In this article the study of comfort level of climate has been performed on the basis of analysis of spatio-temporal changes of bioclimatic indexes: effective temperature, equivalent-effective temperature and bioclimatic air heat content index for the period from 1966 to 2020. The increase in average temperatures, the decrease in wind speed and insignificant changes in air humidity led to the improvement in the comfort level of climate and weather and decrease in frequency of days with very cold weather. Usually, the increase in climate comfort level was less evident in mid-seasons than in winter and summer. In total, since late 1970s the most significant increase in values of climate comfort indices was observed in July–August and November–December; significant increase in values of effective temperature and equivalent-effective temperatures was also observed in February–April. This pattern of changes corresponds to climate changes during distinct phases of warming period, characterized by more significant increase in the average temperature in certain seasons. Thus, due to the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of climate warming, the nature of changes, bioclimatic comfort indices is also heterogeneous. Nevertheless, it is possible to state that values of comfort indexes steadily increase since 1980s.

Environmental risk assessment associated with soil contamination is one of the most important elements of effective management of contaminated sites, since it allows to identify the most important intake routs of contaminates to the human organism and to determine the risk of soil contamination in terms of impact on human health. The territories of industrial enterprises that are а subject to development and transformation into urban landscapes deserve special attention in cities.

Methodological approaches to hazard assessment due to soil contamination based on the concept of risk to public health are analyzed. Models CalTOX, USETox, MMSoils, 3MRA, SADA and others that are developed and used in foreign countries, are characterized.

It is shown that the SADA model has the maximum advantage for the practical application in Belarus due to its availability and built-in GIS technologies, which make it possible to obtain a visual indicative picture of the risks distribution. The SADA model has been tested for a post-industrial site located in Minsk, subject to use as a residential area. The results of a selective investigation of the industrial site and the determination of the heavy metals content in the soil as initial data were used. On the example of zinc and cadmium, it has been demonstrated that their measured concentrations do not pose a significant risk to the health of adults and children by inhalation, oral and contact intake routes. It has been established that it is possible to change the functional use of the territory, including the residential use, without soil cleanup activities. The levels of cadmium content in soils, which pose risk of non-carcinogenic effects for humans living in the territory are demonstrated.

Quantitative estimates of the impact of climate trends on the yield dynamics for the Minsk and Mogilev regions for the period 1990–2020 are obtained using statistical data on grain crops and data on average air temperature and precipitation. It is shown that despite the statistically significant actual increase in the yield of winter and spring crops in recent decades, most of them were characterized by a climate-induced decrease in their yield. At the same time, the maximum decrease was noted in early spring crops in Minsk region: spring wheat – 30–39 %, spring barley – 55–62, oats – 48–72 % of the actual increase. In Mogilev region, this decrease was lower: spring wheat – 17–30 %, spring barley – 22–33 %, oats – 35–36 %. Its main reasons were the sensitivity (high regression coefficients) of these crops to the temperatures of the growing season, primarily June, with significant absolute increase in these temperature indicators in the period under consideration. The climate-conditioned increase in yield was revealed only in Minsk region: in winter wheat – up to 10% and winter triticale – 9–32 %. It is due to the high sensitivity of crops to the temperatures in August and September (the sowing period) and high increase in these temperature indicators, which more than compensated for the negative impact in May and June temperatures. In Mogilev region, the influence of the temperatures of the sowing period for winter wheat and winter triticale was statistically insignificant, and for winter rye it was not so significant. The reasons for the differences are explained by the soil and climatic features of the studied regions of Belarus.

We obtained data on radial migration of pollutant elements in soils of spruce, birch and black alder forests that had been subjected to air-dust contamination with lead-containing wastes. This waste was stored in a waste dump during 2015–2018 and then the waste was moved to a special landfill. We sampled each layer of soil and forest litter at intervals of 2 cm. The study area has strongly and moderately acidic, non-saturated, medium and low-humus, well-drained forest soils. We used the element concentration (or anomaly) coefficient and the radial contrast coefficient to assess the TM migration activity.

The highest levels of contamination are characteristic of forest litter. The intensity of element accumulation in litter is determined by two factors: the size of the litter itself and the distance of the sample site from the emission source. Well developed spruce litter is a biogeochemical barrier, which significantly reduces the risk of pollution of the humus horizon of soils with cadmium and lead, as well as the flow of metals into deeper soil layers and groundwater. At the same time, the migration mobility of iron, nickel and, to some extent, copper remains. The poorly size litter of birch and black-alder forests has less pronounced protective properties.

