The audience was welcomed by Deputy Director General KarRC RAS, Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy Alexander Slabunov. He noted that the Karelian Research Centre RAS explores almost all geospheres of the Earth, but the hydrosphere, being the planet's foremost resource, holds a special position among scientific studies. This adds to the importance of the conference.
– Fresh water, which is plentiful in Karelia too, is surely one of the most essential resources on Earth. And its role will be growing, so your research is at the cutting edge of both scientific and practical activities, - Alexander Slabunov told the participants, wishing them a successful exchange of scientific knowledge.
Welcoming the audience, Nikolai Filatov, RAS Corresponing Academician, Chief Researcher at the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS, emphasized that the conference is held within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology, announced in Russia for 2022-2031. It meets the main objectives of the Decade: attracting talented young people into the scientific sphere, involving researchers in tackling the key challenges for the development of the society and the country, and increasing the availability of information about the achievements and prospects of domestic science.
According to Nikolai Filatov, experts from different countries admit that despite the measures taken, water bodies, in particular lakes, continue to get eutrophied and polluted. This is happening because of management flaws, inadequate water protection measures, climate change and other factors. Comprehensive and systematic studies of water bodies are needed.
– An important goal for research is to create a science-based management decision support system, - summarized the scientist.
Thematically, the conference focuses on the formation of terrestrial surface waters under human impact, sustainable use of natural resources, protection of water resources and their management, assessment of the recreational potential of water bodies, microplastics in aquatic ecosystems, bottom sediments and other issues.
Discussion after the presentation “Change and variability of major climate characteristics of Karelia” by Larissa Nazarova, Director of the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS
The conference opened with a plenary session where leading experts presented research results regarding the study of Russian lakes, climate change, pollution of lakes by microplastics and heavy metals, and scientific methodologies.
The participants are in for three days with six thematic sessions, master classes given by their colleagues, tours of museums at the Karelian Research Center RAS, and a scientific excursion to research sites.
The September 4-8 events in Karelia are the second stage of the 7th International Conference of Young Scientists "Water Resources: Research and Management". The first stage was the Polar Limnologists Hands-on School, which took in April in the integrated monitoring polygon of the Kola Science Centre RAS, situated on the shore of Lake Imandra not far from Apatity. During the School days, leading scientists from the Karelian and Kola scientific centers RAS gave lectures and on-ice practical classes for young researchers.
Photos by M. Dmitrieva / KarRC RAS Science Communication Service
