Mineral Exchange Research Articles

Hydrogeochemical and mixing processes controlling groundwater chemistry in a wastewater irrigated agricultural system of India

In many parts of the world, wastewater irrigation has become a common practice because of freshwater scarcity and to increase resource reuse efficiency. Wastewater irrigation has positive impacts on livelihoods and at the same time, it has adverse impacts related to environmental pollution. Hydrochemical processes and groundwater behaviour need to be analyzed for a thorough understanding of the geochemical evolution in the wastewater irrigated systems. The current study focuses on a micro-watershed in the peri-urban Hyderabad of India, where farmers practice intensive wastewater irrigation. To evaluate the major factors that control groundwater geochemical processes, we analyzed the chemical composition of the wastewater used for irrigation and groundwater samples on a monthly basis for one hydrological year. The groundwater samples were collected in three settings of the watershed: wastewater irrigated area, groundwater irrigated area and upstream peri-urban area. The collected groundwater and wastewater samples were analyzed for major anions, cations and nutrients. We systematically investigated the anthropogenic influences and hydrogeochemical processes such as cation exchange, precipitation and dissolution of minerals using saturated indices, and freshwater-wastewater mixtures at the aquifer interface. Saturation indices of halite, gypsum and fluorite are exhibiting mineral dissolution and calcite and dolomite display mineral precipitation. Overall, the results suggest that the groundwater geochemistry of the watershed is largely controlled by long-term wastewater irrigation, local rainfall patterns and water-rock interactions. The study results can provide the basis for local decision-makers to develop sustainable groundwater management strategies and to control the aquifer pollution influenced by wastewater irrigation.

Bone microstructure in finite element modeling: the functional role of trabeculae in the femoral head of Sciurus vulgaris

In arboreal habitats, animals encounter substrates of varying inclinations. Consequently, the external loads acting on the limb bones during arboreal locomotion are diverse in terms of magnitude and orientation. It is not well understood how limb bones are adapted to a broad range of loading directions and which functional role is adopted by the trabecular microstructure in particular. In this study, we conducted a finite element analysis of the proximal femur of the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) to assess the functional performance of the bone during horizontal (0° inclination) and uphill locomotion (30° and 60° inclination). To elucidate the functional significance of the femoral trabecular microstructure in particular, we compared a model using a realistic geometry that included trabecular bone with two models using hypothetical geometries, one being solid inside and the other being hollow inside (cortical bone only). We report that the von Mises stress in the proximal femur increases with increasing substrate inclination. The reason for that is the higher percentage of body mass acting on the hind limbs during uphill locomotion rather than architectural limitations of the microstructure. Furthermore, the model using a realistic geometry shows a high similarity in its functional performance to the hypothetical solid model by avoiding high peak loads in the cortex equally well. These findings highlight the exceptional ability of trabecular bone to maintain stability under external loading of varying directions while at the same time facilitating mineral exchange and bone (re)modeling.

Changes in the exchange of minerals during mechanical jaundice of tumor etiology

Changes in the exchange of minerals during mechanical jaundice of tumor etiology

State of protein and mineral exchange in broiler-chickens for the use of Zinc and Mangane chelates

The results of the application of a complex of Zinc and Manganese chelates to protein, macro- and micro-mineral exchanges in the body of broiler chickens of the Cobb 500 cross-breed are presented. The administration of Zn and Mn chelates in a dose of 0,2 ml/l for chicken broilers of 23 days of age (1st experimental group) during 14 days influenced the increase in the total protein content to 35,3±0,8 g/l, which is 8 % higher compared with the control – 32,5±0,7 g/l (p<0,01 ) The concentration of total Calcium in serum of broiler chickens 37-day-old (end of trial) was higher in the first experimental group by 7,3 % (2,05±0,06 mmol/l) compared to control – 1,9±0,03 mmol/l. In the second group, where chelates were administered in a dose of 0,4 ml/l of water, the Calcium content was 2,0±0,02 mmol/l, which is 5 % more than the control group. The two-week application of Zn and Mn chelates also led to an increase in the level of inorganic Phosphorus in the serum of the first group to 2,6±0,12 mmol/l (+ 11,5 %) compared with the control group. After administration of chelates Zn and Mn at doses of 0,2 ml/l water, the Zinc content was higher by 4,3% (23,5±0,2 μmol/l) compared to control – 22,5±0,34 μmol/l (p<0,01). In the second group, where the dose of chelates was 0,4 ml/l, the concentration of Zinc was 23,6±0,16 μmol/l, which is more than 4,6 % for control (p<0,01). At the end of the study, the content of Manganese in serum of broiler chickens in the first group was 1,9±0,07 μmol/l (p<0,05), which is 10,4% higher compared with the control – 1,7±0,06 μmol/l (3rd sampling). The level of this element in the second group was 2,0±0,08 μmol/l (p<0,01), which is higher by 16,7 % relative to the control. At the end of the experiment, the coupon concentration in the first and second experimental groups was 12,6 and 9,3 % higher, compared with control, 7,0±0,37 μmol/l. In turn, the serum Ferrum content of the first group was greater by 9,3 % (19,3±0,69 μmol/l), and the second by 6,7 % (18,8±0,47 μmol/l) compared to the bird of the control group. Key words: chicken broilers, chelates, Zinc, Manganese, Cuprom, Ferrum, metabolism.

