Kapitsa A.P. (Member, Russian Academy of Sciences) Formulation of fundamental principles for foundation of the theory of the apparatus of the biosphere. – Environment Ecology and Safety of Life Activity. 2007. No. 1 (37). P. 68-71.

FORMULATION OF FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR FOUNDATION OF THE THEORY OF THE  APPARATUS OF THE BIOSPHERE

A.P.Kapitsa

M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

The goal of this publication is to comment on development of some  fundamental concepts and principles that lay ground and create foundation of a new theory of ecological biomachinery which simultaneously is a theory of apparatus of the biosphere.
The term 'apparatus' in connection with the biosphere was used by V.I.Vernadsky in his book "The Biosphere" [1]. 
In his innovative works that were ahead of his time, V.I.Vernadsky formulated several fundamental concepts instrumental in development of the science of biosphere and ecology in  the 20th  as well as the 21st  centuries. He coined the phrase 'apparatus of the biosphere' – the multitude of organisms performing their functions that taken  en bloc are extremely important – as important as geological factors and processes -  in formation the physical and chemical parameters of the environment. However, V.I. Vernadsky did not develop any specific principles or details about functioning of that apparatus.
Development of ecology produced many insights into how organisms contribute to biogeochemistry and parameters of global environment. Various aspects of ecosystem functioning are relevant to those issues. Some valuable contributions toward understanding of how ecosystems function were made by many scientists. Among them are V.N. Sukachev, S.N. Skadovsky, G.E. Hutchinson, and many others. Processes relevant to biogeochemical flows were studied by E.M. Galimov, A.P. Lisitsyn, their co-workers and other scientists. 
Essential facts and generalizations  were published by A.F. Alimov, M.E.Vinogradov, G.V.Dobrovolsky, G.A.Zavarzin, M.V.Ivanov, Yu.A.Izrael, G.G.Matishov, their co-workers and many other scholars. 
A.F.Alimov developed elements of the theory of freshwater ecosystems. 
However currently the holistic system of principles of the functions of ecosystems does not exist. Moreover, even the very term 'ecosystem' is not clearly defined.
In his recent publications, Dr. S.A. Ostroumov (Moscow State University) developed some elements of the theory of ecosystem biomachinery functioning towards water self-purification in aquatic ecosystems and towards maintaining the aquatic habitats.
Among  some steps in experimental data generation and  specific elements of  theoretical contributions to the theory of apparatus of the biosphere, many parts of which are under some degree of anthropogenic stress, are the following ones.
As one of important set of facts that proved to be useful for theoretical analysis, new bioeffects of surfactants and detergents  were discovered and described in the book: S.A.Ostroumov, Biological Effects of Surfactants, CRC Press, 2006 [2]. It was experimentally proved that synthetic surfactants  and detergents  play a significant role as hazardous factors to water self-purification [3, 4]. The component of the ecological mechanism of water self-purification that is most vulnerable to some aspects of  water pollution  was discovered [3,4] . 
In the books 'Introduction to Biochemical  Ecology' [5]  and  the second edition of that book ('Introduction  to Issues of  Biochemical  Ecology'), the groundwork and basic principles for the new science of biochemical ecology at the interface between ecology and biochemistry were laid. Also, new fundamental concepts of ecological chemoregulators, ecological chemoeffectors, and chemical ecoregulators were proposed [5]. 
The polyfunctional role of biota in water self-purification was explored and formulated in form of a consistent theory [6 - 8].
The level-block system of principles for the analysis of ecological hazards from man-made impact on the biota was proposed, and  new hazards of synecological synergism of man-made impact were identified (the papers were published in 2001 in  DAN,   DAN being the abbreviation for the title of the authoritative scientific edition, "Reports to the Russian Academy of Sciences") [9, 10].
 Inhibitory analysis in ecology was initiated using aquatic organisms [11]. The concept of ecological repair that is related to water quality remediation was formulated [12]. The concept and term 'ecological clusters' was coined [13, 14], and  some new parameters that characterize the role of organisms in ecosystem were  proposed [15].  
New concepts  related to the ecological bomb of the second type were formulated [15]. 
Proposed  was a new modern conceptualization of ecosystem [16], and  of the borders (boundaries) of ecosystems [17]. Introduced  were new fundamental concepts of the principle of ecological uncertainty [18].
New typology of migrations of elements and integrated abiotic-biotic regulation of biogeochemical processes  was proposed [19].
The main functions of the biota as a factor for stabilization of the environment and climatic system of the Earth were formulated [20] 
New types of hazards from chemical pollution were identified and published in 1998 in the journal Rivista di Biologia  / Biology Forum, and in 2001-2002 in  DAN [2, 10, 21], and  the basics of the theory of biotic self-purification of water and upgrading water quality were formulated  and published in 2004 [22].
Developed  were some new methods for measuring the sublethal effects of xenobiotics [23], and quantitatively measuring their effects on the efficiency of removing suspended matter from water by filter-feeders in the book 'Biological Effects of Surfactants on Organisms'. MAX Press, Moscow. 334 p.) [24].
Proposed were the concepts of synecological cooperativity and ecological taxation in biological communities [25], and a new approach to monetary assessment of the ecological services of aquatic ecosystems [26]. 
Application of  the Liebig's law (limiting ecological factors)  to human nutrition led to new links among biochemical ecology and human nutrition science and to new application of ecological  science for strengthening human health  [27] ('From Ecology to Health: in Search of  Recommendations on the Basis of Biochemical Human Ecology'.  Мoscow: MAX Press,   2006). 
The scientific approaches of the Nobel laureates, E. Schrödinger and I. Prigogine, were to a degree extended and developed  by innovatively applying them to aquatic ecosystems [28]. 
The new method of recurrent additions to study phytoremediation was suggested [29] and successfully used in systems with Elodea canadensis and other aquatic macrophytes.
The publications mentioned above continue the lines of research started by V.I. Vernadsky, and contribute significantly to the foundations of the contemporary and consistent theory of the apparatus of the biosphere.

