Baikal Institute of Nature Management

The effect of cation substitutions in the scheelite-type framework is investigated to understand the ordering of M+/Pr3+ cations and vacancies in the structure. The cation deficient M1/8Pr5/8□1/4MoO4 (M = Li, Na, K) phases were synthesized using solid state reactions. The K:Pr ratio in the K1/8Pr5/8MoO4 sample was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The local element distributions in K1/8Pr5/8□1/4MoO4 were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The incommensurately modulated crystal structures of the scheelite-based M1/8Pr5/8MoO4 (M = Li, Na, K) phases were refined from synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. The analysis revealed that cation ordering in the M1/8Pr5/8MoO4 (M = Li, Na) structures is incomplete and is more accurately described by continuous, rather than discontinuous (step-like), occupational modulation functions. The occupancy modulation waves for Li/Na and Pr atoms demonstrate an antiphase relation. Compared with M = Li, Na, the order of K and Pr cations in the A position in the K1/8Pr5/8MoO4 structure is best approximated by crenel functions. Refining the coordinates and lengths of three atomic domains yields the composition of K0.145Pr0.618MoO4. In all cases, the modulation arises from ordering of M/Pr cations and cation vacancies at the A-sublattice of the parent scheelite ABO4 structure. The distortion of PrO8 and MO8 polyhedra is practically independent of the radius of the M+ cations. The refinements of the M1/8Pr5/8MoO4 (M = Li, Na, K) structures reveal that MoO42- tetrahedra in these scheelite-type compounds demonstrate a flexible geometry. Both Mo-O bond distances and O-Mo-O bond angles vary significantly with changing the population of the A site by cations with different sizes.

Ice and snow tourism (IST) is a significant global trend, offering Russia opportunities for tourism growth and seasonal diversification. This study investigates the potential of ice and snow art as a distinct subcategory of IST on Lake Baikal. Our research is based on an analysis of academic publications and official policy documents, field surveys conducted in winter 2025, and stakeholder consultations, with the “Olkhon Ice Fest” serving as a case study. The findings indicate a clear shift toward IST, with the number of winter tourists on Olkhon Island increasing by 70% between 2021 and 2024. The festival’s key features—its use of the natural ice landscape, a unique artistic technique, an explicit ecological focus, and strong entrepreneurial initiative—support the development of a conceptual model of IST on Lake Baikal grounded in ecotourism principles. Ensuring the long-term sustainable development of IST in the region requires improved governance, infrastructure, and transport systems, as well as support for green businesses and increased environmental awareness among tourists. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable winter tourism by demonstrating the interconnections among environmental sustainability, socioeconomic benefits, and cultural innovation, thereby situating local IST practices within the broader framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Lake Kotokel is one of the largest lakes along the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Increasing anthropogenic pressure combined with climate variability led to a sharp decline in its ecological condition, culminating in an outbreak of Gaff disease in 2009. Moreover, Lake Kotokel may serve as a source of pollutants to Lake Baikal due to its hydrological connection via a system of rivers. In light of these factors, ongoing research seeks to identify the drivers of ecological degradation in the lake ecosystem and provide a comprehensive assessment of its current environmental status and potential adverse processes. In this study, we report, for the first time, the occurrence of microplastic particles in the surface water and sediments of Lake Kotokel. Mean microplastic concentrations were 0.59 ± 0.25 items/m3 in water and 280 ± 162 items/kg dry weight in sediments, with corresponding average microplastic masses of 2.6 ± 1.4 μg/m3 in water and 1.33 ± 1.21 mg/kg dry weight in sediments. In surface waters, microplastic were predominantly 1–3 mm in size, whereas sediments were dominated by 0.1–1 mm particles. Fibers were the most abundant morphological form, comprising 79.5% and 82.8% of particles in water and sediments, respectively. Five polymer types were identified, with polyethylene terephthalate being the most prevalent. Based on particle abundance and polymer composition, the ecological risk of microplastic in Lake Kotokel was assessed as low to moderate.

Mongolia began the transition to democracy and a liberal market system in the 1990s. Since then, the country has changed dramatically from an agrarian to a mining economy and from a nomadic nation to an urbanized society. Mongolia experienced a deep crisis during the transition period before its economy began to recover rapidly in the early 2000s. However, the mining-based growth was unstable and did not bring about widespread prosperity. Repeated recessions highlighted the fragility of the country’s development model based on commodity exports. In addition to unstable economic growth and high poverty, environmental problems have also become a serious threat to Mongolia’s sustainable development. Until the turn of the millennium, Mongolia was among the few countries with the least altered natural environment. However, since the 2000s, Ulaanbaatar has regularly been ranked among the cities with the worst air quality in the world. Excessive grazing due to a multiple increase in livestock numbers has led to the rapid degradation of the world’s largest steppe ecosystem. The development of giant mineral deposits in the Gobi Desert has led to the rapid depletion of existing groundwater sources. The solution to Mongolia’s interrelated economic, social and environmental problems is expected to be achieved through large-scale infrastructure projects. It is expected that the development of transport, energy and water infrastructure will become the basis for the formation of a diversified economy, improving living conditions for the population and preserving the natural environment. At the same time, the planned implementation of some of these megaprojects requires increased attention from Russia. The paper reveals the current specifics and key problems of Mongolia’s development, analyzes the national strategy “Vision‑2050” and the medium-term program “New Recovery Policy”, characterizes the current state and substantiates the main directions of Russian–Mongolian economic cooperation.

