, from which formula have been derived for determining the density, porosity and degree of saturation. Also, a relation is shown to exist between gas and moisture contents based on the formula obtained earlier relating the physical index properties of soils. Graphs have been derived relating the index physical properties of a clay silt specimen to moisture content, which are thought to be qualitatively common for all soil types. In the moisture content range from 0 to full capacity, soil density increases linearly from the value equal to dry density to the maximum value and the degree of saturation increases linearly from 0 to 1, while the relative gas content decreases linearly from the value equal to porosity to 0. When the moisture content of frozen soil exceeds the full capacity, bulk density and dry density decrease as an attenuating curve, porosity and void ratio increase, the degree of saturation remains at 1, and the relative gas content is 0.

The article provides the results of estimation of important geotechnical parameter which is the freezing point of a saline soil solution – Tbf. Comparison of two calculation methods for the indicator that are applied at absence of experimental data are presented. In this work we considered the saline soils of the active layer of Yakutsk city. The first method is established on the Raoult's law and Van't Hoff factor. It takes into account the salt complex and the temperatures sum is calculated. The second method is based on Code of Practice SP 25.13330.2012 (Bases and Foundations on Permafrost), and Tbf depends on a type of soil pore solution concentration. Our calculations results showed that freezing point being calculated according to the Raoult's law & Van't Hoff factor, in all cases was lower than being determined using the SP. The difference between the calculations results was about 0,2 degrees Celsius for sands, 0,6 degrees Celsius for loamy sands, and about 1,0 degrees Celsius for clay loams. The largest difference is typical for soil pore solutions in chemical composition of which NaCl and Na2SO4 predominate and MgCl2 and CaCl2 are present. For saline sands freezing point calculation both calculation methods are applicable. For saline loamy sands and clay loam in the chemical composition of which sodium chloride and sodium sulphate predominate, and especially when there are magnesium and calcium chlorides, more preferable is to use the Raoult's Van't Hoff equation.

Based on field observations, this study proposes ways to improve the efficiency of permafrost monitoring in earthfill dams by using the optimal combination of geophysical methods. It discusses the main environmental factors controlling dam embankment temperatures. It is found that the most important factors are mean annual and minimum near-surface air temperatures and cold period length. The capabilities of geophysical methods for dam thermal monitoring in Western Yakutia are considered. Some approaches are proposed on how to optimize the use of several geophysical methods in application to the existing conditions. The optimal combination of DC and AC electrical resistivity applied with RMT sounding year round is presented as an example. The VES and VES-FR methods used with ERT procedures provide profiles of apparent resistivity and dielectric permittivity module in the earthfill. The use of RMT in complex with electrical techniques will provide better 2-D and 3-D representation of the location and development of thaw and water-bearing zones in the dams.

Laboratory studies are conducted on dispersed rock samples of different moisture content frozen in a refrigerating chamber, with the subsequent defrosting at temperature 22°С. According to the results of sensing by GPR OKO-2 with a center frequency of 1200 MHz delay time, amplitudes and spectral characteristic of the signals at varying moisture (from 3 to 20%) and temperature (from -15 to 15 °C) of rocks were determined. The results of the research showed a significant difference between the velocity of GPR signals at negative and positive temperatures for two types of sands of Quaternary deposits with a moisture content more than 7%. GPR amplitude values of signals and their frequency composition are described, depending on the temperature and humidity of the samples. The obtained results will serve as a basis for creation of automated system for determining the variation of the moisture in the rocks and display the data through geographic information system, which will greatly facilitate the control of moisture content of rocks in the mining industry. Application of the developed system is promising for monitoring of rock properties of pit walls and roofs of mine openings and soil foundations of engineering structures.