The results of geochemical studies of soils on the territory of Nesvizh are presented in the context of the distribution of heavy metals. Statistical data processing has been performed. For the purposes of the study, the regional and local geochemical background was calculated. The features of enrichment and pollution of urban soils by the studied components are revealed. The concentration coefficients and the total pollution coefficient are calculated. Monocomponent and polycomponent maps were constructed, reflecting the revealed regularities in the distribution of heavy metals. The results of correlation and factor analyses are presented. Associations of heavy metals, typical for the soils of the city, were revealed. Factor loadings are calculated. A graphical representation of the matrix of factor loadings is given. The factors responsible for the formation of the technogenic situation have been established, and their contribution has been determined. The map of factor loadings has been constructed. The interpretation of geochemical data both at the level of individual points and in the space of the entire city was carried out.

The influence of vegetation cover on the Land Surface Temperature (LST) was studied in main types of geotechnical systems (GTS) in Minsk (industrial, municipal, residential multi-apartment and estate, public, road, special territories, etc.). A coupled analysis of a differentiated geographic information system (GIS) and Earth remote sensing data was used.

Vegetation cover was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Leaf Area Index (LAI), Canopy chlorophyll content (CCC), and greening degree (%).

The analysis revealed significant negative relationships between LST and vegetation indices when comparing all types of territories in the city (R² varies within 0.42…0.45). Connections are weaker in the main types of GTS. The coefficients of determination LST with NDVI and the greenery degree in industrial and communal, public, residential multi-apartment and estate GTS are estimated respectively at 0.06 (0.31), 0.13 (0.25), 0.18 (0.27), and 0.28 (0.22). This indicates a more significant effect of technogenic elements on LST.

Cartographic analysis of the differences between the average LST values in sections of various GTS and natural ecosystems in the urban area from the average values for the corresponding types of GTS and natural complexes revealed areas of the urban territory with increased or decreased LST values.

The differences for the GTS and natural ecosystems vary from –3.0° to +3.0° on the most of the territory of Minsk. However, areas with higher differences are noted in the city. The warmest areas are mainly territories of densely built-up industrial zones, separate areas of residential multi-apartment and public area, located in the historical center and in the new buildings on the outskirts of the city. They are characterized by a high density of buildings, hard surfaces, a low greenery degree and sparse of trees and shrubs.

A series of paleogeomorphological schemes based on the analysis of borehole sections and published materials on paleogeography and geology of the region was constructed. The main formation factors of a large trough-shaped form of the earth’s surface and a kind of “Polesie” relief (landscape) in southern Belarus were revealed. Its modern configuration was formed during the Muravian interglacial. Marshy lacustrine-alluvial and alluvial lowlands were the most common relief categories. They were bordered by glacial plains and highlands of the Pripyatian glaciation from the north, west and east, and by a slightly tectonically uplifted surface of the Ukrainian Polesie from the south. The relief was developing in a hereditary manner in the post-Muravian time. There were only some changes in the areas of the main genetic types’ distribution due to the alluvial and lacustrine-alluvial processes.

Based on the analysis of satellite images of high and ultra-high resolution of the territories of peat deposits of Brest, Gomel and Mogilev regions of the Republic of Belarus, a database of areas of peat deposits that are in an undisturbed state (natural peat wire); disturbed state (areas with the presence of reclamation systems covered with shrub vegetation); drained areas with forest vegetation; drained areas that are effectively used in agriculture; developed areas. The database created in the GIS format made it possible to estimate the remaining peat reserves for each of the deposits, to obtain statistical data on the state and directions of use of the areas of peat deposits. The estimation of the remaining reserves took into account the loss of peat from the depleted areas and the mineralization of organic matter at sites used in agriculture.

In total, explored peat deposits with an area of more than 10 hectares in Brest region – 469, in Gomel region – 1290 and in Mogilev region – 1385, the total area of which is 498.9, 530.8 and 221.0 thousand hectares respectively. According to the methodology used in the calculations, the remaining geological reserves of peat are: in Brest region – 772.3 million tons, in Gomel region – 798.5 million tons and in Mogilev region – 267.4 million tons.

Analysis of satellite images of the territories of peat deposits of the studied areas showed that from 30 to 37 % of the areas of peat deposits are in an undisturbed state (natural peat swamps). The main part (more than 50 %) in Brest and Gomel regions is a drained land with peat soils of agricultural use, in Mogilev – about 30 %. In all three regions there are 141 deposits with depleted peat reserves and 1457 deposits (46 % of the total) with geological reserves of less than 40 thousand tons (reserves that are not of interest for integrated peat processing).

The generalized results of studies of the physical properties of rocks along the section of Cambrian deposits (Rytskaya, Stradechskaya, Spanovskaya, Bugskaya and Orlinskaya formations) of the Pribug structure within the same-name underground gas storage (UGS) are presented. More than 120 rock samples evenly distributed throughout the thickness of the Cambrian deposits from the depth range of 889–1240 m were studied. The reservoir rocks are mainly quartz fine-and medium-grained sandstone with varying degrees of grading and grain rounding, type of cementation, clay content. The cap rocks are represented by clayey siltstone with the presence of small fine-grained sandstone and siltstone bands and by silty mudstone-like clays.

