This work examines the geological and geomorphological structure of the depression of Lake Ladoga, the largest European freshwater basin. The history of the development of Lake Ladoga from the time of the last Eemian (Mikulino) Interglacial to the final deglaciation and the formation of the present-day waterbody is discussed. All modern data on the formation of the lake and its basin are brought together.

The work is devoted to the study of the dependence of the structure, magnetic properties, and functional properties such as shape memory effect (SME) and magneto caloric effect (MCE) of Heusler alloys of the Ni51 – xMn33.4In15.6Vx family on the degree of vanadium doping x. Studies using scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and magnetometry revealed in all studied samples of Heusler Ni51 – xMn33.4In15.6Vx alloys the presence of a Curie point type magnetic phase transition (PT) and a metamagnetostructural phase transition (MMSPT), of the first order which is accompanied by a sharp decrease in magnetization in the low-temperature martensitic phase. The temperature of the magnetic PT is weakly dependent on x, the temperature of the MMSPT decreases with increasing x. The temperature of the MMSPT is very sensitive to the magnetic field. For the Ni50Mn33.4In15.6V1 sample, the sensitivity is—5 K/T. Direct measurements of the MCE in alternating magnetic fields of 0.62 and 1.2 T showed the presence of a direct MCE at the point of magnetic PT and an inverse MCE at the point of MMSPT. There is a strong decrease in the MCE with an increase in the frequency of the alternating magnetic field from 1 to 30 Hz both near the magnetic PT and near the MMSPT. Measurements of the dependence of bending deformation on load and temperature have shown that all studied alloys exhibit SME near MMSPT. It can be concluded that due to the combination of high sensitivity of MMSPT to the field and SME, this family of alloys is promising for the creation of magnetically controlled actuators.

We present the results of study sediment core, taken in the southern part of Lake Ladoga at the depth of 44 m. The sediments are gray silt with total thickness of 0.8 m. Diatom and loss-on-ignition and grain-size analyzes and radiocarbon dating were carried out. The retrieved sediments formed during the Holocene starting from the regression of the Ancylus Lake at the Baltic ca. 10,200 cal. BP. Changes in the composition of diatom assemblages and the dynamics of organic accumulation correspond to the typical scenarios that we recorded in the Holocene sediments in the central part of Lake Ladoga. No sedimentary hiatuses were recorded. Thus, it has been established that aquatic, relatively deep-water conditions existed in this part of the Ladoga basin starting from the Early Holocene with the accumulation of fine-grained sediments.

Magnetic field-driven bionanomanipulation continues to be a challenging task because the force applied by current magnetic nanoparticles and nanoactuators is effectively limited to femto and pico Newtons at the proper field and gradient scales. Therefore, of particular interest is search for the new functional materials and new effects that provide a breakthrough opportunity for the influence of a remotely controlled magnetic field on a nano and micro Newton scale on living biological objects, such as bacteria, viruses, individual cells, etc. This work includes deep study of the structure, physical and multifunctional properties of a new family of Heusler Ni-Mn-In-V alloys demonstrating the magnetic shape memory effect responsible for actuation, shape change and the production of mechanical work on objects such as viruses and bacteria in a constant temperature environment. The possibilities of capturing, storing, processing of bionanoobjects are discussed.

The study is focused on the litho- and biostratigraphic record of Lake Lavijarvi, presently a small lake in the closest vicinity from the Ladoga coast, and formerly a sheltered bay of Lake Ladoga. Several stages of its evolution were revealed that are characterized with different organic matter content in the sediments, diatom assemblages composition and abundances of siliceous microalgae remains. It has been demonstrated that at the earlier stages, the environments in the basin of Lake Lavijarvi were similar to those in Lake Ladoga. Later in the Holocene, local factors became more pronounced, and the conditions different from those in the open-water part of Lake Ladoga established in the basin of Lake Lavijarvi. The regression of Lake Ladoga resulted in the isolation of Lake Lavijarvi and the beginning of its small-lake stage after ca. 3900 cal. BP.

