Ecological And Biogeochemical Cycling In Impacted Polar Ecosystems

Editor Biography:Vladimir N. Bashkin graduated from biology-soil faculty of M. V. Lomonosov Moscow state University in 1971. In 1975 he defended a PhD at MSU, and in 1987 - his doctoral thesis. In 1997 he was awarded the academic title Professor in the specialty biogeochemistry. Since 1971 he works at the Pushchino Scientific Center of Biological research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. For several years he taught in different universities of the world, in particular, at Cornell University, USA, Seoul National University, Korea, Royal University of Technology Bangkok, Thailand, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow state University, Russia. Currently, he is principal researcher of the Institute of physicochemical and biological problems of soil science of RAS, also part-time chief scientific officer of LLC Gazprom VNIIGAZ. Scientific interests of Professor V. N. Bashkin include biogeochemistry, systems analysis, geo-ecological risk of transboundary transfer of polluting substances, the remediation of contaminated territories. Great attention is paid to the development of innovative biogeochemical technologies. V. N. Baskin published more than 40 books in English, Chinese and Russian domestic and foreign publishing houses, he is the author and coauthor of more than 300 scientific articles published in leading scientific journals, received 16 patents. He has supervised 5 doctoral and 20 PhD theses in different countries of the world. Prof. V. N. Bashkin is member of the editorial Board of 5 international journals. For several years he was the Deputy Chairman of the Working Group on Effects (scientific Committee) of the UN Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Convention.Book Description:This proposed and edited volume will be devoted to one of the most popular topics of modern ecological and environmental sciences. This book focuses on the alterations in ecological and biogeochemical cycling in impacted polar land and water ecosystems, where a significant part of natural gas and oil production is developing both in Russia and in many other countries. In the near future, these will make great progress. Founded on the field monitoring of various biogeochemical cycle parameters of polar ecosystems and relevant changes in ecological indexes and indicators, the authors suggest new biogeochemical technologies for assessing and managing environmental and geoenvironmental risks in severe climate conditions.This issue is meant for a wide range of scientists, specialists and practitioners in ecological science, biogeochemistry and energy sectors, and may be quite useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students who study the fundamental principles of ecosystem sustainability and anthropogenic impact.Target Audience:This issue is meant for a wide range of scientists, specialists and practitioners in ecological science, biogeochemistry and energy sector and may be quite useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students and masters, who study the fundamental principles of ecosystem sustainability at the anthropogenic impact.

This edited book is devoted to environmental risk management in gas industry impacted polar ecosystems of Russia, one of the hottest topics of modern environmental science. The contributions from experts cover topics that shed new light on the impacts of oil and natural gas production on arctic ecosystems in the country as well as biogeochemical engineering technologies to manage pollution in these areas. Readers will also discover new insights on potential ecological indicators for assessing geo-environmental risks of these impacted ecosystems, and climate modeling in polar areas. The book has interdisciplinary appeal, and specialists and practitioners in environmental sciences, ecology, biogeochemistry and those within the energy sector who are interested in understanding ecosystems affected by anthropogenic impacts in severe climatic conditions will find it particularly engaging. Through this book, readers will learn more about biogeochemical cycling through food chains and specific reactions of biota to environmental pollution in extreme environments through the lens of experts.

This monograph is devoted to full-scale geoecological risk assessment in gas industry impacted polar areas and the relevant risk management options using innovative nature-like biogeochemical technologies. Readers will discover more about geoecological risks during gas production, transportation, storage and refining. Chapters discuss in detail the geodynamic dangers associated with the designing and building of main gas pipelines. The book has interdisciplinary appeal, and specialists and practitioners in environmental sciences, ecology, biogeochemistry and those within the energy sector who are interested in understanding ecosystems affected by anthropogenic impacts in severe climatic conditions will find it particularly engaging. Through this book, readers will learn more about recultivation of contaminated soils as well as health risk assessments of chemical substances associated with the gas industry.

