PREVALENCE OF ESSENTIAL ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS OF DAGESTAN AND THE CONTENT OF Mg, K, Ca, Zn, Pb IN SOILS AND NATURAL WATERS OF THE TERRITORY

The aim of the study is to determine the role of geochemical factors (the content of Mg, K, Ca, Zn, Pb in soils and natural waters of the plain zone of Dagestan) in the prevalence of essential arterial hypertension (EAH) among the population of children. Materials and methods of research: an observational cross-sectional (one-step) study of the prevalence of EAH in the child population was carried out. The prevalence rates of EAH among children in the plain zone of the Republic of Dagestan are calculated for 100,000 children 0–17 years old, without taking into account gender differences. The content of elements (Mg, K, Ca, Zn, Pb) in the environment (soil, natural waters) was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) of indicators of the content of metals (Mg, K, Ca, Zn, Pb) in the regions and objects (soils, natural waters) of the study revealed a statistically significant difference in the data (for soils: F=81,06772, p<0,0002; for natural waters: F=58,86451, p<0,00001). The dependence of children's EAH on the content of chemical elements in the objects of the biosphere of Dagestan was determined, which was expressed in an increase in the number of patients with EAH when Pb content exceeded (r=+ 0,576, r=+ 0,759) and with the decrease of Mg (r=–0,668, r=–0,173), K (r=–0,440, r=–0,636), Ca (r=–0,693, r=–0,533), Zn (r=–0,051, r=–0,827) in soils and natural waters. Conclusion: when assessing the pathogenesis of EAH in the population of children, the content of Mg, K, Ca, Zn, Pb in soil and water should be taken into account, since these microelements, entering the body with water and food, affect the elemental status of child's body.

Assessment of Radiation Levels and Geochemical Factors in Iraqi Soil

Radiation exposure related human hazards and environmental pollution caused by the natural and manmade radioactive materials needs inhibition. An accurate evaluation of the radiation levels and geochemical factors of soil play a vital role. In this perception, γ-ray spectroscopy with NaI (Tl) luminescence detector was used to assess the natural radioactivity level and associated radiological risk due to contaminated surface soil (33 samples) collected from the Waist province of Iraq. Compared to the stipulated global average, about 64% and 15% of the samples showed higher radioactivity concentration of 226Ra and 40K, respectively, whereas for 232Th it was lower. Furthermore, the statistical guides of the geo-accumulation and contamination factors were used to calculate the pollution levels in the soil samples. The geochemical factors for some polluting heavy metals (Ge, Se, Ag, Sn, Sb, Te, I, Ce, Hf, W, Hg, Ti, and Bi) in the samples revealed wide variation. The contamination factor and I-Geo-accumulation catalogues of the samples exhibited the pollution level fluctuations from very high (Hg of 1.88 ppm) to very low (W of 1.33 ppm, U of 1.87 ppm, Sn of 3.8 ppm, Sb of 2.99 ppm, Ti of 0.66 ppm and Ag of 1.92 ppm, Bi of 1 ppm) to moderate Se of 0.53 ppm, Hf of 1.81 ppm and I of 3.19 ppm). It was asserted that the observed intense adsorption of some specific metals on the surface soils was due to the natural sources in the clays and heavy minerals originated from the carbonates. Such heavy elements could move into the minerals structure of the surface soils from the anthropogenic urban wastes, agricultural and industrial activities.

Results of the First Improvement Step Regarding Removal Efficiency of Kanchan Arsenic Filters in the Lowlands of Nepal—A Case Study

In Nepal as well as in other countries in Southeast Asia, the World Health Organization drinking water guideline of 10 µg/L concerning arsenic concentrations in ground water hosted in Quaternary alluvial sediments is often regionally exceeded. The commonly accepted theories include that arsenic in ground water stems from reductive dissolution of As-rich Fe(III)hydr(oxides) including microbial degradation of sedimentary organic matter. On the contrary, the influence of clay minerals in the sediments as hosts for As was clearly underestimated, as geochemical analysis depicted that As was generally associated with specific elements such as Na, K, Al, and Li. Moreover, there was a very weak correlation or decoupling between As and Fe in the ground water in Nepal, and this fact points to consequences for water treatment. The so-called Kanchan filters, used for the removal of As, installed in the lowlands of Nepal often exhibited effluent As concentrations well above Nepal’s drinking water quality standard value (i.e., 50 μg/L). Ground water concentrations of Fe and As proved to be the most important geochemical factors regarding the performance of the filters. Moreover, the flow rate as well as the contact time to the rusty nails in the filter, intended to adsorb As on their surface, influenced the removal efficiency. The removal rate was severely influenced by the handling of the filters, too. This short communication provides an overview of the removal efficiency of 30 filters, their drawbacks, the influence of the aging material in the filters as well as measures of improvements to enhance the efficiency of the filters. Proper instruction for users of Kanchan filters is a major point that needs to be addressed in the future.