The indexes of mineral exchange in laying hens under the influence of Selenium and Zinc nonoacquahelates and vitamin E

The article presents the results of the study of the influence of nanoacquahelats of biogenic and biocidal metals Selenium and Zinc together with vitamin E, on the mineral metabolism indexes of hens of Loman Brown breed. It is known that the inflow of mineral elements such as Calcium and inorganic Phosphorus into the body and its proper usage is essential for the maintenance of egg productivity and egg quality. In this regard, it is promising to study the changes of the above-mentioned processes with the Selenium, Zinc and vitamin E nanoacqualates supplementation. It has been established that the feeding of Selenium and Zinc nanocarboxylic acids with vitamin E positively affects the exchange of Calcium and inorganic Phosphorus in the laying hens. In particular, the content of calcium in the serum of tested hens was significantly higher (17.3-26.7%), on the 60th and 90th days of the experiment, comparing with the control group. The level of inorganic phosphorus, on the 60th and 90th days of the experiment, also increased by 17.7% and 16.9%, respectively, in experimental group of layer hens compared to control one. It is known that macroelements Ca and inorganic Phosphorus are important components for the organism of animals and, especially, birds. These minerals have no nutritional value, are not used by the body as a source of energy, but their role as structural elements cannot be overestimated. Both Calcium and inorganic Phosphorus are part of almost all organs and tissues. The growth and development of the organism, as well as its productivity depends on the presence of these elements in the diet. In addition, Calcium and inorganic Phosphorus are actively involved in the regulation of a number of vital functions. In the birds, it is the synthesis of proteins and the intense formation of egg minerals. They are also necessary for the further formation of bone tissue of the embryo. Consequently, the presence of these minerals in the diet and in the body of layers hens, to a large extent determine their weight and quality of eggs. The obtained results show the use of nanoacquahelats of Selenium and Zinc together with vitamin E stimulate phosphorus-calcium metabolism and alkaline phosphatase activity due to their biophysical properties which are based on activation of many biochemical processes according to the effect of Borisevich-Kaplunenko-Kosinov. Key words: Calcium, Phosphorus, laying hens, Selenium, Zinc, vitamin E.

Paleohydrogeochemistry of the Upper Jurassic Deposits of the Arctic Regions of the West Siberian Megabasin

The paper considers the paleohydrogeochemistry of the Upper Jurassic sediments of the Arctic regions of Western Siberia. On the territory under investigation during the late Jurassic marine sedimentation was predominate, the sea depths reached 400 m in the Volga time. Under these conditions, syngenetic sodium thalassogenic chloride waters were buried, in some places with a high content of magnesium, the salinity of which reached 35-40 g/dm3. A comparative analysis of the buried syngenetic waters of the Oxford basin and data on the modern hydrogeochemistry of groundwater of the Upper Jurassic aquiferous complex revealed very significant differences. The analysis of distribution value the total mineralization allowed to establish areas of positive and negative anomalies. In the first case, most of the anomalies are associated with the processes of vertical discharge of groundwater of the Lower Middle Jurassic and Paleozoic aquifers in the zones of tectonic disturbances. Negative anomalies regularly trace the clay boundary of the Oxford regional reservoir, expanding significantly in the north-east direction. Their nature is associated with the development of processes of elision water exchange and thermal dehydration of clay minerals.