Bibliography:

1. Vernadsky V.I. The Biosphere. Moscow. Publishing House 'Noosphere'. 2001. 244 p.
2.  Ostroumov S.A. Biological Effects of Surfactants. CRC Press. Taylor & Francis. Boca Raton, London, New York. 2006. 279 p. www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9780849325267;

The following publications (numbered 3 – 29),  were authored by the same author, S.A.Ostroumov.
3. Biological filtering and ecological machinery for self-purification and bioremediation in aquatic ecosystems: towards a holistic view // Rivista di Biologia / Biology Forum. 1998. V. 91(2). P.221-232.
4. On the multifunctional role of the biota in the self-purification of aquatic ecosystems // Russian Journal of Ecology, Vol. 36, No. 6, 2005, pp. 414–420. Translated from: Ekologiya, No. 6, 2005, pp. 452–459. (Publisher: MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica co-published with Springer Science, Inc.). http://www.scribd.com/doc/45572968; http://www.scribd.com/doc/49131150;
5. Introduction to Biochemical Ecology. 1986. Moscow. Moscow University Press. 176 p. 
6. Polyfunctional role of biodiversity in processes leading to water purification: current conceptualizations and  concluding remarks // Hydrobiologia. 2002. v. 469 (1-3): P.203-204. http://www.scribd.com/doc/52627327/;
7.    Suspension-feeders as factors influencing water quality in aquatic ecosystems.   In: The Comparative Roles of Suspension-Feeders in Ecosystems, R.F. Dame,  S. Olenin (Eds),  Springer, Dordrecht, 2004. pp.  147-164.
8. Some issues of maintaining water quality and water self-purification. // Water Resources. 2005. Vol.32. № 3. p. 337-347. In English:  On some issues of maintaining water quality and self-purification.- Water Resources, 2005. Volume 32, Number 3, p. 305-313. http://www.scribd.com/doc/57511892/;
9. Responses of  Unio tumidus to the chemical mixture product and hazards of synecological summation of anthropogenic impacts // Doklady of Academy of Sciences (DAN). 2001. v. 380. № 5. p.714-717. In English: Responses of Unio tumidus to Mixed Chemical Preparations and the Hazard of Synecological Summation of Anthropogenic Effects. - Doklady Biological Sciences, v.380, No.1-6; pp.492-495. scribd.com/doc/49065621/; 
10. Hazards of two-level synergism of synecological summation of anthropogenic impacts // Doklady of Academy of Sciences (DAN). 2001. v. 380. № 6. p.847-849. In English: The Hazard of a Two-Level Synergism of Synecological Summation of Anthropogenic Effects.  - Doklady Biological Sciences 2001, v.380, No.1-6; pp.499-501. http://www.scribd.com/doc/49065634/;
11. Inhibitory analysis of regulatory interactions in trophic webs // Doklady of Academy of Sciences (DAN), 2000, v. 375,  № 6. p.847-849. In English: Inhibitory Analysis of Regulatory Interactions in Trophic Webs. - Doklady Biological Sciences, 2001, v.377, No.1-6; pp.139-141. scribd.com/doc/49065567.
12. On biotic purification of water and ecological repair //  Siberian Ecological Journal. 2006. № 3. p. 339-343.
13. Synopsis of new data and concepts in aquatic and general ecology // Ecological Studies, Hazards, Solutions (including proceedings of the conference 'Aquatic Ecosystems and Organisms-3'), 2001, v. 5,  p.130-137.
14. Ecological clusters // ESHS (Ecological Studies, Hazards, Solutions). 2004. Vol. 7.   P.  150-151.
15. Facts and concepts of ecology // ESHS. 2004. v. 7. P.106-167.
16. New variants of the definitions of concepts and terms 'ecosystems' and biogeocoenosis'  // Doklady of Academy of Sciences (DAN).  2002. т.383.  № 4. p.571-573. In English: New Definitions of the Concepts and Terms Ecosystem and Biogeocenosis; [Doklady Biological Sciences (2002, v.383, No.1-6; pp.141-143)]. scribd.com/doc/49065580;
17. Concepts of ecology 'ecosystems',  biogeocoenosis', 'borders of ecosystems' : search for new definitions  // Vestnik (Bulletin) of Moscow University. Series 16 Biology. 2003. № 3. p.43-50. 
