Proportions of arsenic and antimony in biogeochemical provinces as health risk factors

To perform efficient activities aimed at managing population health risks, it is necessary to examine regularities related to distribution of chemical elements in the biosphere; especially in so called biogeochemical provinces of natural or technogenic origin. We used semimetals of arsenic and antimony as an example to show that similarity of their physical and chemical properties is accompanied with similar effects they produce on living organisms. However, amphoteric character of arsenic and antimony determines wide range of possible interactions between these elements and biological molecules in a body. As a result, combined influence exerted by these substances on living organisms leads to both antagonistic relations and competition between them and to synergy as well. Basing on reviewed literature data, we showed that animals selectively limited accumulation of arsenic in their bodies and consumed less toxic antimony in greater quantities in case of biochemical anomalies while plants were much less selective and accumulated toxic arsenic easily. Accordingly, any activities aimed at population health risk reduction that are to be performed on territories of biogeochemical provinces should take into account peculiarities related to accumulation of these elements in bodies of warm-blooded animals and people. These peculiarities should also be taken into account when hygienic research programs and hygienic inspections are drawn up. When such research is performed experts should do the following: to analyze ways and chemical forms of elements migration in the environment; to determine molecular mechanisms of elements penetration into a cell and conditions of various scenarios of their metabolism and biological efficiency

Uzon volcano caldera (Kamchatka): A unique natural laboratory of the present-day naphthide genesis

Oil shows from the thermal springs of the Uzon volcano caldera have been studied by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry methods. Based on the composition and distribution of biomarker molecules, their genetic identity with the organic matter of Pliocene–Quaternary deposits has been established. It has been shown that the Uzon caldera is a unique natural laboratory of the present-day oil formation from the organic matter of Pliocene–Quaternary sediments. It has been stated that attempts to consider the compounds forming these oil shows as a product of hydrothermal abiogenic synthesis are absolutely unfounded

Geochemical and geo-electrical study of mud pools at the Mutnovsky volcano (South Kamchatka, Russia): Behavior of elements, structures of feeding channels and a model of origin

This study presents data on the geochemical composition of boiling mud pools at the Mutnovsky volcano. The physicochemical characteristics of the pools and the concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in pool solutions vary widely. A comparison of the geochemical compositions of host rocks and solutions indicates that leaching from rocks is not the only source of chemicals in thermal solutions. Geophysical studies reveal the inner structure of thermal fields, which reflect the shapes of the underground reservoirs and feed channels. Using geophysical methods (electrical resistivity tomography and frequency domain investigations), it was shown that the vertical structure and complex geochemical zonation of the feed channels leads to a high contrast in the compositions of the mud solutions. These findings answer questions about the origin and composition of surface manifestations. To elucidate the mechanisms of solution formation, an attempt was made to describe the magmatic fluid evolution and the resulting mixing of waters by physical and mathematical models. The model illustrates fluid migration from a magma chamber to the surface. It is shown that the formation of brines corresponding to the mud pool composition is possible during secondary boiling