В период с 2026 по 2021 гг. изучено содержание никеля в водах притоков озера Телецкого. Согласно результатам исследования, общее содержание никеля в водах притоков озера колебалось от 0.12 до 4.6 мкг/дм3, в среднем составляя 1.8 ± 0.1 мкг/дм3. Содержание растворенных форм никеля в водах рек бассейна варьировало от 0.1 до 4.4 мкг/дм, не превышало ПДК, согласовывалось с литературными данными для природных вод Сибири, однако заметно превосходило среднемировые значения. Установлено, что в водах западных притоков меридиональной части оз. Телецкого концентрации растворенного Ni заметно выше, чем в водах восточных притоков, что объясняется большей зрелостью почв западных берегов и более существенным присутствием в них железа, препятствующего комплексообразованию, а также наличием большого количества осадочных отложений и более высоким антропогенным воздействием на левобережные ландшафты. В июне 2022 г. впервые за несколько лет наблюдений зафиксировано превышение ПДКрх никеля в водах западных притоков озера, что предположительно объясняется, в том числе, усиливающейся антропогенной нагрузкой на экосистему водосборов. Установлено, что максимальное количество никеля в оз.Телецкое привносится водами р. Чулышман: до 3.5 т никеля в период весенне-летнего половодья и 0.8 т – в период осеней межени, в то время как вклад других притоков в поступление Ni в озеро как минимум на 1-2 порядка ниже. Величина модуля стока никеля в летний полноводный период с водосборных площадей разных по величине притоков оз. Телецкого практически не различается (0.19–0.21 кг/мес. с км2), в период осенней межени вынос никеля существенно определяется внутрипочвенными процессами на водосборе. Ecological and biogeochemical studies carried out in the Lake Teletskoye basin in 2016–2021 showed that the total nickel content in the waters of the lake’s tributaries ranged from 0.12 to 4.6 μg/dm3, an average of 1.8 ± 0.1 μg/dm3. The content of dissolved forms of nickel in rivers of the basin varied as 0.1–4.4 μg/dm3. It was within the maximum permissible concentration (MPC), being consistent with the published data for natural waters of Siberia. However, this indicator significantly exceeded the global average. It was established that in the waters of western tributaries of the meridional part of Lake Teletskoye the concentrations of dissolved Ni were significantly higher than in the waters of eastern tributaries. This may be explained by higher soil maturity of the western coast and iron presence, as well as greater sedimentary deposits and stronger anthropogenic impacts. In June 2022, the excess of MPC for nickel in the waters of western tributaries was recorded for the first time in several years of observations that may be explained, among other things, by increasing anthropogenic loads on the ecosystem of the catchments. The waters of the Chulyshman River bring up to 3.5 tons of nickel into Lake Teletskoye during spring-summer floods and 0.8 tons in the autumn low water periods, while the contribution of other tributaries to Ni input to the lake is at least 1–2 orders less. In the summer high-water period, the value of the module of nickel runoff from the catchment areas of different-size tributaries of Lake Teletskoye practically does not differ (0.19–0.21 kg/month from km2). During autumn low water, the nickel removal is more determined by intra-soil processes occurred in the catchment.

The main physical and chemical properties of mountain-tundra soils that determine the content and intra-profile distribution of biogenic elements (Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Mo) have been studied. Significant accumulation of weakly mineralized, high-ash organic matter of fulvate nature, content of silty fraction from 6 to 16%, acidic reaction of the medium, high absorption capacity were found in organogenic horizons. The gross content of zinc and molybdenum is at the level of Clark, copper-1.5 Clark, cobalt-1.8 Clark, manganese-0.8 Clark. The distribution of zinc and molybdenum in the profile is uniform, manganese-accumulative-illuvial, there was an increase in the concentration of cobalt with depth, copper-in the humus horizon.

The elementary chemical composition of soils and grain products of the North-Western Altai was studied. High geochemical background of the mountain forest and tundra zone caused by heavy texture of soil-forming rocks and soils, a large amount of organic matter, the occurrence of geochemical barriers in soils, and the influence of polymetallic deposits was revealed. Natural pollution was found in soils, the concentration of zinc, lead, cadmium, and arsenic exceeds the background level and the standards specified in Russia. Trace element concentrations in grain were found to be within the range of normal values given for agricultural plants.

Environmental monitoring was implemented in the course of elimination of liquid-bone ballistic missiles of submarines outside the chemical plant, a branch of "KRASMASH" public corporation. Snow cover, soils, plant materials (acerose leaves), surface water and bottom sediments were studied. Three year-observations give no evidence of any environmental component pollution. Quantitative and qualitative indicators of their state are within the background ones. Rocket fuel (asymmetric dimethylhydrazine) and its derivatives were not detected in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

The results of a study of the physicochemical properties and chemical composition of mountain-tundra soils of the Ukok plateau are presented. It was shown that mountain-tundra peat soils of cobresia plant communities are characterized by a higher content of water-soluble salts, while mountain-tundra peaty soils of shrub tundra are noticeably more acidic and are characterized by a high content of organic carbon. The content of chemical elements in the soils of the plateau does not exceed Сlarke in the soils and, in general, corresponds to the level of their content in the high altitude soils of Altai. The content of most elements in soils increases with depth, but biogenic accumulation of Mn was found in their peaty subtypes under dwarf birches.

On the basis of the laboratory (in soil columns) experiments revealed the effect of permeability mountain forest dark gray soils of the catchment basin of the river. Mayma (North Altai) on water migration processes in forest landscapes typomorphic trace elements – Fe, Mn, and Cu, Zn. Cd. It is shown that, with decreasing soil permeability and change inflyuktsionnogo type of moisture movement to the filtration, the content of trace elements (especially typomorphic in forest landscapes of Fe and Mn) in soil leachate may increase due to more prolonged contact with the soil moisture and the involvement of «stocks» of metals of stagnant zones vnutripednogo space. Migration of dissolved iron can interfere with the process of sulfate reduction.

The soilbiogeochemical conditions for the formation of hydrochemical runoff in Tom' river are studied. It is found that in alluvial soil layers a thick barrier is formed that prevents the elements migration beyond the soil profile. Considerable entry of toxicants into surface water is possible only due to natural denudation of soil cover.

The content of heavy metals and arsenic in high-usage animal products of Gorny Altai was studied. MPC was exceeded only for cadmium in the liver of Poephagus grunniens.

The mercury content in soils and pedogenic rocks of the Upper Alei basin was studied. It was found that Hg concentration in soils nonexposed to technogenic loads corresponds to the one in the surface layer of world soils but it exceeds the regional background established for West Siberia soils. It is caused by the increased concentration of Hg in pedogenic rocks. The processes of Hg fixation by organic substances in soils are the major factor of intraprofile mercury distribution.