Chemical composition of the small mammal reproductive system as an indicator of enterprise technogenic impact on the environment

In this paper we consider the indicative role of chemical composition of the small mammal (specifically, the bank vole, or Myodes glareolus) reproductive system with the purpose of studying the impact of a large-scale nonferrous metal-processing enterprise on living organisms through the expample of Middle Ural copper-smelting plant OJSC. We have analysed the chemical composition of the placenta-embryo system in the areas which are 2 km and 30 km away from the plant

Mineralogical and geochemical features of human body ash residue of spatially-localized technogenic system (Norilsk city)

The paper presents the information on the element and mineral composition of the human body ash residue of Norilsk residents. The data are obtained by such methods as X-ray analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and electron microscopy. This research has identified the content of 47 elements, 17 of which have their own mineral phases. Besides, the estimation of average content of chemical elements in terms of sex and correlation analysis of the data was conducted in this research. The final results indicate the influence of Norilsk industry on the element and mineral composition of ash residue. For example, the accumulation of such elements as Zr, Al, Ca, Y, some rare earth, and radioactive elements has been observed in the human body ash residue of Norilsk residents. The presence of Ag, Au, Pt microphases and numerous compounds of Cu, Ni etc. was detected among all mineral phases

Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of the Human Body Ash Residue

The article is devoted to the element composition of the human body ash residue of some Russian cities. It presents the element composition of the human body ash residue, the distribution of elements in the ash residue depending on age and sex. The specific elements of different cities, showing the possible influence of the environmental conditions on the element composition of the human body ash residue. The main objective of this paper is to study the element composition of the human body ash residue and determine the regional characteristics. The methods of instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were applied, an electronic microscope being used as a tool. The result of the research is 63 elements identified within in the human body ash residue. The issue is topical as it expands the knowledge of rare and radioactive elements within the human body and contributes to medicine, for example, by identifying the chemical elements to be included in a person's diet

Geochemical features of the elemental composition of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L).Maxim) in Kemerovo Oblast

Biogeochemical sampling of the aboveground part of meadowsweet (Fillipendula Ulmaria (L). Maxim) allowed us to study ecological and geochemical features of 10 regions in Kemerovo Oblast, including both natural and man-made landscapes. The content of 55 elements in the plant is determined by ICP-MS. Statistical analysis of the results allowed us to establish the effect of the soil mineral composition and the mining region specificity on the elemental composition of meadowsweet, to reveal significant positive correlations of the elements and to establish a statistically significant difference in the studied areas on the basis of the content of some elements. Sample reference to one of the clusters, followed by an assessment of their geochemical features is determined by the K-average method

Impact of Environmental Radiation on the Incidence of Cancer and Birth Defects in Regions with High Natural Radioactivity

Four regions of high natural radioactivity were selected to assess radionuclide levels in rocks and soils, ambient radiation doses, radon exhalation from the ground, and radon concentrations in the air. The regions have different geochemical characteristics and radioactivity levels, which modulate the radiation exposure of local populations. Combining radiometric data with data from regional health statistics on non-infectious diseases, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between radiation exposure and the incidence of cancer and birth defects. Although this is a preliminary and prospective study, the empirical evidence gathered in this paper indicated increased the incidence of some diseases in relationship with the natural radiation background. It is suggested that further research, including epidemiological studies and direct determination of radiation exposures in regions with a high natural radiation background, is needed and justified

Radioactive elements in the environment

Indicated role of natural radioactive elements (U, Th) in geospherical layers and various environmental components is discussed. Induced radionuclide problems are examine

On the issue of choosing the background concentrations of chemical elements in the epiphytic lichens

The relevance of the research. For comparison of data obtained in studies of polluted urban areas, it is necessary to have background levels of concentrations of the identified chemical elements in environment. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of ecological and geochemical factors on the levels of accumulation of chemical elements in epiphytic lichens collected in areas practically unaffected by anthropogenic activity. The methods used in the study: the method of instrumental neutron activation analysis (data on 28 chemical elements in the ash of lichens); statistical analysis. The results. It was determined that the lichen chemical composition reflects natural geochemical features of bed rocks and soils in the territory of their growing. The data indicate a fairly close levels of accumulation, which is defined as the confidence interval of defining 16 elements such as La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu, Hf, Th, Sc, Fe, Co, Ca, Na, Rb, Cs, and group of 12 elements: Cr, Zn, As, Br, Sr, Ag, Sb, Ba, Nd, Ta, Au, U, for which there are more significant differences in the assessment of their average for each of the background regions studied. Elemental composition of the epiphytic lichens on Tomsk region was recommended as regional background for Siberia. This area is characterized by negligible industrial influence and by absence of geochemical anomalies of bed rocks and underlying surface

On the issue of choosing the background concentrations of chemical elements in the epiphytic lichens

The relevance of the research. For comparison of data obtained in studies of polluted urban areas, it is necessary to have background levels of concentrations of the identified chemical elements in environment. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of ecological and geochemical factors on the levels of accumulation of chemical elements in epiphytic lichens collected in areas practically unaffected by anthropogenic activity. The methods used in the study: the method of instrumental neutron activation analysis (data on 28 chemical elements in the ash of lichens); statistical analysis. The results. It was determined that the lichen chemical composition reflects natural geochemical features of bed rocks and soils in the territory of their growing. The data indicate a fairly close levels of accumulation, which is defined as the confidence interval of defining 16 elements such as La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu, Hf, Th, Sc, Fe, Co, Ca, Na, Rb, Cs, and group of 12 elements: Cr, Zn, As, Br, Sr, Ag, Sb, Ba, Nd, Ta, Au, U, for which there are more significant differences in the assessment of their average for each of the background regions studied. Elemental composition of the epiphytic lichens on Tomsk region was recommended as regional background for Siberia. This area is characterized by negligible industrial influence and by absence of geochemical anomalies of bed rocks and underlying surface