S. F. Gundorina

Experimental substantiation of the possibility of developing selenium- and iodine-containing pharmaceuticals based on blue–green algae Spirulina platensis

The great potential of using blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for the production of selenium- and iodine-containing pharmaceuticals is shown experimentally. The background levels of 31 major, minor and trace elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni (using (n,p) reaction), As, Br, Zn, Rb, Mo, Ag, Sb, I, Ba, Sm, Tb, Tm, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th) in S. platensis biomass were determined by means of epithermal neutron activation analysis. The dependence of selenium and iodine accumulation in spirulina biomass on a nutrient medium loading of the above elements was characterized. To demonstrate the possibilities of determining toxic element intake by spirulina biomass, mercury was selected. The technological parameters for production of iodinated treatment-and-prophylactic pills are developed.

Epithermal neutron activation analysis of blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for selenium-containing pharmaceuticals

To evaluate the potentiality of the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceuticals, the background levels of 31 major, minor and trace elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni using (n,p) reaction), As, Br, Zn, Rb, Mo, Ag, Sb, I, Ba, Sm, Tb, Tm, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th were determined in Spirulina platensis biomass by means of epithermal neutron activation analysis. The possibility of the purpose-oriented incorporation of Se into Spirulina platensis biomass was demonstrated. The polynomial dependence of the Se accumulation on nutritional medium loading was revealed. The analytical technique used allows to control the amount of toxic elements in algae Spirulina platensis. Based on this study, a conclusion of the possibility to use Spirulina platensisas a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceutical was drawn.

Resonance neutrons for determination of elemental content of moss, lichen and pine needles in atmospheric deposition monitoring

Experience in the use of epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) in the monitoring of atmospheric deposition by means of moss, lichens and pine needles is summarized. It is shown that 45 elements (Mg, K, Ca, Al, Cl, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni (using (n,p)-reaction), Zn, Cu, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Sn, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Th and U, as well as Ir and Re in pine needles in the presence of anthropogenic pollution by the nickel mining plant) are reliably determined. Examples of the use of lichens, moss and pine needles as biomonitors of atmospheric deposition in Franz Josef Land the Kola peninsula and in the Tver region are given.

Development of a combined method to carry out a multielement analysis for environment preser vation

The paper discusses the possibilities of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and instrumental neutron activation analysis in the investigation of environmental pollutions. The X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of samples was performed using the MECA-1044A analyzer (XR-500, LINC SYSTEMS, Great Britain) with a pulsed X-ray tube with a silver target as a source of excitation. Neutron activation analysis was carried out on the basis of two reactors: IBR-2 LNP JINR, Dubna, and TWR ITEP, Moscow. The optimal regimes of measurement for both methods as well as the detection limits corresponding to these regimes are given. To illustrate the perspectives of the methods, the ecological problem of the consequences of introducing into soil of the now available meliorator CaSO4·2H2O is solved in the paper. Data on absorption of trace elements in a wide range including rare-earth elements by agricultural plants are presented. This paper may be of interest for specialists in analytical chemistry and ecology.

Analysis of soil and pine-needle data from Northern terrestrial ecosystems

New experimental data has been obtained on heavy metal and rare-earth element concentrations in environmental objects, namely pine needles and soils, caused by atmospheric pollution in different regions of the Kola Peninsula. The investigation was performed with the use of epithermal neutron activation analysis at the IBR-2 fast pulsed reactor. Analysis of nearly 40 element distribution in pine-needles and solids from the studied geographical points testifies of a strong contamination source —the nickel smelting complex in Monchegorsk. The contamination levels for Ni, Co, Cr, Se, and others are also high and may be hazardous to the population of this region because some of these elements are carcinogenic.

Rare-earth elements in soil and pine needle from northern terrestrial ecosystems

The experimental data on heavy metal and rare-earth element concentration in the environmental objects (pine needle and soil) caused by the enterprise for the production of mineral phosphoric fertilisers in Apatity (the industrial region in the Murmansk region, Kola Peninsula) have been obtained. The investigation was performed by neutron activation analysis at the IBR-2 research reactor in the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The analysis of nearly 40 element distributions in pine needle and soil from different geographical sites testifies about their contamination by a spectrum of elements, including REEs. Their contamination levels in the soil in the vicinity of the enterprise are significantly high.

Peculiarities of rare-earth-element distribution in environmental objects

The effect of the production of phosphorus fertilizers on the pollution of the environment by rare-earth elements is reviewed. The main sources of rare-earth element pollution in the environment are described. The levels of REEs in components of the environment — atmosphere, snow, different types of soil, native and agricultural types of vegetation — that provide evidence for their participation in the biological cycle of plants are considered. The high values of the correlation coefficients lead one to think that the REE distribution in vegetation occurs under specific laws true for this family of elements.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of soil and sediment samples from Siwa Oasis, Egypt

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to study geochemical peculiarities of the Siwa Oasis in the Western Egyptian Desert. A total of 34 elements were determined in soil and sediment samples (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm, Yb, Hf, Ta, Th, and U). For data interpretation Cluster analysis was applied. Comparison with the available literature data was carried out.

Major- and trace-element distribution in cigarette tobacco, ash and filters

To evidence the efficiency of cigarette filter we have determined the content of 27 major and trace elements in two brands of filter and filter-less cigarette tobacco, tobacco ash as well as new and spent filters. All measurements were performed by Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis. We have found that the ash still contained between 71 and 86% of the initial amount of investigated elements excepting the more volatile As whose fraction represented only 28–32% of its original quantity. The possible implications of these findings were discussed.