Specialists from the Russian Technological University have completed the field stage of a comprehensive expedition within the Nalychevo Nature Park in Kamchatka. Two research groups operated near the Central Cordon and the Nalychevo Cape, collecting data to assess the ecological condition of the territory and search for microorganisms with potential applications in biotechnology. The collected samples have been dispatched to Moscow laboratories for further study.
Microbiologists primarily focused on thermophilic bacteria inhabiting the extreme environments of Kamchatkan hot springs. Researchers collected water and benthic samples from thermal springs, rivers, and Lake Nalychevo, isolating several specific strains. Such microorganisms are capable of surviving high temperatures and aggressive chemical environments – a characteristic that makes them highly sought after for industrial and medical biotechnologies. In the laboratory, specialists will analyze the metabolic potential of the discovered bacteria and evaluate the overall biodiversity of the location.
Chemical monitoring of regional water bodies was conducted concurrently with the microbiological research. Sampling took place in rivers, the lake, and prominent hydrothermal features of the park, including the Kotel spring, Ivanov’s griffon, and the Aagskiye and Zheltorechenskiye mineral springs. Researchers measured concentrations of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air near the thermal sites, compiled geobotanical descriptions of the areas, and conducted ornithological observations. The resulting data will provide a precise assessment of the anthropogenic impact on this widely visited natural territory.
The conclusion of the fieldwork was complicated by adverse meteorological conditions. Prolonged rainfall led to the erosion of local river mouths, threatening the timely transport of the collected materials and scientific equipment. The safe evacuation of the samples and the researchers was ultimately secured through the logistical support of inspectors from the Volcanoes of Kamchatka nature park network.