Accumulation Coefficient Research Articles

Possibilities of Therapeutic Angiogenesis in Patients with Critical Lower Limb Ischemia

Two clinical observations of effective treatment of patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities using plasma-free lysate autologous platelets. Both patients were male, 73 and 53 years old. Both were diagnosed with total damage to the arteries of the infrainguinal zone. One of them had previously undergone endarterectomy from the femoral artery with subsequent thrombosis. After examination and joint discussion with x-ray endovascular surgeons, they were found inoperable. Due to the ineffectiveness of standard conservative therapy, the patient was offered local administration of plasma-free lysate autologous platelets. After receiving written informed consent, the procedure for collecting venous blood and obtaining plasma-free lysate autologous platelets and the introduction of this drug into the muscles of the leg from the side of ischemia according to the original method. The method for assessing microcirculation was three-phase scintigraphy : before treatment, both patients showed a significant decrease in the inclusion of osteotropic radiopharmaceutical in the soft tissues of the legs. For areas of radiopharmaceutical hyperfixation, relative accumulation coefficients were calculated: for one patient, the calculation results demonstrated the formation of foci of aseptic necrosis. When patients were re-hospitalized after 6 months, there was an improvement in local status and relief of rest pain. According to scintigraphy, a significant improvement in microcirculation was noted; no foci of aseptic necrosis were identified. Thus, the use of plasma-free lysate autologous platelets in combination with complex conservative therapy has demonstrated positive results; this method can be considered as an alternative revascularization ischemic limb.

Influence of the heat accumulator’s storing capacity to increase the efficiency of helogreenhouses

The theoretical study carried out shows that the main geometric and energy characteristics of solar greenhouses are the coefficients of enclosure and heat accumulation. The influx of solar radiation depends little on the angle of incidence of the rays on transparent surfaces, and mainly depends on the surface area of the transparent fence. The amount of heat accumulated in a heat accumulator is determined by its heat-storing efficiency: material, ability to absorb solar radiation, volume, location. With sufficient mass values of the heat-storing elements, all or almost all of the solar energy captured by the heat-storing elements is usefully used, overheating in the greenhouse is eliminated, and daily fluctuations in air temperature in the greenhouse are smoothed out.

Рівні накопичення важких металів та активності радіонуклідів у вузькопалих річкових раках (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) Кам’янського та Запорізького (Дніпровського) водосховищ

Purpose. To determine the content of heavy metals as well as natural and artificial radionuclides in muscle tissue and carapaces of narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. Methodology. The material for the study were narrow-clawed crayfish collected in the spring period (March-April) 2021 in the coastal zone of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. The collection of material was carried out with standard open-type crayfish traps with a mesh size No. 20, manual collection in the littoral zone as well as with the help of special baited traps. Carapaces and muscle tissue of crayfish were used to determine the content of heavy metals and radionuclides. Preparation of samples for measuring the content of heavy metals and radionuclides was carried out by separating crayfish tissues with subsequent homogenization and concentration (drying and incineration) of the collected material. The samples were dried at a temperature of +105°С to a constant weight, and then incinerated at a temperature of +450°С to obtain white ash. The content of radionuclides was determined on a gamma-beta spectrometer SE-BG-01 “AKP”. The content of heavy metals was determined on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer C115-M1 with a flame analyzer. Findings. Zn, Fe, and Cu were actively accumulated in the muscle tissue of crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. This fact is explained by the intensive accumulation of elements in crayfish body that actively occurred in the course of physiological processes. Heavy metals such as Mn, Pb, Co were the most accumulated in crayfish carapace. The minimum content of heavy metals was found for Сd. It was found that Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd contents exceed the MACs in muscles of crayfish of the Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoir by 8, 6, 6.2 and 1.65 times, respectively. The norms for the content of heavy metals in the muscle tissue of river crayfish have not been established in Ukraine today, however, a comparison of the data we obtained with the norms for live fish shows a significant excess for almost all heavy metals examined. It was found that the level of radionuclide activity of in the muscle tissue of decapods of both investigated reservoirs was due to 40K, in the carapaces - 226Ra; 90Sr activity was minimal in muscles, and 226Ra activity in carapaces. Accumulation of studied radionuclides in crayfish did not exceed the MACs for crayfish as a food product. Originality. For the first time, the levels of accumulation of heavy metals and the activity of radionuclides in the muscle tissue and carapace of narrow-clawed crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs were determined. The content of toxic elements that are subject to control in food raw materials and food products according to the MACs in crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs was determined. Practical value. The results of the work can be used during monitoring of the ecotoxicological and radioecological conditions of the aquatic environment. Also, the obtained results can be applied in the study of narrow-clawed crayfish of the Dnieper River basin. Keywords: heavy metals, radionuclides, accumulation coefficient, MAC, crayfish, Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) Reservoir, Kamianske Reservoir.