To date experimental data concerning the impact of internal gravity waves on the intensity of turbulence in a stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer are scarce. The paper presents the results of the analysis of the degree of influence on turbulence characteristics of wave-like motions of two classes: Kelvin-Helmholtz billows (KHBs) and horizontally propagating buoyancy waves (BWs). For this purpose the data of long-term sodar measurements carried out in the suburban area of Moscow were used. The passage of 30% of KHB trains and 90% of BW trains was accompanied with increase of turbulent kinetic energy and both heat and momentum fluxes. The relative increase in values of these characteristics was higher during BWs passage. Nevertheless the magnitude of turbulence characteristics were similar for both IGWs classes. In general the difference between characteristics calculated in the presence and in the absence of wavelike motions was smaller than between those in strongly and weakly stable boundary layers.

This work study the operating parameters of a cryogenic mechanical thermal switch, a detachable contact pair made of a alloy GdNi2 disk and a copper cylinder. The mechanical thermal switch operates in a vacuum in the temperature range of 8-325 K with a pressure of 250-350 kPa. The time of thermal equilibrium is studied at different contact areas with and without an indium thermal interface at an initial temperature difference of 0.8-10 K in the contact pair in the temperature range from 8 to 122 K. The temperature relaxation value is 33.7...39.9 seconds at a temperature difference of 3±0.14 K in the range of 50...122 K. Reducing the nominal contact area from 177 mm2 to 2.5 mm2 increases the temperature relaxation time at a temperature of 73.3 K from 36.6 to 63.5 seconds. This temperature range corresponds to the maximum magnetocaloric effect near the Curie temperature of the GdNi2 alloy. The values of the heat that must be removed to maintain the required temperature of the cooling object in a cryogenic magnetic refrigerator have been obtained.

In this study, the high-temperature transformation in a thin foil of non-stoichiometric Heusler alloy based on Ni-Mn-In is investigated using in-situ TEM. The highly ordered cubic L21 phase undergoes decomposition upon heating, forming a phase with a composition close to Ni75Mn25, which is identified as disordered FCC-Ni3Mn and secondary phases, mainly manganese oxides and sulfides. All phases formed upon heating to a temperature of 1173 K are preserved during the in-situ cooling experiment to a temperature of 123 K.

Some results of the study of bottom sediments of Lake Pertozero (Onega Coast of the White Sea) are presented – section stratigraphy, loss on ignition, diatom and chironomid analyses. At the initial stage of its development, the lake basin was part of a periglacial basin. Since its isolation around 11000 years ago, the lake has experienced several changes in sedimentary conditions that have affected the amount of organic matter contained in the sediments. These changes are noted throughout the lake. Brackish-water diatom complexes were not noted in the Holocene sediments, which indicates that in this area the sea level did not rise above 11 m.

The relationship between antiphase boundaries (APBs), antiphase domains (APDs) and the functional properties of alloys of the Ni-Mn-In system has been studied. The density of APBs was controlled using various thermal treatments. The fine domain structure was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-angle dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results obtained are discussed in the context of the possibility of modeling and designing materials with specified characteristics and properties.

The effect of the melt cooling rate on the atomic ordering of austenite and, as a consequence, on the martensitic transformation of a nonstoichiometric alloy of the Ni-Mn-In system has been studied. In situ TEM observations revealed differences in the mechanism of phase transformations of the alloy subjected to different cooling conditions. It is shown that during quenching a high density of antiphase boundaries (APB) is formed and the alloy is in the austenite–martensitic (10M and 14M) state up to a temperature of 120 K. In a slowly cooled alloy, a lower APB density is observed, and a two-stage transformation, L21/B2 → 10M → 14M, occurs in the range of 150–120 K.

