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Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have emerged as highly effective agents for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water and environments, owing to their unique structural and chemical properties. However, the hydrophobic nature of CNMs and their tendency to aggregate in most solvents present significant challenges to their practical application. Functionalizing carbon-based nanomaterials with proteins offers a promising solution to these issues, potentially leading to systems with unprecedented performance. Before fabricating protein-CNM systems for heavy metal detection and removal, it is crucial to evaluate the metal-binding affinity and potential interaction modes using computational approaches. In this study, a molecular docking technique was employed to investigate the interactions among heavy metal salts (AsO₄, Cd(NO₃)₂, Fe(NO₃)₃, NiSO₄, PbSO₄, PtCl₄), carbon-based nanomaterials (fullerenes C₂₄ and C₆₀, and single-walled carbon nanotubes), and β-lactoglobulin. The docking results revealed that: 1) the size, shape, and surface properties of carbon-based materials significantly influence the ability of β-lactoglobulin-CNM complexes to interact with different heavy metals; 2) different heavy metal salts exhibit distinct preferences for the various nanosystems; 3) hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions play a significant role in the complexation of heavy metal salts with β-lactoglobulin-carbon-based materials.

The production of high-quality and safe food products in areas contaminated by radiation due to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident remains a pressing issue. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and transfer factors of 137Cs, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in bull products when including various high-protein feeds, such as narrow-leaved lupin and genetically modified soybean, in their diets. The study employed zootechnical methods (design and conduct of a scientific-economic experiment on animals), radiological and spectrometric methods (determination of the concentration of 137Cs, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in feeds, longissimus dorsi muscle, liver, kidneys, and testes of bulls), and statistical methods. It was established that when using GM soybean in the grain mixture, the concentration of 137Cs in the muscle tissue of animals in Group II (experimental) decreased relative to the control by 2.57 Bq/kg, or by 40.5% with a statistically significant difference between groups (P > 0.99). Furthermore, the transfer factor of the radionuclide into the muscle tissue of animals in Group II compared to Group I also had 2.15% abs. lower. The content of Pb in the muscle tissue of bulls in both experimental groups exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by 2.52-2.78 times, while the concentration of Cd in the longissimus dorsi muscle and Cu in the liver of animals in Group II also exceeded sanitary-hygienic requirements by 10.0% and 2.0%, respectively. The introduction of 40% (by mass) of maize grain and 30% of GM soybean into the grain mixture instead of the same amount of wheat and lupin chop during the fattening of animals in the third zone of radioactive contamination contributed to significantly higher content and transfer of heavy metals into muscle tissue: Pb – by 10.3% and 0.10% abs., Cd – 10.0 and 0.03, Cu – 17.2 and 0.53, and Zn – by 17.2% and 2.40% abs. The results of the research can be used in agricultural enterprises and private households that produce livestock products in areas with a high anthropogenic load

Russia’s attack on Ukraine has caused widespread contamination of agricultural land, which is now an urgent environmental problem that is important for human health and sustainable development. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of military operations in Ukraine on agricultural land. To fulfil this purpose, a study was conducted at the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University, which included data collection and analysis in different regions of Ukraine, including Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. It was found that in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, soil contamination with lead exceeds the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) by 3 times and fluoride by 1.5 times; in Mykolaiv Oblast, the concentration of lead exceeds the MPC by 5 times, the content of zinc, copper, fluoride, and oil products by a quarter; and in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the concentration of lead exceeds the MPC by 11.17 times, the content of zinc and fluoride is increased by half, petroleum products – by 35%, and phosphates – by 30%. Furthermore, the study confirmed the impact of military operations on the physical and chemical properties of soils, specifically, an increase in the acidity of the soil environment (pH) and the density of the topsoil. To reduce the impact of war on soil and the ecosystem, it is necessary to monitor and assess the effects of military operations, develop and implement environmentally friendly technologies, and restore and rehabilitate the affected areas. The findings of this study can be used to prepare recommendations for the authorities to minimise the environmental impact of military operations on soils

