Identification of the toxic effects of heavy metals on phytoplankton by the analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves using machine learning
The creation of a network of autonomous stations for bioindication of water bodies state requires the development of methods for analyzing large data arrays. The combination of machine learning methods with traditional statistical methods is used to identify implicit patterns in the dataset for the effect of heavy metals on natural phytoplankton. The array of experimental data consists of 465 fluorescence induction curves measured on phytoplankton samples from 9 water bodies of the Pskov region, and reflecting the dynamics of electron transfer in the photosynthetic apparatus. Each curve is characterized by 14 JIP-test parameters, some of which directly describe the shape of the curve; the others connect the shape of the curve with the energy flows that occur in the photosynthetic apparatus under illumination. Cluster analysis based on a set of JIP-test parameters was used to distinguish photosynthetic activity first among phytoplankton samples in control and then under long-term exposure to cadmium and chromium salts. In the control samples, two groups were identified that differ in the photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton. It is assumed that the lower photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton samples is associated with anthropogenic pressure on the water bodies. It was shown that the samples with initially low photosynthetic activity responded to the toxic effect of heavy metals at later periods of incubation compared to more active samples. The proposed approach can be easily scaled to analyze large arrays of experimental data that makes it a promising tool for the early detection of toxic pollution of natural waters.
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-126-134
Views: 20
Finding of the thermophilic fungus Laetiporus sulphureus on the territory of Kirov
D.V. Popyvanov, A.A. Shirokikh, Yu.A. Zlobina
Section: Population ecology
climate is characterized by the predominance of continental air of temperate latitudes and the weather is unstable in terms of temperatures and precipitation throughout the year. The region is characterized by a long moderately cold and snowy winter, a prolonged spring, early autumn and a moderately warm short summer. The average air temperature in the city of Kirov in winter is -9.2 оС, in summer it is +16.4 оС. The annual precipitation is 582 mm, of which 60–70% falls on the warm season. A pure culture of sulfur-yellow tinder was isolated using a fragment of the fruit body extracted from the inner part of the basidiocarp. The growth rate of isolate Laetiporus sulphureus NV on wort agar was 10.6 mm/day, on PGA – 7.8 mm/day. Species identification of the fungus was confirmed by molecular genetic method, the results were deposited in GenBank: ON130354.1. Phylogenetic analysis of species of the genus Laetiporus was carried out. The antibiotic activity of the isolate was studied. It was found that the fungus inhibits the growth of gram-positive bacteria i>Arthrobacter humicola 30H, Pedobacter agri 85Td and gram-negative species Pseudomonas cepacia 5809, Erwinia rhapontici DAG1-1. As a result of the liquid-phase ultivation of the L. sulphureus NV isolate on various liquid nutrient media using a magnetic stirrer, it was found that the greatest accumulation of biomass on 20 days of cultivation is observed on a liquid medium based on a decoction of barley husk with the addition of 2% glucose. The accumulation of dry mycelium biomass up to 1.64 g/L was revealed.
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-181-189
Views: 11
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and other toxic elements in the muscles of fish in the Volga River basin
A.V. Gorbunov, B.V. Ermolaev, D.B. Petrenko, O.I. Okina, G.A. Granovskaya
Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects
The purpose of this work was to study the accumulation of heavy and toxic elements in the muscles of the main commercial fish of the Volga River basin. Sampling was carried out throughout the Volga River, in areas that are characterized by varying degrees of industrial development. In the course of the work, tissue samples of the main species of commercial fish were selected (about 300 samples in total). The analysis of the selected material was carried out by a set of methods: induction coupled plasma mass spectrometry, flamу atomic absorption spectroscopy and cold steam atomic absorption. Based on this analysis, the levels of accumulation of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Sr, Cd, Sb, I, Hg, Pb in the muscles of the main species of commercial fish were determined. Graphs of the distribution of the concentration of elements in the muscles of perch depending on the area of fishing are given: the maximum concentration of the sum of toxic elements in the muscles of perch is characteristic of the Rybinsk reservoir and the area of the village of TsaganAman, and the minimum – for the upper Volga and delta. The dependence of accumulation of As, Cd, Hg, Se, I and Br in the muscles of perch on the mass of fish has been assessed. It was found that the concentration of Hg and Se in the muscles of the perch is directly proportional to the weight of the fish.
Keywords: heavy metals, toxic elements,bioaccumulation, fish tissues, accumulation features, the Volga River
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-080-088
Views: 24
Heavy metals in soils of various functional zones of urbanized territories: assessment of the content and environmental risk
T.A. Trifonova, I.N. Kurochkin, Yu.N. Kurbatov
Section: Methodology and research methods. Models and forecasts
In order to analyze heavy metal pollution of urbanized soils of the city of Vladimir, the selection and study of soil samples was carried out. Soil samples were analyzed for lead, zinc, copper, nickel, manganese, cobalt and chromium. The obtained indicators were compared with the maximum permissible concentrations and background values. The regularities between the proximity of the studied sites to industrial enterprises and the concentration of heavy metals in the soil are established. The coefficients of accumulation of heavy metals in soils have been calculated and metals that are priority pollutants with the highest accumulation coefficient have been identified. By calculating the total accumulation index, the territory of the city is differentiated by the degree of danger. The calculation of such indicators as: the general pollution index PLI, the indicator of potential environmental risk PERI, the Nemerow pollution index (NPI). It has been established that lead, arsenic and zinc are priority pollutants. The degree of soil contamination of various functional zones according to the indicator of potential environmental risk and the general pollution index PLI increases in the following series: zones of multi-storey buildings < zones of green spaces < zones of transport infrastructure < zones of low-rise buildings < industrial zones.
