The Kolyma River in Russia By: Kinsley Nelson by https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y en-us 2023-06-13 16:28:07 UTC 2026-01-09 08:44:40 UTC hello@padlet.com Parameters of Kolyma River kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622478643 The river itself stretches 1,323 miles long and it goes through Siberia, Russia, and the Kolyma mountains. The river drains an area of 250,000 square miles. For about 8 months out of the year, the river is frozen for several meters below the surface, but it thaws around June each year carrying massive amounts of sediment into the arctic river. Permafrost thawing in the river annually has some large impacts on the water, lowering the discharge.]]> 2023-06-13 16:51:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622478643 Social Parameters of Kolyma kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622479073 I couldn't find an exact figure for how many people are dependent on the Kolyma river for water, but it is a very large river. The biggest use of the Kolyma river is gold mining which happens primarily in the upper basin of the river. ]]> 2023-06-13 16:52:28 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622479073 Threats to Kolyma kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622921154 With recent warming in Russia in its temperature, this has caused much of the permafrost on the Kolyma river to melt. Permafrost melting results in lots of CO2 released into the environment which we know is a major problem, and it also can defrost ancient bacteria that can be extremely harmful when it comes into contact with humans and animals.]]> 2023-06-14 02:57:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622921154 Major Land Uses kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622929652 The Kolyma river and region has been primarily used for gold mining and for Gulag labor camps under the rule of Joseph Stalin. I couldn't find much when researching on its use for agriculture, so I'm assuming its little to none especially considering the permafrost and cold temperatures. ]]> 2023-06-14 03:03:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622929652 The Town of Kolyma kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622952465 Kolyma is not the most desirable place to live. It is very far away from the mainland of Russia and it is very cold. It has a very small population and because it is so far away from the mainland of Russia, they rely on the river as the main food source providing a variety of fish. ]]> 2023-06-14 03:23:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622952465 Political Conflicts kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622958410 Not much is on the internet about political conflicts regarding the Kolyma river. Kolyma is a region with a controversial past because it was once used as prisoner camps where many people died, between 250,000 and a million people it is estimated. Now, the river is used by those left in the region for fishing, and there is no ongoing protection or human threat to the river besides that of climate change that has caused warming and permafrost as stated earlier. Kolyma is extremely remote and very hard to reach, so fishing is essential for those who live there. ]]> 2023-06-14 03:30:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622958410 Ecosystem of Kolyma kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622975552 The ecosystem in the Kolyma river is primarily made up of a variety of fish. It is a polar freshwater river and has drainage flowing into the East Siberian sea. I was unable to find much on the change of the ecosystem, but considering the permafrost I would assume this is impacting the species of fish through harmful bacteria and just general warming of their habitat. ]]> 2023-06-14 03:51:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622975552 Species in Kolyma River kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622977776 Fish are the primary species in the Kolyma river. Cherskii's Char have been declared as endemic, or in a state of disease, which is bad and can lead to less population and extinction. Salvelinus alpinus are another fish breed who's status is unknown, and longnose sucker are another live in the lakes the Kolyma connects too, and this species is abundant. ]]> 2023-06-14 03:54:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622977776 Climate Change kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622982565 As previously discussed, due to warming in the Kolyma region and overall temperature on earth, much of the permafrost is melting in the river. This is not great because it releases high amounts of dangerous gas into our atmosphere, including co2, thus inducing the greenhouse effect. ]]> 2023-06-14 04:01:28 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622982565 The Big Permafrost Issue kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622985373 Russia has been experiencing increasing rates of harmful climate change that has caused permafrost to melt all around the country. Large gas emission craters are being created from this permafrost, which then launches materials from the earth hundreds of feet in the air and create lots of damage. They can also damage oil infrastructure which is a huge aspect of Russias economy. ]]> 2023-06-14 04:05:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622985373 Water Availability, Access, and Quality kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622989833 The Kolyma river has lots of runoff into streams and lake that have lots of species of fish. It is accessible and a lifeline for those who live in the region, and it is used as a primary food source. However, the quality of the water is decreasing due to the melting permafrost and bacteria. Not much pollution makes it into the river because it is so isolated and cold, but the permafrost is the main issue that affects the water quality.]]