Technogenic Origin Research Articles

Regularities of phase formation, structure and properties of chemically and thermally resistant ceramic materials

Based on the compositions of MgO—Al2O3—TiO2—SiO2 system, the chemically and thermally resistant ceramic was obtained at a firing temperature of 1250 °C by the directed synthesis of tialite and mullite phases. The influence of alternative raw materials of natural and technogenic origin on the operational properties and phase composition of porous and densely-sintered ceramic materials was studied. The using expediency of pyrophyllite containing waste of quartzite mining and ferrotitanium production wastes as the phase forming components of ceramic masses is established. The mechanism of structure- and phase formation of tialite and mullite-tialite ceramics was investigated. It was established that, stabilization of the tialite phase at a temperature of 1200—1250 oC occurs while maintaining the ratio of TiO2/Al2O3 oxides ~ 1.4 and the presence of 1.3 wt. % Fe2O3, as the mineralizing component included in the waste. The possibility of obtaining tialite containing ceramic materials at a lower firing temperature (1200 oC) due to the formation of a tialite solid solution (Mg0.3Al1.4Ti1.5O5) while maintaining the ratio of MgO : TiO2 oxides = 0.18 was proved. Technological principles of the production of chemically and thermally resistant ceramics both with the densely-sintered and with the porous structure, the total porosity of which is respectively 0.41 and 60 %, have been developed. The permeability of porous ceramic materials of mullitе-tialite composition was determined (water permeability coefficient P = 5.39∙10-5 cm2/s), as well as parameters of sorption processes (diffusion rate of Cr2O7-2 and MnO4- ions is 6.38∙10-6 and 1.06∙10-5 cm2/s respectively). This indicates the possibility of using the developed porous ceramics for the manufacture of industrial wastewater filters. Complex studies of the phase composition, structure and properties of the developed ceramic materials confirmed the promise of their use for the manufacture of parts of equipment operating in corrosive environments.

НАРУШЕНИЕ БАЛАНСА ВИТАМИНОВ У ДЕТЕЙ ДОШКОЛЬНОГО ВОЗРАСТА В УСЛОВИЯХ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЯ ТЕХНОГЕННЫХ ХИМИЧЕСКИХ ФАКТОРОВ

Vitamin deficiency among children in Russia is urgently issue. Chemical substances of technogenic origin are considered as a significant factor affecting the level of vitamin provision for children. The study aimed to analyze vitamin A, C, D, B6 and B12 level in the blood of 188 children aged 6 years attending pre-school educational institution located in the territory of a large industrial centre with determined concentration content of organic substances of technogenic origin (phenol, formaldehyde, ethylbenzene and chlorinated organic compounds) exceeding the hygienic standards in the ambient air, the air in pre-school educational institution and drinking water. Child diet was assessed. Besides, sampling and assessment of the quality of atmospheric air, indoor air and drinking water in pre-school educational institution were carried out. It was found that more than 75 % of children have a reduced level of vitamins in the blood, even under the provision of nutrition with vitamins at the level of physiological requirements and diet balance. The relation between the decrease in the vitamin level provision for children and high level of organic compounds in the blood of the children examined was revealed. A long-term intake of organic compounds with air and water leads to disorders of the antioxidant system, as evidenced by the decrease in the level of antioxidant enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase) and the level of total antioxidant activity of blood serum among children examined. Under chronic entering of chemical substances of technogenic origin and decrease in functional activity of the oxidative-antioxidant system enzyme link, the role of non-enzymatic reactions of antioxidant protection supported by vitamins increases that leads to their increased consumption. The vitamin deficiency is caused by their increased consumption under chronic toxicant load that requires a new approach when developing a set of measures aimed at preventing hypovitaminosis in children living under sanitary and hygienic disadvantage caused by the organic compound complex of technogenic origin in environmental objects. Key words: children; hypovitaminosis, chemical substances of technogenic

Forming entropy-information assessment correspondence of complex objects state and knowledge-oriented databases in monitoring systems

The knowledge-based approach for complex systems assessment and forecasting is justified. Production systems of the form "object 0-state (as the system components) – process (system processes, status change operator or support) – object i-state (system)" are discussed along with the problems of the information support development for implementing the methodological foundation for the complex monitoring systems analysis. The basis for the information-entropy approach is determined for forming models for objects of study with the purpose of object analysis of the state of natural and technogenic origin systemic formations using knowledge-oriented data and generating new knowledge. The information system is shown for collecting and storing the status data of the object of study under monitoring, transmitting data to generate models, analyzing the results and making an informed decision.

