Scientists study lichens to assess ecosystems on Cape Chelyuskin in Arctic

ARCTIC TODAYScientists study lichens to assess ecosystems on Cape Chelyuskin in Arctic Along with the research of lichens, scientists are sampling the soil coverMOSCOW, August 27. /TASS/. The Clean Arctic project's scientific and ecological expedition studies lichens to assess pollution degree on Cape Chelyuskin, which is Eurasia's northernmost mainland point. The expedition participants will collect at least 70 samples of soil, water, lichens and polar bear fur, the project's press service said. "Lichens are a very expressive test object for assessing pollution," the press service quoted researcher at the Dokuchaev Soil Institute, and expert of the Moscow State University's Geography Department Danila Bardashov as saying. "We are selecting species with a bushy life form, for example, representatives of the genus cetraria (also known as Iceland moss), since their layer can be easily separated from the substrate, and they provide sufficient biomass for tests. The lichen, as a very vulnerable organism in harsh physical conditions, is forced to assimilate all the mineral elements that are available around, thus it accumulates heavy metals very actively as well." Biologists have special interest in the species composition of lichens, which form up to 80% of the soil organic mass and serve as a primary link in the food chain of Arctic animals. It is for the first time that the expedition combines several directions at a time: the elimination of accumulated environmental damage, and the study of Arctic flora and fauna. "Arctic ecosystems are distinguished by their nondescript appearance, but at the same time they have extremely high biodiversity," the scientist continued. "We can see that lichens on the cape make such a colorful carpet of different species, genera and life forms. Thus, extremely high biological diversity is possible even in a small area, and we need to preserve and increase this biodiversity." Lichens, like sponges, absorb all mineral elements from the environment, including heavy metals, and thus lichens serve as harbingers of changes long before human eye may notice them. Further on, the collected samples will undergo mass spectrometry, which will separate elements according to their spectral properties and identify the concentration of pollutants. Along with the research of lichens, scientists are sampling the soil cover. The main sources of pollution in that territory are metal barrels. "Cape Chelyuskin is a living proof that life is possible at the limit of physical capabilities," the expert said in conclusion. "Restoring Cape Chelyuskin's ecosystems is an investment in the future of the planet, in climate resilience and in the diversity of such vulnerable regions. The entire Arctic biotic community cannot function without lichens. A change in the species composition and in conditions of lichens indicates beginning changes long before any external and visible signs may appear." About the project The Clean Arctic Public Environmental Project has been cleaning the northern territories since 2021. The volunteers focus on objects, left since the USSR times. Waste removal is a complex technological work, where the movement teams work carefully minding the Arctic nature. Over all seasons, the project's almost 10,000 volunteers have collected 22,000 tons of waste and cleaned 1,100 hectares of land. The project's general partner is the Rosatom State Corporation, and TASS is the general information partner. TotalEnergies completes transfer of 10% in Arctic LNG 2 to Novatek subsidiaryTotalEnergies is therefore no longer a shareholder in Arctic LNG 2Read moreGazprom, Iran discuss potential cooperation in gas sectorAccording to the Russian holding, CEO Alexey Miller had a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali and NIGC CEO Saeed TavakoliRead moreUkraine injures eleven civilians in attacks on Donetsk People’s RepublicEight residential buildings and eleven civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged, head of the region Denis Pushilin saidRead moreUN needs to rebuild trust with major donors — GrossiThe IAEA director general also noted that the UN could not effectively perform its functions without contributions from the USRead moreFACTBOX: Russian forces strike Ukrainian military targets, oil refinery, steel millsEnergy facilities supplying power to Ukrainian ports in the Odessa Region were also struck, the Russian Defense Ministry reportedRead moreRussia’s industrial production grows by 0.1% in January - July — RosstatMinerals production slipped by 0.9% year·on·yearRead moreFACTBOX: What we know about FAZ journalist Martens’ international wanted statusAuthorities