Structure
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Laboratory of Global Hydrology
The laboratory was founded in 2014
Sergey Dobrovolsky
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Geographical Sciences
Main scientific activities:
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Studying global hydrological processes in the paleo-time.
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Development of a new theory of the formation of the Earth’s hydrosphere – on the basis of studying the isotopic composition of juvenile and surface waters.
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Researching the changes in the main global water exchange components on a climatic time scale - based on the re-analysis data and direct observations of water exchange components.
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The analysis of changes in the river runoff at the global scale.
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Based on the electronic database on the river runoff created in the laboratory, the analysis and modeling of changes in time of the annual, maximal and minimal runoff are carried out at about 3000 river stations of all inhabited continents.
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Dynamic-stochastic modeling of multi-year variations of the lake water level and the effluent runoff.
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Elaborating a theory of multi-year changes in the levels of circulating and terminal lakes and the river runoff.
Main results
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Global hydrological processes were studied in the paleo-time.
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The fundamental difference between the isotopic composition of the earth surface waters and the juvenile waters demonstrates that the surface waters were formed during the formation of the Earth as a planet.
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Changes in the main global water exchange components at the climatic time scale were researched.
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It was shown that global evapotranspiration process plays both the stationarizing and the whitening role while transforming global precipitation into the runoff.
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Analysis of changes in the river runoff at the global scale.
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It was suggested that the zero-order autoregression process model plays the predominant role while describing changes in the annual runoff of most rivers.
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Dynamic-stochastic modeling of multi-year variations of the lake water level and the effluent runoff.
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Theoretical description of multi-year changes in the level of Caspian, Baikal, Ladoga, and some other lakes was proposed, as well as models for the changes in the discharges of corresponding effluents: the Caspian Sea-Kara Bogaz strait, Angara, Neva, etc.
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Laboratory of Channel Flow Dynamics and Ice Thermics
The laboratory is one of the oldest at Water Problems Institute.
Vladimir Debolsky
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Technical Sciences, Professor
Main scientific activities:
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Investigation of the dynamics of open and ice covered river flows (fundamental and applied aspects).
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Development of mathematical modeling of ice phenomena on rivers,
their catastrophic consequences and influence on the pollution propagation, the anoxic conditions formation, sediment transport, bed channel deformation. -
Research of channel processes in permafrost.
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Developing a theory of hydrological-morphological processes in estuaries.
Main scientific achievements
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Summarized data on ice difficulties in the territory of the Russian Federation.
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A complex of mathematical models of ice phenomena on rivers for predicting the conditions for the ice jam formation and catastrophic winter flood, assessing the pollution and river bed deformations under the conditions of winter floods, practical recommendations for the prevention of their consequences.
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A complex of mathematical models of channel deformations and pollution propagation in rivers of the permafrost zone under climate fluctuations.
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Significant results have been achieved in the studies of the dynamics and mixing of river and sea waters, the development of a hydrographic network, investigation of the ecosystem formation in estuaries in a changing climate and the expansion of economic activity.
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The laboratory became the initiator and organizer of the conferences “The dynamics and thermics of rivers, reservoirs and sea coasts” and “Ice and thermic processes on Russian water objects”.
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Laboratory of Hydrodynamics
The laboratory was founded in 1992.
Valery Zyryanov
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Physics & Mathematics, Professor
Main scientific activities:
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Theoretical and experimental investigations of the hydrodynamics of eddies and vortexes in the rotating stratified fluid: the mechanisms of formation, laws of evolution and interaction of vortexes, their stability, emerging chaotic advection in non-stationary currents around seamounts;
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Vortexes and eddies under ice, the growth of ice, nonlinear Stefan’s problem;
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Studying non-linear processes in geo-environments, developing methods of the mathematical physics of the hydrosphere, Nonlinear Pumping Effect (NPE) in oscillation processes in geophysics;
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Hydrodynamics of estuaries, dynamics of tidal waves in bays, estuaries and river mouths;
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Investigation of the probability distributions of random parameters in a stochastic ensemble of convective thermals under turbulent convection by methods of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.