Purpose: to determine the hydroecological condition of the different areas of the Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoir and its tributaries (Samara River, Konoplyanka River), which are under technogenic pressure. Methodology: classical methods of determining hydrochemical indicators (pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, permanganate oxidizability, anions and cations of organic and inorganic compounds) and microbiological parameters (total count of microorganisms and count of saprophytes) were used during the study. The content of heavy metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Findings: The study of the current hydroecological state of the Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoir in the summer period showed that, according to most parameters, the water quality did not exceed the MAC (maximum allowable concentration) for fish farming. The exception was the reduced oxygen dissolved concentration (by 10-25%) in almost all areas of the reservoir, and the high mineralization of water in the Samara Bay (2 MAC), due to the discharge of highly mineralized waters of the Samara River. In the long-term aspect, there is an increase in the total mineralization of the Samara River (4 MAC, which is under the influence of the discharge mine waters of the coal mining industry of Western Donbas. The analysis of the content of heavy metals in the reservoir indicated an increase in the concentration of copper - from 13 MAC in the Samara Bay to 21 MAC in the lower part of the reservoir. The Samara River was characterized by a high content of cadmium (1.5 MAC), copper (13 MAC), and nickel (2.3 MAC). Indicators of the ecological state of the Konoplyanka River had significant differences in its different areas: in the upper reaches of the river, where the economic and domestic effluents of the city of Kamianske and the tailings storage facilities for radioactive waste are located, water did not meet the MAC for oxygen content, carbon dioxide, nitrites, nitrates, mineral ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl’, SO4-2), general mineralization and the count of saprophytic microorganisms; at the mouth of the river, exceeding the MAC for nitrate content and saprophytic microflora was recorded. Originality: data on the hydroecological state of the Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoir and its tributaries in the conditions of the war have been obtained. Practical value: the results of the conducted study can be used to develop a strategic program for the restoration of the ecosystem of the Dnipro reservoirs in the post-war period.

Introduction. Domestic waste management is an extremely important issue for all countries of the world, especially for the countries of the former Soviet Union, as the current state of solid waste disposal in Ukraine is extremely unsatisfactory. According to the European Commission, the amount of waste in the European Union has increased in recent years to more than 2.5 billion tons per year. The results of the Waste Atlas report on the world's 50 largest landfills show that 64 million people are affected by the 50 largest landfills every day. Ukraine has a total of 6045 landfills and dumpsites. The general trend in Ukraine, in contrast to European countries, is a low level of recycling and utilization of solid waste and a high rate of landfill disposal. The vast majority of landfills (80 to 90%) operate in overload mode. Landfills, in particular solid waste landfills, are the main pollutants of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and soil. Therefore, determining the level of environmental hazard of heavy metals in the soil as a result of the impact of landfills and solid waste dumps is very important. Objective. The purpose of the article is to determine the impact of solid waste landfills on public health due to soil contamination with heavy metals. Methodology. In order to determine the level of environmental hazard of household waste storage at landfills and dumps, the paper assesses the risk to public health from soil contamination in the area of the Hrybovychi landfill (Lviv oblast), Rohan landfill (Kharkiv oblast), and Novovodolazhske landfill (Kharkiv oblast). The risk to public health from soil contamination at solid waste landfills was assessed using the traditional US EPA method and a new method for determining the potential risk to public health from soil contamination with heavy metals. Results. The article compares two fundamentally different methodological approaches to determining the level of environmental hazard of soil contamination with heavy metals. The risk to public health from soil contamination on the territory of solid waste landfills according to the US EPA method corresponds to hazard class 5 (extremely high hazard level) according to all calculations. The results of the assessment of the potential risk to public health from soil contamination using the new method at solid waste landfills correspond to hazard classes 2-4. Comparison of methodological principles for assessing the risk to public health from soil pollution has shown the advantages of using the new method of potential risk assessment. The use of the new method of assessing the potential risk to public health from soil pollution will help improve science-based management of household waste and direct financial resources to reduce the environmental hazard of soil and land pollution in Ukraine. Scientific novelty. The article presents an improved method for assessing the risk to public health from soil pollution, which represents the scientific novelty of the work Practical significance. Determining the environmental hazard of soil pollution due to the impact of landfills and solid waste dumps makes it possible to prioritize the implementation of environmental protection measures and will contribute to the implementation of environmentally sound environmental management, so the research is of practical importance.