charged Michael Martens in absentia with inciting hatred or hostility over the statements, the source saidRead moreZelensky regime, Western countries are exterminating Ukrainian people — Duma speakerVyacheslav Volodin stressed that the Zelensky regime understood perfectly well that no one would need it, should it end the war with RussiaRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup West downs 111 Ukrainian heavy hexacopters over past dayThe battlegroup’s spokesman said that air defense crews and mobile armed units shot down three US-made HIMARS rocketsRead moreKiev tries to convince West of military successes in absence of real results — GerasimovAs part of a propaganda campaign, the Kiev regime is spreading false information about an allegedly successful offensive in the Zaporozhye RegionRead moreRussian Emergencies Ministry aircraft drops over 160 metric tons of water on Serbia firesThe Il-76 aircraft made four sorties over the past 24 hoursRead moreMoscow to respond to Ukrainian strikes on Russian economic, trade infrastructure — KremlinAccording to Dmitry Peskov, Russia does not need "military escalation," as it is making advances in the special military operation without itRead moreNumber of people missing after China landslide reaches 558According to a report by China Central Television, 260 of them are foreign nationalsRead moreUS allows imports of certain Russian diamond categories until September 1, 2027Russian-origin diamonds weighing 1 carat or more may be imported provided that they were located outside Russia and were not exported or reexported from Russia on or after March 1, 2024Read moreNo new proposals for negotiations have been received from Kiev — Russian MFAMaria Zakharova recalled that the Ukrainian side had unilaterally withdrawn from discussions within the Istanbul format without a clear explanationRead moreGerman Finance Ministry estimates frozen Russian assets in country at €3.51 blnThe amount may vary depending on the valuation method used, a representative explainedRead moreEbola outbreak in eastern DR Congo could become worst in history — mediaAccording to the newspaper, much of the population in eastern DR Congo was not following the necessary precautions against the virusRead moreNo Western country ready for conflict similar to one in Ukraine — Business InsiderNorwegian military officials believe that the protracted combat operations demonstrated the need to prepare in advance not only the armed forces, but also the government, industry, and society as a wholeRead moreIN BRIEF: Kremlin briefing covers frozen assets, 'spooks' of Russia’s 'plans' against NATODmitry Peskov added that Russia continues contacts with the United States on Ukraine "at the working level"Read moreUN efforts to resolve Ukraine, other crises not visible — GrossiThe IAEA director general added that "UN is everywhere without being where it needs to be"Read moreNine killed, six wounded: What we know about Ukrainian attack on passenger bus in LPRLeonid Pasechnik stated that the Ukrainian armed forces’ strike was targetedRead moreRussia’s pivot to East became only option since special military operation — KobyakovThe Russian presidential adviser said that virtually no Asian country condemned the special military operation or joined the anti-Russian front being formed on the basis of NATORead moreCourt in Armenia rules to place former President Kocharyan in custodyRobert Kocharyan was earlier hospitalized after his health deterioratedRead moreUkraine is definitely losing in conflict — KremlinThe dynamics in all frontline areas clearly demonstrate this, Dmitry Peskov underscoredRead moreNew passenger car sales in Russia may reach 115,000 in August — AutostatDirector of the analytical agency Sergey Tselikov added that the market would thus contract by 6%-10% compared with last yearRead moreIAEA inspections at attacked Iranian nuclear facilities needed by Israel, US — AEOI headTehran is not yet prepared to allow experts to inspect the sites, Mohammad Eslami saidRead moreKiev regime is collapsing from within — KremlinThere is a quasi-political fuss underway deep inside the Kiev regime and it is becoming increasingly intense, Dmitry Peskov saidRead moreLavrov, Egyptian foreign minister stress need for Middle East settlementThe Russian Foreign Ministry added that the parties confirmed their shared position on the need to settle the Palestinian issue in accordance with UN resolutionsRead moreReality sets in for Ukraine’s former defense chief, Russian envoy saysKirill Dmitriev also noted that "the blame game for failures" begins in UkraineRead moreTrump says Mojtaba Khamenei alive after strikes on IranIran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was very seriously