Main scientific results:
The laboratory has got a number of important theoretical results:
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new types of topographic eddies; new vortexes under ice;
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regular and chaotic dynamics of the vortex motions in rotating stratified fluid;
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spectral instability of topographic eddies over seamounts with emerging vortex tori in topographic
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eddies, vortex lenses in the regions above seamounts in oceans and seas;
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the original numerical realization of the Contour Dynamics Method (CDM) was elaborated for the multi-layered revolving fluid, which allows one to study the evolution of vortexes, their interaction, disintegration, the emergence of chaos.
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Laboratory of Soil Water Physics
The laboratory was founded in 1968.
Evgeny Gusev
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Biological Science.
Scientific areas
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Study and physically-based modeling of heat and water exchange processes between the land surface and the atmosphere.
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Modeling the dynamics of the water and heat balance components of terrestrial objects under different natural conditions and at different spatial scales.
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Projection of changes in the water balance components of river basins, continents and the entire land surface of the Earth due to climate change and anthropogenic activities.
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Scientific justification of the inevitability of application of non-traditional agricultural technologies that ensure the rational and efficient utilization of soil and water resources in agricultural ecosystems.
Major scientific achievements
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Physically-based parameterizations for radiation, heat and water exchange processes occurring in the ground water – soil – vegetation / snow cover – near surface atmosphere system were developed.
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A physically-based land surface model Soil Water – Atmosphere – Plants (SWAP) describing heat and water exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere was created. The model was used for simulating long-term dynamics of the water balance components for numerous geographical objects (experimental sites, catchments, river basins, continents and the entire land surface of the Earth).
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Projections of changes in the water balance components of large river basins, continents and the entire land surface of the globe were obtained by means of the SWAP model and meteorological projections simulated by global climate models for different climate change scenarios.
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On the basis of the physical and environmental approach, the inevitability of the transition of human technologies to the principles of the "green economy" was shown. The efficiency of application of no-till technologies in agriculture was demonstrated.
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Group of Production-Destruction Processes Modelling
Vasily Vavilin
Head of the Group, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Physics & Mathematics
Main scientific activities:
Over the past 10 years, the group has been intensively developing works on mathematical modeling of microbiological processes using isotopic data. In fact, any physical, chemical or biochemical process is accompanied by the corresponding partitioning of stable isotopes. For microbiological processes, if the initial number of microorganisms is small, the speed of transformation of a substrate into a product is not high, since there are few key enzymes responsible for the metabolic process itself. The speed of partitioning of stable isotopes is also low. As the biomass grows, the number of key enzymes responsible for the transformation of a substrate increases, which leads to an increase in the speed of the reaction. Correspondingly, the speed of partitioning of stable isotopes also grows. The exhaustion of a substrate stops the partitioning of isotopes. The investigated processes included the growth of phytoplankton on several substrates (nitrogen isotopes), the formation of methane during municipal solid waste decomposition and in the sediments of lakes and seas and its aerobic and anaerobic oxidation (carbon, hydrogen and sulphur isotopes), processes of nitrification and denitrification (nitrogen isotopes). These processes take place both in water and in soil and sediment, while methane that enters the atmosphere influences the general temperature balance in the biosphere. The mathematical modeling demonstrated that the dynamics of re-distribution of stable isotopes during the investigated chemical-biological processes allows one to clarify the metabolic transformation of a substrate and define the corresponding kinetic parameters.
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Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecosystems Dynamics Influenced by the Water Factor
The laboratory was founded in 1989.
Zhanna Kuzmina
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Geographical Sciences
Main research activities:
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Studying the ecosystems dynamics under the natural and anthropogenic changes of the water regime;
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Monitoring ecosystems transformation due to climate change and development of water resources management;
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Developing research methods to assess and forecast the ecosystems dynamics;
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Experimental and theoretical researches of ecosystems restoration.
Main scientific results
· Studying and monitoring the arid ecosystems transformation during hydraulic engineering construction: a series of ecological-geographical maps, forecast of ecosystems changes and experiments in vegetation restoration on the dry and salted sea bottom were performed for the Aral Region.
