2015 Issue №1

This paper presents data on the biogeochemical activity of 9 exotic gym-nosperm species in a model urban ecosystem with a high level of anthropo-genic pollution (Russia’s Non-Black Earth zone). The author examines data on the biogeochemical activity of Thuja occidentalis, Juníperus sabína, and Picea pungens in the conditions of polymetallic contamination of air and soils in the area affected by iron and steel plants. It is shown that most Gym-nospermae species accumulate such macroelements as K, Ca, and Cl. Thuja occidentalis accumulates V, Cr, Fe, Ni, and As in the area affected by iron and steel plants and is sensitive to emissions. The Ni concentration in the or-gans of Thuja is reduced in the conditions of polymetallic pollution. Picea pungens can accumulate iron in the area affected by iron and steel plants; its shoots can also accumulate Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn when affected by transport emis-sions. Juníperus sabína, Thuja occidentalis, and Taxus baccata accumu-late significant amounts of V, Cr, Fe, Ni and As in vegetative organs.

This articles examines the ability of wild mushrooms to accumulate heavy metals. The concentration of Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb in the fruit-ing bodies of forest mushrooms was determined using AAS techniques. It is established that certain mushroom species accumulate cadmium and silver, whereas the most pronounced ability is found in Boletus edulis. The correla-tion between the concentration of metals in the upper soil layer and fruiting bodies is questionable, however, areas in the vicinity of emission sources are characterized by a tendency of heavy metal accumulation

This article presents the results of a study of the chemical composition of uroliths using energy dispersing analysis. It is shown that this methodology makes it possible to analyse the elemental composition of uroliths

This article examines the effect of prednisolone – an analogue of the ver-tebrate hormone hydrocortisone – on the activity of somatic growth, blood sys-tem function, fecundity, and reproductive rate in Daphnia Straus (1826) (Cladocera, Crustacea) in three consecutive generations. This hormone had a proven effect on the studied morpho-functional characteristics of Daphnia. It indicates that the test object is sensitive to exogenous hormones, therefore, Daphina can be used in assessing endocrine disorders in aquatic organisms.

This article presents a completely new type of ecosensors manufactured from chalcogenide glass and designed to analyse liquid objects based on the in-terpretation of ion-resistive effect as an oxidant-resistive one. The oxidant-resistive effect and its first successful applications in chemical analysis helped to develop a new area of electrochemical analysis methods — resistometry.