woundedRead moreWagenknecht urges German politicians backing Kiev to go to frontThe founder of BSW criticized German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and other politicians who support continued military assistance to UkraineRead moreIran sends letter to UN Security Council regarding US 'economic terrorism' — agencyAccording to the agency, Abbas Araghchi pointed out the legal and moral responsibility of the UN and all governments to condemn the illegal and criminal actions of the US administrationRead moreRussian forces continue their offensive unabated, chief of General Staff saysGeneral Valery Gerasimov said the offensive continues in all directionsRead moreRussia to unveil Barrage-2 unmanned stratospheric platform in 2028In the initial phase, the flight will be short and powered by a relatively simple propulsion system, but it will already be capable of providing practical benefitsRead moreUp to 70 vessels queue near Danube ports to load Ukrainian grain — mediaReuters added that the situation with Ukrainian grain exports could worsen in the coming days, as shipping agents at Danube river ports plan to close access to them for at least two days because of deteriorating weather conditionsRead moreKiev is using Europe's military capabilities to attack buses — Russian diplomatEarlier, LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik reported that nine people, including a 20-year-old woman, were killed and six wounded in a Ukrainian strike on a bus traveling between Lisichansk and StakhanovRead moreUS allies believe Hormuz not fully demined — BloombergAccording to sources cited by the news agency, some mines may have shifted from their original position due to underwater currentsRead moreUS-Iran war to end 'fairly soon' — TrumpAccording to the US leader, the Strait of Hormuz "is functioning"Read moreICRC delegates visit Wildberries facilities targeted by Ukraine near St. Petersburg — MFADuring the visit, ICRC experts could verify the complete absence of military facilities both at and around the warehousesRead moreUkrainians massively deserting armed forces — lawmakerDmitry Mikisha said there is a vast array of problems that have not been resolvedRead moreUkrainian terrorist elements to spread around world after Russia’s win in special opDenis Pushilin added that the sea routes, which are a priority in the area of cargo transportation, must be protected because the risk of terrorist threats will persist for decades to comeRead moreForeign military contingents in Ukraine to be Russia’s legitimate targets — diplomatMaria Zakharova said the responsibility for this will fall on Western politiciansRead moreLondon, Paris unable to dodge responsibility for strikes deep into Russia — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova drew attention to the destructive role that the "EU troika" is playing in "inciting and fueling the Ukrainian crisis"Read moreNearly each family in Gaza faces shelter crisis — envoy to UNVasily Nebenzya concluded that serious difficulties persist on the humanitarian frontRead moreForeign nationals from 28 countries among 579 missing after Nepal floods — policeAccording to the latest figures, the bodies of 162 people have been recoveredRead moreUN says attacks on civilians unacceptable after Ukraine strikes bus in LPRUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation of the conflict, spokesman Stephane Dujarric addedRead moreNo need to anticipate Armenia’s withdrawal from CSTO — secretary generalAccording to Taalatbek Masadykov, the country’s leadership has its position, while the Armenian people have theirsRead morePentagon chief may appoint aide as US Army secretaryAccording to sources cited by The Hill, Sean Parnell is on the shortlist of potential candidates for the positionRead moreUkraine attacks Donetsk with Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missilesEight civilians were injured, head of the republic Denis Pushilin saidRead moreTatyana Kim tops Forbes ranking of Russia’s richest women for fifth timeHer net worth is estimated at $5 blnRead moreRussian Chief of General Staff inspects Battlegroup South — top brassArmy General Valery Gerasimov received a report from Battlegroup Commander Colonel General Sergey MedvedevRead moreCIA, Pentagon chiefs hold meeting at White House — pool reportersThe reporters did not specify whether US President Donald Trump took part in the meetingRead moreArchaeologists unearth 15th-century hoard of 2,600 silver coins near MoscowThis is the largest coin collection of its time available to researchersRead moreRussia’s SVR chief confirms he met CIA director in MoscowSergey Naryshkin said there is nothing unusual to itRead moreCIA chief's visit to Russia, Kiev