Perspectives for Distributed Observations of Near-Earth Space Using a Russian–Cuban Observatory

The creation of a specialized network of large, wide-angle telescopes for distributed observations of near-Earth space using a Russian–Cuban Observatory is considered. An extremely important goal of routine monitoring of near-Earth and near-Sun space is warding off threats with both natural and technogenic origins. Natural threats are associated with asteroids or comets, and technogenic threats with man-made debris in near-Earth space. A modern network of ground-based optical instruments designed to ward off such threats must: (a) have a global and, if possible, uniform geographic distribution, (b) be suitable for wide-angle, high-accuracy precision survey observations, and (c) be created and operated within a single network-oriented framework. Experience at the Institute of Astronomy on the development of one-meter-class wide-angle telescopes and elements of a super-wide-angle telescope cluster is applied to determine preferences for the composition of each node of such a network. The efficiency of distributed observations in attaining maximally accurate predictions of the motions of potentially dangerous celestial bodies as they approach the Earth and in observations of space debris and man-made satellites is estimated. The first estimates of astroclimatic conditions at the proposed site of the future Russian–Cuban Observatory in the mountains of the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve are obtained. Special attention is given to the possible use of the network to carry out a wide range of astrophysical studies, including optical support for the localization of gravitational waves and other transient events.

Impact of cadmium and lead on Megaphyllum kievense (Diplopoda, Julidae) in a laboratory experiment

After accumulating in plants, lead and cadmium of technogenic origin concentrate in forest litter, thus inhibiting the speed of its microbiological decomposition and causing chronic intoxication of saprophage millipedes which feed on it. The 20-day laboratory experiment described in this article determined the toxic impact of lead and cadmium (at concentrations of 0.3, 3, 30, 300, 3,000 and 30,000 mg/kg of litter) on the body weight of Megaphyllum kievense (Lohmander, 1928) and microbiological decomposition of forest litter. The death rate of M. kievense increased from 10–20% to 40% at 3 and 30 g/kg of lead and to 100% at 30 g of cadmium per 1 kg of litter. Gain in body weight of M. kievense reliably decreased only at 3 g/kg of cadmium (0.71 to 0.20 mg/24-hours). Under the influence of lead, gain in body weight reliably decreased compared to the control already at 100 times smaller concentration (30 mg/kg of substrate – 0.74 to 0.10 mg/24-hours). Under the influence of both cadmium and lead, the decomposition of litter by microorganisms is slowed down only under the highest of the studied concentrations (30 g/kg). The results of the laboratory experiment showed high resistance of M. kievense to lead and cadmium, at levels significantly higher than natural concentrations of heavy metals in technogenically transformed ecosystems.

Soil mutagenic activity in hazardous waste site of Kalush City (Western Ukraine)

