News
October 1, 2024
Researchers from KarRC RAS present their results at a Learned Council meeting

Analysis of the premises of the “green” economy and a unique discovery of hydrocarbons in ancient basalts were presented by Karelian scientists at the first autumn session of the KarRC RAS Learned Council on October 1.
The Learned Council session started with the ceremony of awarding diplomas to Doctoral Program graduates.

The core agenda of the meeting included two scientific lectures.
Oleg Tholstoguzov presented a study on “Natural capital monetization in a carbon economy”. The presentation was based on the findings of the RFBR project “Economic assessment of land use change based on carbon balance in ecosystems of the European North”. The project was implemented jointly with scientists from the Institute of Biology and the Forest Research Institute KarRC RAS.

— We joined into the discussion related to climate change and carbon-minded land management. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics and structure of carbon stocks in man-disturbed and post-anthropogenic ecosystems of the European North, as well as to develop scientific and methodological foundations for the economic assessment of land use change based on a systemic approach that takes into account the patterns identified in both biological and economic studies, — told the scientist.

Under the climate agenda, the world is preparing for a new order of global trade and legitimization of economic activity with regard to, first, environmental standards and, second, institutional adaptation to a new format of the economy, including its low-carbon dimension.

— The first aspect is widely covered in academic literature. The second one, related to financial techniques and solutions for fundamental economic problems, is ignored in the ongoing discourse: the importance of economic factors precisely is overlooked, — remarked Oleg Tolstoguzov.

Scientists are convinced that the only way to simultaneously achieve the carbon economy objectives and fair monetization of the natural capital is to rely on the fundamental laws of economics.

— I'd like to point out the integrated approach and great contribution of different specialists. That is why the presentation is of particular interest! Karelian Research Center RAS actively participates in a number of studies on carbon-related topics and analyzes different ecosystems: mires, forests, agricultural landscapes, water bodies. This is a whole stratum of new knowledge, which can actually later form the basis for models that would represent the situation in our region, — Olga Bakhmet commented.

— Indeed, if we manage to model all carbon fluxes within the region, we will demonstrate whether our territory is a carbon dioxide source or sink and, hence, whether we can claim economic compensation, — Oleg Tolstoguzov emphasized.

In total, Karelian scientists published 13 articles and 1 monograph based on the results of the RFBR project. The project participants made 25 presentations at domestic and international conferences.


Speaking Svetlana Chazhengina, Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Geochemistry, Quaternary Geology and Geoecology, Institute of Geology KarRC RAS


Flowchart of hydrocarbon migration and sedimentation in pillow lavas

A study of ancient basalts of Yalguba and Solomennoye areas was presented by Svetlana Chazhengina, Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Geochemistry, Quaternary Geology and Geoecology, Institute of Geology KarRC RAS. Millimeter-sized inclusions of solid carbonaceous matter were detected in Paleoproterozoic pillow lavas. The carbon content in these inclusions (amygdales) is estimated at 6%. The scientists believe that the traces of hydrocarbons indicate an ancient oil basin may have existed in the area. A model of migration and sedimentation of hydrocarbonaceous matter was presented. The results were published in the international journal Lithos. We have told about this study in a previous post.

— Our study can help understand how oil was formed during the early stages of Earth's evolution and whether these processes were different from modern ones. In addition, carbon in igneous rocks can serve as a marker of oil occurrence in the area, — Svetlana Chazhengina remarked.

At the end of the meeting Olga Bakhmet informed that the journal “Transactions of the Karelian Research Centre RAS” was included in RSCI core. Alexander Titov, Corresponding Academician, the journal's Editor-in-Chief noted that the listing will make the journal more attractive to potential authors and expand their circle.

See also:

June 26, 2025
Ice-related phenomena on rivers emptying into the White Sea now last three weeks less than 60 years before

Ice on northern rivers now forms later while ice-off occurs earlier. Karelian scientists confirmed this having analyzed 64 years of marine and meteorological data from the estuaries of rivers draining into the White Sea along its western coast. Climate change has bit three weeks off the ice-covered period on these rivers. The reductions have been the most significant in the last 30 years, aligning with global warming trends in Arctic water bodies.
June 23, 2025
Citizen science and web technologies help researchers study insects of Karelia

More than 30 insect species not encountered in Karelia previously have been revealed by entomologists from KarRC RAS during their expeditions and using data communicated by active participants of the iNaturalist portal – an open platform for collecting biodiversity data.
June 20, 2025
Application process for 2025/2026 Doctoral Studies started at KarRC RAS

On June 20, Karelian Research Centre RAS began accepting papers from applicants for its Doctoral Courses. This year, university graduates can choose from ten academic specialties in the STEM, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
June 17, 2025
An important phase of the KarRC RAS Director General election procedure completed

The Electoral Commission has summarized the results of the voting for the election of the Director General of KarRC RAS. The turnout exceeded 80% of the Center's employees. The majority of votes, 391, were cast for Alexander Kryshen, Director of the Forest Research Institute. Acting Director General Olga Bakhmet was supported by 252 voters, and Deputy Director General Yuri Zaika received 17 votes. The Electoral Commission documented these results in its report, which will be submitted to the HR Policy Department of the Federal Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The candidacies will now undergo the procedure of approval by federal agencies, after which the employment contract will be signed with the winner of the competition.
June 11, 2025
Posseidon research vessel is back from this season’s first integrated expedition

Employees of the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS completed an expedition around Lake Onego on board the Posseidon research vessel. The expedition covered 19 sites in bays, Central Onego, and Kizhi Skerries region. Scientists have sampled water for chemical and biological analyses.