This paper describes a method of estimating a thawing halo around pipeline at its thermal interaction with permafrost. Formation of a temperature field of soil mass is determined by seasonal changes of the ambient temperature and the effects of heat of a transported product. We used the finite element method to analyze the dynamics of the temperature field change of the soil mass within 5 years of the pipeline work for two types of soils – clay loam and sand. It is found that over the time the depth of thawing increases monotonically and that in sandy soil the thawing process goes faster. Operation of the pipeline with positive temperature enhances the process of ground subsidence under the pipeline system.

On the basis of experimental studies it was found that the mineralization of sodium chloride solutions affects natural gas hydrates formation and decomposition processes. Depending on the solution concentrations the properties of the forming hydrates: sizes, shapes, designs, the gas volume enclosed in a clathrate phase are changed. The process of hydrate dissociation is considered as a heterogeneous reaction on the surface and it can be described by kinetics of topochemical reactions. With increasing of the solution mineralization the speed of the hydrate samples decomposition with the exception of the dissociation reaction of the sample obtained from a 5% solution is magnified.

The results of investigation of influence of synthetic fibrous nanopowders of alumag (mix of aluminum and magnesium oxides) on polytetrafluoroethylene structure and properties are presented in this paper. Antifrictional material with the high level of deformation and strength characteristics (at the maintenance of filler to 5 mas. %) is received by modification of PTFE with alumag. It is shown that particles of alumag act as the centers of crystallization. In case of increase in content of the nanomodifier the sizes of sferolits decrease that leads to increase of density of packaging and increase of wear resistance of the material.

In this paper, the results of study of operational properties and structure of a sealing rubber based on butadiene-nitrile caoutchouc and modified by thermally expanded graphite are presented. Modification of the rubber based on butadiene-nitrile caoutchouc by thermally expanded graphite produces an elastomeric material with high elasticity, frost-resistantсe and improved tribological characteristics. Tribological tests of the modified rubbers have shown the decrease of volume wear and friction coefficient. It is established that intercalation of caoutchouc in interlayer space of thermally expanded graphite and increase of degree of cristallinity on a surface of the modified samples is the reason of improvement of technical properties of elastomeric material. Therefore, the obtained results allow to recommend the presented elastomeric materials for production of mobile sealing elements, and to state that the sealing products made of it will be efficient and durable.

The results of a study on the development of fiber reinforced polymer composites based on polytetrafluoroethylene are presented. As polytetrafluoroethylene filler we used waste production of basalt fiber. On the basis of physical, mechanical, tribological studies of polymeric composites materials based on polytetrafluoroethylene modified with waste production of basalt fiber, we concluded about the prospects of use of the waste of basalt fiber production as modifiers of PTFE to develop tribological materials.

The results of X-ray elemental and phase analysis, morphological studies of the products of crushing and direct hydrogen reduction of the Lena ore field iron ore are described. The lack of selective ore dressing of the individual elements of the class size during milling, depending on the strength and hardness of the raw mineral phases is revealed. The ore contains low content of detrimental impurities. After annealing in a re- ducing atmosphere of hydrogen there is a reduction of oxygen content in the ore material, which value is slightly different in size classes. At the same time, the Fe content increases with the size of the class, reaching its maximum at a class size 1–0,5 mm. The initial particles have the splintered form, due to the grinding pro- cess. There is a pronounced relief of the surface of the particles in ore reduction products, the formation of a spongy surface. Individual particles have a heterogeneous chemical and mineral composition, they are com- posed of grains of different phases with sizes from several microns to 80 microns. Principle suitability of the method of direct reduction with hydrogen in relation to Lensky ore field iron ore is established.

