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This review generalizes results of radioecological studies implemented in Armenia in a period from the 1960s till the early 2000s. Specificity of geographical position determines the maximum of global atmospheric radioactive fallout in high mountain regions of the country. Several facilities can potentially influence the radioecological situation of Armenia: the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, a spent nuclear fuel repository and interim storage facility for radioactive waste. Runoff of many rivers of the basin of Araks and Kura (major water arteries of South Caucasus) originates on the territory of Armenia. The aforesaid peculiarities determine the key role of Armenia in transfer and distribution of radionuclides in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The given article considers results of monitoring studies into heavy metal pollution of vegetables and mulberries grown in city of Yerevan. The underlying goal of this research was to provide ecological assessment of plant-based foods grown in private kitchen gardens in different parts of the city. The studies have indicated that in recent years a priority pollutant to vegetable crops and culinary herbs in the southern part of the city has been nickel. Concentrations of the rest of studied heavy metals were well lower than those detected in previous years and did not exceed allowable values. High concentrations of lead and mercury were established for mulberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the outcomes of pedogeochemical and ecological investigations of Gyumri soils implemented for the first time after the devastating earthquake of 1988. 75% of the city soils are characterized by a low level of summary pollution with heavy metals. However, a moderate level of potential ecological risk is common to the city, and from positions of both geochemical and ecological risk assessment Cd and Pb are priority pollutants to Gyumri soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green microalgae strain Pa-018 was selected as lipids prospective producer from the algal culture collection of the Laboratory of photosynthesizing microorganisms of the Scientific and Production Center "Armbiotechnology" NAS RA. The strain was identified as Dunaliella salina by 18S rDNA analysis. The research involves a comparative characterization of D. salina, including morphological, physiological and biochemical features as producer of high-molecular fatty acids within the limitation of nitrogen sources and salinity in nutrient media. Gas chromatography analysis indicates that lipid fraction mainly contained myristoleic (C14:1), palmitoleic (C16:1n7), ginkgolic (C17:1), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1n9c,t), linoleic (C18:2n6c,t), linolenic (C18:3n-6), arachidic (C20:0), dihomo-γ-linolenic (C20:3n6), heneicosylic (C21:0), behenic (C22:0), docosahexaenoic (C22:6n-3), lignoceric (C24:0) fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the outcomes of studies of water quality of small mountain rivers running across the area of Gyumri - the second biggest city of the Republic of Armenia. Water quality assessment was done consistent with acting since 2011 ecological (regional) standards for rivers and river sections of River Akhuryan basin - the Akhuryan basin of territorial management. The study covered physicochemical parameters, ionic composition of water and the contents of heavy metals. The results obtained allowed to assess water quality by basic parameters and determine water appropriateness for water use purposes, protection of water ecosystems and their normal functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research was assessing dust load, heavy metal load and heavy metal concentrations in the dust of ambient air of Yerevan. With a view of characterizing geochemical associations in the winter of 2011-2012 a survey of snow cover was done. A dust load level on the major part of the city's territory is low, whereas in separate points sharp peaks are recorded, a daily dust load value averaging to 383 kg/sq.km per day. This agrees with a mean pollution level and a moderate degree of hazard. A total load of heavy metals in dust varies 0.03 to 2.61, averaged 0.37 kg/sq.km per day. Summary mass fraction of heavy metals in dust varies between 0.02 to 2.83 %, averaged 0.20%. The intensity of geochemical anomalies of heavy metals in dust is extremely high. Dominating atmospheric dust pollutants to Yerevan are Mo and Ag. 91-99% out of a summary share of heavy metals in geochemical anomalies of dust falls on Mo and Ag. MAC-exceeding values were recorded for elements of 1st (Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Hg) and 2nd (Mo, Cu, Co, Ni) category of hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is established, that intensity of indoor geopathogenic zones (GPZ) decreases by 2 times from 12 pm till 1.30 am. It is also revealed, that indoor variations of intensity of strips are independent from both the weaking of the operator's reaction and changes in daylight intensity. It probably concerned with the specific characters of the GPZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, through radon constituent of terrestrial radiation objectification has been made of elementary lattice of the Hartmann' s network contoured out by biolocation method. As a matter of record radon concentration correlation regularity in positively (+) and negatively (-) polarized nodes have been established: CRn(+)/CRn(-)>1. As found out, radon concentration variations in Hartmann's network nodes determine the dynamics of solar-terrestrial relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the outcomes of heavy metal (HM) investigations in water-silt-plant system in River Hrazdan basin (within the bounds of Yerevan), are considered. As shown, in HM water geochemical flows 2 contamination types are singled out: 1) 1999-2002 - decrease of contamination level, 2) since 2003 - increase in contamination level at the expense of Cu, Pb, Zn inflow intensification. HM monitoring in silts from 2000 to 2003 allowed to indicate qualitative stability and the increase in the intensity of a geochemical series (Ag≫Pb-Zn-Cu-Mn) at the expense of Ag. Qualitatively, the series is identical to that of the city's soils intense contamination areas. Established is intense accumulation of the basic spectrum of elements-pollutants (Zn, Ag, Cd) in bur reed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the problem of heavy metal pollution of Yerevan. A method of complex assessment and pollution zones mapping was applied basing on heavy metals summary concentration coefficient. For each of the 5 determined pollution fields the characteristic by separate elements, their sum, and their geochemical associations (by medium value of concentration coefficients vs. the background) is provided As found out, typical of the whole of Yerevan (225 km²) is a geochemical series — Pb(6,4)-Ag(4,4)-Zn(3,7)-Cr(3,2)-Cu(2,1)-Ni(1,4)-Co(1,4),Mo(1,4), in which domination of lead mostly steps from a long-term use of ethylated gasoline, printing houses-induced emissions, domination of argentums is explained by the functioning of a number of enterprises and uncontrolled activities of photo laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]