Hydrogeochemistry and human health risks of groundwater fluoride in Jinhuiqu irrigation district of Wei river basin, China

This study was carried out to investigate the hydrogeochemistry and spatial distribution of groundwater fluoride in Jinghuiqu irrigation district of China and to identify the hydrogeochemical processes and factors that control fluoride concentration. Water quality was assessed by comparing with the Chinese national groundwater quality guidelines and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality. Human health risks of fluoride were also quantified based on the US Environmental Protection of Agency (USEPA) model. The results show that groundwater in the study area is hard and slightly alkaline. The groundwater quality is generally very poor with excessive TDS, TH, Na+, SO42− and F− at some locations. The fluoride concentration in the groundwater samples ranges from 0.34 to 2.55 mg/L with an average of 1.08 mg/L, and 15.2% of the samples containing fluoride exceed the WHO guidelines of 1.5 mg/L for drinking water. High-fluoride groundwater mainly distributes in the southeast of the study area. The trend of fluoride concentration is consistent with the flow direction of groundwater. Groundwater fluoride mainly originates from natural sources and is controlled by hydrogeochemical factors such as alkaline environment, ion exchange, dissolution and precipitation of minerals. Health risk assessment results show that the non-carcinogenic risk for children is higher than that for adults and the health impact on adults is ignorable. The results of this study may help to set up suitable management strategies to guarantee water supply and health safety for local residents.

Assessment of the factors controlling groundwater quality in a coastal aquifer adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, India

A study has been conducted in the heavily populated coastal areas of the Puri district (Odisha, India) with the aim to: (1) identify the factors that influence the major ion composition and concentrations of trace elements in groundwater; (2) determine the spatial distribution of the water-quality parameters and how they vary on a seasonal basis. To do this, groundwater samples were collected from 60 shallow tube wells located along the Puri coast during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Based on their TDS content, 52% of the collected groundwater samples were identified as being brackish-to-saline and unsuitable for drinking purposes in both the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Significant concentrations of trace elements including Ba, Br, F, Fe, Mn, and Sr were detected in most of the samples. Iron concentrations were found to be higher than the WHO drinking water guideline value (0.3 mg/l) in 92% of the samples irrespective of seasons. Elevated Mn concentrations were observed in 37% and 40% of samples during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. In addition, fluoride concentrations in excess of the WHO limit (1.5 mg/l) were found in 15% of samples during the pre-monsoon and 23% of samples during the post-monsoon season. The concentrations of major and trace elements show wide spatial and minor temporal variations. Large spatial and limited temporal variations in Cl and Na concentrations along with considerable Br and Sr concentrations in groundwater suggest that saltwater intrusion is the dominant process controlling groundwater quality in the study area, although other processes including ion exchange, the precipitation and dissolution of minerals, microbial activity, and the weathering of aquifer material also play roles to some extent in determining the spatial and seasonal distribution of the major and trace elements in coastal groundwater. Grouping of various water-quality parameters related to these processes by principal component analysis and their linking to one cluster in the hierarchical cluster analysis further supports the view that these processes control the groundwater chemistry in the coastal aquifer.

THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CARIES PREVALENCE AND THE PECULIARITY OF DEVELOPMENT OF CARIOGENIC SITUATION IN THE CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Tooth decay is the most important early age children problem of the health of oral cavity. It is medical and social problem of many developed countries and countries with transitional economy.
 According to WHO, in some countries the frequency and the intensity of dental caries decrease, however the same indexes in Ukraine increase rapidly and systematically.
 The interconnection of dental diseases and general somatic pathology is well known and it occupies one of the leading places among the main reasons of dental caries. The prevalence of bronchial asthma among child population varies from 1% till 18%. Herewith, children with the diseases of respiration organs have higher marks of caries defeat than healthy children.
 The aim of the work is to carry out the analysis of the specialized scientific literature for the data generalization about modern looks to the prophylaxis and treatment of dental caries, its complications and the condition of dental health in children with bronchial asthma.
 Materials and methods. We have analyzed and studied the available scientific literature in the last years, which is devoted to the peculiarity of prevalence of dental diseases, prophylaxis and treatment of tooth decay, its complications and the condition of dental health in children with bronchial asthma.
 According to our research, there are different indexes of caries prevalence and intensity in Ukraine. Thus, in the western regions prevalence come up to 93-100% and intensity 3,4-6,5, whereas in the central and south-east regions the same marks come up to 73-93% and 2,0-4,3.
 There is a huge influence on the caries prevalence by genetic tendency, attendant somatic pathology, social and hygienic factors.
 It is generally known that patients with bronchial asthma use inhalation glucocorticosteroids as basic treatment. This fact places them into the group of higher risk of caries development. But the influence of these drugs on the progress of tooth decay and saliva secretion is not well studied. Scientists confirm that the use of inhalation glucocorticosteroids can change chemical and immune compound of oral liquid (the descent of saliva secretion speed, pH, number of calcium, phosphor, lysozyme and the upsurge of saliva viscosity). All these changes along with diminution of Ig A and ptyalin amount makes these children more defenseless to caries and assist in development of cariogenic situation in the oral cavity. Moreover, children with allergic pathology have changes of immune reactivity and dysfunction of albumen and mineral conversion. At the same time the defeat of hard tissues of teeth in children with hypoxia which is determined by inborn and heritable diseases most often appear as the systemic hypoplasia in combination with plural caries. Caries prevalence in children with bronchial asthma is about 88-89% according to the latest news.
 We need also to draw attention to the changes of the osseous tissues. They depend not only on burden and duration of bronchial asthma, but on the peculiarity of progression of caries process. These children have low mineral density and modified indexes of mineral and bone exchange.
 All this facts confirm about the systemic character of the bone defeat in this patients. Herewith, the stage of alteration grows up proportional to intensity of tooth decay.
 Conclusions. Thus, the analysis of literary data, as well as own research, have demonstrated the necessity of in-depth study of described problem and elaboration of specific prophylaxis program of dental caries and its complications in children with bronchial asthma.