The research of water indicators in the farms of the Western biogeochemical zone of Ukraine is important and relevant in terms of ensuring water quality for cattle. The aim of the study was to investigate the chemical regime of groundwater used for animal watering in the farms of Lviv and Rivne regions. Methods that were used in the study included: drinking samples; atomic absorption spectrophotometry; turbidimetry; and removal of microbiological and organic biofilm and bacteria. During the study of drinking water supply for cows, it was found that water turbidity was increased in all seasons, especially in summer, but the organoleptic properties of water, such as smell, colour, taste and aftertaste, met the standards. It was found that the alkalinity index exceeded the standard threshold limit value in spring. The amount of calcium ions increased in autumn and winter and generally ranged from 115±25.2 to 156±12.7 mg/dm3. It was also found that the levels of manganese were increased by two times and iron by three times above normal. Nitrate levels in the water samples were close to exceeding the permissible limit and ranged from 15.2±8.91 to 26.3±14.68 mg/dm3, while mercury was also within the sub-threshold range and reached 0.1±0.1 to 0.3±0.11 μg/dm3. It is worth noting that the use of hydrogen peroxide and activated silver solution not only improved the health and productivity of cows but also ensured an increase in the quality of milk produced. The results of the study can be used in practice by ecologists, agricultural workers, and state and local governments to develop and implement programmes and projects to manage the quality of water supply on farms

Purpose. Assessment of the dynamics of heavy metal accumulation in water, bottom sediments, and fish of water bodies of different purposes in Dnipropetrovsk region. Methodology. The study on heavy metal contents in water, bottom sediments, and hydrobionts (fish) was conducted at various water bodies (Dnipro-Donbas hydraulic canal), fish ponds (ponds of PrJSC “AgroSoyuz”, PrJSC “Petrykivsky Rybhosp” and PE «Agrofirma «Nakhodka»), and multipurpose reservoirs (Dnipro reservoir, Sholokhivske reservoir) in Dnipropetrovsk region from 2015 to 2024. The determination of heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn) was carried out at the laboratory of the Research Center for Biosafety and Environmental Monitoring of Agricultural Resources of Dnipro State Agricultural and Economic University. The metal content was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The heavy metal contents were measured in four fish species (European perch, roach, Prussian carp, common carp). Sampling, data processing, and statistical analysis were conducted according to standard hydrochemical, hydrobiological, and ichthyological methods. The heavy metal contents were determined in fish muscles. Water quality was assessed according to general requirements and standards for fishery water bodies. Findings. The heavy metal contents in ecosystems of water bodies of different purposes was determined. In the sediment of ponds of PrJSC “AgroSoyuz” and PrJSC “Petrykivsky Rybhosp”, the heavy metal contents were significantly higher than in water or fish body: manganese within 41.24–68.43 mg/kg, cadmium – 0.32 mg/kg, lead 1.50–4.90 mg/kg (for ponds of PrJSC “AgroSoyuz”); manganese – 29.73 mg/kg, cadmium – 0.54 mg/kg, lead 5.72 mg/kg (for recreational pond of PrJSC “Petrykivsky Rybhosp”). For the water of these ponds, which is used for aquaculture, an excess of the content of some heavy metals – Mn, Zn, Cd - was recorded, and for the pond of PrJSC “AgroSoyuz” also Cu. Exceeding the normative heavy metal content for pond water of PE “Agrofirma “Nakhodka” was not noted. The content of some heavy metals in the water of the upper part of the Dnipro reservoir (Cu, Fe) did not meet the fishery norms. At the same time, the heavy metal contents in water and fish of these water bodies does not exceed the fishery standards for water used for fishery purposes. The heavy metal contents in the water of the upper part of the Dniprovske Reservoir (except for the Samara Bay) corresponded to fishery standards. The water in the Dnipro-Donbas hydrotechnical canal was characterized by high levels of heavy metals. Of the 6 investigated heavy metals, the maximum allowable concentrations were not exceeded only for lead (0.40 mg/dm3) The heavy metal contents in C. carpio muscles (juveniles and table fish) in different ponds of PrJSC “Petrykivskyi Rybhosp” (nursery and fattening) corresponded to fishery standards during the three years of the study (2011, 2015, 2016). In the Sholokhivske reservoir, the zinc content in C. gibelio muscles was 46.50 mg/kg, slightly exceeding the maximum allowable concentrations. Exceedances of copper and lead content were not noted. For fish from the Dnipro reservoir, the content of most heavy metals was elevated. In the meat of pelagic roach (R. rutilus), only copper content was within the normal limits (1.56 mg/kg), while all other 6 heavy metals exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations. In the meat of benthophagous Prussian carp (C. gibelio), elevated levels of accumulation of heavy metals were observed for manganese, iron, lead, and nickel, while zinc, copper, and cadmium content were within the standards. In the meat of European perch (P. fluviatilis), the highest content of heavy metals was observed for iron (80.54 mg/kg), with elevated levels observed for manganese, zinc, lead, and nickel. The obtained results indicate that the hydroecosystem of the Dniprovske reservoir, unlike other water bodies in the region, is significantly polluted with heavy metals. This is adequately reflected in the levels of heavy metal accumulation in the organisms of fish from different ecological groups - pelagic herbivores, benthophagous bottom-feeders, and predators. Originality. For the first time, the content of heavy metal accumulation in water, bottom sediments, and fish of water bodies of different purposes in Dnipropetrovsk region has been carried out over several years (2015–2024). Practical Value. The obtained results have theoretical and practical importance for the preparation of scientific-biological justifications for the fishery use of water bodies of various purposes in the region. Continuous monitoring of the heavy metal contents in hydrobionts is necessary to ensure food safety and the quality of raw materials and food fish products.

