Lakes are of immense importance for humans: they are sources of fresh water and biological resources, provide possibilities for water transport, energy, tourism, and regional economic development. On the other hand, large lake systems of the world are experiencing changes that are not for the better. Current problems for waters of Northern Russia are eutrophication, pollution, including from trout farms, microplastics, climate change and others.
In Northwest Russia this topic is studied by the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS. Its main research objects are the White Sea, Lakes Onego and Ladoga, lake-river systems and their catchments in the Karelian-Kola region, Vologda, Leningrad and Arkhangelsk Regions, as well as groundwater.
RAS Corresponding Academician Nikolai Filatov
Staff of the institute have studied the water-resource potential of North European Russia and made an inventory based on digital cartographic material using GIS technologies. Scientists have produced integrated atlases of Lake Onego, the White Sea and its catchment, and the Geographic Atlas of Karelia. Specialists emphasize the importance of the work to find and use groundwater in Karelia to ensure water security of the region.
The complex structure of lake ecosystems requires that a systematic approach using mathematical models and field experiments be adopted in order to create a management decision support system. In particular, the institute is developing a data analytics system of a large lake for forecasting and assessing its condition, as well as for making management decisions.
The Institute's employees report on the results of their research also at the meetings of regional and national government bodies. NWPI KarRC RAS actively participates in the development of the draft law on the protection of lake Ladoga and Onego ecosystems.
In continuation of Nikolai Filatov's speech, KarRC RAS Director General Olga Bakhmet informed that on 17th April a meeting with top representatives of the legislative assemblies of the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad Region took place at the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, where the upcoming federal program for the conservation of lakes Onego and Ladoga was discussed. Speaking at the meeting, KarRC RAS leader declared on behalf of the scientific community about the need to adopt such a document.
KarRC RAS Director General Olga Bakhmet told about the program that is being developed for the conservation of lakes Onego and Ladoga
– Karelian Research Center RAS has for many years been studying the water resources of Lakes Onego and Ladoga. The Northern Water Problems Institute has built a tremendous background in this field, and this resource must be exploited. Rather than start research from scratch, we should use the results we already have. I do hope we were heard and our possibilities and competences will be used when developing the federal program, - Olga Bakhmet said.
The second talk of the main agenda dealt with the dynamics of civilizations. Mikhail Sukharev, Cand. Sci. in Economics, works within the framework of the regular research theme of the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS "Integrated study and development of the management framework for sustainable development of the northern and borderland belts of Russia in the context of global challenges".
In his presentation, the author treats civilizations as self-reproducing holistic ideomaterial polysystems. As communities evolve from tribal forms to modern states, civilizations are constantly growing ever more complex. This makes their reproduction increasingly costly, which is justified by growing efficiency.
At the end of his talk, Mikhail Sukharev made an assumption about the transformation of the global geopolitical map and the emergence in the near future of new civilizational zones.
Senior Researcher at the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS Mikhail Sukharev
The scientist's speech provoked a discussion among the participants of the Leaned Council meeting.
Finalizing the agenda, the Learned Council touched upon organizational issues concerning the procedure for approving research topics, funding for research units, and interactions between KarRC RAS administration and its Young Scientists Council.