Keywords: heavy metals, functional zoning, soil pollution, urbanized soils, anthropogenic impact, geoinformation systems
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-038-046
Views: 53
Ecological features and biotechnological possibilities of soil actinobacteria (review)
L.N. Grigoryan, Yu.V. Bataeva
Section: Theoretical problems of ecology
Actinobacteria are gram-positive aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria that tend to form branching hyphae capable of developing into mycelium. Their main role is in the decomposition of complex polymers in the soil: lignin, cellulose, chitin, humus substances; fertility formation; production of antibiotic substances; accumulation of biologically active compounds. Actinobacteria secrete into the environment a complex of secondary exometabolites of various compositions with aliphatic, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, nitrogenous, oxygen-containing and sulfur-containing compounds. Most of the isolated secondary metabolites have antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, herbicidal, insecticidal properties. Biotechnological capabilities of soil actinobacteria producing biologically active substances with a wide range of environmental effects are used in the development of multifunctional biologics for various industries. Actinobacteria play a crucial role in optimizing the growing conditions of plants, and therefore there is a natural interest in studying the factors that influence the relationship between actinobacteria and various crops in specific soil conditions. The development of this issue is an important link in the ecological characterization of the soil microbial complex and it will help to develop the theoretical foundations for the targeted regulation of the interactions of actinobacteria with
phytopathogenic microorganisms and insect pests. The purpose of this work is to analyze the ecological features and biotechnological capabilities of soil actinobacteria. The review describes the distribution of actinobacteria in various types of soils, including those with the presence of pollutant; the composition of the metabolites produced; relationships with other microorganisms, as well as biotechnological properties and the possibility of using actinobacteria for the development of biological products for agroecosystems.
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-006-019
Views: 36
Monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in commercial fish in the Russian Arctic
Yu.I. Varakina, A.S. Aksenov, D.E. Lakhmanov, T.Yu. Sorokina, L.F. Popova
Section: Population ecology
The manuscript discusses the results of the analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in commercial fish species (atlantic salmon Salmo salar, rainbow smelt Osmerus dentex Steindachner et Kner, herring Clupea sp., arctic char Salvelinus alpinus) living in the waters of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) and used in the diet nutrition of the inhabitants of the Russian Arctic. This study lays the foundation for monitoring of POPs, taking into accounts the possible risks and norms of daily consumption of traditional foods that affect human health in the Arctic. The authors determined the temporal trends in the content of POPs in Arctic fish species, as well as analyzed and compared published data on the content of POPs in traditional food. In the studied fish samples, p,p’-DDE, PCB 153 and hexachlorobenzene dominated among POPs, which corresponds to the trends in the accumulation of organic pollutants in Arctic hydrobionts. The total content of POPs in atlantic salmon, herring, arctic char and rainbow smelt was 15,01; 7,89; 2,38;
2,02 ng/g wet weight, respectively, which is tens to hundreds times lower than the established standard values. For all fish species, in the amount of at least 7 samples, the DDE/DDT ratio was high, which indicates early DDT contamination of fish habitats. Atlantic salmon and herring are the most contaminated fish species in the entire list of studied compounds. A decrease of POPs concentration in the studied fish species was noted in comparison with earlier studies conducted in similar areas. Despite the large amount of fish in the diet of peoples from the NAO, no significant risks have been identified. However, it was found that the level of PCBs in concentrations below the MPC carries a potential risk of cancer, especially with long-term consumption of atlantic salmon more than 45 g/day by the local population in one of the settlements of the NAO.
Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects
This article discusses the issues of air pollution with formaldehyde and the impact of this pollutant on the health of the population of the city of Lipetsk. The study revealed patterns of increase in the concentration of formaldehyde in the warm season (May–September). In the daily dynamics of concentrations, peak values occur during daytime and evening hours, which is associated with the cumulative effect of pollution and traffic congestion in the evening rush hour. The minimum values are recorded in the cold season and in the morning hours. The morning “rush hour” does not affect the concentrations as the sampling takes place earlier. It has been established that meteorological conditions influence the concentration of formaldehyde. An increase in air temperature correlates with an increase in the concentration of formaldehyde, especially in the daytime and evening hours, which is explained by increased solar insolation and warming of the atmospheric air. An increase in wind strength and air humidity, on the contrary, reduces the content of pollutants in the air. An assessment of the impact of formaldehyde on the health of the population, associated with the presence of a carcinogen in the atmosphere, showed that the city of Lipetsk is characterized by the maximum acceptable risk. The individual carcinogenic risk for the Traktorny District and areas near busy highways (the Ring of the Pipe Plant intersection) is 6 · 10-5. This level of risk is assessed as the maximum acceptable. In these areas, the presence of formaldehyde in the air can provoke 5–6 additional cases of oncological diseases per year. Such values require monitoring and implementation of measures to reduce the negative impact.