The paper presents study of the parameters of wave-like structures based on the data of long-term continuous sodar monitoring of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Submesoscale internal gravity waves (IGWs) of non-orographic origin trapped in a stably stratified ABL (SBL) are considered. Statistical data on the parameters of two classes of IGWs are presented: internal gravity-shear waves (IGSWs) of the Kelvin-Helmholtz billow (KHB) type and buoyancy waves (BW). Identification and classification of IGWs was carried out by the visual analysis of sodar echograms. The measurements carried out in the Moscow region were used. The seasonal and diurnal variability of the frequency of registration of waves of both classes were studied, the values of the parameters of the observed waves were analyzed, and the ranges and average values of these quantities were compared.

In this paper, we present the results of a study of the parameters of wavelike structures based on the data of long-term continuous sodar monitoring of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Submesoscale internal gravity waves (IGWs) of nonorographic origin that are captured in a stably stratified ABL (SABL) are considered. Statistical data on the parameters of two classes of IGWs (internal gravity-shear waves (IGSWs) of the Kelvin–Helmholtz billow (KHB) type and buoyancy waves (BWs)) are presented. IGWs are identified and classified by the visual analysis of sodar echograms. The data of measurements carried out in rural area in the Moscow region are used. The seasonal and diurnal variabilities of the frequency of registration of waves of both classes are studied, the values of the parameters of the observed waves are analyzed, and the ranges and average values of these quantities are compared.

We studied sedimentary archives on the Karelian coast of the White Sea (area of the White Sea Biological Station, Moscow State University) from various objects-filling of the paleoseismic fault trench, marine terraces, and buried shell lenses-to obtain new data on the relative sea level dynamics in the Holocene in the areas where block tectonic movements took place. The specific features of the formation of subfossil malacofauna taphocenoses in Kandalaksha Gulf, changes in the sedimentation environment under the conditions of uplifting coast, and traces of strong seismicity in the late glacial and postglacial periods are also revealed.

The multi-proxy study of the lowermost part of the sediment sequence of Lake Kanozero (south-western part of the Kola Peninsula, ca. 53 m a.s.l.) revealed the evidences for marine waters penetration into the basin during the earliest stage of its evolution. The diatom analysis inferred the conditions of a large brackish-water basin. Sediments composition and very low organic content also supported large-basin and low-productivity environments. Based on the pollen study, this stage covers a cooling period preceding the Allerød (tentatively assigned to the Older Dryas) and the onset of the Allerød. Periglacial vegetation typical of the cold and dry climate prevailed in the area for the most of the period. The subsequent transition to the freshwater conditions inferred from the diatom study took place in the Allerød, according to the pollen data. Except for a minor decrease in the fine sand fraction, no other corresponding changes were observed in the sediment record suggesting no major shifts in sedimentary environments. In the late Allerød and throughout the Younger Dryas, Lake Kanozero remained a large, low-productive freshwater basin. Our results indicate that ice-free conditions with aquatic sedimentation in the Kanozero depression had already existed in the Older Dryas. This assumes earlier deglaciation of the study area than it was previously thought. The study also suggests that brackish conditions in the White Sea basin established earlier than reported before. While the previous studies found no signals of marine transgression above ca. 41 m a.s.l., our results indicate that the local marine limit in the study area exceeds ca. 53 m a.s.l.

For the first time for saline lakes of the Crimean Peninsula, the results of a comprehensive study of lacustrine sediments using litho-, bio- and chronological methods were obtained. For the first time, radiocarbon dating of the Crimean lake sediments was performed. In lakes Saki and Dzharylgach, sediment sequences of closed highly mineralized reservoirs, which overlay marine deposits, were retrieved. The surface of marine sediments is dated to 5610–5340 cal BP for Lake Saki and 5590–5350 cal BP for Lake Dzharylgach. By this time, sand barriers began to form, which subsequently completely separated the lagoons from the sea and led to the formation of closed reservoirs. Full isolation of Lake Dzharylgach occurred about 4600 cal BP. The vegetation change at the first stage of the lakes’ existence was controlled by changes in the sea level, as well as by fluctuations of salinity, later changes being mainly influenced by changes in climate humidity. The first Cerealia-type pollen occurs in the Subboreal period. Human settlements in the area of Lake Dzharylgach represent the Eneolithic, Bronze Age, as well as the Greco-Roman and medieval periods. A notable demographic change is observed in the period from the early first millennium to the end of the 5th century BC. The majority of archaeological sites in the vicinity of Lake Saki belongs to the Greco-Roman period.