Contamination and health risks brought by arsenic, lead and cadmium in a water-soil-plant system nearby a non-ferrous metal mining area

Heavy metal(loid)s contamination prevails in the water-soil-plant system around non-ferrous metal mining areas. The present study aimed to evaluate the heavy metal(loid)s contamination in Nandan Pb-Zn mining area (Guangxi, China). A total of 36 river water samples, 75 paired paddy soil and rice samples, and 128 paired upland soil and plant samples were collected from this area. The concentrations of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in these samples were measured. Results showed that the average water quality indexes (WQIs) at the 12 sampling sites along the main river ranged from 41 to 5008, indicating the water qualities decreasing from “Excellent” to “Undrinkable”. The WQIs nearby tailings or industrial park were significantly higher than those at the other sites. 34.0% and 64.5% of soil samples exceeded the risk screening values for As and Cd. The Pb and Cd concentrations in all rice samples exceeded the Chinese food safety limits by 18.7% and 82.7%, respectively. Leafy vegetables had a higher concentration of As, Pb, and Cd than other vegetables, exceeding the maximum permissible limits by 14.1%, 61.2%, and 40.0%, respectively. The biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) of Cd was the highest in rice and lettuce leaves. The hazard quotients (HQs) of As and Cd, indicating non-carcinogenic risks, were 4.15 and 1.76 in adult males, and 3.40 and 1.45 in adult females, all higher than the permitted level (1.0). The carcinogenic probabilities of As and Cd from rice and leafy vegetables consumption were all higher than 1 × 10−4. We conclude that metal(loid)s contamination of the water-soil-plant system has posed great non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to the local population.

Accumulation of <sup>137</sup>Cs by ecological groups of coastal-aquatic vegetation of floodplain meadows of the Sozh river

The purpose of the study is to identify differences in the content of 137Cs in the phytomass of coastal aquatic vegetation of the Vetka and Chechersk districts of the Gomel region for the period 2012–2022. The description and identification of ecological groups of coastal aquatic vegetation and the sampling of soil and plants to determine the content of radiocesium in the growing seasons of 2012 and 2022 were carried out according to generally accepted methods. It was found that the content of 137Cs in water samples from the objects of Vetka district did not exceed the normative value for drinking water (10 Bq/kg). The average specific activity of radiocesium in the soil for the studied objects was 807±125 and 586±84 Bq/kg in 2012 and 2022, respectively; and for soil was 549±85 and 395±46 Bq/kg respectively. Over time, there was a decrease in the amount of radiocesium in soil and in ground by 1.3–1.4 times. The average content of the isotope in the plants in 2012 and 2022 was 93–917 and 59–578 Bq/kg, respectively. The amplitude of variation in the average values of accumulation coefficient in the soil-plant system was 1.03 and 0.11 Bq/kg:Bq/kg in 2012 and 2022, respectively. In the ground-plant system it was 3.08 and 0.01 Bq/kg:Bq/kg, respectively. The specific activity of 137Cs in the water of objects in the Chechersk region did not exceed 3 Bq/l. The average content of 137Cs in the ground was 316 and 231 Bq/kg in 2012 and 2022, respectively. The same parameters for the soil were within the limits of 471 and 340 Bq/kg, respectively. The average content of 137Cs in phytomass varied from 149 to 483 Bq/kg in 2012. After 10 years, the amount of radionuclide was 115–288 Bq/kg. The average values of accumulation coefficient in the soil-plant system in 2012 and 2022 were 1.44 and 1.01 Bq/kg:Bq/kg, and in the soil-plant system were 1.70 and 1.10 Bq/kg:Bq/kg, respectively. As a result of the study, similar dominant groups of coastal aquatic plants were not identified in terms of the accumulation of radiocesium in the objects of the Vetka and Chechersk regions.