Effect of Ionizing Radiation on the Bacterial and Fungal Endophytes of the Halophytic Plant Kalidium schrenkianum

Endophytic bacteria and fungi colonize plants that grow in various types of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Our study investigates the communities of endophytic bacteria and fungi of halophyte Kalidium schrenkianum growing in stressed habitats with ionizing radiation. The geochemical factors and radiation (at low, medium, high level and control) both affected the structure of endophytic communities. The bacterial class Actinobacteria and the fungal class Dothideomycetes predominated the endophytic communities of K. schrenkianum. Aerial tissues of K. schrenkianum had higher fungal diversity, while roots had higher bacterial diversity. Radiation had no significant effect on the abundance of bacterial classes. Soil pH, total nitrogen, and organic matter showed significant effects on the diversity of root endophytes. Radiation affected bacterial and fungal community structure in roots but not in aerial tissues, and had a strong effect on fungal co-occurrence networks. Overall, the genetic diversity of both endophytic bacteria and fungi was higher in radioactive environments, however negative correlations were found between endophytic bacteria and fungi in the plant. The genetic diversity of both endophytic bacteria and fungi was higher in radioactive environments. Our findings suggest that radiation affects root endophytes, and that the endophytes associated with aerial tissues and roots of K. schrenkianum follow different mechanisms for community assembly and different paradigms in stress response.

Multiple geochemical factors may cause iodine and selenium deficiency in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Deficiencies of the micronutrients iodine and selenium are particularly prevalent where populations consume local agricultural produce grown on soils with low iodine and selenium availability. This study focussed on such an area, Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan, through a geochemical survey of iodine and selenium fractionation and speciation in irrigation water and arable soil. Iodine and selenium concentrations in water ranged from 0.01–1.79 µg L−1 to 0.016–2.09 µg L−1, respectively, which are smaller than levels reported in similar mountainous areas in other parts of the world. Iodate and selenate were the dominant inorganic species in all water samples. Average concentrations of iodine and selenium in soil were 685 µg kg−1 and 209 µg kg−1, respectively, much lower than global averages of 2600 and 400 µg kg−1, respectively. The ‘reactive’ fractions (‘soluble’ and ‘adsorbed’) of iodine and selenium accounted for < 7% and < 5% of their total concentrations in soil. More than 90% of reactive iodine was organic; iodide was the main inorganic species. By contrast, 66.9 and 39.7% of ‘soluble’ and ‘adsorbed’ selenium, respectively, were present as organic species; inorganic selenium was mainly selenite. Very low distribution coefficients (kd = adsorbed/soluble; L kg−1) for iodine (1.07) and selenium (1.27) suggested minimal buffering of available iodine and selenium against leaching losses and plant uptake. These geochemical characteristics suggest low availability of iodine and selenium in Gilgit-Baltistan, which may be reflected in locally grown crops. However, further investigation is required to ascertain the status of iodine and selenium in the Gilgit-Baltistan food supply and population.

Effect of ionizing radiation on the bacterial and fungal endophytes of the halophytic plant Kalidium schrenkianum

Endophytes are microbes found within tissues of plants in various types of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including those habitats with ionizing radiation. Our study investigates the differences in composition of bacterial and fungal endophytes associated with the halophytic plant Kalidium schrenkianum and the effects of geochemical factors and radiation (at low, medium, high level and control) on the community structure of endophytic bacteria and fungi. The bacterial class Actinobacteria and the fungal class Dothideomycetes predominated the endophytic communities of K. schrenkianum. Aboveground parts had higher fungal diversity while belowground parts had higher bacterial diversity. Soil pH, total nitrogen, and organic matter showed significant effects on the diversity of root endophytes. Radiation had no significant effect on the abundance of different bacterial classes. Sordariomycetes predominated the root fungal microbiota under high radiation intensity. Differences in the endophytic communities between aboveground and belowground parts were more than that between the radiation levels. No significant differences were found in the aboveground bacterial communities among the radiation levels. Radiation showed a significant effect on the fungal co-occurrence networks. Negative correlations were found between endophytic bacteria and fungi in the plant. The genetic diversity of both endophytic bacteria and fungi was higher in radioactive environments. Our findings suggest that the endophytes associated with aboveground and belowground parts of K. schrenkianum follow different mechanisms for community assembly and different paradigms in stress response.

Impact of hydrological factors on human health and the spread of disease

In the article in addition to the description of the state of hydrological and geochemical factors, related to the ecogeographic environment, the influence of the ecological-chemical environment on the spread of public health was revealed. The analysis of the influence of the medical-geographical environment on the occurrence and spread of diseases was given. Key words: hydrology, non-infection diseases, eco-geographical condition, endemic gaiter, infectious diseases, ecology geochemical, environmental, medical geography condition