For the second consecutive year, Nornickel has initiated the Great Scientific Expedition to the Arctic and Transbaikal. Scientists collect data on northern animals, insects, birds, and plants, as well as on the composition of water, soil, and air. And the company tells everyone who cares about the beauty of northern nature and the ways it helps to preserve it.
In May 2020, an accident occurred at CHP-3. Due to permafrost thaw, a tank with fuel cracked, petroleum products spilled out onto the ground and got into the Daldykan and Ambarnaya rivers.
Nornickel immediately set about mitigating the accident aftermath.
Nornickel immediately set about mitigating the accident aftermath.
- The spill of petroleum products was localized, avoiding more severe environmental impacts and local discontent.
- An ecosystem status assessment was required after the incident.
- A recovery plan was developed.
The first expedition
Scientists from the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences were invited to take part in the Great Scientific Expedition; 30 of them participated in the Great Norilsk Expedition.
Research was undertaken in three areas:
Scientists of the Great Norilsk Expedition, 2020 surveyed the surroundings of Norilsk, the floodplains of six Taimyr rivers, and the Kara Sea coast, and took more than 2,000 samples. It was the first time observations were possible of how microorganisms decompose heavy petroleum products at the bottom of Arctic lakes. As a result, extensive materials were collected.
Research was undertaken in three areas:
- surface water and bottom sediments
- soil and perennially frozen ground
- flora and fauna.
Scientists of the Great Norilsk Expedition, 2020 surveyed the surroundings of Norilsk, the floodplains of six Taimyr rivers, and the Kara Sea coast, and took more than 2,000 samples. It was the first time observations were possible of how microorganisms decompose heavy petroleum products at the bottom of Arctic lakes. As a result, extensive materials were collected.
The Great Norilsk Expedition research lasted three years
Chemical hydrologists took water samples from the Ambarnaya and Daldykan rivers
Large-scale surveys in all regions of operations
In 2022, adding to the experience of the Great Norilsk Expedition, Nornickel initiated the Great Scientific Expedition in three regions where it has a significant presence: the Kola Peninsula, Taimyr and Transbaikal Territory. The main goal was to explore biodiversity.
The expedition included hydrochemists, soil scientists, botanists, and zoologists. They collected data over an area of 71,300 sq km. The first year was dedicated to thorough research of the areas around the company's river ports on the Yenisei and along the Northern Sea Route.
Scientists determined the range beyond which the environmental impact of production sites is neutralized by nature’s buffer systems. For example, the impact of gas producing facilities becomes negligible within 1–2 km, while for a major industrial complex it becomes negligible within 10–16 km. That said, the negative impact of production sites is the most noticeable within a range of 2–3 km and becomes harder to detect beyond this distance.
The expedition included hydrochemists, soil scientists, botanists, and zoologists. They collected data over an area of 71,300 sq km. The first year was dedicated to thorough research of the areas around the company's river ports on the Yenisei and along the Northern Sea Route.
Scientists determined the range beyond which the environmental impact of production sites is neutralized by nature’s buffer systems. For example, the impact of gas producing facilities becomes negligible within 1–2 km, while for a major industrial complex it becomes negligible within 10–16 km. That said, the negative impact of production sites is the most noticeable within a range of 2–3 km and becomes harder to detect beyond this distance.
Did you know?
Sometimes nature itself may pose a threat to biodiversity. If metal-rich ores are close to the surface, these metals migrate into the soil and reduce the number of plants and animals. For example, in the Transbaikal, scientists have identified areas with a high level of arsenic in the soil, while in the Norilsk and Kola divisions, nickel, copper, and chromium have been detected.
This geochemical anomaly is of natural origin, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. They need to be accepted as a natural phenomena, and not worsened by human interaction. During the expedition, scientists studied the impact of the company’s heavy metal waste dumps on biodiversity. It turned out that waste dumps have no effect on biodiversity as these metals are already present in the soil and have been part of the evolution of biodiversity. “Nature is adapting!” was the scientific verdict.
The expedition was repeated in 2023 and will be conducted every year. The findings of annual surveys make it possible to assess changes in ecosystems and their trends.
VIKTOR GLUPOV,
Head of Research, Associate Fellow of the Russian Academy of Sciences
“As a result of two years’ research, we obtained unique data regarding the state of biocenoses in areas impacted by the company’s facilities. It was established that the greatest impact occurs within the boundaries of sanitary protection areas.”