regime’s collapse, Armenia situation: Kremlin’s briefingAccording to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, there were no direct contacts between the Russian President and John RatcliffeRead moreNorthern Sea Route offers unprecedented opportunities amid logistics disruptionsRussian Presidential Adviser Anton Kobyakov said that the route ensures the safety of temperature-sensitive goods, saves refrigeration capacity and insurance costs, and eliminates intermediate customs checkpointsRead moreJapan can assemble nuclear weapons within one year — Kremlin aideRussian Presidential Aide and Executive Secretary of the Eastern Economic Forum Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov drew attention to Japan’s revanchist militarizationRead moreIranian attacks cause billions in damage to US surveillance hardware in Middle East — TVThe Iranian attacks raise doubts about whether the Department of State, the Pentagon and the US intelligence community are sufficiently prepared to guarantee due protection to US sites in the region, the TV channel saidRead moreRussia’s Uran-6 ground robotic system proves effective in demining Mariupol — DPR headAccording to Denis Pushilin, demining of the city was a very serious taskRead moreCIA chief arrived in Russia for contacts between special services, Kremlin tells WPDmitry Peskov declined to provide any further detailsRead morePress review: SDF plans dissolution in Syria as Bangladesh invited to join Mecca pactTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 27thRead moreRussia adds over 100 mln carats to diamond reserves since start of yearHead of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov noted that reserve additions are driven not only by new deposits but by additional geological exploration and the reassessment of existing depositsRead moreGrossi says relations with Russia would be serious if elected UN secretary-generalThe IAEA director general said he had developed a very good working relationship with RussiaRead moreTrump says combination of strikes against Iran and economic war effective — TVThe US president claimed that Iran "got massive inflation, their economy is falling apart"Read moreTanker struck by projectile in Strait of Hormuz — UKMTOAcording to the authority, a fire broke out aboard the oil tankerRead moreRussia’s coal output falls by 1.8% in January - July to 249 million tons — RosstatProduction of all types of hard coal decreased by 2.3% to 192 million tonsRead moreFlood in Nepal: At least 95 killed, some 400 tourists missing and $1.3 billion in damageThe Russian embassy in Kathmandu has told TASS that the diplomatic mission has no information about the presence of Russian citizens in the affected areas.Read moreWildfires in Algeria leave 12 people deadAccording to Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport Minister Said Sayoud, more than 50 people were injuredRead moreRussia, China close gap with US in space — mediaThis "could have frightening consequences for the national security" of the United States, the newspaper writesRead moreMass of ice that fell one kilometer believed to be cause of Nepal flood — NYTAccording to the geologist’s estimates, a chunk of ice with a width of about 2,000 feet snapped cleanly off the glacier sending a mixture of ice and water to the valley floorRead moreTests of Russia’s Sakhalin heavy-class underwater robot held in St. PetersburgThe vehicle is capable of operating at depths of up to 3,000 meters, servicing underwater infrastructureRead moreIran sees US sanctions as economic terrorism — ambassador in Ashgabat Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani added that Iran’s geographical location is a great advantage for the country, which maintains relations with 15 countries around the world and cooperates with them very productivelyRead moreUkrainian forces shell DPR populated areas 17 times over past day11 civilians, including two children, were injuredRead moreWest using South Caucasus Railway issue to blackmail Armenia — Russian MFAThe ministry noted that the issue of the concession’s transfer to anyone else has not been raised previously, but it is likely that demands are being made on the Armenian leadership to remove the ‘Russian factor’ in the transport sectorRead moreClaims of Russian aggression toward EU distort reality — KremlinDmitry Peskov specified that the West is publishing many "scare stories" about alleged Russian plans against NATORead moreRussian government to review budget execution for first half of yearThe agenda of the meeting includes nine other itemsRead moreRussia destroys Ukraine’s infrastructure capable of producing SCALP missiles — expertSergey Lipovoy noted that even if Kiev manages to assemble