Keywords: air pollution, formaldehyde, carcinogenic risks, meteorological conditions, atmosphere
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-073-079
Views: 27
The effects of clear cutting on the biodiversity of middle taiga blueberry spruce forests in the North-East of European Russia
Section: Monitoring of natural and anthropogenically disturbed areas
The article discusses the biodiversity dynamics of the components of secondary plant communities grown after winter clear cutting in the series of restoration of blueberry spruce forests in the bioclimatic conditions of the middle taiga subzone. For every succession stage (1(2)-year-old, 17(18)-year-old and 49(50)-year-old secondary communities and primary forest), about 20 descriptions (81 in total) were done. The authors separately describe the plant communities of forests swaths, skidding trails in cutting strip and main skid roads. On the basis of the obtained results, we determined species richness and biodiversity indices separately for tree, shrub, herb-dwarf shrubby, and moss layers.
Industrial logging has been found to have an extremely negative impact on the species richness of forest species which absolutely disappear (especially stenobionts), decrease in abundance and constancy. In secondary communities on the territory of forest swaths and skidding trails, we fixed a decrease in biodiversity in the tree, shrub and moss layers and an increase in the herb-dwarf shrubby layer due to invasion of meadow, edge, and peatland species against a decrease in the abundance of species normally dominating in forest ecosystems. At heavily disturbed areas of the cutting area (main trails), secondary communities increase in both the total species richness and biodiversity at any layer except for the woody layer. The recorded increase in values happens due to formation of communities of very active species from different ecologic and cenotic groups. The floristic composition of the disturbed forest phytocenosis does not recover in fifty years after the anthropogenic impact.
Keywords: biodiversity, succession, clearcutting, middle taiga, European North-East of Russia
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-056-065
Views: 23
Ecological, biological and morphological features of the causative agent of trichinosis in the Kirov Region and optimization of control measures
O.B. Zhdanova, I.I. Okulova
Section: Population ecology
Trichinellosis is one of the most dangerous zoonosis. The analysis of different methods of prevention in helminthology indicates an increasing attention to such zoonotic diseases as trichinellosis in the World and Russia. Wild animals as a source of infection play the leading role in human infection. The task of present work is diagnostics, prevention of helminthozoonosis and improved monitoring and surveillance of the dissemination of trichinellosis. Practical application of expertise of meat and meat products from hunter’s trophies allows preventing infection of human and domestic animals with dangerous zoonosis. The article considers the influence of low temperatures, and the improvement of the fight against trichinosis in the northern territories. The index and shape of the capsule of trichinella in carnivores have differences. Apparently, these features are due to the peculiarities of parasite-host relationships and differences in the morphology of muscle tissue myosymplasts in various animals, and are species-specific for the host animals of trichinella.
The conducted studies confirm the effectiveness of the combination of methods of compressor trichinoscopy and
digestion in the artificial gastric juice for postmortem diagnosis of trichinosis of wild animals. When comparing these methods, it was found that the method of digestion in artificial gastric juice is more sensitive compared to compressor trichinoscopy, but it is less effective in detecting dead trichinella. New technologies for disinfection of carcasses and residual muscle mass after hides have been milled have also been developed for mechanical harvesting stations; for this, special refrigerating chambers and solutions of disinfectants have been proposed. Trichinella of the northern territories are more resistant to low temperatures, therefore, disinfection modes should be increased (both temperature and exposure time). So, for example, if pork is frozen at a temperature of -15 oC, and according to the recommendation of the International Commission on Trichinosis, it is necessary to keep the meat for at least 3–4 weeks, and carcasses of wild animals should be frozen for at least 3 weeks at a temperature of less than -20 oC.
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-164-171
Views: 9
Improving the efficiency of biological treatment of industrial wastewater as part of urban wastewater
M.Yu. Dyagelev
Section: Ecologization of industry
The article presents the results of studies of treatment of industrial wastewater as a part of urban wastewater. A biosorption method using powdered activated carbon was used as a method to increase the efficiency of biological purification. The research was carried out on a pilot plant consisting of four tanks simulating the operation of an aerotank. In each series of experiments, wastewater, activated sludge and special solutions simulating industrial effluents of different origin were added in equal proportions to the tank. Based on the presented results, an assessment of the effectiveness of biological wastewater treatment in the presence of powdered activated carbon with a different content of industrial effluents in the composition of urban wastewater was carried out. At the concentration of coal in the tank 0.1 g/dm3 efficiency of wastewater treatment of simulated effluent from the food industry on the generalized indicator “chemical oxygen demand’’ was 67.9%, and the efficiency of treatment of wastewater containing petroleum products reached 95.5%.
ISSN 1995-4301
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