RESEARCH OF ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF ARONIA MITCHURINA (ARONIA MITCHURINII SKVORTSOV & MAITULINA) LEAVES

The aim of the study was to study the composition and ability to accumulate various elements in the leaves of aronia Mitchurina for scientific rationale of the possibility of their use in medicine and pharmacy.
 The composition and ability to accumulate various elements in the leaves of aronia Mitchurina harvested in the Tambov region were studied. The elemental composition of the leaves of aronia Mitchurina and the soil from the place of plant growth was studied by inductively coupled plasma chromato-mass spectrometry. In the raw material was found 61 chemical elements, including almost all essential: macronutrients, with the predominance of calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium; trace elements, with the predominance of iron, zinc, sodium, manganese.
 It was found that the ratio of elements in the soil from the place of growth and in the raw material are different. Coefficient of biological accumulation for each element were estimated, on the basis of which all elements are classified into five groups. The elements of energetic accumulation include phosphorus, and the elements of highly accumulation include calcium, potassium, and zinc. The ability of chokeberry leaves to accumulate zinc in higher concentrations (64.32 µg/g) than other species of herbal raw materials allows us to view them as a possible natural source of this element in hypoelementosis associated with zinc deficiency in the body.
 Determined in the analysis is the content of toxic elements standardized in plant raw materials: lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic. Their contents do not exceed the maximum permissible concentration limits given in the normative documentation.

Ecological safety of sunflower seeds in the conditions of agricultural intensification

Sunflower cultivation using intensive technologies, which manifests itself in the disruption of crop rotation, high rates of mineral fertilisers and pesticides, leads to an increased risk of products contaminated with heavy metals, nitrates, and pesticide residues. The purpose of this study was to identify the risks of toxic substances accumulation in the soil and sunflower seeds. In this study, the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method was used to determine the content of toxic substances in soil and sunflower seeds. The content of alkaline-hydrolysed nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, the reaction of the soil solution pH, as well as the content of mobile forms of heavy metals: lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, mercury, cobalt, and molybdenum; boron, and radioactive caesium were determined in the soil after sunflower cultivation. The factual content of soil contaminants was compared with their maximum permissible concentrations. The study investigated the content of heavy metals, namely, lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc, as well as nitrates in sunflower seeds. Their content was compared with the values of maximum permissible concentrations. The coefficients of accumulation of the heavy metals under study by sunflower seeds were calculated. Thus, copper and zinc are most intensively absorbed from the soil and accumulate in sunflower seeds, while lead is the least absorbed. The findings suggest that since no excess of the permissible levels of heavy metals and nitrates in sunflower seeds was found, there is a higher probability of their increased accumulation in sunflower by-products: seed husks, stems, leaves, petioles, and roots. The study results can be used in organic sunflower cultivation

Definition of Acute Toxicity and Cumulative Properties of the Drug “Lipointersil”