Understanding the interaction of heavy metals with proteins is pivotal for unraveling their roles in biochemical processes and metal-induced diseases, with wide-ranging implications spanning medicine, environmental science, and biotechnology, thereby driving progress in therapeutics, pollution mitigation, and biomaterial innovation. In the present study the molecular docking technique was employed to identify and characterize the binding sites of the set of heavy metals (Cu2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Hg2+, Co2+, Cu+, Au+, Ba2+, Pb2+, Pt2+, Sm3+, and Sr2+) and proteins ((β-lactoglobulin, 7S globulin and glycinin from soybeans) to evaluate the impact of protein structure on their ion-binding abilities and selectivity. Our docking results indicate that essential and toxic heavy metals interact with multiple binding sites of proteins, presumably by electrostatic interactions and metal chelation with cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and histidine amino acid residues. The comparison of binding residues favorable for heavy metal complexation among different proteins indicates that metals exhibit distinct preferences for various amino acid residues highlighting the importance of both the metal and the protein properties for stabilizing protein-metal complexation.

In this paper the content of heavy metals at the territory of Pyatihatki settlement, where the National Scientific Center Kharkiv Institute of Physics & Technology (NSC KIPT) is located. The nuclear-physical methods were used to determine the content of chemical elements in the soil samples taken in 30 points at the territory of Pyatihatki settlement in 2011-2021. The elemental analysis was carried out on the analytical nuclear-physical complex "Sokol". The methods, based on registration of characteristic X-ray radiation of atoms and g-radiation of nuclei excited by accelerated protons, were used. After the measurements completion, the data arrays on the content of 15 chemical elements (N, Na, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Zr, Br, Sr, Pb) in the soil samples were obtained. The data arrays processing was carried out using the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) PMF v3.0.2.2.2 software based on the application of the PMF (Positive matrix factorisation) algorithm. ArcView 3.2a was chosen as the basic software product for the analysis of spatial distribution of the major polluting chemical elements. As a result of the performed work, the pollution sources, which have an impact on the territory near the NSC KIPT, have been identified. The source of the soil pollution is the autostrades, among which the road around the city Kharkiv stands out, where an increase in the content of Pb, Sr, Zr, Cr and Cu was detected. A source of chromium contamination, located presumably to the north-east of Pyatihatki settlement, was identified. The analyses of the obtained data showed that the PMF method allows to identify the factors that affect the soil contamination, and to determine the presumptive sources of pollution with the help of wind rose.