The research findings are posted at the Preserving Ecosystems Media Portal
This is accurate and reliable information collected during the Great Scientific Expedition, as each fact is verified by scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The findings are presented in a simple way, using interactivity and infographics. So it is good reading material for both adults and kids.
STANISLAV SELEZNEV,
Nornickel Vice President for HSE
“The expedition collects very interesting information, and it would be wrong to use it solely in reports and thesis papers. Therefore, we set up a media portal available to everyone.
We expect to update the portal data every year – following the results of expeditions. We will also tell you about the company’s new eco-projects.”
On top of that, the portal dwells on Nornickel’s cooperation with nature reserves and projects that help preserve rare species of birds and animals.
SVETLANA BIK,
Head of the Infragreen Expert Analytics Platform
“Nornickel’s public Internet project on the company’s mission to preserve ecosystems is a top-notch ESG communication.”
Ringed seal, photo from the 2022 Great Scientific Expedition
Northern gannet, photo from the 2022 Great Scientific Expedition
Brown bear on-shore the Yenisei River, photo from the 2022 Great Scientific Expedition
Cooperation with nature reserves
On the Kola Peninsula, scientists have discovered that the conditional zone of moderate and negligible impact partially overlaps with the buffer zones of the Pasvik Nature Reserve and the Lapland Nature Reserve.
Hawk owl in the Pasvik Nature Reserve
Reindeer in the Lapland Nature Reserve
Following the research, the company closed two facilities that operated using obsolete technology: the smelting shop in the settlement of Nickel and the refining site in Monchegorsk.Scientists have found signs of nature healing itself after toxic production sites were closed.
The company will continue to monitor shifts in conditional impact zones and study nature’s self-healing mechanisms. This is a unique opportunity for conducting valuable research that will help create nature-inspired ecotechnologies for environmental restoration.
The first step has been taken. A mobile eco-laboratory and snowmobiles have been purchased for the Pasvik and Lapland nature reserves. This enables scientists to visit inaccessible regions of the protected area on a daily basis.
The company will continue to monitor shifts in conditional impact zones and study nature’s self-healing mechanisms. This is a unique opportunity for conducting valuable research that will help create nature-inspired ecotechnologies for environmental restoration.
The first step has been taken. A mobile eco-laboratory and snowmobiles have been purchased for the Pasvik and Lapland nature reserves. This enables scientists to visit inaccessible regions of the protected area on a daily basis.
Did you know?
On the territory of the Pasvik Nature Reserve, sites of the Early Neolithic era hunters were discovered.
Protection of rare species
The company finances a project to protect and preserve the gyrfalcon, the largest falcon on the planet, and the Polar bear census. The expedition counted 864 bears on Wrangel Island and about 150 animals on the Bear Islands.
Scientists counted the bears using Orlan UAVs. They can operate in the cold Arctic air for up to 10 hours and fly up to 1,000 kilometers. Orlan UAVs captured more than 25,000 high-resolution pictures. Artificial intelligence was used to recognize animals.
Scientists counted the bears using Orlan UAVs. They can operate in the cold Arctic air for up to 10 hours and fly up to 1,000 kilometers. Orlan UAVs captured more than 25,000 high-resolution pictures. Artificial intelligence was used to recognize animals.
Did you know?
The largest Polar bears live near the Bering Sea, while the smallest ones inhabit the Spitsbergen Island.
The scientists conducted a portion of the census themselves. In the Great Arctic Nature Reserve, predators were counted using DNA, obtained from the blood and fur samples collected. The animals were chipped and fitted with collars equipped with GPS modules. The scientists will now be able to study migration routes, as bears can be observed visually only during a short summer season.
The expedition counted 1,014 bears on the Wrangel and Bear islands
As estimated by scientists, there are currently 3,500 to 5,000 breeding pairs of gyrfalcon in Russia
Owing to the Great Scientific Expedition, red-listed and endemic species were discovered within the territories of the reserves, and unique ecological systems were found. For example, in the Bear Creek valley, scientists have discovered relic tundra-steppes – these are nearly lost ecosystems, contemporaries of mammoths and woolly rhinos.