· Studying the modern hydromorphism development: in the Russian South, the mechanisms, tendencies and speed of natural environment hydrogenic transformations were identified in the conditions of developing water management and climate change.
· Developing methods of assessment and forecast of ecosystems changes: terrestrial ecosystem components (plants, animals, soils) are studied around the mountain and plain water reservoirs and river valleys to make estimations and methods for assessment of the natural and anthropogenic impact on ecosystems.
· Studying and restoring damaged ecosystems: in the “Crane Land” reserve (Moscow region) the following activities take place: plants, soils, birds, ground- and surface water monitoring; practical experimental reclamation activities to restore the previously transformed moors and flood plains.
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Group of Ecological Research in the Volga R. Delta (Astrakhan)
The group was founded in 2008.
Pyotr Bukharitsyn
Head of the Group, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Geographical Sciences, Professor
Main scientific activities:
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Studies of the modern state and the formation of the hydrological regime of the lower Volga and the Northern Caspian Sea under the influence of natural-anthropogenic factors in the interests of national economy;
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Assessment of the current geo-ecological state of natural and technogenic systems of the Astrakhan region;
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Development of a comprehensive system of measures to stabilize the ecological state and rational use of natural resources of the Caspian Sea with its adjacent coastal territories and the mouth of the Volga river;
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Assessment of industrial and environmental risks in the development of the marginal shallow water and the Northern Caspian transit zone;
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Parametric approach to geo-ecological studies of hydrocarbon development in the offshore area of the Caspian Sea.
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Group of Processes in Surface Water Bodies
Vadim Brekhovskih
Head of the Group, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Technical Sciences
Main scientific activities and results of research:
· Theoretical and experimental research of water objects oxygen regime (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). The influence of hydro-physical and hydro-biological factors on the oxygen regime of pools and watercourses is identified. The effects of different oil films on the gas exchange between the atmosphere and water are studied. The scheme of hypertrophic lake pneumatic aeration was designed and realised, which allowed to quell the process of algal bloom and eliminate summer fish kill.
· Investigating the oxygen regime of the Northern Dvina basin rivers on the basis of field observations and calculations using mathematical models. The impact of waste water from plants on the dynamics of the dissolved oxygen is assessed.
· Developing methods of calculating the contamination spread in water objects.
A model complex was designed, based on the equations of dynamics and mass transfer. The spread of heavy metals, oil hydrocarbons in European Russia’s rivers (the Northern Dvina, Volga) was calculated.
· Studying the processes of heavy metal transfer and accumulation on the Lower Volga.
A number of patterns of accumulating heavy metal in sediments was identified. The conclusions are made on the basis of analyzing a lot of experimental material collected during long-term expeditionary investigations.
· Researching mass exchange processes on the border “water - sediments”.
The laboratory experiments demonstrated that the existence of macrobenthos organisms in sediments leads to a significant rise in the intensity of mass transfer (2-3 times higher). In the presence of macrobenthos, physical-mathematical properties of sediment change noticeably, which can make the erosion speed 3 times lower.
· Studying the geochemical state of the Caspian Sea.
It was found that sediments around the continental slope of the middle part of the Caspian Sea can be the source of the sea water secondary contamination. The conclusions were made on the basis of researching the spatial distribution of manganese and lead in pore water.
· Investigating hydrological and hydro-biological characteristics of the Ivankovskoye and Mozhayskoye reservoirs. Researching the production and destruction processes on the basis of fieldwork and mathematical modelling.
A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model describing the dynamics of currents, thermic regime and mass transfer processes was developed. The model takes into account changes in the intensity of production and destruction processes under the influence of climatic factors.
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Laboratory of Surface Water Modelling
Mikhail Bolgov
Head of the laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Technical Sciences
Main scientific activities:
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extreme hydrological phenomena;
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water balance components in river catchments under changing climatic and socio-economic conditions;
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hydrological regime on urbanized territories;
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theory of complex water resource systems management;
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developing the systems of technical regulation in engineering hydrology.