In the article the analysis of processes occurring at the cathodic and anodic areas of the EDM process is presented. The role of the plasma column in the processes of transfer of electric and thermal energy is considered. A description of the plasma column, as the object of regulation is given and the conditions influencing its energy and geometric parameters are revealed. The causes which determine the conduct of the trial, the EEE in a certain polarity are presented. Electric effect on the insulating liquid produces chemical reaction includes two phases: in the fluid and in plasma. Chemical processes in the plasma and in the liquid phases differ significantly from each other: in liquid phase a chain radical process develops, and in the gas phase – plasma process develops, which is characterized by the initial fragmentation and the subsequent recombination of formed fragments. The conducted investigation revealed specific features of electrical discharge machining of titanium and aluminum alloy, namely a particular mechanism of breakdown in these materials due to high chemical activity. The resulting equations confirm this assumption and revealed that the most important processing parameters that affect the performance, the roughness and wear of toolelectrode, are the pulse repetition frequency and duty cycle.

In the one-year shoots of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) of Central Yakutia population in preparation for dormancy (August, September) we observed the accumulation of a number of total proteins what is probably associated with the plant wintering over under the permafrost zone conditions. Their level remains high for a long winter. The content of these polypeptides is sharply reduced during the resumption of growth in the spring. Polymorphism of total proteins at some birches in two variable domains 23-27 and 16-18 kDa is detected. Two major groups of low molecular weight (17, 18 and 21 kDa) and medium weight (66 and 69 kDa) dehydrins are firstly found in the composition of seasonally changing dehydrin specific tissue – xylem and birch bark. Dehydrin of low molecular weight had a more pronounced seasonal dynamics than dehydrins of middle one. Their content was the highest during the dormancy when the plant reaches a maximum freezing tolerance. Dehydrin 17, 18 and 21 kDa disappeared during the growing season. The dehydrins level in the xylem at dormancy was higher than in the cortex, which is probably due to the different tissue strategies for cryotolerance. Dehydrin and total proteins of Central Yakutia population of B. pendula showed features of adaptive changes that indicate their important role in resistance to the extreme conditions of the permafrost zone.

The article describes an experiment and a probable mechanism of a subjective phenomenon of visual illusion of shifting of visual image’s parts of static pictures. Conditions of origin of this illusion of shifting of visual image’s parts were revealed. Probable mechanism of origin of illusion of shifting of visual image’s parts is a neurodynamic conflict in CNS (Central Nervous System) structures. This conflict emerges during reprocessing of inadequate visual information from peripheral magnocellular receptive fields of retina in the process of saccadic eye movements.

A study of the state of chronobiological features of emotional stress of male students of indigenous nationality in the high latitudes is conducted. The results show the dynamics of increase of emotional stress in the body of students over the past 10–15 years (from 2001–2004 to 2014–2015). In winter, there is an increase in psychological and emotional instability in the background of the raising level of trait anxiety (r = 0.781), which is the reason for the decline of adaptation resources and stress the body in spring.

The purpose of this study was to find out whether it is suitable to combine two cluster analysis tools for forests condition monitoring. Multispectral satellite images of high and medium resolution Landsat TM/ETM+, Aster, Spot, IRS, made between 1995 and 2011 and their fragments were subjected to two-stage processing. First uncontrolled classification method ISODATA (Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Technique) was used. Then calculation of the thematic difference of classification results was carried out. The prospects to use a parameter of pixels thematic difference for evaluation of disturbance of forests from fires is shown. For disturbed forest areas the amount of pixels in the second subclass of thematic difference is greater than in the first subclass. While undisturbed forest areas have the amount of pixels in the first subclass of thematic difference greater than or equal to the amount of pixels of the second subclass of thematic difference. The prospects of the cluster analysis tools to monitor seasonal changes in forest conditions are shown. Comparison of two fragments the first one with larch dominance and the second one with Siberian pine dominance has shown that in the autumn months the dominance of larch and pine (September, October) there is a sharp increase in pixels in the second subclass of thematic difference in the fragment with larch dominance because of the increasing of the share of pixels with high optical density after larch drop its needles and fall of the leaf. For the fragment with the dominance of Siberian pine seasonal changes in the distribution of pixel symmetry index are less pronounced. Promising tools of cluster analysis of pixels in the longterm monitoring of forest ecosystems (for example, forest restoration process after fire) are considered. The rate of forest recovery on a fragment of burnt area of 698 hectares is defined. It is shown that the rate of recovery after a fire depends on the character of disturbance of the forest after a fire.

