Spring floods in Siberia annually affect local communities. Major urban settlements in the region implemented flood control structures, so rural areas take a heavy beating. In 2018, spring floods severely hit multiple communities in central Yakutia, exposing deficient flood prevention and risk management practices. Notably, Amga village, an important local center, was severely inundated. Hydrological analysis shows that the 2018 flood had a 50-yr return period, and was caused by an ice jam in a nearby channel bend where mid-channel sand bars impede ice movement during breakup. The cold spells of late April and early May in the middle section of the river promote ice-jam development, causing extreme water stage rise. Highest water stage is unrelated to either winter snow water equivalent or early May rainfall. Estimated tangible direct damage to the Amga community equals 5.1B ($81.5M) in 2018 prices, but only 0.13B ($2.1M), or 2.5% of this total, was reclaimed. A questionnaire survey revealed that most residents report important deterioration of drinking water quality and health after flooding. Residents respond positively to risk mitigation actions, implemented by the local and regional authorities, except ice dusting and cutting, and report minor activity of official sources in spreading information on flood progress.
In this study, we reviewed and summarized the data on permafrost and groundwater areas of Central Yakutia to understand the formation and distribution of subpermafrost mineral waters of sodium bicarbonate and chloride-bicarbonate types, and to evaluate their potential use for medical purposes. Analysis of the data indicated that these low-mineralized groundwaters are basic analogues to the Maykop and Karachi mineral waters, with no particular bioactive components. These mineral water types contain 400 to 1200 mg/dm3 bicarbonates, 100 to 600 mg/dm3 chlorides, 50 to 250 mg/dm3 (Karachi) and <50 mg/dm3 (Maykop) sulfates, 400 to 800 mg/dm3 sodium, and <10 mg/dm3 calcium and magnesium. The formation of sodium bicarbonate and chloride-bicarbonate type water in Central Yakutia is influenced by permafrost which promotes concentration of major chemical components under the cold temperatures and slow groundwater circulation. The study of minor and trace constituents indicates that the subpermafrost waters in the study region contain fluorine and lithium in excess of the drinking water standards but are potentially appropriate for balneotherapy. Further research on the bio-physiological effects of subpermafrost waters with elevated fluorine and lithium concentrations contribute to the development of the spa and health resort industry in Yakutia. Moreover, the study will expand the balneological spectrum of disease prevention and treatment for the benefit of residents of Yakutia and the adjacent regions.
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