The research aimed to determine the acute toxicity and cumulative properties of the liposomal drug “Lipointersil” based on interferon and spotted milk thistle. The acute toxicity of the “Lipointersil” drug was assessed in white rats, aged 2–3 months, with a body weight of 170–180 g through intragastric and intramuscular administration. After administration of the drug, the dose and the number of animals that died were recorded, and the median lethal dose (DL50) of the investigated drug was calculated using the method of H. Kerber. The cumulative properties were determined in white rats aged 2–3 months, weighing 170–185 g, using the subchronic toxicity test method by K. S. Lim et al., modified by K. K. Sydorov. Based on the conducted research, it was established that the “Lipointersil”drug, according to the State Standard of Ukraine 85.2-37-736:2011, belongs to class IV toxicity (slightly toxic substances). The LD50 for intragastric and intramuscular administration in white rats is 5166.66 and 5833.33 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. In determining of the cumulative properties of the “ Lipointersil ” drug, no deaths of experimental animals were observed during the study. Moreover, the animals remained active, fed well, and had dense, shiny fur. The coefficient of accumulation of the “Lipointersil” drug was more than 8.31 units, indicating its weakly pronounced cumulative properties. Prolonged daily administration for 24 days of “Lipointersil” had no significant impact on the functional state of the liver and kidneys. Under long-term (24 days) daily administration in increasing doses, the drug “Lipointersil” caused slight destruction of hepatocyte membranes, as indicated by the increased activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase.

Afforestation increased the microbial necromass carbon accumulation in deep soil on the Loess Plateau

Microbial necromass carbon (MNC) is a stable part of SOC that makes up most of the C pool in land ecosystem. However, the contribution of MNC to SOC accumulation during afforestation is still unclear, particularly in the deep soil. Based on the collection and biomarker analysis of the forest succession sequence and soil profiles with significant depth on the Loess Plateau located China, we study the vertical distribution characteristics and control of MNC. The results found that MNC content increased with succession and decreased with soil depth. On average, the MNC content of a climax forest was 2.23 times higher than that of farmland. The FNC:BNC ratio increased with vegetation succession and decreased with soil depth. Although the MNC content decreased with soil depth, the necromass accumulation coefficient increased. The contribution of MNC to SOC in deep soil (60–100 cm) of pioneer forest was more than 10 % higher than that of farmland, suggesting that afforestation had a relatively positive effect on MNC stabilization and accumulation in deep soils. The microbial biomass and soil nutrient characteristics (i.e., TN, SOC, DOC, and DON) are important factors in mediating the accumulation of MNC in the succession of farmland to forest. These findings demonstrate the potential of MNC in deep soil and provide scientific guidance for sustainable reforestation management based on the carbon pump theory at regional scales.

PATTERNS OF THE REGIONAL URANIUM STATUS FORMATION ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN

Link for citation: Zlobina A.N., Farkhutdinova L.M., Farkhutdinov I.M., Belyanovskaya N.V., Baranovskaya N.V., Chesalova E.I., Farkhutdinov A.M., Khayrulina L.A., Krestyannikova E.V. Patterns of the regional uranium status formation on the example of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 10, рр. 153-168. In Rus. The relevance of the research. Uranium is a radioactive, carcinogenic, toxic element that can be accumulated in human body and cause various pathologies (the risk of kidney dysfunction, the development of leukemia, colorectal cancer etc.). This determines the relevance of studying the patterns of distribution of this chemical element in the living environment. Drinking water is the main source of uranium for the human body. This fact can be confirmed by calculating the accumulation coefficient and correlation analysis, which showed a high dependence of the concentration of uranium in hair on its content in the scale of drinking water. The method for assessing the uranium status of a territory, including geochemical, lithological, hydrogeological, tectonic analyses, and the study of technogenic factors, makes it possible to fairly accurately determine the main sources of uranium feeding of drinking water. The main aim: to assess the significance of geoecological factors on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the formation of the regional uranium status based on the study of the uranium content in drinking water and hair of residents. Methods. Uranium concentration in the scale of drinking water and the hair of children was studied using instrumental neutron activation analysis applying the research nuclear reactor IRT-T TPU. For data processing, the Statistica 10 and Microsoft Excel 2013 software packages were used. A map of uranium spatial distribution was built using the ArcGIS 10.2 software in the Geostatistical Analyst module applying the inverse distance weighting method. Results. On the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, there is a wide range of uranium values both in the scale of drinking water (range from 0,01 to 61,0 mg/kg) and in hair of residents (range from 0,001 to 0,411 mg/kg). The average content of uranium in the scale of drinking water (515 samples) was 5,4 mg/kg and in hair (182 samples) was 0,04 mg/kg. Uranium spatial distribution is in clear agreement with the geoecological conditions of the area. Zones of increased uranium concentration in scale and hair are distinguished, where the uranium content is higher than the background value in the republic: the western platform and southern mountain zones. Along with positive anomalies, there are negative ones, where the level of the element is below the average: the northern platform and northern mountain zones. Uneven uranium distribution is explained by both natural (a wide variety of rocks, hydrogeological and tectonic factors) and technogenic factors (development of oil and ore deposits). The conducted correlation analysis showed a direct dependence of U content in children's hair on its concentration in the scale of drinking water (R2=0,8), which indicates the leading role of drinking water in uranium intake into human body. Considering the revealed higher level of uranium in hair of the inhabitants of Bashkortostan compared to a number of other regions of the Russian Federation and the world, as well as the ability of this chemical element to be accumulated in the body, the study of the uranium status influence on health of the population is of particular relevance. The results obtained can serve as a theoretical basis for elucidating the biological role of uranium and solving the fundamental problem of the relationship between geoecology and human health.