Larix gmelinii and Larix sibirica dominate in the forest cover in the western part of the Lensky rayon. Vaccinium vitis-idaea larch forests are widely represented and form extensive forest areas. Pine forests are the second most important formation of coniferous forests in the study area. Pine forests (Pinus sylvestris) cover the upper part of the elevations. Pine forests with well-developed moss cover dominate. Spruce forests (Picea obovata) have a limited dispersal. The limited dispersal of spruce forests is due to the spruce greater demands for soil fertility, soil moisture, hydrothermal regime of permafrost soils. Birch forests (Betula platyphylla) are the part of successional range of reforestation climax types of larch and pine forests. Birch forests grow along the floodplains with overmoisturizing, on the recovering burned and cutting areas. The distribution of types and forest formations on the terrain corresponds the conditions of moisture availability. The alienation of forest areas for industrial facilities are the greatest danger to the forest cover.

A brief review of the current state of the scientific Herbarium of IBPC SB RAS (SASY), foundation of which is closely associated with the establishment of the Yakutian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The organizers of the scientific Herbarium were well-known Yakutian botanists V.A. Sheludiakova and M.N. Karavaev. Until the 1960s, the specialists in botany came to the Institute of Biology YB AS USSR from the central universities of the country. Later, the Yakutsk State University began to produce its own specialists in botany, but only in vascular plants. On spore plants, the targeted training of specialists was required. Nowadays, the Herbarium is provided by the experts on all major groups of plants. Information about the history of formation, the founders who have made a significant contribution to the development of the Herbarium and botanical science of Yakutia is given. The article also highlights the current structure of Herbarium Fund, presents the plans and prospects for further development of the scientific Herbarium. The fund includes a herbarium with floristic catalog of the collections of plants and literature, phytocenory and a library. The Herbarium Fund is represented by 4 divisions, which house more than 90 thousand herbarium specimens: 1st department higher vascular plants (about 67 thousand herbarium sheets), 2nd department a collection of bryophytes (17,000 samples (15 thousand mosses and 2 thousand liverworts); 3rd Division herbarium of lichens (more than 5 thousand samples); 4th Division herbarium of mushrooms presented by aphyllophorales (wood decaying) mushrooms (750 samples).

In the work some results of field studies conducted in July-August 2015 on ridges Sette-Daban and Suntar- Khayata Range in Tomponsky and Oymyakonsky districts are presented. The study of flora and vegetation were carried out on the basis of route studies by generally accepted floristic and geobotanical methods. For definition of age structure of populations of Rhodiola rosea L. were selected immature (im), virgin (v) and generative (g) specimens. For definition of morphometric indicators of species 14 generative individuals are measured on five parameters. For determining of density and age structure the method of casual selection of registration platforms by the size 1m ² was used. Two populations of R. rosea are surveyed. Density of populations are low (no more than 0.8 by 1 m²). Points of location of rhodiolas in the territory of Yakutia are given, their dot area in the republic is given. The status and category of a rarity of both types for entering into new edition of the Red Book of Yakutia are specified.

Status of water aquatic organisms, including fish, can serve as a generalized indicator of the degree of environmental well-being of the reservoir. Fish are the last link in the food chain of reservoirs and in some cases it is a good test object. We studied the appearance of the fish, the deviation from the norm in counting signs, fixed swelling or changes in the shape of gill rakers on the view of gill cavity, marked body turgor, all the internal organs. We assessed the state of the spine, its miscalculation, fusion or destruction of the vertebrae; determined the state of the muscle tissue, infection with parasites. The degree of damage of each organ was evaluated in points. Welfare status was defined as the sum of all points of the investigated bodies. For the assessment of the status of fish in the system of the Kolyma River the pike, dace and perch were taken as fish that do not commit large migrations and remaining in the area of permanent water impacts of gold mining and hydraulic engineering. The results of the study show that it is possible (with minor anomalies in the anatomical and environmental indicators, the index of unfavorable conditions and a small number of averages from 0.7 to 1.4) to assign them to the third zone a comparative environmental well-being.