Geochemical Appraisal of Groundwater Quality in Ottapidaram Taluk, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu using Graphical and Numerical Method

Groundwater qualities of coastal aquifers in the Ottapidaram taluk of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu have been extensively monitored in post monsoon seasons in 2014 to assess its suitability in relation to domestic and drinking uses in four regions (N-S-EW). 34 groundwater samples were analyzed for various physicochemical attributes like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solid (TDS), Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, HCO3, CO3, SO4, NO3, PO4. Most of these parameters fall under not permissible limits. The western part of the study area is highly polluted from K, Cl, HCO3 due to industrial/agriculture activity. The southern part is less polluted compared to other region. Hydrogeochemical processes controlling the water chemistry (Gibbs) indicates that most of groundwater samples fall at rock-weathering supremacy zone. Geochemical processes and temporal variation in the groundwater in this area are influenced by evaporation processes, ion exchange and dissolution of minerals. Major cation and anion ionic interaction indicate that weathering reactions have an inconsequential role in the hydrochemical processes of the shallow groundwater system. As a result of the hydrogeochemical analysis, seawater intrusion, aquifer rock weathering, sewer leakage are the overriding factors that determine the major ionic composition. The appropriate management plan is necessary to preserve precious groundwater resources.

Agricultural loess soils along a climosequence evidenced different susceptibility to acidification by simulated N-fertilization

Agricultural loess soils of the central region of Argentina show acidification evidences linked to both climatic conditions and N-fertilization. Because of that, simulations to estimate the future acidification trends under continuing N-fertilization, considering the different neutralization capacities of the soils in this region, were performed. An equivalent number of protons to that produced by a constant application of 180 kg urea ha−1 year−1 (84 kg N ha−1 year−1) during 1, 10, 30 and 50 years of fertilization, was added to unfertilized topsoil samples of agricultural Haplustolls, Hapludolls and Argiudolls. Mostly proton additions did not modify neither CEC nor the contents of both amorphous and crystalline Al, Mn and Fe oxides. However, the Hapludolls, located in the transition zone of the climosequence, showed decreases in their phyllosilicates crystallinity with the most acidifying treatments equivalent to 30 and 50 years of N-fertilization. This effect was less pronounced in those soils placed in both the driest (Haplustolls) and the moist (Argiudolls) environments, due to the amount and composition of the substances and/or systems with acid neutralizing capacity that prevailed. Thus, the Haplustolls were the less affected soils by acidification due to their high amount of free lime- and soil organic matter (SOM) as well as the smectitic mineralogy of their fine mineral fractions, clay and silt. The Argiudolls were the soils with stronger neutralizing mechanisms given by both their high SOM and fine mineral fractions contents, though illitic. Therefore, the Hapludolls were the most susceptible soils to being acidified if N-fertilization continues, according to the low quantity of SOM and fine mineral fractions of illitic mineralogy. From these results, the development and validation of mathematical models were assessed in order to predict the soil buffer capacity and the future pH of the soils. The soil buffer capacity was explained 78% by both the cation exchange and dissolution reactions of minerals accumulated in clays and silts, while pH values were explained 75% by the cation exchange capacity as well as by the SOM, free-lime and clay and silt contents. The pH that the soils would have in the future was predicted with an accuracy of 75% by the outcomes of the simulations, and in a 57% by the pH values of no-tilled and urea fertilized soils.