Comparative analysis of the results of backcrossing during selection of carp

A study of the fish-breeding and biological characteristics of two- and three-year-old hybrids of third-generation carp and reverse-crossing carp was carried out. As a result, a higher Fulton fatness coefficient was revealed in returncrossing carp, as well as their more effective plastic exchange, characterized by feed payment. The exterior indicators for the progonicity index of both two-yearolds and three-year-olds in return-crossing carp had lower values than in hybrids. Consequently, in this group of fish, as a result of the return crossing of carp hybrids with an improver breed (Moscow scaly), a more pronounced high-spin was observed. The additional calculation carried out for the variation of the studied index revealed slightly lower coefficient of variation in two- and three-year-old carp hybrids than in return-crossing carp, which can be explained by the effect of stabilizing selection during three generations of breeding. The use of such an important indicator as the mass accumulation coefficient made it possible to establish its higher values in two-year-old carp of return crossing. The consequence of such a high weight gain in this repair group of carp may be a significantly lower average weight in yearlings of return crossing when stocking outgrowth ponds (15.8 g versus 88.3 g in third-generation carp hybrids). The highest indicators for the accumulation mass coefficient were noted for both two-year-olds and three-year-olds of two groups of carp in the period from May to June, which corresponded to a more intensive development of the natural forage base in the growing ponds during this period of time.

Microbial traits dictate soil necromass accumulation coefficient: A global synthesis

AbstractAimThe accumulation of microbial necromass carbon has gained increasing attention due to its slow decomposition. However, it remains unclear what induces the accumulation of microbial necromass carbon via reiterated community turnover on large spatial scales. This study explores the characteristics of soil necromass carbon accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems.LocationGlobal.Time PeriodContemporary (1999–2022).Major Taxa StudiedSoil microorganisms.MethodsA dataset was compiled using 993 observations from 82 peer‐reviewed papers on the effects of coefficients of microbial necromass accumulation (hereafter NAC) in equilibrium. Linear mixed‐effect models and structural equation models were used to ascertain the controlling factors of the NAC.ResultsThe average NAC was higher in croplands (28.2) and forests (26.8) than in grasslands (21.1). Edaphic factors seemingly affected the NAC, which was lower in soils with high pH and clay content on a global scale. Biotic factors, particularly those related to living microorganism abundance and microbial biomass nitrogen content, were the pivotal drivers of NAC and accounted for approximately 43.6% of its geographic variability. More organic carbon was likely to be preserved in soil with a higher NAC, regardless of ecosystem type.ConclusionsNovel findings regarding the overriding controls for the living microorganism abundance and microbial biomass nitrogen that drive the NAC highlight an urgent need for viable strategies to manipulate microbial attributes for enhancing carbon sequestration.