<p>Frequency and spectrum of cytogenetic disorders in the cells of root meristem sprouts of <em>Triticum aestivum L.,</em> induced by soil contamination with hexachlorobenzene in the territory of toxic waste ground and Dombrovskyi potassium ore mine (Kalush city, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast), were studied. The concentration of hexachlorobenzene exceeded MPC (maximum permissible concentration) by 1233.3–18350 times. It has been established that chemical soil contamination causes the increase of the frequency of cytogenetic aberrations by 1.8-3.8 times. Its highest indicators were found under the most intensive soil contamination with hexachlorobenzene in the areas of toxic waste ground which were not recultivated. Frequency of cytogenetic disorders exceeded the control level by 3.4-3.8 times. The maintenance of high mutagenic activity of hexachlorobenzene remains in the soil of the recultivated area of the ground is confirmed by statistically reliable increase of the number of aberrant cells by 2.6-3 times. It has been shown that soil contamination of Dombrovskyi mine with the complex of natural-mineral compounds of mining-chemical raw materials causes the increase of mutagenic activity level of low concentrations of chemical gene-toxic factors of techno-genic origin, which is seen in the induction of higher level of cytogenic disorders compared with spontaneous indicators by 1.8-2.4 times. Spectrum of chromosome aberrations, which mostly included acentric fragments, expanded due to induced bridges, ring chromosomes and micronuclei. The share increase of the cells with dicentrics, caused by the effect of soil contamination with hexachlorobenzene in the territory of toxic waste ground, confirms the radiomimetic effect, resulted from the effect of chemical mutagen in high concentrations. Chemical pollutants of the soil of all the studied areas show the ability to cause mitosis disorder, connected with the damage of mitotic apparatus. A significant increase of disorder frequency of chromosome segregation can be the result of the interaction of mutagens not only with microtube proteins of division spindle but also with heterochromatin of near-center areas of chromosomes, which is typical for the mechanism of the emergence of cytogenetic aberrations under the effect of chemical supermutagens in high concentrations. The increase of the cell number with multiple aberrations under the effect of soil contamination with hexachlorobenzene in different concentrations proves high gene-toxicity of the chemical compound and the threat of severe genetic outcomes when it gets into the environment.</p>

PECULIARITIES OF FORMATION OF VITAMIN DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN OF PRESCHOOL AGE, SUBJECTED TO CHRONIC IMPACT OF CHEMICAL RISK ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

There was made a study of the blood content of vitamins A, C, D, B6 and B12 in 188 children aged 6-7 years attending pre-school educational institutions located on the territory of a large industrial center with environmental pollution of organic substances of man-made origin (atmospheric air: phenol, formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, drinking water: organochlorine compounds) in concentrations exceeding hygienic standards. It has been established that even with a balanced diet provided with vitamins at the level of physiological demands, more than 75% of children have a reduced blood level of vitamins. There has been revealed a relationship between the decline of the level of provision with vitamins and a high blood content of the studied organic compounds in children. Chronic both the aerogenic and peroral intake of phenol, formaldehyde, ethylbenzene of organochlorine compounds depletes the reserve of the antioxidant defense system, as evidenced by the established feedback of the blood content of the investigated organic compounds with the content of antioxidant profile enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase) and total antioxidant activity of blood serum. Under conditions of a decrease in the functional activity of the enzymes of the oxidation-antioxidant system, there is increased primarily carried out by vitamins, the role of non-enzymatic responses of the antioxidant protection, which is accompanied by an increased their consumption. The activation a mechanism for increased consumption of vitamins in conditions of chronic toxic load is the basis for the formation of a vitamin deficiency associated with the exposure to organic compounds of technogenic origin. At the same time, the progressive deficiency of vitamins creates the conditions for reducing the activity of biotransformation processes of chemical substances of technogenic origin and their accumulation in biological environments. The formation of interrelated processes (elevated levels of organic compounds in the blood of technogenic origin ↔ hypovitaminosis) as the pathogenetic basis of the progressive vitamin deficiency in children requires the development of new approaches to the prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis in children living in conditions of sanitary and hygienic troubles associated with the presence of a complex of organic compounds of technogenic origin in objects of the environment.

Моделі оцінювання техногенних чинників під час виникнення пожеж на сховищах нафтопродуктів

Наведено деякі моделі оцінювання техногенних чинників під час виникнення пожеж на сховищах нафтопродуктів, які враховують розсіювання шкідливих викидів у атмосфері та навколишньому середовищі з використанням нормального розподілу Гауса. Виявлено основні чинники техногенного впливу, які виникають при аваріях і катастрофах на сховищах нафтопродуктів. З'ясовано особливості розсіювання шкідливих викидів у атмосфері, визначено розподіл концентрації забруднювачів у атмосфері під факелом точкового джерела, а також висоту початкового підйому димового факела. Наведено моделі прогнозування процесу розсіювання шкідливих викидів у навколишньому середовищі, які є інструментами для кількісного оцінювання небезпечних чинників техногенного впливу й навантажень на людину та навколишнє середовище.