In the studied populations of cattle of Yakutia we revealed two alleles of kappa-casein genes – A and B, and three genotypes – AA, AB and BB. Frequency of the A allele was higher in comparison with the B allele and varied depending on the breed from 0.50 to 0.73. Among the studied breeds cattle with genotype AA found mostly in Austrian Simmental breeding (55%) and Kholmogory (50%). Required for the production of cheese genotype BB 25% of Kalmyk breed cows had and 10% of the Austrian Simmental breed. According to the beta-lactoglobulin gene, the frequency of allele B is prevalent in Kholmogory cows (0.60), Simmental local selection (0.65), and especially in cows Kalmyk breed (0.83). Cows of Simmental Austrian selection have gene of beta-lactoglobulin predominantly with genotype AB (55%) and AA (30 %). The Kalmyk breed prevailed with BB genotype (67 %) and not found the cows with genotype AA. In respect of prolactin gene it has been found that all investigated cattle breeds, the frequency of allele A (0.79  0.98) dominates the fre- quency of allele B (0.02 ... 0.21). In the studied group of Kholmogory breed cows we revealed 10 different combinations of genotypes CSN/LGB/PRL. More frequent there are cows with genotype CSN^AB/LGB^BB/PRL^AA (26.7%). Preliminary studies of milk production showed that animals with genotype CSN^AB/LGB^BB/PRL^AA had the highest milk yield (3578 kg), and the animals with genotype CSN^AА/LGB^АB/PRL^AA – the lowest (2170 kg). More milk fatness was observed for cows with genotype CSN^AB/LGB^BB/PRL^AA (123.8 kg).

This paper provides a brief overview of the development of ecological tourism in the world, provides information about the first ecological tours, held in Yakutia since the 80-ies of the last century (cruises on the river Lena «Yakutsk–Tiksi», ornithological tours «Yakutsk–Vitim», «Yakutsk–Tiksi», «Yakutsk–Cherskii», entomological tours in Central Yakutia, specialized trips of American, Scandinavian and Japanese scientists in the Delta of the Lena river, the lower reaches of the Indigirka, the Kolyma river in the 90-ies). Special attention is paid to animals as objects of ecological tourism, primarily rare and endangered animal species of Yakutia. The greatest attention is paid to the issues of organization of ornithological tours, which have great prospects. The tours «In the country of white cranes – the sacred bird of the Yakuts and the indigenous minorities of the North», «Arctic bird», «Birds of the mountains and foothills of South Yakutia», «Behind the Siberian grouse and wood-grouse stone in the Aldan highlands», «Birds of Erkeeny valley» and «Amazing Siberian salamander» are suggested. Some tours may attract eco-tourists from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. It is noted that almost in any district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) one can find places for environmental routes associated with observation of rare species of animals. It is especially convenient to conduct in specially protected territories – reserves and resource reserves.

The distribution of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the surface layer of sediments of Lake Onega is presented. The concentration of trace elements in sediments increases with depth of the lake and the dispersion degree of grains. The distribution pattern of heavy metals is broken in the bays, subjected to anthropogenic influence. Features of processes of early diagenesis of sediments, occurring at different depths have been identified. In sediments of the deep area (~ 50 m) diagenetic differentiation Fe and Mn takes place with the formation of enriched layers and ore crusts on the redox barrier and further burial. The maximums of Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, and Cd content in the surface layers of the sediments of the deep-water areas of lake Onega indicate an increase in the speed of their receipt with the fine fraction of suspended solids in the last hundred years. Anthropogenic activities and climate change may be the cause of this process.