«Life behind the Polar Circle»

by Mikhail Vishnyakov,Polyarnye Zori,Murmansk region,RUSSIA

In the Murmansk region there are 11 geological, 6 hydrological, 29 botanical and 2 natural-historical monuments of nature.

Geological monuments - places where it is rare rocks and minerals, outcrops, cliffs, rocks and other forms of relief,

having special scientific or aesthetic value.

Hydrological monuments - the unique properties of the origin or water bodies, waterfalls, rapids, mineral and thermal springs.

Botanical monuments - rare or endangered plant species are usually listed in the “Red” Book, some parts of the forest or wetlands with rare

species.

Murmansk region

One of the largest and most economically developed regions of the European North of Russia. Region is located on the Kola Peninsula. Almost all of its territory is above the Arctic Circle.

In the structure of industry leading position occupied by non-ferrous metals (39%), electricity (13%), food processing, including fish (19%), chemicals (12%).

The industry structure of the Murmansk region

The main industrial centers - the city of Murmansk, Apatity, Kandalaksha, Monchegorsk, Kirovsk Olenegorsk

1)«Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company - a subsidiary of Mining and Metallurgical Company Norilsk Nickel - the leading producer in the Murmansk region, is a single-mining for the extraction of sulphide copper-nickel ores and nonferrous metals. 2) Olenegorsky Mining Plant (Alcon) - production and sale of iron ore concentrates, masterbatches, strontium ferrite powders, gravel for construction railway tracks. Output of crushed stone, high quality iron concentrate (masterbatches) of domestic production.3) «Kandalaksha Aluminum Plant - the most northerly of all the Russian aluminum plants. Main products - primary aluminum ingots, aluminum rods, ingots cylindrical. 4) "Murmanmetallkonstruktsii” - metal production base in Murmansk.5) “Kovdorslyuda "- development and enrichment of the world's largest deposits of phlogopite, vermiculite deposits and the release of concentrate. 6) Kola Nuclear 6) Kola Nuclear Power Plant in Polyarnye Zori

The impact on the environment

Main goals of work within the project:

1. Informing the publicity about the impact of industry on the environment. 2. The study of Arctic biodiversity. 3. Attracting attention to the nature monuments of the Murmansk region.4. Carrying out environmental actions.

Gathering information about flora and fauna of the Kola Peninsula, studies and analysis on the territory of the town of Polarnye Zory. Study the impact of human activity on the environment.

Cooperate with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Within this framework, we get training materials, participate in various activities (planting trees, collecting garbage in water bodies, contest drawings and posters).

In April of each year (Earth Day) Students 5-forms draw up on the ecological theme to show that we are indifferent to environmental problems on Earth.

Each autumn we are green and Plant- for- the Planet:

2009

2010