Evaluation of Effects of Soil pH Levels and Organic Matter Contents on Phytoaccumulation of Lead and Cadmium Heavy Metals by Imperata Cylindrica

Heavy metal contamination of soil pose risks and hazards to humans and the ecosystem through. Imperata cylindrica is a fast growing plant and often used for phytoremediation. The plant was tested in different growth media of spiked heavy metal, soil pH and organic matter contents for 60-day. After harvesting, the plant was washed, separated into roots and shoots. The soil samples were digested using 1.0g portion of dried the soil ,10.0cm3 of 1:1 HNO3: H2O, 5.0cm3 of HNO3, 1.0cm3 of H2O2, and 5.0cm3 of HCl while the plant samples were digested using 0.50g of the powdered sample, 5cm3 of HNO3 and 2cm3 HClO4. Prior to digestion, each sample were oven-dried at 70°C until it achieved a constant weight, grounded (using mortar and pestle) and milled (using a milling machine). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyze the accumulation of cadmium, and lead in roots and shoot of the plant. Bioaccumulation factor (BF), biological accumulation coefficient (EC) and translocation factor (TF) was applied to evaluate the metal translocation ability in the plant. Between soil pH and soil organic matter, the highest total biomass of Cd was found in 300g of organic matter treatment (13.48 ± 2.69 mg/kg), while Pb in basic treatment was 18.09 ± 0.66 mg/kg. The result suggests that soil pH has most effect on Pb; while organic matter in Cd in the phytoaccumulation by Imperata cylindrica. The growth of phytoremediation plants like Imperata cylindrica should be encourage to neutralize the heavy metals pollution.

Remediation of soil contaminated with tris-(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate using plant and microorganism combined technology: A greenhouse experiment

The remediation of tris-(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) -contaminated soil by the plant (ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.) and microorganism (TCIPP degrading bacteria, Ochrobactrum sp. DT-6) alone or in combination was investigated in this study. TCIPP can inhibit the growth and development of ryegrass and there is a clear dose-effect relationship. Inoculation with strain DT-6 was able to mitigate the toxic influence of TCIPP on ryegrass, but this mitigation effect was not significant. TCIPP in the soil was relatively easy to be uptaken by the ryegrass roots and migrated to the shoots. Furthermore, as the soil TCIPP concentration rose, the concentration of TCIPP in ryegrass also exhibited a corresponding increase. The biological concentration factor (BCF) ranged from 0.33 to 1.88 and the biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) ranged from 0.54 to 3.98. They all significantly decreased with higher soil TCIPP concentrations. The translocation factor (TF) values ranged from 1.55 to 2.34. Inoculation of strain DT-6 significantly reduced TCIPP concentrations in ryegrass roots, stems, and leaves as well as the values of BAC and BCF under low and medium TCIPP concentration treatment conditions, but the effect on TF values was not remarkable. The planting of ryegrass significantly raised the elimination of TCIPP from the soil to 64.6–93.3%, but the influence of inoculation with strain DT-6 on the remediation effect by ryegrass was not significant. The percentage contribution of phytoextraction to the elimination of TCIPP from soils ranged from only 0.64–5.23%.

Reduction of the risk of caesium-137 transition into the milk of lactating cows in the long-term summer period

The article presents data on the use of smectite trepel as a natural mineral additive with active sorbing properties as part of a grain mixture fed to lactating cows in the summer, which are kept in areas with a soil pollution density of 15 Ku/km2. The results of the scientific and economic wholesale indicate a significant increase in daily milk yields by 5.3%, primarily due to compensation for the mineral metabolism of lactating cows, as well as a decrease in the accumulation coefficient of caesium-137 in the milk of cows by 5.0% who received smectite trepel as part of the diet. Hematological parameters of blood and biochemical markers of its serum varied within the limits of normative physiological values.