Laboratory research data include the results of the study of chemical, granulometric compositions of the rocks, determination of carbonate and clay minerals in the rocks, determination of density, open and closed porosity, gas and reservoir water permeability on the specially prepared samples, study of the pore space of the rocks using digital photographs. The established features of filtration-capacitance properties of the rocks can be used for carrying out activities and developing recommendations to improve the efficiency of using the pore space of the deposits of the structure aimed at upgrading operation of the Pribug gas storage.

The relevance and importance of underground gas storages for the energy security of the Republic of Belarus is denoted. The types of underground gas storage facilities in operation on the territory of the republic are indicated. The geological conditions of the Mozyr salt massif in the area of the mine workings are given. The features of the structure of the Mozyr salt dome are considered. Information about the rock salt deposits of the Zalessky layers suitable for creating caverns is given. Mining and geological conditions are described and favorable factors of an underground gas storage creation in rock salt deposits under the conditions of the Mozyr salt dome are denoted. Information about the screening effect of the roof strata is given. Mathematical modeling was carried out and the assessment of the suitability of the existing salt caverns is given. During the conversion of existing and the creation of new caverns, as well as in the process of their operation (injection-storage-selection) long-term sustainability to the effects of pressures emerging has been confirmed. Formulas for determination the maximum gas pressure limit, the permissible maximum and minimum operating pressure as well as the required span of the cavern are given. The test pressure range for determining the tightness of the caverns is indicated. The conditions for choosing the minimum operating pressure in the cavern as well as the safety margin factor in relation to specific conditions are determined. In fact, the suitability and prospects of creating underground gas storage facilities in the salt domes of the Pripyat trough have been confirmed.

There is an intensive growth of polymer production all over the world. Annually, the industry consumes more than 150 million tons of plastics 85 %, of which are thermoplastics and 15 % thermosetting polymers. According to experts, the consumption of plastics in the world has increased to 1 t/year per person, which has significantly exacerbated the problem of recycling and reuse of such waste underground disposal is the most environmentally unfavorable option associated with both the irretrievable loss of material and energy, and the gradual release of toxic substances (dioxins, furans). Less common is the energy, which is associated with the need for effective purification of flue gases from toxic combustion products, which is very costly.

Pyrolysis is used as a prospective direction of polymer-containing waste recovery mixed combinations of peat with polymers requiring processing. The most representative and typical for the republic samples of polymer waste to be disposed of, were selected, followed by the preparation of mixed compositions based on them in various combinations of components with two types of peat (top and lowland), their thermal degradation was carried out under various pyrolysis conditions and the material balance of the products obtained was compiled. The qualitative and quantitative composition of pyrolysis products are estimated on the example of the gas phase. The efficiency of the method of utilization of mixed compositions with the production of more high-calorie thermal degradation products has been confirmed. It is revealed that the conversion depth of mixed compositions significantly depends on the pyrolysis conditions and the composition of the initial components.

A method of utilization of polymer waste by pyrolysis of peat polymer compositions is proposed, which allows obtaining a resin fraction with a higher yield and pyrolysis gas with a significantly higher heat of combustion as an energy carrier, which gives reason to consider it as a highly efficient energy carrier in the production of thermal and electrical energy. The value of the resulting solid pyrolysis residue consists in the possibility of using it as both a building material and, in the future, raw materials for the manufacture of various sorbents.

Sphagnum moss and peat formed on its basis is estimated by experts as ecologically pure raw material resource for development of new effective medicines as their structure contains a wide set of biologically active compounds of different classes: polysaccharides, uronic acids, flavonoids, phenocarboxylic acids, aldehydes, coumarins, triterpene compounds, organic acids, mineral salts, and in peat also humic substances. The objects of the study were sphagnum magellanicum and sphagnum fuscum peat and 4 samples of sphagnum moss: Sph. magellanicum, Sph. fuscum, Sph. angustifolium and Sph. apiculatum which in the future is supposed to be used as a raw material for preparation of biocidal agents. The geobotanical and physico-chemical characteristics of the selected samples was carried out. All of them are characterized by low ash content (1.32–3.59 %), high content of organic substances and their active acidity is within the range 3.8–4.4 units, which is typical for sphagnum-type raised peat and sphagnum moss. In the infrared spectra of all samples observed absorption bands due to valence and strain vibrations of hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amide and other functional groups of carbohydrates, phenols, alcohols, organic acids, esters of aliphatic and aromatic nature, typical for plants-peat formers and upper peats of low degree of decomposition. It has been established that samples of sphagnum mosses and sphagnum peat are labile hemicellulose-containing raw materials; the amount of easily hydrolyzable polysaccharides in mosses reaches 55 %, in peats – 45 % of organic matter. The content of reducing substances in hydrolysates of hemicelluloses of mosses is 55–59 %, that of peat is 53–54 %. The mass fraction of cellulose in the organic matter of sphagnum mosses is 23–26 %, in peat 22–24, in humic substances 17.7–20.9 %. All samples contain small amounts (0.8–2.3 %) of extractive substances extracted by organic solvents and 7.1–13.0 % of lignin. Literature data, as well as the performed spectral and chemical characteristics of the selected samples showed that among the biologically active substances found in their composition, the most interesting are polysaccharide and phenolic complexes, since the pharmacological properties of sphagnum mosses and low-degradation peat can be attributed to the presence of these compounds.