Mineral exchange between dentin pre-tretament with Dolomite powder on demineralized dentin in deciduous molars

The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in microhardness and mineral profiles in sound and demineralized dentin of primary molars after treatment with powdered dolomite (DMT) followed by glass ionomer cement (GIC) restoration. 32 decidous molars were selected and randomly assigned to four groups according to dentin pre-treatment and dentin condition. Class I cavities were prepared in 32 decidous molars, equally divided into groups G1 (sound dentin) and G2 (demineralized dentin). This in vitro study examined the mechanical and chemical exchange under two conditions: sound and demineralized dentin (pH cycling) to simulate the mineral loss occurs for the caries lesion.The 16-tooth (G1DMT, G2DMT) received first topical application of DMT and restoration of high viscosity GIC. The 16 teeth assigned to the groups (G1 and G2) were restored only with GIC. The specimens were sliced and prepared for Knoop hardness test (KHN), Micro Raman and FEG microhardness analysis. The statiscal analysis used ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test at a significance level of 5%. Micro Raman and FEG data were qualitatively described. DMT associated with GIC resulted incresead microhardness values of the demineralized dentin substrate, with positive repercussions of the chemical-mechanical properties of the dentin demineralized.Keywords Dental caries; Dentin; Glass ionomer cement.

THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CARIES SPREADING AND THE PECULIARITY OF DEVELOPMENT OF CARIOGENIC SITUATION IN THE CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Tooth decay is the most important early age children problem of the health of the oral cavity. It is medical and social problem of many developed countries and countries with transitional economy.
 According to WHO, in some countries the frequency and the intensity of dental caries decrease, however the same indexes in Ukraine increase rapidly and systematically.
 The interconnection of dental diseases and general somatic pathology is known well and it occupies one of the leading places amongst the main reasons of dental caries. The occurrence of bronchial asthma among child population varies from 1% till 18%. Therefore, children with the diseases of respiration organs have higher marks of caries lesions than healthy children.
 The aim of the work is to carry out the analysis of the specialized scientific literature for the data generalization on the modern looks on the prophylaxis and treatment of dental caries, its complications and the condition of dental health in children with bronchial asthma.
 Materials and methods. We have studied and analyzed the scientific literature available in the last years, which is devoted to the peculiarity of prevalence of dental diseases, prophylaxis and treatment of tooth decay, its complications and the condition of dental health in children with bronchial asthma.
 There are different indexes of caries prevalence and intensity in Ukraine according to our research. Thus, in the western regions the prevalence comes up to 93-100% and intensity 3,4-6,5, whereas in the central and south-east regions the same marks are up to 73-93% and 2,0-4,3.
 There is a huge influence on the caries prevalence by genetic tendency, attendant somatic pathology, social and hygienic factors.
 It is known that patients with bronchial asthma use inhalation glucocorticosteroids as basic treatment. This fact places them into the group of higher risk of caries development. But the influence of these drugs on the progress of tooth decay and saliva secretion is not studied well. Scientists confirm that the use of inhalation glucocorticosteroids can change chemical and immune compound of oral liquid (decrease saliva secretion speed, pH, number of calcium, phosphor, lysozyme and the raise of saliva viscosity). All these changes along with decrease of Ig A and ptyalin amount makes these children defenseless to caries and assists in development of cariogenic situation in the oral cavity. Moreover, children with allergic pathology have changes of immune reactivity and dysfunction of albumen and mineral exchange. At the same time the lesion of hard tissues of teeth in children with hypoxia which is determined as inborn and heritable diseases most often appear as the systemic hypoplasia in combination with plural caries. Caries prevalence in children with bronchial asthma is about 88-89% according to the latest news.
 We need also to draw attention to the changes of the osseous tissue. It depends not only on burden and duration of bronchial asthma, but also on the peculiarity of progression of caries process. These children have low mineral density and modified indexes of mineral and bone exchanges.
 All this facts confirm the systemic character of the bone lesion in these patients. Therefore, the rate of alterations grows up proportional to intensity of tooth decay.
 Conclusions. Thus, the analysis of the data, as well as our own research, have demonstrated the necessity of study of described problem and elaboration of specific prophylaxis program of dental caries and its complications in children with bronchial asthma more deeply.

