The first stage of monitoring studies of aquatic biological resources and their habitat in the area of activity of the diamond mining company PJSC ALROSA has been completed. The studies are necessary to assess the impact of ALROSA's main industrial facilities on the state of aquatic ecosystems, predict possible changes in the state of ecosystems and develop environmental measures.

The research, intended to last till 2025, is carried out within the framework of an agreement with the Yakutniproalmaz Institute, a structural research and project division of PJSC ALROSA. The monitoring area includes the river system of several rivers of Yakutia. ISU hydrobiologists will study the basic elements of aquatic ecosystems (phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthos), on which the state of the ecosystem directly depends, find out the state of the fish forage base, including commercially exploited species, assess the state of the ichthyofauna, take water samples for hydrochemical studies.

The research group is headed by a well-known scientist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Dean of the ISU Faculty of Biology and Soil Studies Arkady Matveev. He noted that university specialists have all the necessary competencies and material and technical resources to carry out such works:

“Now we have conducted research on contamination with heavy metals, petroleum products and other pollutants – this is the first field work under the new contract. Now we are preparing for the second stage, which will begin in November.”

It should be noted that ALROSA already knows ISU hydrobiologists as responsible and highly qualified specialists – they previously worked very successfully with this diamond mining company. For example, this year ISU hydrobiologists have completed studies of aquatic biological resources under an agreement with the ALROSA Ecocenter.