Main scientific results:
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The developed methods of modeling made it possible to obtain a probabilistic forecast for the water levels of the Caspian Sea, lakes Chany, Khanka, Dalaynor, and Lake Baikal under the conditions of river runoff regulation.
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A probabilistic method for runoff forecasting based on Bayesian ideology has been developed, which allows one to take into account the uncertainties of climate forecasts and the non-stationary nature of hydrological processes.
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The mechanisms of extreme floods formation on the Russian rivers have been studied on the examples of the Adagum (Krymsk, 2012), Amur (2013) and Iya (2019) river basins.
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The water supply regime of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain has been investigated, and measures for its watering have been proposed.
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Since 1970, study of the transformation of the Russian water utilization system has been carried out.
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Our research in the field of strategic development of water industry has formed the basis for a number of important federal documents, such as the “Water Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2020”.
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Laboratory of Water Protection
The laboratory was founded in 1989.
Evgeny Venitsianov
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Physics & Mathematics, Professor
Main scientific activities involve investigating physical and chemical biological processes of water quality transformation and developing methods of freshwater protection: technological, organisational and economic, legal and regulatory, etc.
Main scientific results:
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Forms of heavy metal and drugs in water and sediments are defined, risks of secondary water contamination are estimated. Mathematical models of migration and transformation of pollution components.
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Using satellite data, the main elements of channel reservoir geo-ecological monitoring are drawn up. Methodologies of mapping are developed.
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A universal analytical methodology of identifying different xenobiotic groups in water and sediments was elaborated.
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New approaches and methodologies regarding identification and monitoring of uncontrolled pollution sources in water objects are suggested. The methodology of increasing the efficiency of wastewater treatment by phyto-sewage treatment plants was elaborated.
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The laboratory develops the conception of “acceptable risk”: the environmentally safe and economically acceptable water use regime under the conditions of uncertainty.
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Monitoring of dynamic processes in the territory adjacent to large hydroelectric facilities that cause local surface movement and destruction.
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A method of graphic analysis of species proportions for the most important ecosystem groups was developed.
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Analysis of the species diversity of organisms that determine the processes of self-purification based on the study of the community metagenome.
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Development of a package of proposals to improve the scientific and regulatory framework for regulating the quality of natural water in water use and sanitation.
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Laboratory of the Terrestrial Hydrological Cycle
The laboratory was founded in 1978.
Lev Kuchment
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Physics & Mathematics, Professor, Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation
Main research activities:
The system of models elaborated in the laboratory includes the description of the following main processes of runoff generation: snow cover formation, freezing and melting of soil, infiltration of water into frozen and melted soil, retention of water on the surface of the watershed, evapotranspiration and vertical moisture transfer in frozen and unfrozen soil, water flow along the surface of the river catchment area, subsurface and ground runoff, water movement in the river network. Methods of numerical realization and setting parameters of these models were suggested and tested using the examples of river basins situated in different physical-geographical conditions (in forests, steppes, mountains, in the permafrost region).
Main scientific results:
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The world’s first system of the distributed physically based models of spring flood formation was developed;
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A system of physically based and dynamic-stochastic models was developed, which allows one to reproduce the behavior of hydrological systems in various physically realised hydrometeorological situations and different forms of human activity on the watershed under the conditions of climate change. The model system laid the basis for developing deterministic and probabilistic methods of assessing risk and scale of disastrous floods;
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Physically-based models of vertical moisture and heat exchange of vegetated land with the atmosphere, aimed at calculating the components of water and heat balance of large territories. The possibility of using remote sensing data for the model was demonstrated;
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A methodology of making ensemble long-term forecasts of spring flood using the physically-based models of runoff formation was suggested;
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Research of possibilities of increasing the lead-time and the reliability of short-term forecasts for various river systems using remote sensing data was conducted;
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Numerical experiments were carried out for a number of watersheds in order to assess the impact of ploughing and deforestation on river runoff. It was shown that deforestation in most cases leads to an increase in the annual runoff.
