The problem of drinking water quality assessment and the impact of agricultural practices on it is relevant these days. A certain select area can serve as a convenient model object in the investigation. This work aims to assess the effect of agricultural practices on the quality of drinking water. The qualitative and quantitative composition of drinking water consumed by the habitants of Vladivostok, Russian Federation, was investigated in 2018. A total of 1000 samples were collected from wells, small rivers, channels located nearby the wastewater treatment facilities, from a river flowing near fields and livestock farms, and from a river with the minimal anthropogenic impact. To evaluate the drinking water suitability, the following parameters were addressed: the mineral level, hardness, alkalinity, permanganate oxidation, and the concentration of various salts and ions, specifically Ca²⁺, Cl^–, SO₄, HCO₃, NO₂, Mg²⁺, P, and NH₄-N. The concentration of organic compounds is affected by two factors, water temperature and pH. The mineral level in water near the farmland is 1.7-3 times higher than the norm ( p ≤ 0.05). Intermediate results (i.e., elevation of 1.5 times) were obtained for wells and small rivers ( p ≤ 0.05). In the preserve, all parameters are close to normal value. Thereby, almost all substances under study demonstrate elevation of at least 2-20 times. The reason for this situation is the human factor.

Recently, issues related to the effects (benefit or harm) of processing nuclear waste and its further use as fuel have been increasingly often raised in the scientific discussion. In this regard, the research aims to investigate issues related to the assessment of the economic potential of nuclear waste use, as well as the cooperation between states in the context of the reduction of risks associated with nuclear waste storage and processing. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach, including statistical, factor analysis, and the proposed system of performance indicators for managing spent nuclear fuel use. The research was carried out on the basis of materials from Russia and the EU countries. In the course of the study, a model of cooperation between states has been developed (based on the example of technologies and methods of processing nuclear waste used in the EU and Russia) according to the nuclear waste (spent nuclear fuel) management algorithm. The model considers the risks and threats associated with ecology and safety. The developments and other results described in the study should be used in further research devoted to the use of nuclear waste as heat-producing elements.

SUMMARY. As a result of the collecting in 2003–2015 in the south part of European Russia and in the North Caucasus 15 species of the carpet beetles (Dermestidae) were found, which was firstly recorded for the Russian territory or was recently listed without specific information: Dermestes intermedius Kalik, 1951, Dermestes elegans Gebler in Ledebour, 1830, Attagenus fasciolatus (Solsky, 1876), Anthrenus amoenulus Reitter, 1896, Anthrenus zebra Reitter, 1889, Anthrenus latefasciatus Reitter, 1892, Anthrenus olgae Kalik, 1946, Anthrenus tadzhicus Mroczkowski, 1961, Anthrenus hissaricus Mroczkowski, 1961, Anthrenus sordidulus Reitter, 1889, Attagenus ionicus Zhantiev, 2005, Attagenus unicolor simulans Solsky, 1876, Attagenus suspiciosus Solsky, 1876, Ctesias hajeki Hava, 2005, Megatoma conspersa Solsky, 1876.

The complex necrobionts and necrophilous beetles of the south of the Russia is described ecologically. The specific composition of groups is circumscribed. The legitimacies of creation necrobionts of the complex from a type of a landscape and taxonomic of an accessory of a corpse are detected. Studying of regional features of formation necrobionts and necrophilous complexes has, both scientific, and practical interest. Throughout 21 years we studied fauna and ecological features necrobionts Cole

The article describes the results of a microcomputed tomography study of the anatomy of Nicrophorus satanas. The purpose of the study was to describe the anatomical and morphological structure of the species using microtomographic microscopy as well as to prepare and develop methods that could be used in subsequent experiments of this kind. Due to the large body size characteristic of this species, it has developed pronounced body muscles. Interrelated with this was an especially strong developm