Tasks of this study – to investigate levels of contamination of soils of background forest area of Ukrainian Polissia by heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn); to evaluate of concentrations of these heavy metals in fractions of mosses; to calculate values of coefficient of biological absorption of heavy metals by fractions of moss species. Study was conducted in July 2021 at 3 experimental plots in Zhytomyr Region, Povchanske forest division of branch «Lugyny Forestry». Vegetation was presented by association Molinio-Pinetum Matuszkiewicz (1973) 1981, and by moist fairly infertile pine site type (В3). Moss were sampled by fractions: Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum polysetum – increment of 1-2 years, increment of earlier period; Polytrichum commune – increment of the first year, increment of the second year, increment of earlier period; Leucobryum glaucum, Sphagnum capillifolium and S. palustre – increment of the first year, increment of the second year, peat litter (semi-decomposed). Measurement of heavy metals content was conducted on atomic-absorption spectrophotometer С-115-М1. Coefficient of biological absorption was used as an index of intensity accumulation of heavy metals by mosses in the chain «soil – moss». Concentrations of heavy metals in 10-cm soil layer changed in such range: Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd; in absolute values (mg·kg-1) – 3,75±0,06; 3,56±0,10; 1,10±0,05; 0,002±0,00. Specific distribution in fractions of all studied moss species – terrestrial and paludal – was found for concentrations of Cu – maximal concentration was in the increment of the first year with decrease to the increment of the second year and lower – to the old moss fraction. Opposite distribution in moss fractions was observed for Zn and Pb in all studied moss species. More complicated distribution in moss fractions was observed for concentrations of Cd. For terrestrial mosses, such as Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum polysetum and Polytrichum commune this distribution was similar – decrease Cd concentrations from increment of the first year to increment of the second year and to the lower part of mosses, but for Sphagnum spp. was differ. An important conclusion can be made that ranged row of heavy metals accumulated in the upper moss part (increment of the first year) looks like this: Cd > Cu > Zn > Pb; in the increment of the second year – Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb; in the lower part of moss cover – Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu. Also general conclusion can be made that intake of each heavy metal is species-dependent as well as distribution of its concentration among moss fractions.

Sunflower cultivation using intensive technologies, which manifests itself in the disruption of crop rotation, high rates of mineral fertilisers and pesticides, leads to an increased risk of products contaminated with heavy metals, nitrates, and pesticide residues. The purpose of this study was to identify the risks of toxic substances accumulation in the soil and sunflower seeds. In this study, the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method was used to determine the content of toxic substances in soil and sunflower seeds. The content of alkaline-hydrolysed nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, the reaction of the soil solution pH, as well as the content of mobile forms of heavy metals: lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, mercury, cobalt, and molybdenum; boron, and radioactive caesium were determined in the soil after sunflower cultivation. The factual content of soil contaminants was compared with their maximum permissible concentrations. The study investigated the content of heavy metals, namely, lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc, as well as nitrates in sunflower seeds. Their content was compared with the values of maximum permissible concentrations. The coefficients of accumulation of the heavy metals under study by sunflower seeds were calculated. Thus, copper and zinc are most intensively absorbed from the soil and accumulate in sunflower seeds, while lead is the least absorbed. The findings suggest that since no excess of the permissible levels of heavy metals and nitrates in sunflower seeds was found, there is a higher probability of their increased accumulation in sunflower by-products: seed husks, stems, leaves, petioles, and roots. The study results can be used in organic sunflower cultivation

