Isotopic Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr systems of gneisses forming dome structures and enclosing Late Paleozoic granites in Kochkar anticlinorium of the Southern Urals were studied. Rb-Sr isochron age of gneisses - 354.9 ± 4.5 Ma - coincides with the age of the granite migmatites of Varlamovsk migmatite-pluton and age of granitic rocks widespread in the Urals gabbro-tonalite-granodiorite-granite (GTGG) massifs which are the products of hornblende gabbro water anatexis. Isotopic parameters (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i, (εSr)_i, (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_i as far as geochemical features of GTGG granitoids and gneisses were proved to be similar. Closeness of the age, isotopic characteristics and composition of the tonalite-granite-gneisses forming dome structures enclosing Late Paleozoic granite massifs, on the one hand, and the rocks of GTGG massifs, on the other hand, suggests that the gneisses are metamorphosed by Devonian granitoids. The high water content of the eutectic composition magma of Late Paleozoic granites ( P_H2O = 0.7-0.8 P_tot at a value of P_tot = 4-5 kbar) prevents its vertical movement. The maximum possible ascent of granitic magma to the values of P_H2O = P_tot under which it should crystallize corresponds to pressure differential not more than 0.5-1.0 kbar or in absolute numbers - 1-3 km. These values do not exceed the thickness of orthogneiss domes and do not contradict the assumption that the granite rocks occur among the possible substrate. These data testify that the main substrate Late Paleozoic (Permian) granites in the eastern part of the Southern Urals can be the rocks of Late Devonian GTGG complexes metamorphosed to amphibolite facies. This conclusion explains the isotopic parameters of granites, in particular, the low content of radiogenic strontium and increased value of¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, corresponding to a positive value εNd. The rocks of Mesoproterozoic basement also participated in the granite formation, but played a minor role.

A detailed study of the lithological sections of the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous black shale Bazhenovo Formation was made in the central part of the West Siberian geosyneclise (Salym and surrounding regions). In the most of the studied sections it is observed the following upward sequence of rocks: siliceous-clayey rocks-radiolarian cherts-microcrystalline cherts-mixtites (calcite, quartz, clay with organic matter about 15-20% each)-argillites. Clastic input shows the regular pattern up the section following the sea level evolution (high stand systems tracts). The most favorable period for the accumulation of organic matter (OM) was the late stage of high sea level stand (LHST₁). In the present study, in the Western Siberia during transition from Jurassic to Cretaceous stages it is observed: a. abnormally high uranium content (the maximum for the section of the Formation); b. change of biogenic siliceous sedimentation to the siliceous-carbonate one. This change in sedimentation during this period was also recorded in the Tethyan belt, and is associated with the global restructuring of the geochemical conditions in the oceanic waters of the northern hemisphere in the J/K boundary.

The Bol’shaya Barma, Akkyr, Ryauzyak and Kuk-Karauk sections in the western slope of the South Urals are considered to be perspective sections for the identification of Famennian Regional Boundary Stratotype Point (RBSP). In the studied sections the Frasnian-Famennian (F/F) boundary is at the bottom of the Barma Horizon. It is established within a lithologically homogeneous brachiopod coquina by simultaneous emergence of the conodonts Palmatolepis triangularis Sann. and brachiopods Parapugnax markovskii (Yud.). The F/F boundary interval is subdivided into the Upper rhenana, linguiformis, Lower and Middle triangularis zones which are thoroughly characterized by means of conodonts and brachiopods.

The article highlights the following stages of the development microscopic Devonian Algae in the Urals: the rise of Algae in the early Devonian (Karpinski time), degradation of Algae flora during the end of Early Devonian (taltiysk time), the Middle Devonian and Early Frasnian; Late Frasnian is the time of flowering Cyanobacteria, Green Dasycladales Algae, Red Algae and extinction of Green Siphonales Algae. Degradation of Algae in the Early Famennian time. Late Famenian - is the flourishing at the development of Green and Red Algae, especially Green Siphonocladales Algae.Type material is deposited at the Ural Geological Museum, Ekaterinburg, UGM collection № 10-91 and in the Stratigraphy and Paleontology laboratory of the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Urals Branch of the RAS, Ekaterinburg.