Mechanical impact characteristics of hollow shell granule based on continuous damage theory

Walnut, which is one of specific hollow shell granules, is inevitably subjected to damage deriving from repeated impacts in postharvest and processing. In this regard, the existence of damage was validated through force-deformation profile. The damage model was established and validated, respectively. Effects of walnut size and impact energy on damage behaviors, including damage variable characterizing degree of damage and damage accumulative coefficient describing sensibility to damage, were discussed, respectively. Results indicate that damage model by repeated impacts has been demonstrated to be valid for walnut shell fracture, in a way that is relatively independent of specific impact energy, only varying with walnut size. There exists a threshold size determining fracture mechanisms. Below threshold size, it is due to damage driving initial micro-crack gradually occurs, whereas beyond threshold size, it attributes to losing structural stability. The piecewise function between damage accumulation coefficient and walnut size was established.

Effects of soil amendments on Cd and As mobility in the soil-rice system and their distribution in the grain

The accumulation, mobilization, and distribution of toxic metal(loid)s in rice are key factors that affect food security and determine bio-utilization patterns. In this study, five soil amendments with different components were used in paddy fields to study the key factors: organic amendments: (1) polyaspartic acid (OA1) and (2) organic fertilizer (OA2); inorganic amendments: (3) kaolinite (IA1) and (4) magnesium slag (IA2); and organic-inorganic composite amendments: (5) modified biochar/quicklime (OIA). Although the Cd and As exhibited opposite chemical dissolution behaviors, IA1/OIA, can simultaneously reduce their accumulation and transfer coefficients in rice tissues, while other amendments only work for one of them. The in situ distribution in grains showed that IA1/OIA changed the original Cd distribution in the lemma and palea, whereas all amendments reduced Cd accumulation in the germ. In contrast, OA1/IA2 amendments led to more As accumulation in the rice husks and bran than in the endosperm center, and the germ had higher As signals. Because of their similar transport pathways and interactions, the concentrations of Cd and As in the grains were correlated with a variety of mineral elements (Fe, Mo, Zn, etc.). Changes in the Cd/As concentration and distribution in rice were achieved through the improvement of soil properties and plant growth behavior through amendments. The application of OIA resulted in the highest immobilization indices, at 82.17 % and 35.34 % for Cd and As, respectively. The Cd/As concentrations in the rice grains were highly positively correlated with extractable-Cd/As in the soil (Cd: R2 = 0.95, As: R2 = 0.93). These findings reveal the migration and distribution mechanisms of Cd and As in the soil-rice system, and thus provide fundamental information for minimizing food safety risk.

Bio- accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb in a wild grass, Parthenium hysterophorus L. Asteraceae, growing naturally on barren land and evaluation of phyto-extraction potential of the plant for studied metals

Because of the inbuilt bio-accumulation mechanism several plants have shown a remarkable capability of accumulation of metals from contaminated soil into roots, tubers and upper parts of the plants. This study was undertaken to evaluate the bio-accumulation potential of a wild grass, Parthenium hysterophorus L., Asteraceae grown on the barren land along with the National highways for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb by determining the bio-accumulated levels of these metals in the samples of soil, roots and shoot of the plant. The various bio-concentration factors (BCFs), translocation factors (TFs) and Biological accumulation coefficients (BACs) for studied metals were evaluated, to find out the suitability of Parthenium plant for phyto-extration of the studied metals. The order of observed levels of heavy metals in the samples of soil, root and shoots were: Pb (8.12±0.48) > Cr (7.18± 0.39) > Cu (5.64± 0.26) > Ni (3.91± 0.21) > Cd (1.31± 0.08) and Pb (6.67± 0.34) > Cu (6.11 ±0.27) >Cr (6.05± 0.23) >Ni (4.14± 0.18) > Cd (1.42± 0.11) and Pb (7.22±0.29) > Cr (5.97±0.23)>Cu (5.96 ±0.25)>Ni (5.13±0.21) > Cd (1.70±0.14 mg/Kg, dw), respectively. The soil to roots bio-concentration factors, BCFRoot for studied metals were: Cd (1.08) > Cu (1.08) >Ni (1.06) > Cr (0.84)>Pb (0.82). The order of root to shoot translocation factors, TFShoot for these metals in Parthenium hysterophorus L., was: Ni (1.24) > Cd (1.20) > Pb (1.08) > Cr (0.99~1.00)> Cu (0.98~1.00). The various soil to shoot biological accumulation coefficients, BACShoot for studied metals in Parthenium plant were, Ni (1.31) > Cd (1.30)> Cu (1.06) > Pb (0.89) >Cr (0.83), respectively. Comparatively higher BCF >1, TF >1 and higher BAC values for metals under study suggested that the plant Parthenium hysterophorus L has potential to translocate these metals to the above ground parts of the plants and thereby their phyto-extraction from contaminated soil.