Composite grouting mortar based on 3D-NKM - nanocrystalline inoculant

For the waterproofing of tunnels and the uniform distribution of space between the lining of tunnels and rock, composite injection solutions are used. To improve the physical and mechanical properties of cement composites, the nanoconstruction effect is used, which is possible when using nanoparticles with extended geometry. Nano-additives and nanomodifiers consisting of nanoparticles, both natural and artificial and technogenic, can be used for the production of cement-containing solutions and concretes. For example, under certain conditions nanocrystalline powder of oxides and hydroxides of aluminum to nanotechnogenic raw materials can be referred to wastes of technogenic origin. The paper investigated the effect of nano-additives-boehmite, which is a waste of production, to increase the strength and frost resistance of plugging materials made on the basis of cement when administered. It is established that the use of boehmite as an additive in cements leads to an increase in the strength properties of concrete and increase its frost resistance, which is a prerequisite for long-term and reliable operation of the composite solution. Thus, the composite solution modified by boehmite is the basis for the creation of plugging solutions

Nano-level management of calcium silicate-hydrate nanoparticles structure formation during portland cement hydration process

Cement-containing building materials durability depends both on the original clinker composition and on the structure of hydrated portland cement compositions on micro and nanoscales. To calculate structural parameters of silicate-hydrate calcium nanoparticles during portland cement hydration process, the researchers applied the method of small-angle neutron scattering which included distribution of nanoparticles in size, medium nanoparticles radius, fractal dimension. Modifying nanoparticles blending with portland cement composition affects structural parameters of silicate-hydrate calcium nanoparticles. The authors used complex modifying nanoparticles in this study. Nanoparticle composition included a component that served as a filler and a chemically active component that was used as a modifier. The first component was a mixture of alpha oxide aluminum, gamma oxide aluminum and carbonate sludge. The second component presented a mixture of alumoalkaline sludge with alumocalcite sludge. These sludges were of technogenic origin. The research showed that application of complex nanoagents made it possible to control process of silicate-hydrate calcium nanoparticles structure formation, and, as the result, to influence durability of cement stone.

Increase a person’s face vibrational image information content due to compensation of components caused by his speech activity

The relevance of the human factor management problem is shown with the aim to minimize the possibility of accidents and catastrophes of technogenic origin. The role of modern remote technologies for monitoring the current functional and psychoemotional state of personnel of hazardous enterprises and industries is substantiated. The technology of analyzing the vibrational image of a person’s face is classified as one of the promising information technologies. The problem of occurrence of vibrational distortions is revealed at carrying out of active speech dialogue. An approach is proposed that allows to minimize vibrational distortions due to their selective compensation. For the implementation of selective compensation, it is proposed to use individual models of the persons face, containing information about the areas of the face most exposed to acoustic noise

Nonstationary processes of acousto-electromagnetic emission of the lithosphere in a seismic active region resulted from surface and borehole measurements

The results of synchronous detection of the emission of various components of the electromagnetic and acoustic fields obtained under conditions of low industrial interference and a high level of microseismicity are investigated. To compensate electromagnetic radiation of lithospheric origin, a compensation method was used. The signal loop antenna, recording a mixture of signals of lithospheric and atmospheric-thunderstorm origins, was used as a magnetic core of a steel casing of the borehole. The compensating signal was recorded using an antenna, the receiving coil of which was identical to the coil of the signal antenna. The measurements were carried out in the seismically active region of Russia (the Kamchatka peninsula, the Paratun hydrothermal deposit) at the intersection of the sublatitudinal and submeridional fault zones. Methods for analyzing registration data of non-stationary processes are considered using the example of acoustic-electromagnetic emission of the lithosphere, the electromagnetic component of which is a component of the natural electromagnetic field of the Earth. Their characteristics are estimated and a statistical model is proposed that uses nested semi-Markov processes and finite atomic functions. Observations of geophysical electromagnetic fields, in addition to useful information about the emission processes, contain interference, mainly of technogenic origin. They are especially strong in downhole measurements when a well casing is used as the receiving antenna. These interferences significantly impede the allocation of useful information. The possibility of using bleaching filters to increase the contrast of observation of useful signals of lithospheric origin against their background is considered.