The subdivision of rocks and mineral deposits distinguished on the upper levels of their genetic classifications - the major genetic classes of these objects is under study. As provided by the author’s concept of the “essence” category, a uniform approach to the classification of both rocks and mineral deposits has been suggested. Informative and historical correlation of rocks and mineral deposits classifications has been scrutinized. Their modern state in the aspect of differentiation and integration processes of science has been estimated and the necessity of integrative (uniting) approach to the creation of these classifications has been shown. From the general directions of the improvement of rocks and deposits classifications for the upper levels of these classifications genesis of geological objects has been suggested as priority. Based on the genesis geological objects are suggested to be divided into natural, anthropogenic and complex genesis (natural + anthropogenic). Natural objects are suggested to be divided into cosmogenic, geogenic and complex natural (cosmogenic + geogenic). Among the geogenic objects as the basic ones endogenous and exogenous are suggested to be distinguished, each of which is a primary (“protogenic”), born in these conditions, and secondary (“metagenic”), formed in these conditions due to changes in the previously created objects. This division (2 × 2) leads to 4 types of rocks (magmatic, metamorphic, sedimentary, rock weathering crust), corresponded to 4 types of mineral deposits (magmatic, metamorphic, sedimentary, deposits weathering crust). The proposed subdivision of rocks and mineral deposits is of great use for graphics recycling of substances in the processes of petro- and ore genesis. The transition from the traditional 3-membered division of rocks and mineral deposits to the suggested 4-membered is due to objective reasons. Despite the difficulties of this transition, its start is expected in the

NS-trending Alapayevsk-Sukhoy Log zone of porphyry-copper mineralisation in the Middle Urals is located 75 km to the east of Yekaterinburg and extends for 100 km from Alapayevsk to Sukhoy Log towns. Sulphide inclusions in rocks are pervasive, and there are numerous ore manifestations and small deposits. Like the commercial Mikheyevskoye porphyry copper deposit (over 1.7 million tonnes of Cu) in the Southern Urals, the zone is associated with the eastern part of East Urals volcanic megazone. It consists of several ore-producing NS-trending volcano-plutonic belts which represent the tectonic blocks. Rejuvenation from north to south of granitoid magmatism has been identified (U-Pb SHRIMP-II and LA ICP-MS zircon dating) in First magmatic stage (million years): from 412 (diorite-plagiogranodiorite-plagiogranite of Yaluninogorsk massif) to 404-406 (diorite-granodiorite-granite of Altynai-Artyomovsk intrusion), and then to 397 (plagiorhyodacite-porphyre of Shata area). Volumetrically sericitized and sulphidized quartz diorite of East-Artyomovsk massif was probably established during Second magmatic stage (369 ± 39 million years, Rb-Sr dating). All granitoids are of arc-island geochemical type, and have feature near-mantle isotopic signatures: (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_t = 0.7038-0.7049, (εNd)_t = 6.6-8.7. Systemic and comprehensive study of Alapayevsk-Sukhoy Log zone should result in discovery of commercial large scale porphyry copper deposits (assuming current cut-off grade of Cu 0.15-0.20 wt %). The most attractive in terms of potential for high capacity stockworks is the East Artyomovsk massif which is similar in many respects to ore-magmatic system of Mikheyevsk deposit.

The results of analysis trace elements distribution, including REE and PGE, in crude oils of several oil fields of Volga-Urals and West-Siberian oil-gas provinces (either terrigenous or carbonate reservoirs) are discussed in this paper. It is shown that geochemical specialization of the crude oils is different from geochemical specialization of their gum-asphalten fractions. It is established that the concentrations and ratios of trace elements in the crude oils are underwent considerable variations, and often we do not know why. Therefore, these data in many cases do not play indicator or genetic roles. At the same time, we suppose that certain trace element characteristics of the crude oils of several oil deposits may be useful for their discrimination. All of these indicate that classification and creation of “passport system” for the crude oils will be on the order of the day in nearest future.

On the basis of theoretical study of helium geology and geochemistry is proved the use of water-helium method in hydrogeochemical and geothermal investigations to determine the regularities of formation of mineral water. Considered geochemical features of Krasnousolsk, Assy and Muldakkul deposits and several manifestations of mineral waters in the Southern Urals. It is proved their origin as a result of injection due to raising through the varying depth tectonic faults mainly depth-seated gas-liquid fluids and their mixing with mineralized waters of supergene zone.

On the silver occurrence Aid in Taryn subvolcanic massif a comb vein quartz is in some places exposed to cataclasis and plastic deformation. There are the cataclastic flow of quartz with the fragmentation of crystals, by shear microfractures and the formation of cataclasis zones in which the fragments of quartz with size of parts of a millimeter cemented by cryptograined quartz matrix. Inside and around some cataclasis zones a comb quartz plastically deformed to form the subprismatic and subrhombohedral deformation bands, deformation lamellae and “spotted” undulatory extinction, like a kind of arising in the experimental deformation of quartz at low temperatures, high stress and high strain rates. To the places of occurence in the cataclasis zones walls of the systems of subordinated microshears timed the “lenticular” quartz (first described) consisting of the plastically deformed lenticular fragments of the original quartz, in which the c axis with respect to the matrix reoriented to an angle of 90°. Cataclasis and plastic deformation of quartz placed together, which may be due to a combination during faulting in epithermal environment the favoring cataclasis low confining pressure and the enough high temperature for plastic deformation of quartz.