18.  On the principle of ecological uncertainty // ESHS. 2004. Vol. 7.  P.  138-141.
19. On the role of hydrobionts in regulation in regulation of the flows of matter and migration of elements in aquatic ecosystems. // Vestnik (Bulletin) of Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. 2002. v. 2. № 3. p.50-54.
20. On the role of ecological factors in regulation and stabilization of biospheric processes and parameters. // Vestnik (Bulletin) of Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. 2003. v.3. № 2. p.59-62;  other related papers: Поиск подходов к решению проблемы глобальных изменений: элементы теории биотическо-экосистемного механизма регуляции и стабилизации параметров биосферы, геохимической и геологической среды // Вестник Моск. ун-та. Серия 16. биология. 2005. № 1. С.24-33. http://www.scribd.com/doc/59714281/;
[= Ostroumov S.A. Searching approaches to solving the problem of global change: elements of the theory of the biotic-ecosystem mechanisms of the regulation and stabilization of  the parameters of the biosphere, geochemical and geological environment. — Vestnik MGU (Bulletin of Moscow University). Series 16. Biology. 2005. No. 1. P. 24-33]; О функциях живого вещества в биосфере  // Вестник РАН. 2003.  Т. 73. № 3. С.232-238.  http://www.scribd.com/doc/60562932/ ;  
21. New type of effects of potentially hazardous chemicals: uncouples of pelagial-benthic coupling. // Doklady of Academy of Sciences (DAN).  2002. v. 383.  № 1. p.138-141. In English: A new type of effect of potentially hazardous substances: uncouplers of pelagial–benthal coupling. - Doklady Biological Sciences. 2002. Vol. 383 (1-6): 127-130; www.scribd.com/doc/45913695
22. On biotic self-purification of aquatic ecosystems: elements of theory. // Doklady of Academy of Sciences (DAN). 2004. v.396. № 1. p.136-141. In English see: http://www.scribd.com/doc/48099028/;
23. Some aspects of assessment of biological activity of xenobiotics. // Vestnik (Bulletin) of Moscow University. Series 16 Biology. 1990. № 2. p.27-34. 
24. Biological Effects of Surfactants on Organisms. Moscow. MAX Press, 2001.  334 p.
25. Facts and concepts of ecology. New ecological parameters that characterize the role of organisms in the functioning of ecosystems. Ecological tax and coefficients  F/B, F/A, F/P  // ESHS. 2004. Vol. 7. P. 154-157. A related publication: Some aspects of water filtering activity of filter-feeders // Hydrobiologia. 2005. Vol. 542, No. 1. P. 275 – 286.  text: www.scribd.com/doc/44105992/ ;
26. Comparing water self-purification and technology of preparing drinking water. Towards ecological-economical evaluation of purification (desinfection) of water in natural ecosystems // ESHS. 2004. Vol. 7. P.141-146.
27. From Ecology to Health: in Search of  Recommendations on the Basis of Biochemical Human Ecology. Мoscow: MAX Press. 2006.  32 p. 
28. Aquatic ecosystems, enthropy and neganthropy. Developing the approach of Shrödinger in application to aquatic ecosystems and water quality. // ESHS. 2004. Vol. 7. P.  122-126.
29.  Model ecosystem under the conditions of recurrent (reiterated) additions of a xenobiotic or pollutant: an innovative method for studying tolerance, the assimilation capacity of the system, the maximal allowed discharge (load) of pollutants, and the phytoremediation potential // ESHS 2004, v.11, p.72-74.

Also see:
Evaluation.by.Prof.A.P.Kapitsa
 About the publications by S.A.Ostroumov. http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sergei_Ostroumov/blog/5724_EvaluationbyProfAPKapitsa;

On the author:
A.P. Kapitsa, Professor, Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Science, Chair, Department of Moscow State University;
об авторе:
Капица Андрей Петрович, член-корр. РАН, заведующий кафедрой рационального природопользования географического факультета МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова, Москва, Россия.

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