The selection of peat and sapropel raw materials for obtaining a humic plant growth regulator with increased biological activity is experimentally substantiated. The use of peat and sapropel as raw materials for hydrolysis and the production of biologically active preparations makes it possible to transfer a significant amount of microelements into solution. In Lelchitsky district of Gomel region, the raw material bases of peat and sapropel, suitable for obtaining biologically active preparations, have been identified and characterized. The choice of the priority site Pribylovichi with deposits of low-lying sedge and sedge-reed peat and siliceous sapropel is substantiated. Carbonate sapropel is not suitable for obtaining humic preparations due to the low yield of humic acids; its scope is the use as a part of feed additives or as a soil deoxidizer. An experimental batch of a humic preparation with established optimal parameters has been produced, which has been tested with a positive effect in the field on plot experiments with winter barley and triticale. The preferred option for using a liquid humic preparation isolated from a mixture of peat and sapropel is the pre-clotting of seeds with the optimal concentration of the preparation for this purpose – 0.07–0.10 %. For irrigation under the root the concentration of the drug is 0.004–0.006 %. The humic preparation "Tosagum" was developed, which passed the necessary two-year tests on various crops in specialized centers of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Based on fund and archival materials of peat and sapropel resources of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, design institutes for water management (DIWM) and the fuel industry ("Belgiprotorf"), field studies of the SSI "Institute of Nature Management of the NAS of Belarus", an analysis and assessment of the resources of organic sapropel occurring in peatlands exit of exploitation was carried out. In total, geological surveys of various categories revealed 224 peatlands exit of exploitation, where, along with other types of sapropel, there is organic sapropel, the total volume of which is 162.6 million m³.

Depending on the ratio of areas occupied by sapropel and peat deposits, thickness and quality composition, sapropels are divided into three groups according to the conditions of extraction: very promising, promising and conditionally promising.

It has been established that sapropel of an exclusively organic type lies under the layer of the remaining peat at 26 deposits.

Based on the information received, a database of organic sapropel was developed in the Microsoft Excel program and a scheme for placing its deposits on peatlands exit of exploitation of the Republic of Belarus.

The raw material bases of organic sapropel buried under peat were identified and characterized, which are the most promising for development in the near future, from the entire list of deposits, as a result of the analysis.

The effect of antiseptic treatment and drying on the sorption capacity of xerotolerant fungi A. niger, A. ochraceus and A. versicolor isolated from mold lesions in cardboard archival boxes was studied. Exposure to a 2 % solution of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), leading to a rapid loss of mycelium viability, increased the sorption capacity of the fungal mycelium with respect to copper, zinc, and lead ions, and treatment with a 0.5 % biocide solution, which slowed down the growth of fungi without complete inhibition, somewhat reduced binding of heavy metals. A significant decrease in the sorption capacity was observed only after the moisture content of the sorbents was reduced to 12–15 %. In dried (after treatment with 0.5 % BAC) A. versicolor biomass, the sorption capacity in relation to copper, zinc and lead ions decreased compared to wet biomass (after treatment with 2.0 % BAC) by 17.4, 18.7 and 24.6 times respectively.

The Institute of Nature Management of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus conducted extensive research on the production of activated carbons for various purposes from peat, which showed that in order to obtain high-quality coals, it is necessary to use high-moor peat of a high degree of decomposition. In order to expand the resource base, it was of interest to explore the possibility of obtaining coal from peat with a lower degree of decomposition.

Peat samples modified by products and residual products of oil refining and hardwood sawdust in granular form were obtained. An assessment of the physico-technical and sorption properties of the obtained granules was carried out. The compositions of peat with hydrocarbon additives were also studied by thermal analysis.

Activated carbons based on compositions of peat, sawdust and some hydrocarbon wastes of petrochemical synthesis have been obtained, and their sorption and strength properties have been studied. It has been established that the use of hydrocarbon modifiers makes it possible to increase the adsorption activity of coals by 20–50 %. The introduction of sawdust into peat also increases the adsorption activity by 13–55 %, depending on the amount of additive introduced, while the strength properties and bulk density decrease in comparison with peat activated carbon.