Estimating the number of blasts in the Dushanbe-Vakhsh earthquake catalog

The daily periodicity in four regions of the Dushanbe–Vakhsh area is analyzed. The study considers representative, nonrepresentative, and intermediate-energy earthquakes. Analysis of the specific features of the shape of the diurnal variation on workdays and weekends make it possible (1) to reliably conclude that the anomalous daily variation on workdays in medium-energy earthquake samplings is of technogenic origin and (2) suggest similarities in samplings of the weakest and strongest earthquakes. Apparently, the catalog includes a large number of industrial blasts. The number of blasts in earthquake samplings of various epochs and energies is estimated.

Investigating the potential of using environmental magnetism techniques as pollution proxy in urban road deposited sediment

The use of mineral magnetic techniques as pollution proxy for road deposited sediment was explored using various statistical approaches. Standard techniques were adopted for measurement of mineral magnetic and geochemical parameters. The analyses of magnetic parameters revealed that the samples were dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals and multidomain grains. This implied that the magnetic fractions in the samples might be of anthropogenic origin. Results also indicate that the samples were dominated by low coercive, magnetically soft minerals. Thermomagnetic curves confirmed magnetite as the remanence bearing magnetic mineral having a Curie point temperature of ~580 °C. The strong association observed between magnetic susceptibility, susceptibility of anhysteric remanent magnetization and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization and aluminum, titanium, manganese, iron, chromium and lead demonstrated that these metals occurred as ferrimagnetic particles of technogenic origin resulting from vehicular sources. Assessment of pollution status of the road deposited sediment identified silicon and lead as the priority pollutants of concern. Generally, pollution load index was <1 (mean, 0.66 ± 0.14), indicating that the samples were not polluted in the overall, but the metals were in the buildup stage requiring constant monitoring. The sources of pollutants from principal component and cluster analyses identified the sources of pollution to be mainly from vehicular emissions such as brake linings, exhaust materials, tire wear, corroded metal parts, abrasion of lubricating oil and road construction materials. This study found that mineral magnetic techniques offer great potential as pollution proxy for soil pollution studies.

Pyrometallurgical Treatment of a Nepheline Charge Using Additives of Natural and Technogenic Origin

Prospects for developing the domestic raw material mineral base for producing aluminum and alumina are connected to a significant extent with the development of low-grade resources of natural and technogenic origin. There is considerable potential in unused tailings of apatite-nepheline ore flotation enrichment, natural aluminum silicate within the composition of urtite, ristschorrite and other alkaline rocks. Features are established for a change in indices for opening ore resources during pyrometallurgical treatment of a limestone-nepheline charge and subsequent leaching of sinter in relation to process temperature, nature and amount of raw material additions that make it possible to suggest a fundamental production scheme for inclusion into existing alumina production, i.e., the main raw material for electrolytic primary aluminum production.

Influence of Decolmatation of Channel Deposits of the Ufa River on the Change of Water Quality from the Wells of Infiltration Water Abstraction

There was investigated the influence of the process decolmatation (removal) of channel sediments along the coastal zone of the Ufa River on the change in the component composition of the limited-volatile organic components (LVOC) and the content of salts of total hardness in water from wells of infiltration water abstraction located on the river bank. There was demonstrated that colmated benthic deposits, on the one hand, are a natural barrier preventing the penetration of LVOC technogenic origin from the river water into the well water, but on the other hand, they are reason of anaerobic conditions in the filler beds, which leads to intensification of biochemical destruction processes of organic compounds in them with accumulation of biodegradation products. In addition, as a result of a decrease in the proportion of infiltrated river water in the ground formations, the total hardness of the well water increases, which impairs its organoleptic properties. After the work on the decolmatation of benthic deposits, an increase of in the infiltration of river water into underground layers was noted, which led to a decrease of the concentration of biodegradation products of organic compounds in them (carboxylic acids, esters, ketones, aldehydes, iso-. cyclo-, unsaturated hydrocarbons, nitrogen compounds, squalene), the concentration of phtaleic acid esters.