Dissolved Organic Carbon in Leachate after Application of Granular and Liquid N-P-K Fertilizers to a Sugarcane Soil.

The progressive decline of soil organic matter (SOM) threatens the sustainability of arable cropping worldwide. Residue removal and burning, destruction of protected microsites, and the acceleration of microbial decomposition are key factors. Desorption of SOM by ammonia-based fertilizers from organomineral complexes in soil may also play a role. A urea- and molasses-based liquid fertilizer formulation and a urea-based granular formulation were applied at recommended and district practice rates, respectively, to soil leaching columns, with unfertilized columns used as controls. The chemistry of leachate collected from the columns, filled with two sandy soils differing in recent cropping history, was monitored over eight successive wet-dry drainage events. The pH, electrical conductivity, and concentration and species of N in leachate was compared with the concentration and aromaticity of dissolved organic C (DOC) to indicate if salt solutions derived from the two fertilizers extracted SOM from clay mineral sites. Cation exchange capacity and exchangeable cations in the soil were monitored at the start and end of the trial. Fertilizer application increased DOC in leachate up to 40 times above the control, but reduced aromaticity (specific ultraviolet light absorbance at 253.7 nm). Dissolved organic C was linearly proportional to leachate NH-N concentration. Exchangeable Ca and Mg in soil from fertilized columns at the end of both trials were significantly lower than in unfertilized soil, indicating that ammonium salt solutions derived from the fertilizers extracted cations and variably charged organic matter from soil mineral exchange sites. Desorption of organic matter and divalent cations from organomineral sites by ammonia-based fertilizers may be implicated in soil acidification.

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF LONICERA CAERULEA PHYTOMASS IN CONTRASTING GEOCHEMICAL ENVI-RONMENTS

To study mineral composition of honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea L.) phytomass in contrasting geochemical environments, the accumulation of macro- and trace elements, as related to their soil content in undisturbed Mountainous Altai ecosystems, was determined in organs of the Altai subspecies of honeyberry, growing in the geochemically anomalous environment on ultrabasic rocks and in the geochemically normal environment. Total chemical element content in soil and plants was determined by atomic emission spectrometry, while labile forms of К, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Li, Sr were measured by atomic adsorption spectrometry. Organ distribution and variation limits were determined for 30 macro- and trace elements. Leaves were shown to accumulate Sr, Ni, Mo, B, Ga, La and Zr more intensively in comparison with stems, while the latter accumulated more intensively Al, Cu, Mn and Zn. Plants grown on ultrabasic rocks had decreased Ca, K, Fe and Sr contents and increased Mg and Ni contents as compared with plants growing on acidic, carbonated and basic rocks. Decreased rate of K, Ca and Sr uptake by honeysuckle plants was most likely due to the mineral exchange distortion because of soil Ca/Mg ratio, which was unfavourable for plants. Leaves of plants growing on the ultrabasic rocks were shown to accumulate Ni in high concentrations. Increased Fe accumulation was found in leaves of plants growing on basic rocks, while stems had increased Fe concentrations in all study sites. The obtained results should be carefully considered for the purposed of phytomass collection and preparation for medicinal use.

Occurrence and Health Implication of Fluoride in Groundwater of Loess Aquifer in the Chinese Loess Plateau: A Case Study of Tongchuan, Northwest China

This study was carried out to delineate the occurrence and spatial distribution of groundwater fluoride in a loess area of China and to determine the geochemical and anthropogenic factors that influence its concentration. Water quality was assessed for drinking purpose by comparing with the national and WHO drinking water guidelines, and the impacts of fluoride on human health were also quantified using the health risk assessment model recommended by the USEPA. The results demonstrate that groundwater in the study area is slightly alkaline in nature, and its quality is generally good except slightly excessive TDS, TH, Na+, F−, and nitrate at some local locations. High-fluoride groundwater is mainly distributed in the southeast part of the study area, which is in accordance with the groundwater flow direction in this area. Groundwater fluoride is mainly of natural origin and is dominantly controlled by natural factors such as pH, specific hydrochemical environment, ion exchange, and saturation state of minerals. Fluoride contributes the most to the total health risk in the present study. Children are at higher health risk than adults in this area. Establishing central water supply system and rainwater harvesting system are suggested to guarantee safe drinking water supply in this area.