Banyak kebijakan telah dibuat oleh BPJS Kesehatan untuk meningkatkan lingkungan kerja, meningkatkan semangat kerja dan meningkatkan komitmen karyawan. Namun, bukti menunjukkan bahwa kinerja dan kesetian karyawan belum mencapai tingkat yang diharapkan dibeberapa divisi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh lingkungan kerja dan motivasi kerja terhadap loyalitas pegawai BPJS Kesehatan cabang Bekasi. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif statistik dengan melakukan penyebaran kuesioner melalui google form. Populasi penelitian ini terdiri dari 63 orang pegawai BPJS Kesehatan cabang Bekasi. Teknik sampling yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah slovin dengan jumlah sampel 39 responden. Berdasarkan pengujian hipotesis, penelitian ini menggunakan uji T dan uji F. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan nilai t hitung 4,590 > t tabel 2,028 dengan tingkat signifikansi 0,000 < 0,05 bahwa terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan antara lingkungan kerja terhadap loyaliyas pegawai, sedangkan motivasi kerja nilai t hitung 3,508 > t tabel 2,028 dengan tingkat signifikansi 0,001 < 0,05 bahwa terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan antara motivasi kerja terhadap loyalitas pegawai. Secara simultan nilai f hitung 75,168 > f tabel 3,26 dengan tingkat signifikansi 0,000 < 0,05 bahwa lingkungan kerja dan motivasi kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap loyalitas pegawai.

Historically, pastoralism has been the leading sector of the Mongolian economy. And quite often it faces natural and climate risks. Almost every year, natural disasters (such as dzud, heavy rain, fire, lightning, infectious and non-infectious diseases, wildlife predation and accidents) kill a huge number of livestock in Mongolia. A serious threat is posed by dzud, which is expressed in the mass death of livestock and occurs not only in winter, but also in spring. The main objectives of the study were to determine the causes and consequences, as well as to assess the economic damage from dzud. The rapid increase in livestock numbers in Mongolia, especially sheep and goats, as well as significant changes in the structure (ratio of sheep and goats) have a negative impact on the condition of pastures. The pasture potential assessment was carried out for five model aimags. Both the reserve and the excess of the potential of pasture lands of nomadic farms have been revealed. It is noted that overgrazing leads to a decrease in livestock productivity, soil erosion, desertification, deforestation, and land degradation. The article presents a methodological approach to the economic assessment of losses of a nomadic economy from dzud. An economic assessment of the damage was carried out as the cost of direct product losses (meat, wool, fluff), the cost of disposal of livestock carcasses and the reduction in the value of ecosystem services of pastures. To assess the natural and anthropogenic risks of the territory of Mongolia, a methodology for the natural and anthropogenic conditioning of territories to the occurrence of risks is presented. The aimags of Mongolia were differentiated according to the coefficient of natural-anthropogenic conditions for the occurrence of risks.

Introduction. Haplophyllum dauricum, a well-known source of lignans, is widely used in traditional medicine. Additionally, data on its chemical composition includes information on alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and the macro- and microelement content. However, no information is available regarding the amino acid profile of this plant. The aim of the study is to determine qualitative and quantitative composition of amino acids in herbs and roots of H. dauricum. Material and methods. The objects of the study were the herbs and roots of H. dauricum native to the Republic of Buryatia. Samples were collected during the flowering and fruiting periods in 2022 and 2023. The amino acid composition and content were determined using the capillary electrophoresis system "Kapel-105". Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the principal component analysis (PCA) method with the Sirius version 6.0 (Pattern Recognition Systems, a/s, Norway). Results. Twenty amino acids were found in the herbs and roots parts of H. dauricum, with nonessential amino acids predominating (up to 80.81% of the total). Glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, and asparagine have the highest content, while proline, arginine, methionine, and serine also have high levels. A change in the quantity of diaminocarboxylic and heterocyclic amino acids was observed in response to abiotic stress. Conclusions. This is the first study of the qualitative composition and quantitative content of amino acids in H. dauricum. Eight essential amino acids were identified, with glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, and asparagine being dominant. The data suggest potential for further research on this species and its potential as a source of valuable bioactive compounds.