> 2023-06-14 04:11:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622989833 Kolyma Energy Access/Source kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622992314 There is a Kolyma hydroelectric station in the region. It has an installed power generator within the river and produces around 95% of the energy for the area. Although permafrost was a present and pressing issue during construction, it was still created and still in use.]]> 2023-06-14 04:15:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622992314 Agriculture and Food Security kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622997724 Kolyma is in a region that experiences extremely low and cold temperatures, so agriculture is not a food source here. Crops are not grown and food has to be shipped in. However, the fish in the river and lakes are a main and primary source of food for the residents in the region. The food security is not great due to the species being under a state of disease. The fish in the river are described as "the daily bread" for the residents (Solovyov, 1). ]]> 2023-06-14 04:22:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2622997724 Current Management of Kolyma kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623001277 I researched this topic endlessly and struggled to find much on the current management of Kolyma. Kolyma river seems to be a river that not many know about and extensive research has not been conducted on the river, especially considering the location it's in. This leads me to believe little to no management is currently happening within the river, which will be a problem for the future. ]]> 2023-06-14 04:26:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623001277 Environmental Equity for Kolyma kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623003794 As stated before, climate change is having drastic impacts throughout Russia, and this includes Kolyma and the river. Not much is being done about it however, and it will unfortunately turn into a worse issue that has irreversible damage on rivers and water and environments, including Kolyma. Russia is a country that politically is in unrest and climate change is not an issue they stress. ]]> 2023-06-14 04:29:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623003794 Solution 1: Educate on Permafrost kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623008143 Most people wouldn't know what permafrost is if you said it to them, let alone the drastic impacts it can have. Teaching people what it is and how damaging it is to environments can raise awareness and change mindsets which is the basis of being an advocate for your environment. ]]> 2023-06-14 04:34:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623008143 Solution 2: Know Your Impact on Climate Change kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623009700 Knowing what you can personally do to impact the climate and things to avoid is a great way to hold yourself accountable. If everyone did this, it would make a large difference. Things like what car you drive, how much water you use, how much meat you eat, etc. all are drastically changing our climate, so we must be mindful. ]]> 2023-06-14 04:36:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623009700 Solution 3: Use research and try new methods to mitigate the permafrost kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623013541 Solutions are being discussed for permafrost and its melting, and although there aren't any clear ones, many are being tested. One way I found while researching was biromediation, or using microbes involved in the thawing of permafrost, can potentially manipulate the process of carbon release.]]> 2023-06-14 04:41:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623013541 References kinsleynelson2 https://padlet.com/kinsleynelson2/n94290gpujhcpx0y/wish/2623014585 Feow. Freshwater Ecoregions of the World. (n.d.). https://www.feow.org/ecoregions/details/609#:~:text=The%20ecoregion%20is%20comprised%20of,macrolepis%20occur%20in%20river%20valleys. 
Looking for climate solutions to the problem of permafrost thaw. (n.d.). https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/looking-for-climate-solutions-to-the-problem-of-permafrost-thaw 
Murdock, R. (2022, January 28). Climate change and Siberia: No time for climate inaction. Harvard International Review. https://hir.harvard.edu/climate-change-and-siberia-no-time-for-continued-climate-inaction/ 
NASA. (n.d.-a). Kolyma’s annual purge. NASA. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145272/kolymas-annual-purge 
NASA. (n.d.-b). What is permafrost?. NASA. https://climatekids.nasa.gov/permafrost/#:~:text=As%20permafrost%20thaws%2C%20microbes%20begin,humans%20and%20animals%20very%20sick. 
Soviet forced labor camps and the struggle for freedom. Gulag. (n.d.). https://gulaghistory.org/nps/onlineexhibit/stalin/work.php.html#:~:text=Kolyma%20was%20a%20name%20that,reached%20by%20an%20overland%20route. 
Suzuki, K., Park, H., Makarieva, O., Kanamori, H., Hori, M., Matsuo, K., Matsumura, S., Nesterova, N., & Hiyama, T. (2021, October 31). Effect of permafrost thawing on discharge of the Kolyma River, Northeastern Siberia. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/21/4389 
YouTube. (2020, January 2). Kolyma: Land of gold and Gulags. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sXIpcY_Uo0 
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