Волнообразные структуры в устойчиво стратифицированном атмосферном пограничном слое по данным наземного дистанционного зондирования 1Зайцева Д.В., Люлюкин В.С., Кузнецов Д

The macrophyte pollen is a valuable source of information about lake level changes. Continuing our previous studies on the use of the macrophytes pollen analysis in the paleolimnology we studied the Lake Vitalievskoye sediments sequence of on the Valaam Island (the northern part of Lake Ladoga). To confirm the results of pollen analysis we conducted lithological and diatom analyzes. The macrophytes distribution of the island lakes at the present time has been established with the help of geobotanical and pollen analyzes of the lacustrine surface sediments. As a result, a comprehensive study made it possible to establish the stages of the Lake Vitalievskoye development during the Late Holocene: The Lake Ladoga Bay stage with a slight overgrowth of aquatic vegetation; the lake isolation stage of the from Lake Ladoga, when macrophytes disappeared from the lake, and the lake independent development stage, when their maximum distribution occurred and later began to decline as a result of the human impact. According to our research of the Valaam Island lakes we have received new data about the modern distribution of macrophytes in the island lakes, their dynamics in the Late Holocene. We also conducted a methodological study establishing the macrophytes pollen role in studying the small island lakes history and the Lake Ladoga level.

Comprehensive investigations of the northern coast of the Sambian (Kaliningrad) Peninsula, that included geomorphological survey, lithostratigraphic description of the section logs, diatom, botanical and LOI analyses, radiocarbon dating, and GNSS survey relating lithological boundaries and sampling levels to the sea level and determining terrace elevations, were performed. New data on the regional palaeogeographic settings of the Late Glacial period and the stages of development of the large proglacial basin, the Baltic Ice Lake (BIL) were obtained. It has been established that after the degradation of the last glaciation, erosional (subaquatic) processes prevailed in the coastal area, while in the interval of 14–13 cal kyr BP subaerial conditions established at the study site, and tree-moss phytocenoses formed during the Allerød warming. At the end of the warming period there was a shallow, isolated lake, with decreasing depth. During the Younger Dryas oscillation, ca. 12 000 cal kyr BP, the area was flooded by waters of a vast freshwater, ultra-oligotrophic basin with high content of suspended fine mineral particles. The conditions of a shallow bay of the BIL sheltered from the main basin by a moraine ridge at least 4–5 m high, are suggested for this period. The lake drainage took place around 11 660 cal kyr BP. Since then, no accumulation or alternating accumulation and erosion conditions prevailed in the study site until the late Holocene. The obtained results allow us to speak about two stages of flooding of the northern coast of the Sambia Peninsula during the Late Glacial, possibly caused by the BIL transgressions. The occurrence of BIL deposits in the northern part of the Sambia Peninsula above sea level suggests that the Late Glacial basin level in the study area may have exceeded the present sea level.

Ni46Mn41In13 (close to 2-1-1 system) Heusler alloy was studied by magnetization measurement dependence on the temperature in magnetic fields of up to 13.5 T. The magnetocaloric effect measured by the direct method in quasi-adiabatic conditions showed a maximum value of ∆Tad = −4.2 K at a temperature T = 212 K in a magnetic field of 10 T in the region of martensitic transformation. The structure of the alloy was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as a function of the temperature and the thickness of the sample foil. In the temperature range from 353 to 215 K, at least two processes were established. The results of the study indicate that the concentration stratification occurs according to the mechanism of spinodal decomposition (conditionally spinodal decomposition) into nanoscale regions. At a temperature of 215 K and lower, martensitic phase with 14 M modulation is observed in the alloy at thicknesses greater than 50 nm. Some austenite is also observed. In foils with thickness of less than 50 nm in a temperature range from 353 to 100 Km only the initial austenite, which has not transformed, was found.