Elements move through Earth's critical zone along interconnected pathways that are strongly influenced by fluctuations in water and energy. The biogeochemical cycling of elements is inextricably linked to changes in climate and ecological disturbances, both natural and man-made. Biogeochemical Cycles: Ecological Drivers and Environmental Impact examines the influences and effects of biogeochemical elemental cycles in different ecosystems in the critical zone. Volume highlights include: Impact of global change on the biogeochemical functioning of diverse ecosystems Biological drivers of soil, rock, and mineral weathering Natural elemental sources for improving sustainability of ecosystems Links between natural ecosystems and managed agricultural systems Non-carbon elemental cycles affected by climate change Subsystems particularly vulnerable to global change The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals. Book Review: http://www.elementsmagazine.org/archives/e16_6/e16_6_dep_bookreview.pdf

This book discusses issues of geoecological (GER) and geopolitical (GPR) risks due to hydrocarbon development of the Arctic. The authors explain the ethical and philosophical foundations of understanding environmental equity and justice in relation to the development of Arctic natural resources and consider various approaches to the moral aspects of making global management decisions in the field of environmental protection and environmental safety. Special attention is paid to analysis of modern geopolitical and geostrategic challenges to the development of the Arctic region. The monograph identifies the key geopolitical factors affecting the sustainable development of the Arctic and analyzes the similarities and differences in the geostrategic positions of the five Arctic states. The authors reveal the need to consider geopolitical challenges in the process of GER analysis for oil and gas development in the Arctic region. The book explores the intersection of the strategic interests for a number of states and describes Russia's inability to ensure environmental safety in the development of Arctic deposits. The book analyzes in detail each type of GER with an emphasis on their potential to lead to additional opportunities and threats, and assesses environmental rating as an indicator of the GER management process of Russian oil and gas companies operating in the Arctic. Although the main focus is on the Russian part of this region, many arguments and conclusions are quite applicable to the entire Arctic region. The consideration of geoecological and geopolitical aspects of the development of Arctic resources with the example of Russian oil and gas companies sheds light on the entire Arctic region, taking into account the interests of all other national and international companies involved in GER and GPR there.

The polar regions are experiencing rapid changes in climate. These changes are causing observable ecological impacts of various types and degrees of severity at all ecosystem levels, including society. Even larger changes and more significant impacts are anticipated. As species respond to changing environments over time, their interactions with the physical world and other organisms can also change. This chain of interactions can trigger cascades of impacts throughout entire ecosystems. Evaluating the interrelated physical, chemical, biological, and societal components of polar ecosystems is essential to understanding their vulnerability and resilience to climate forcing. The Polar Research Board (PRB) organized a workshop to address these issues. Experts gathered from a variety of disciplines with knowledge of both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Participants were challenged to consider what is currently known about climate change and polar ecosystems and to identify the next big questions in the field. A set of interdisciplinary "frontier questions" emerged from the workshop discussions as important topics to be addressed in the coming decades. To begin to address these questions, workshop participants discussed the need for holistic, interdisciplinary systems approach to understanding polar ecosystem responses to climate change. As an outcome of the workshop, participants brainstormed methods and technologies that are crucial to advance the understanding of polar ecosystems and to promote the next generation of polar research. These include new and emerging technologies, sustained long-term observations, data synthesis and management, and data dissemination and outreach.

There is a mounting consensus that human behavior is changing the global climate and its consequence could be catastrophic. Reducing the 24 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from stationary and mobile sources is a gigantic task involving both technological challenges and monumental financial and societal costs. The pursuit of sustainable energy resources, environment, and economy has become a complex issue of global scale that affects the daily life of every citizen of the world. The present mitigation activities range from energy conservation, carbon-neutral energy conversions, carbon advanced combustion process that produce no greenhouse gases and that enable carbon capture and sequestion, to other advanced technologies. From its causes and impacts to its solutions, the issues surrounding climate change involve multidisciplinary science and technology. This handbook will provide a single source of this information. The book will be divided into the following sections: Scientific Evidence of Climate Change and Societal Issues, Impacts of Climate Change, Energy Conservation, Alternative Energies, Advanced Combustion, Advanced Technologies, and Education and Outreach.