Introduction. Domestic waste management is an extremely important issue for all countries of the world, especially for the countries of the former Soviet Union, as the current state of solid waste disposal in Ukraine is extremely unsatisfactory. According to the European Commission, the amount of waste in the European Union has increased in recent years to more than 2.5 billion tons per year. The results of the Waste Atlas report on the world's 50 largest landfills show that 64 million people are affected by the 50 largest landfills every day. Ukraine has a total of 6045 landfills and dumpsites. The general trend in Ukraine, in contrast to European countries, is a low level of recycling and utilization of solid waste and a high rate of landfill disposal. The vast majority of landfills (80 to 90%) operate in overload mode. Landfills, in particular solid waste landfills, are the main pollutants of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and soil. Therefore, determining the level of environmental hazard of heavy metals in the soil as a result of the impact of landfills and solid waste dumps is very important. Objective. The purpose of the article is to determine the impact of solid waste landfills on public health due to soil contamination with heavy metals. Methodology. In order to determine the level of environmental hazard of household waste storage at landfills and dumps, the paper assesses the risk to public health from soil contamination in the area of the Hrybovychi landfill (Lviv oblast), Rohan landfill (Kharkiv oblast), and Novovodolazhske landfill (Kharkiv oblast). The risk to public health from soil contamination at solid waste landfills was assessed using the traditional US EPA method and a new method for determining the potential risk to public health from soil contamination with heavy metals. Results. The article compares two fundamentally different methodological approaches to determining the level of environmental hazard of soil contamination with heavy metals. The risk to public health from soil contamination on the territory of solid waste landfills according to the US EPA method corresponds to hazard class 5 (extremely high hazard level) according to all calculations. The results of the assessment of the potential risk to public health from soil contamination using the new method at solid waste landfills correspond to hazard classes 2-4. Comparison of methodological principles for assessing the risk to public health from soil pollution has shown the advantages of using the new method of potential risk assessment. The use of the new method of assessing the potential risk to public health from soil pollution will help improve science-based management of household waste and direct financial resources to reduce the environmental hazard of soil and land pollution in Ukraine. Scientific novelty. The article presents an improved method for assessing the risk to public health from soil pollution, which represents the scientific novelty of the work Practical significance. Determining the environmental hazard of soil pollution due to the impact of landfills and solid waste dumps makes it possible to prioritize the implementation of environmental protection measures and will contribute to the implementation of environmentally sound environmental management, so the research is of practical importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To determine the content of heavy metals as well as natural and artificial radionuclides in muscle tissue and carapaces of narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. Methodology. The material for the study were narrow-clawed crayfish collected in the spring period (March-April) 2021 in the coastal zone of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. The collection of material was carried out with standard open-type crayfish traps with a mesh size No. 20, manual collection in the littoral zone as well as with the help of special baited traps. Carapaces and muscle tissue of crayfish were used to determine the content of heavy metals and radionuclides. Preparation of samples for measuring the content of heavy metals and radionuclides was carried out by separating crayfish tissues with subsequent homogenization and concentration (drying and incineration) of the collected material. The samples were dried at a temperature of +105°С to a constant weight, and then incinerated at a temperature of +450°С to obtain white ash. The content of radionuclides was determined on a gamma-beta spectrometer SE-BG-01 “AKP”. The content of heavy metals was determined on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer C115-M1 with a flame analyzer. Findings. Zn, Fe, and Cu were actively accumulated in the muscle tissue of crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. This fact is explained by the intensive accumulation of elements in crayfish body that actively occurred in the course of physiological processes. Heavy metals such as Mn, Pb, Co were the most accumulated in crayfish carapace. The minimum content of heavy metals was found for Сd. It was found that Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd contents exceed the MACs in muscles of crayfish of the Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoir by 8, 6, 6.2 and 1.65 times, respectively. The norms for the content of heavy metals in the muscle tissue of river crayfish have not been established in Ukraine today, however, a comparison of the data we obtained with the norms for live fish shows a significant excess for almost all heavy metals examined. It was found that the level of radionuclide activity of in the muscle tissue of decapods of both investigated reservoirs was due to 40K, in the carapaces — 226Ra; 90Sr activity was minimal in muscles, and 226Ra activity in carapaces. Accumulation of studied radionuclides in crayfish did not exceed the MACs for crayfish as a food product. Originality. For the first time, the levels of accumulation of heavy metals and the activity of radionuclides in the muscle tissue and carapace of narrow-clawed crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs were determined. The content of toxic elements that are subject to control in food raw materials and food products according to the MACs in crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs was determined. Practical value. The results of the work can be used during monitoring of the ecotoxicological and radioecological conditions of the aquatic environment. Also, the obtained results can be applied in the study of narrow-clawed crayfish of the Dnieper River basin.