Dynamics of the Content and Distribution of Trace Elements in Sod-Podzolic Soils and Plants of Agrocenoses

The paper presents the results of a survey of sod-podzolic soils for agricultural purposes and plants of reference sites of the Ivanovo region for the content of boron, copper, cobalt, manganese and zinc in them, conducted in 2014 and 2021. Correlation analysis determined the influence of individual physical and chemical properties of soils on the content and distribution of available forms of trace elements in the soil and the relationship between the trace elements themselves. Changes in the availability of trace elements of the soils of the plots have been established. According to the amount of content of available forms of trace elements in soils, the need for the use of micronutrients is determined. The sequences of crops were determined by the content of trace elements in grain and straw of cereals, the green mass of forage grasses, as well as the distribution of trace elements between parts of the grown crop. Grain, straw and green mass were evaluated for compliance with veterinary standards for the content of copper, zinc and cobalt in feed. The coefficients of accumulation of trace elements by plant products of crops are calculated and their comparative analysis is carried out. By the magnitude and sign of the correlation coefficients between the concentrations of trace elements in plants, the manifestation of antagonism and synergy between trace elements was determined. The Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients between the content of mobile forms of trace elements in the soil and their content in plant products, as well as between the content of trace elements in grain and straw of cereals revealed their strength and the ambiguous nature of the relationships..

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Ecotypes Response to Accumulation of Heavy Metals during Reforestation on Chalk Outcrops

As objects for reforestation, the least studied are carbonate substrates, which have a number of specific features in terms of mineral composition, the exchange of nutrients, and biological activity. The use of biological preparations of a consortium of bacteria of the genus Bacillus and mycorrhizal fungi of the genus Glomus in growing seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) on carbonate substrates provides the metabolic products; soluble and microelement salts function as catalysts for chemical reactions of exudates and soil products; and a greater amount of plant heavy metals (HM) Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb accumulate in the soil. Among HMs, the random factors most strongly determined an accumulation of Cd (the influence rate of random factors h2x = 34.6%) and Pb (the influence rate of random factors h2x = 21.7%) in the plants. A trend of all studied HMs higher uptake by the Cretaceous pine (Pinus sylvestris var. cretacea (Kalen.) Kom.) in comparison with the P. sylvestris ecotype is revealed. Against the biological preparation background of Biogor KM and MycoCrop®, a greater value of the HM’s biological absorption in comparison with the option without biological preparations is noted. This process occurs against a background of a significant increase in the nitrification capacity in the chalk fine-grained substrate (soil aggregates < 1 mm in size), which is an indirect indicator of an increased intensity of microbiological processes. Spearman’s correlation was noted between the coefficient of accumulation of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the dry matter of Scots pine (P. sylvestris) seedlings and the nitrification capacity of substrate (rs = 0.610–0.744, p < 0.05), as well as the relationship between the nitrification capacity index of substrate and the coefficient of biological absorption of copper, zinc, and cadmium (rs = 0.543–0.765, p < 0.05). No relationship was found between the coefficient of biological absorption of lead and other soil chemical property indicators. HM absorption by plants was random. No correlations have been established between an accumulation of HMs and a content of total nitrogen, an absolute value of nitrate nitrogen, a humus content, or a pH. The significance of the work is the possibility of providing reliable reforestation with Scots pine (P. sylvestris) and Cretaceous pine (P. sylvestris var. cretacea) on the chalk outcrops using the biological preparations Biogor KM, MycoCrop®, and BGT* methodology and ensuring soil phytoremediation from HMs.