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Laboratory of Water Resources Management
The laboratory was founded in 1994.
Victor Danilov-Danilyan
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Economics, Professor, Corresponding member of the RAS.
Main scientific activities:
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Methodology for and approaches to substantiation of strategic plans of rational water use and increasing reliability of water supply to Russian regions with due regard for the patterns of land and water use while assessing climate change impact and anthropogenic load on water bodies;
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Systems of decision-making support in water management. Legal and economic aspects of water use challenges;
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Norm-setting and standardization in water resources and water use management. Reliability of water quality assessment;
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Mathematical models of pollutant transfer and transformation in natural waters. Methods and algorithms of optimizing pollutant discharge distribution by generation sources, and models for substantiation of wastewater treatment techniques and ways to improve the efficiency of water body protection from pollution and depletion;
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International markets of water and water-intensive products.
Main scientific results:
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Mathematical models for planning water protection activities, and their implementation as an element of decision-making support system;
- Assessment of integral damage caused by water deficit and deteriorated water quality;
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Methods of monitoring the environmental condition of water bodies, water quality and anthropogenic impact on water resources based on standardization and norm-setting;
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Assessment of insurance risks occurring as a result of water-caused natural processes and negative anthropogenic impact on water bodies.
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Branch of WPI RAS «Ivankovskaya Research Station» (Konakovo town, Tver’ Region)
The station was founded in 1981
Alexandr Timashov
Head of the Branch
Vladislav Polyanin
Leader of the Scientific Group of Branch, PhD in Geographical Sciences.
Main scientific activities:
As a branch of Water Problem Institute, we focus on a wide range of scientific and practical issues of sustainable water use, water security (chemical and sanitary aspects), protection of water resources, analyzing the long-term trends in water quality parameters and revealing potential risks to the ecological state of water bodies within the Upper Volga River Basin. We also look at the recreational potential of rivers and lakes, self-purification processes, eutrophication and changes in water quality resulting from human disturbances in watersheds and riverine areas. Our recent studies also contributed to understanding the nature of diffuse pollution – a still consistently underestimated problem in Russia that comes from agriculture, urbanization, industrial sites, rural dwellings and land development in the water protection zones.
Historically, since 1975, our work has been aimed at providing scientifically-based research in support of the water-related administration, facilitating the decision-making process of water management, as well as consulting the public and private sector at both local and regional scale.
Our own chemical laboratory and qualified staff enable the performance of independent analyses and ensure that all the measurements are made in compliance with all imposed quality control requirements.
Our knowledge helps us to participate in various projects, federal programs and grants in collaboration with national and foreign scholars.
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Hydrochemical Department (Rostov-on-Don)
The department was founded in 2000.
Evgeny Zubkov
Head of the Department, PhD
Scientific activities:
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Analysis of the current state and long-term trends in water quality and the state of large reservoirs;
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Development of methods for analysis of ecotoxicity of surface waters and bottom sediments;
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Development of theoretical bases for monitoring intra-water processes and the state of aquatic ecosystems using remote spectrometric information;
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Development of theoretical and applied aspects of freshwater ecosystem pollution modeling based on experimental models close to natural water ecosystems (mesocosms);
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Improving methods for monitoring surface water pollution, including cases of emergency, extreme and chronic pollution, with the aim of introducing monitoring practices;
Most important results:
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The current state and long-term trends of changes in the water quality of large reservoirs in the south of Russia are studied. For the first time data on the spatial and temporal characteristics of water and sediment toxicity were obtained;
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A method for assessing the ecological well-being of reservoirs based on a set of chemical and biological indicators has been developed;
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Data on the distribution of pollutants were obtained, including maps of water pollution in the Don and Kuban river basins;
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A methodology for graphical representation (in the form of trajectories) of parameters of the state of the water ecosystem under the conditions of anthropogenic pollution has been developed.