Using the method of biogeochemical lichen indication the levels of the average long-term content of K, Ca, Al, Fe, Mg, Na, Mn, Zn, Sr, Ti, Ba Cu, B, Pb, Ni, V, Cr, Co, Cd, Se, Sb in surface air were measured on the territory of Olexandriia Arboretum and adjacent territories (Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Region, Ukraine). The purpose of the study is to determine the state and dynamics of the atmospheric geochemical field on the territory of Olexandriia Arboretum and its surroundings. The method of biogeochemical lichen indication based on the values of micro- and macroelements content in epiphytic lichens was used as a research tool. Application of the ICP-OES spectroscopy method allowed the analysis for chemical elements content of the samples of epiphytic deciduous Parmelia sulcata, Xanthoria parietina and bushy Evernia prunastri lichens collected in 2009 (20 points) and 2021 (23 points). In order to identify possible sources of entering of certain elements into lichens the researchers used the factor analysis method, i.e. a method of principal components with Varimax factors rotation. Six obtained factors represent: the impact of land cover (the most significant factors F1–F3) and man-made components (minor polygenetic, factors F4–F6). As a factor's number decreases, its partial explanatory variance decreases too. Factor F1 represents a common dust loading on the atmosphere with a predominance of the terrigenous component (mostly coarse-dispersed particles). Factor F1 is responsible for the dust-aerosol loading that is largely caused by the microclimatic circulation of the city breeze type thus forming a peculiar atmospheric and geochemical association that consists of chemical elements related to the building industry and building materials production. Powerful, however, local (impactful) atmospheric man-made influences manifest themselves through factor F3. Minor factors' discrimination ability reduces if a source of atmospheric pollution is less significant. Both division of factors into subfactors and noticeable temporal dynamics are observed more often. For instance, factor F4 has two geochemical sub-associations affected by the impact on the Olexandriia's landscapes of the 1990s' ecological disaster (fall-out of oil products, geochemical marker – V) and galvanic waste causing soil pollution (Zn, Mg, Cr, Ni and Ti), as well as discharges of agricultural enterprises (K). One of the peculiarities of F4 is a gradual decrease in its intensity over time. Factor F5 should be interpreted as the only load on the environment associated with galvanic pollution with cobalt being replaced by copper as a leading pollution marker. We suggest considering Factor F6 as a factor associated with oil pollution only.

Background. Bryophytes, including mosses, are widely used in biomonitoring of atmospheric pollution due to their ability to accumulate metals from atmospheric air. However, the effects of metal accumulation on metabolic processes in bryophyte cells have not been thoroughly studied. The aim of this work was to analyse the accumulation of heavy metals, indices of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and antioxidant status in gameto­phytes of the epiphytic moss Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) Schimp. collected from urban areas with different levels of technogenic load. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in the city of Lviv (western part of Ukraine). Within the city, 15 sampling sites were selected and grouped as fol­lows: the green zone (A) conditionally used as the control, zone influenced by transport activities (B) and the industrial zone (C). In gametophyte shoots of P. polyantha, con­centrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analysed using the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry; the content of LPO products (lipid hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) and the activities of antioxidant system enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase) were analysed using standard methods. The results were processed using standard statistical methods. Results. Concentrations of heavy metals in P. polyantha gametophytes collected from the study area can be arranged in descending order as follows: Fe> Mn> Zn> Pb> Cu> Ni> Cr> Co> Cd. The content of individual metals in moss material varied depending on the sampling site. Moss shoots collected from zone B accumulated significantly higher levels of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn, and shoots from zone C had higher levels of Cr and Zn compared to those from the green zone. Moss gametophytes col­lected from sites in zone B had higher concentrations of LPO products and increased levels of antioxidant enzymes activity compared to the control. Conclusions. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals in moss material from sites exposed to traffic and industrial activities reflect atmospheric heavy metal pollution in urban areas. Intensive accumulation of heavy metals in gametophytes of P. polyantha that grows in the areas of transport activities is accompanied by increased lipid peroxi­dation processes and activation of enzymes of the antioxidant system in moss cells. Activation of antioxidant enzymes may play an important role in the adaptation of the moss P. polyantha to urban environments contaminated with heavy metals as a result of anthropogenic activities.