them somewhere using available components, "it is not a given that these missiles will be fully controllable"Read moreFive passengers, driver hospitalized after bus crash in Ulan-UdeAccording to preliminary information reported by the Emergencies Ministry earlier, nine people were injuredRead moreSome European states fear lack of funding for Kiev, demand seizure of Russian assets — FTSweden, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland are among EU members supporting the initiativeRead moreArmy general comments on Russia’s unabated offensive, Ukraine’s attempts to hold DonbassKiev’s main strategic objective is to maintain control over the remaining part of Donbass, and the Ukrainian army has created a defense in depth, Valery Gerasimov saidRead moreArmenia de facto not participating in CSTO discussions — secretary generalTaalatbek Masadykov said that Armenia also has not paid its membership fees for the third year nowRead moreUK confirms its involvement in conflict by giving Kiev Storm Shadow missiles — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that London had done everything possible to avoid answering questions about the actual use of Storm Shadow missilesRead moreAttack on bus in LPR carried out in coordination with West — expertAlexander Pataman, head of the secretariat of the Zaporozhye Region office of the World Russian People’s Council, explained that after attacks on civilians "the West pretends that nothing is happening"Read moreIran detains Indian tanker on southern route in Strait of Hormuz — agencyAccording to the agency, "no vessel traffic has been observed on the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours"Read moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassRussia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 240 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and 14 motor vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreThe West wants to saturate Ukraine with UAVs for strikes against Russia — expertVitaly Kiselev described Ukrainian strikes on residential buildings, civilian transport and infrastructure as a tragedyRead moreProtecting facilities from drones on agenda of upcoming CSTO exercises — secretary generalAccording to Taalatbek Masadykov, the exercises will be held this autumn, first in Kazakhstan and then in Russia and BelarusRead moreRussian advance units are 1.5 km from Druzhkovka — General Staff ChiefAccording to General Valery Gerasimov, over the past two months alone, more than 100 square kilometers of territory have been liberated in the Druzhkovka sectorRead moreRussian stocks close in the red on WednesdayThe MOEX Index lost to 2,071.3 points, the RTS Index fell to 774.19 pointsRead morePress review: Vatican eyes Ukraine peace role as Slovakia keeps Russian energy contractsTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 26thRead moreEpstein case reveals real face of Western elites seeking to rule world — Lavrov"It is unnecessary to explain to any normal person that this is pure Satanism and is beyond human comprehension," the Russian Foreign Minister addedRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup North artillery eliminates over 80 Ukrainian personnel overnightThe Russian artillery crews carried out more than 450 fire missions in the Kharkov and Sumy RegionsRead moreSPIEF to be held for 30th time on June 16-19, 2027According to Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov, the forum is "a force that unites the global community on the basis of trust and a commitment to development"Read moreKremlin mum on next round of talks between Russian, Ukrainian delegations — spokesmanDmitry Peskov noted that Moscow continued to maintain working-level contacts with Washington on UkraineRead moreNvidia quarterly revenue more than doubles to $96.2 blnThe corporation expects revenue of around $108 bln in the next quarterRead moreRussia declares Romanian diplomat working in Moscow persona non grata — Foreign MinistryThe ministry emphasized that this measure is a response to Romania's earlier similar decisionRead moreArmenia’s expulsion from CSTO up to supreme commanders — secretary generalTaalatbek Masadykov added that all circumstances and factors should be taken into accountRead moreUAC delivers batch of Su-35S fighter jets to Russian Aerospace ForcesThe 4++-generation aircraft have undergone a full cycle of factory testingRead moreDeath toll from Nepal flooding reaches 157According to a report by Ratopati, the highest number of fatalities was recorded in the Chitwan District in the south of the countryRead moreWhat is known about detention of eleven terrorist suspects in Russia’s North CaucasusThe arrests took place at the detainees' places of residenceRead more