Geophysical processes and biosphere: article

Аnnotation: The multidisciplinary geological, geophysical, geochemical and botanical studies in the Kuraika River Valley (the Kurai Ridge, Russian (Gorny) Altai) showed drastic changes in the growth environment of the honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) within the junction zone of the regional Kubadrinsky and local active faults. Increased variability of concentration of radionuclides, major- and trace elements in soil; increased mercury content in soil and surface air, as well as increased γ-irradiation exposure rate were detected under the high gradient magnetic field. Depending on specific combinations of geoenvironmental factors, the micropopulations of the blue honeysuckle produced fruits of increased or decreased size and seed number. The observed 3-fold higher accumulation of biologically active phenols in fruits, accompanied by the respective decreased accumulation in leaves, and narrower ratios of certain polyphenol classes in leaves and fruits are considered to be the plant response to the stressing impact of environmental factors, resulting from the active tectonic processes in the studied area of the Russian Altai.