The key indicators of marine sediment genesis are the particle size distribution (PSD) and volume concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM). However, their study is not widespread in ship oceanology research. This paper reviews experience in using the LISST-Deep laser particle size analyzer for the study of marine SPM in situ. We present the first data on the volume concentration and PSD of SPM in the Barents Sea obtained during the 75th cruise of the RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in June 2019. We carried out an assessment of the adequacy of information display on the polydisperse system composition of the Barents Sea water body, which contains particles of a wide particle size spectrum of differing genesis and shape. This paper gives a regression and correlation analysis of LISST-Deep data with a Wet Labs turbidity meter and Multisizer 3 Coulter Counter, as well as the SPM mass concentration measured by the membrane filtration technique. All of them demonstrated reliable correlations between characteristics of SPM of the Barents Sea. Their correlation and determination coefficients varied from 0.6 to 0.8. The laser diffractometer produces more detailed vertical distributions of marine SPM parameters than does a turbidity meter, especially for euphotic zones. We found a significant correlation of LISST-Deep data with the concentration of dissolved oxygen, which increases for coarse–silty and sandy fractions (47.7–92.6 and 92.6–250 µm, respectively). Also, there is a correlation with SPM composition between parameters as organic carbon concentration and phytoplankton pigments. These correlations give some indirect indications of SPM composition from laser diffractometer measurements.

The paper considers tidal effects on the formation of the hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics of the mouth of the Northern Dvina River in the presence of ice cover were considered. The results of natural surveys at the river delta and near-mouth area in March 2014 were analyzed. No surveys as such were performed in winter formerly. It was found that short-term variations of flow rates during the winter low-water time might be traced at 85–95 km from the seaward border of the delta. The tidal effects upon the short-term variability of hydrochemical parameters appeared at 70 km from the delta seaward border. The tidal variations of all the considered parameters were most intense in the mixing zone of riverine and marine waters at the delta.

The results of studies on the content of aluminum and heavy metals in benthic sediments and algae in the estuaries of the Arctic island Vaygach are presented. This island is located on the Barents and Kara Sea border, and it is part of the Pay-Khoi ridge which can be called a “continuation” of the Ural Mountains to the north. The observations were conducted in Krasnaya and Varkulyakha Rivers located in the island’s southern part and flow into the Yugorsky Shar Strait. Krasnaya River is located near a polymetallic ore deposit, which was developed in 1931–1934. Reconnaissance fieldwork was carried out in the river estuaries through measurements of salinity and water level. Measurements of the mass concentration of elements in the studied samples of sediments and algae were carried out by atomic emission spectrometry. The preparation of plant samples was by microwave decomposition, and that for samples of bottom sediments was carried out by acid decomposition in an open manner. The obtained concentration samples were compared using “Tukey exploratory data analysis (EDA)”. The presence of anomalies in the high content of copper, manganese, and zinc in filamentous algae at the control site in the Krasnaya River estuary was revealed. For some elements, the enrichment index was calculated relative to the upper part of the earth’s crust content. It is assumed that the occurrence of this situation is due to the long-term consequences of mining polymetallic ores. The accumulation of metals in river estuaries may be related to the observed warming of the climate in the western sector of the Arctic region.

Arctic rivers are receiving increased attention for their contributing of mercury (Hg) to the Arctic Ocean. Despite this, the knowledge on both the terrestrial release sources and the levels of Hg in the rivers are limited. Within the Arctic, the Barents region has a high industrial development, including multiple potential Hg release sources. This study presents the first overview of potential Hg release sources on Norwegian and Russian mainland draining to the Barents Sea. Source categories cover mining and metallurgy industry; historical pulp and paper production; municipal and industrial solid waste handling; fossil fuel combustion; and past military activities. Available data on Hg in freshwater bodies near the identified potential release sources are reviewed. Levels of Hg were occasionally exceeding the national pollution control limits, thereby posing concern to the local human population and wildlife. However, the studies were sparse and often unsystematic. Finally, we present new data of Hg measured in five Barents rivers. These data reveal strong seasonality in the Hg levels, with a total annual flux constituting 2% of the panarctic total. With this new insight we aspire to contribute to the international efforts of reducing Hg pollution, such as through the effective implementation of the Minamata Convention. Future studies documenting Hg in exposed Barents freshwater bodies are warranted.

The concept of a “system” is analyzed. The basic properties of systems are established. It is revealed that all its elements must be interrelated and be in interaction; the system interacts with the external environment as a whole, and division in it occurs from whole to parts. It is concluded that with respect to geographical objects, these requirements are too stringent, because then there arises the need for mandatory implementation of all conditions inherent in systems. And this is not always possible, because the realization of goals in accordance with which the object is formed may require consideration of independent factors. It is shown that not all geographical and related objects—sociogeographical and geoecological—meet the requirements on classical systems, because some (and sometimes all) of their components (or influencing factors) are not mutually dependent. A virtual example of a problem is given, namely, selection of the optimal location of an object out of several alternatives, consisting of several groups of factors, illustrating the absence of direct links between some of the components of the object. It is proposed to call such objects “nonsystem” objects. In contrast to systems, for them it is possible to form the structure from the bottom up, from particular to general, combining, if necessary, the components of the object into groups. This makes it possible to consistently complicate the object of research as necessary. At the same time, a number of factors, such as seasonal factors, can change their importance over time, which leads to the transition of objects from the “system” to the “nonsystem” state, and vice versa. Factors the influence of which is spatially limited can lead to similar consequences. A graphical interpretation of the concepts of “system” and “nonsystem object” provided in the form of oriented graphs, the edges of which represent groups of components (influencing factors). With such an approach, systems can be considered as a special case of objects in which all components are interrelated. At the same time, systems can be components of complex nonsystem objects.