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Laboratory of Hydrogeological Problems of Environmental Protection (Moscow)
Roald Dzhamalov
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Geological & Mineralogical Sciences, Professor
Main scientific activities:
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Developing regional methods of assessment of the ground- and surface water resources and regime under the plausible scenarios of climate change and anthropogenic influence;
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Designing mathematical models and numerical methods of filtration and migration of dissolved substances;
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Elaborating assessment of groundwater protection against radionuclide contamination;
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Assessing the current groundwater feeding under certain scenarios of global climate change.
Main results:
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It has been found that the current warming of climate is accompanied by a change in renewable resources of ground and surface water. The main characteristic of water regime is an increase in the low-water winter and summer runoff and a change in groundwater feeding conditions. “The ATLAS of European Russia’s renewable water resources” was published.
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A mathematical model of moisture and contaminant migration in porous media that takes into account hysteresis of sorption was drawn up.
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A model of contaminant sorption hysteresis in peaty soils was elaborated. A regime of water supply to wetlands was suggested in order to prevent fire; restoration of natural conditions on moors after fires was considered.
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The dynamics of level and hydro-chemical regimes of groundwater with normal and over-exploitation was examined using the example of water intake in Central Russia.
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Regional assessment of groundwater vulnerability against radionuclides of the Chernobyl origin was carried out, maps showing the degree of groundwater contamination by radioactive substances were compiled.
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Laboratory of Numerical Hydrodynamic Modelling
The laboratory was founded in 2018.
Vitaly Belikov
Head of the laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Technical Sciences
Main scientific activities:
- Developing methods and technologies of mathematical modeling of the hydrodynamic processes and floods in river valleys
- Numerical modeling of the non-uniform sediment transport and riverbed deformations
- Development of analytical methods for solving problems of filtration and groundwater movement, mudflow studies
Main scientific results:
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Numerical hydrodynamic models of river valleys with settlements inundated by heavy floods
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A new high-precision numerical algorithm for solving shallow water equations for the flows with complex topography
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A mathematical model and algorithm for calculating sediment transport in river flows, taking into account the heterogeneous composition of the soil
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New analytical methods for solving the filtration problems with complex boundary conditions
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Laboratory of Regional Hydrology
The laboratory was founded in 2018.
Yury Motovilov
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Geographical Sciences
Main scientific activities:
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Developing methods and technologies of mathematical modeling of hydrological processes.
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Modeling hydrological consequences of climate change and human activity.
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Developing methods and technologies of mathematical modeling of the flow of chemical elements within the catchment.
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Flow regulation by cascades of reservoirs based on models of runoff generation and control of the operation mode of hydroelectric power stations.
Main published scientific achievements:
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Physically-based models of runoff formation in major river basins in Europe, Asia and Northern America were designed.
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Methods of assessing the physical mechanisms of the river runoff sensitivity to climate changes were developed.
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A spatially distributed model of the formation of heavy metal runoff was designed.
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A model system of an operational forecast of the inflow into the Russian reservoirs and flow regulation by hydroelectric power stations was elaborated.
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Methods of modeling the anti-flood effect of reservoirs were developed.
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Results of calculation of flow changes in mountain rivers due to melting glaciers were obtained.
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Laboratory of Flood Hydrology
The laboratory was founded in 2018.
Boris Gartsman
Head of the Laboratory, PhD, Dr. Habil. in Geography
Main scientific activities:
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Developing methods and technologies of long-term and short-term hydrological forecasts, concentrating on the flood events.
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Modeling hydrological consequences of climate change.
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Enhancement of methods of flood calculations and flood risk assessments.
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Analysing the hydrological systems structure based on DEM and GIS.
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Field investigations of the runoff mechanisms in different regions.
Main published scientific achievements:
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Methods of ordinal classification of watersheds and modeling the river and divide networks were drawn up.
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A method of probabilistic runoff forecast with a 1-3-month lead time, using a full ensemble hydrological forecast and a long-term weather forecast, has been developed and tested.
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A method of runoff hydrograph decomposition on 3 or 4 source components on the basis of natural tracers has been developed and tested.
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The forms of linear organization of subsurface hill slope flow in low and mid altitude mountains are described and studied.
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