Influence of experimental hypothyroidism on bone tissue metabolism and mineral exchange

Aim. Characteristics of the changes of bone remodeling markers and mineral metabolism parameters in experimental mercazolilum-induced hypothyroidism in rats. Methods. Development of hypothyroidism in sexually mature male rats caused by 3-week-long intragastric administration of mercazolilum at a dose of 2.5 ml/100 g of animal weight, was monitored by measurement of the total serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. At the end of intoxication, in the serum of experimental and control rat groups the concentration of Ca, P, Mg, C-terminal telopeptides of collagen type I, bone alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α) was measured. Results. It was found that mercazolilum-induced hypothyroidism leads to a decrease of serum levels of bone tissue metabolism markers, C-terminal telopeptides (β-Cross Laps), and bone alkaline phosphatase, characterizing slowing of remodeling processes. Decrease of Ca and P concentration in the blood was not observed in such cases. In experimental hypothyroidism caused by mercazolilum administration to male rats, shifts in hormones and cytokine balance occur. Decrease of testosterone, increase of levels of gonadotropins, parathyroid hormone, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α was observed. Conclusion. In experimental hypothyroidism developing after mercazolilum administration, disorder of bone and mineral metabolism not only is a consequence of direct influence of thyroid hormones on bone tissue, but is also mediated by changes in hormone and cytokine status.

Recharge mechanism and processes controlling groundwater chemistry in a Precambrian sedimentary terrain: a case study from Central India

Unplanned and unsustainable extraction has created stress on groundwater resources in many parts of India. The stress symptoms are more pronounced in hard rock areas, where the aquifer potentials are comparatively low. Present research targeted an area of 3000 km2 in the interstream region between the Kharun and Seonath rivers, which is one such region in Central India. In spite of being a water-stressed area, so far, little is understood about processes of recharge, amount of recharge and processes controlling chemical quality, which are key inputs for groundwater management in the area. This study presents an appraisal of recharge mechanism, recharge rate and prevailing water–rock interactions in the study area. Stable isotope composition of groundwater when compared to that of rainfall indicates monsoon rainfall as the primary source of groundwater recharge. Winter rains, which are characteristically enriched in heavier isotopes, do not contribute notably to groundwater recharge. Recharge is rapid with minor or no evaporative enrichment before recharge. Further, analysis of stable isotopes show that ‘macropore recharge’ is dominant in limestone or calcareous shale, covering more than 70% of the study area. Also apparent is the vertical connectivity amongst the aquifers. However, active intermixing of surface water and groundwater is not a predominant process. Annual groundwater recharge from rainfall, as derived from chloride mass balance, is 105.26 million cubic metre. Groundwater is predominantly of bicarbonate type, irrespective of its hydrostratigraphic (lithology) setting. Dissolution of carbonates and gypsum (occurring as veins), weathering of feldspar and ion exchange of clay minerals are amongst the most likely processes controlling the regional groundwater chemistry.

Assessment of mineral status in young athletes

The article is devoted to the study of the exchange of the most important bioelements for the restoration of the physical working capacity of young athletes – calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn). Native and foreign studies on the diagnosis and correction of diselementosis in children and adolescents involved in sports are presented. The peculiarities of the metabolism of an organism of a child experiencing extreme physical and psychoemotional loads are discussed. And also data on how the interaction of macro – and microelements is realized among themselves, and how this interaction is reflected in training and competitive activities. The violation of the exchange of minerals is one of the factors that can lead to a wide range of disorders in the condition of young athletes.

Density functional theory of electrolyte solutions in slit-like nanopores I. The RFD/WCA approach extended to non-restricted primitive model

An extended reference fluid density approach/weighted correlation approximation (RFD/WCA) of density functional theory (DFT) is tested for the description of the non-restricted primitive model of electrolyte solutions in slit-like nanopores. The RFD/WCA approach of modeling size-asymmetric ions is validated by reproducing the density and electrostatic potential profiles of planar electrical double layer systems in the presence of mixtures of mono- and multivalent ions. The results from the DFT agree quite well with Monte Carlo simulations and satisfy the contact density sum rules of ionic fluid under a wide range of conditions. These findings suggest that a generic RFD/WCA approach can be formulated within the framework of the restricted and non-restricted primitive model to further investigate the swelling and ion exchange of clay minerals.