INSTITUTE OF EARTH CRYOSPHERE (IEC SB RAS)
The Institute carries out studies in the framework of
research domain “Cryogenic natural processes and dynamics of
cryopedological conditions”.
History: IEC SB RAS was created in 1991 to develop
basic studies of cryogenesis in the evolution of geospheres and to develop
research basis of natural resources use in the North.
The main objective of IEC SB RAS is to carry out basic
research studies in “Cryogenic natural processes and dynamics of
cryopedological conditions” and applied studies in priority domains of
science and technology development.
Presently basic studies are carried out in relation to
problems included into research direction “The state of natural cryogenic
geosystems and forecast of their development”:
1. “Evolution of cryogenic conditions, processes and
formation”.
2. “Cryosphere resources in natural resources use”.
3. “Environmental consequences of man’s impact on
cryosphere”.
The Institute made an important contribution into
cryology of the Earth and other planets in relation to the environment of
Arctic and northern territories; cryogenic conditions, processes and
formations; information and cartographical models; RTUU models of
physicochemical processes; kinetics of hydrates formation; resistance of
cryobiogeocenoses to man-caused impacts and other domains.
On the basis of data obtained by researchers in the
course of geocryological field studies in different regions of Russia
including shelf of the arctic seas (Barents, Kara and Laptev) as well as on
the basis of literary data the following pioneer monographs are written and
published:
- Fartyshev A.I. Peculiar features of near-shore and
offshore cryolite zones of Laptev Sea;
- Melnikov V.P., Spesivtsev V.I. Engineering, geological
and geocryological conditions of Barents and Kara seas shelf.
In the process of submerged cryolite zone analysis a
hypothesis is set up to explain ice packs presence in quaternary deposits of
Pechora shelf with air effect shows appearing while hydrocarbon deposits jet
degassing. On the basis of this hypothesis using acoustic data, hydrocarbon
field’s exploration criterion is offered. Presence of ice “diapers”
and gas kicks are confirmed by drilling.
In the framework of its international relations the
Institute carries out the following activities:
— study of frozen rocks, soils and growth of Yamal
tundra in accordance with the international programmes “Circumpolar Active
Layer Monitoring” (CALM) and “International tundra experiment” (IÒÅÕ)
under the aegis of International Permafrost Association (IÐÀ) with the
purpose to create Global geocryological database (GGD);
— investigations under international ÑÀÐS project [Compact
Disc “International Permafrost Association, Data and Information Working
Group, comp.1998. Circumpolar Active-Layer Permafrost System (CAPS) version
1.0”];
— field studies in the north of Western Siberia on
Baydaratskaya Bay shore in the area of Shplinder tract in accordance with
Co-operation Agreement between Earth and Environmental Sciences Department
of the University of Illinois (Chicago, USA), Earth Science Centre (Goteborg,
Sweden), IEC SB RAS and Oil and Gas Research Centre (Riga, Latvia);
— realisation of the first stage of Russian-Norwegian project “Oil
spills in permafrost zone of the Russian Arctic”;
— organisation of annual international conferences on basic problems of
Earth cryology from 1996 (April, Puschino);
— organisation of NATO conference on “Permafrost Response on Economic
Development, Environmental Security and Natural Resource Potential” (November
1998, Novosibirsk). |
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