New species of the snout beetle and myxomycete fungi have been discovered.
New species of the snout beetle and myxomycete fungi have been discovered.
Biodiversity conservation
One of the expedition’s objectives is to assess the health of wildlife around industrial sites. At the same time, a pilot project for water body restoration is underway.
Scientists developed a new method for restoring fish populations, scientifically termed “the recovery of productivity within trophic levels”, in Lake Piasino, which was affected by a flood. Scientists used waterfowl droppings as a natural fertilizer to restore phytoplankton.
Phytoplankton is composed of microscopic algae. They convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is then consumed by other organisms. Also, phytoplankton is the food for zooplankton, on which fish feed. This is how a food (trophic) chain is created, in which waterfowl eat fish, and their droppings become a nutrient for phytoplankton.
The expedition investigated 21 water bodies and reaffirmed the hypothesis: lakes that are close to bird nests have a more sustainable ecosystem.
Scientists developed a new method for restoring fish populations, scientifically termed “the recovery of productivity within trophic levels”, in Lake Piasino, which was affected by a flood. Scientists used waterfowl droppings as a natural fertilizer to restore phytoplankton.
Phytoplankton is composed of microscopic algae. They convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is then consumed by other organisms. Also, phytoplankton is the food for zooplankton, on which fish feed. This is how a food (trophic) chain is created, in which waterfowl eat fish, and their droppings become a nutrient for phytoplankton.
The expedition investigated 21 water bodies and reaffirmed the hypothesis: lakes that are close to bird nests have a more sustainable ecosystem.
Did you know?
The European pearl mussel is a freshwater mollusk that lives for more than 200 years, according to some reports. The mollusk cleans the water and lays its larvae on the gill petals of salmonid fish.
Unique methods
Scientists participating in the expedition developed new methods to assess negative impacts of enterprises on biodiversity.
The first method is a general assessment of ecosystem health in a given area using a numerical indicator. Since the response to anthropogenic impact varies from organism to organism, the scientists selected a set of indicator groups. Any deviation from the standard is calculated for each indicator separately. The outcomes are summarized and divided by the total number of indicators. In this way, the integral indicator of the state of ecosystems in the impact area is calculated.
The second method entails studying plant response to anthropogenic stress. Under unfavorable environmental conditions, plants produce secondary metabolites. These are chemical compounds that do not contribute to growth and development but protect plants from harmful substances.
Secondary metabolites reveal the level of stress in plants caused by adverse external factors. Scientists study fluctuations in the level of metabolites to assess the impact of changes in production processes on the health of natural ecosystems.
The first method is a general assessment of ecosystem health in a given area using a numerical indicator. Since the response to anthropogenic impact varies from organism to organism, the scientists selected a set of indicator groups. Any deviation from the standard is calculated for each indicator separately. The outcomes are summarized and divided by the total number of indicators. In this way, the integral indicator of the state of ecosystems in the impact area is calculated.
The second method entails studying plant response to anthropogenic stress. Under unfavorable environmental conditions, plants produce secondary metabolites. These are chemical compounds that do not contribute to growth and development but protect plants from harmful substances.
Secondary metabolites reveal the level of stress in plants caused by adverse external factors. Scientists study fluctuations in the level of metabolites to assess the impact of changes in production processes on the health of natural ecosystems.
The third method involves molecular genetic analysis. Using water and soil samples, scientists identify organisms that have been in contact with such water and soil. In this way, they identify which species of small arthropods are found in the soil and study the species composition of fish in water bodies. This method led to two valuable fish species being discovered in Vetreny Lake, which was previously considered devoid of fish.
All three research methods proved to be effective in collecting actual data and in assessing dynamics. Therefore, the Great Science Expedition will continue to work with the established principles. The scientists’ research helps Nornickel take the most effective steps to preserve ecosystems.
All three research methods proved to be effective in collecting actual data and in assessing dynamics. Therefore, the Great Science Expedition will continue to work with the established principles. The scientists’ research helps Nornickel take the most effective steps to preserve ecosystems.
DMITRY SVIRIDOV,
Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnoyarsk Territory
“Reports of scientists contain encouraging information to the effect that the territories, which since the Soviet era have suffered from a severe anthropogenic impact, are being restored today. Financial investments of large enterprises are yielding results.”
January, 2023