Astronomy in the Elbrus Region

Astronomical research in the Elbrus Region are conducted in the wide international cooperation. They are implemented in under the aegis of the International Association of Academies of Sciences in collaboration with the Euro-Asiatic Association of Universities. Authors outline the important scientific results obtained in the fields of fundamental, applied, and search studies within the international astronomical programs at the Terskol Peak Observatory. They refer to the problem of the identification of diffuse interstellar bands, studies of the star light-curve, detection of optical residuals of gamma-ray bursts, determination of the kinematic and physical characteristics of minor bodies of the Solar System (asteroids and comets), as well as investigation of space objects of technogenic origin in the near-Earth space environment.

Methods and means of accelerating particles of natural and technogenic origin

Various types of accelerators of solid particulates of natural and technogenic origin are analyzed in the paper. We consider the structure and principles of operation of micron- and millimeter-scale accelerators with the center of velocity distribution of about 20 km/s: electrostatic, electromagnetic, pulsed, rail electromagnetic, solenoid coil and electric-gas dynamics, combined installations. Light-gas, explosive, gas discharge and electromagnetic accelerators with different principles of action are reviewed. The focus is on the electromagnetic techniques of acceleration that are most promising for acceleration of macrobodies to supervelocities. The advantages and disadvantages of different types of accelerators of solids are pointed out. The usability of different designs of accelerators to simulate collisions of orbital meteorite particles and space debris with the surface of the spacecraft is analyzed. Problems emerging in the construction and operation of accelerators of various types are specified and solutions to these problems are presented. The results of experiments in the acceleration of solid micron- and millimeter-wave solids using accelerators of various types and methods of structural optimization of particle accelerators with a view to increasing their efficiency and the speed of the accelerated body are presented. The evolution of accelerators and the main directions of their further improvement are shown.

Investigation of Hydrated Portland Cement Structure Formation by Means of Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Investigation of the process of structure formation of samples of hydrated cement compositions on the nano level is conducted with the help of the method of small angle neutron scattering (neutron wavelength is λ=0.3nm) both on the basis of Portland cement without additives and that modified by various nanoadditives and nanomodifiers of artificial (alpha aluminium oxide, gamma aluminium oxide) and technogenic (sludge) origin, as well as by complex additives containing surfactants. Dynamics of changes of structural parameters of samples of cement compositions depending on time is analyzed. Changes of correlation functions of scattering objects and fractal dimensions are observed. It is substantiated that Portland cement compositions are fractal clusters.

Geochemical indicators of technogenic pollution of bottom sediments of small rivers in an urbanized environment

We have explored the possibility of using the geochemical characteristics of migration and accumulation of alkali metals (lithium, rubidium, and caesium) as the indicators of anthropogenic status of heavy metals in bottom sediments of small rivers of a technogenically disturbed (urbanized) environment. A study was made of the behavior of the above elements in bottom sediments of the rivers of Petrozavodsk (Republic of Karelia). The chemical composition of the sediments used in the study was determined with X-ray fluorescence spectrometer ARL ADVANT’X and mass spectrometer XSeries-2 ICP-MS; the content of organic matter in bottom sediments (from the LOI index) was estimated by the weighing method upon heating the samples under investigation to the temperature of 1100°C. As a result of the investigations, it was found that among the heavy metals, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Sb, W and Pb are of predominantly technogenic origin in river sediments, which Cr and Cs are of predominantly natural origin due to a high background of these elements in Quaternary formations of the study area. We determined a close association of the trace elements of technogenic status as well as of Li, Rb and Cs with content levels of iron-manganese formations and organic matter in river sediments, which does indicate a commonalty of the processes promoting their input into the urban water stream. It is established that the commonalty of accumulation of a number of heavy metals in bottom sediments with lithophylic elements (Li, Rb and Cs), due to the high chemical activity of these latter, makes it possible to use the geochemical characteristics of the alkali metals as the indicator of technogenic status of the main pollutants of the urban environment.