Purpose. To determine the phytotoxic properties of model solutions of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu) on the growth of roots and sprouts of the test plants of oats Avena sativa L. as a representative of monocotyledonous cereals and radish Raphanus sativus L. as a representative of dicotyledonous broad-leaved plants. Methods. Statistical, model solutions, test plants, biotesting. Results. As a result of phytotoxicity of model solutions of heavy metals Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu on Avena sativa L. test plants, it was established that there is no imbalance of growth processes when using solutions with concentrations of 1 MPC and 5 MPC. With an increase in the concentration of model solutions, there is a gradual inhibition of the growth of sprouts and especially the roots of the test objects. The most toxic effect on the test object, according to the research results, was caused by Cd - a phytotoxic effect from weak to strong was observed under the influence of different concentrations of model solutions. Experimental determination of the phytotoxic properties of model solutions of heavy metals Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu on test plants Raphanus sativus L. showed that the imbalance of growth processes is absent only when using solutions with concentrations of 1 MPC and 5 MPC Cu, i.e. practically without exceeding the regulatory requirements for soil quality. Model solutions of Cd and Cu 40 MPC had the highest degree of imbalance in the growth processes of the test plants Raphanus sativus L. – strong for the experimental study we conducted. Conclusions. Biodiagnostics using Raphanus sativus L. test plants revealed signs of toxic effects where Avena sativa L. test plants did not experience inhibition, or the determined phytotoxic properties of the model solutions were lower, which is determined by the imbalance of growth processes. The above-mentioned discrepancies between the results of biodiagnostics of model solutions with the help of different test cultures make it possible to assert that it is necessary to introduce a comprehensive indicator for determining the phytotoxic properties of the studied samples, with the help of which it is possible to level such discrepancies.

Graphene materials are widely used in different technologies and certainly released into aquatic and air surroundings being environmental pollution components. Nitrogen‑doped graphene nanomaterials have great potential for application, in particular, in energy storage, as electrochemical sensors and waste water treatment. Aim. Evaluate neurotoxic risk of nitrogen-doped multilayer graphene. Methods. Here, nitrogen-doped multilayer graphene nanoparticles (N-MLG) were synthesized by means of electrochemical exfoliation of high-purity graphite rods in NaN3-based electrolyte and characterised using TEM, AFM and UV-vis spectroscopy. Neuroactive features of N-MLG were assessed in isolated cortex nerve terminals (synaptosomes) analysing the extracellular level of excitatory neurotransmitter L-[14C] glutamate and inhibitory one [3H]GABA. Results. It was revealed that N-MLG did not affect the extracellular synaptosomal levels of L-[14C] glutamate and [3H]GABA within the concentration range 0.01–0.5 mg/ml, and an increase in a concentration up to 1 mg/ml caused an insignificant increase (tendency to increase) in these levels for both neurotransmitters. To analyse a capability of interaction with heavy metals in biological system, N-MLG was investigated using model of acute Cd2+/Pb2+/Hg2+-induced neurotoxicity in nerve terminals. In was revealed that Cd2+/Pb2+/Hg2+-induced increase in the extracellular level of L-[14C] glutamate and [3H]GABA was not changed by N-MLG. Conclusions. N-MLG does not possess neurotoxic signs and is biocompatible within the concentration range 0.01–1 mg/ml. In biological system, N-MLG did not mitigate/aggravate Cd2+/Pb2+/Hg2+-induced neurotoxicity in nerve terminals.

In this article, the possibility of using clay mineral nanoparticles to improve the ecological stability of soil and to reduce the risk of soil pollution is discussed. Soil pollution is a serious problem that can have a negative impact on human and animal health, ecosystems. Research on the use of clay mineral nanoparticles to improve the ecological stability of soil is an important topic in modern science and ecology. In this article, the influence of nanoparticles on the physical and chemical properties of soil, particularly, on its ability to retain water and chemicals, which can be a source of pollution, is examined. The possibility of using clay mineral nanoparticles to reduce the risk of soil pollution with toxic metals and other harmful substances is also investigated. The prognostic results of the investigation show that the use of clay mineral nanoparticles can be an effective way to improve the ecological stability of soil and reduce its pollution. The results of the study demonstrate that the use of clay mineral nanoparticles can be an effective way to enhance soil ecological stability and reduce contamination, making this topic an essential area of research for addressing environmental challenges. The investigation of this topic can help to understand the mechanisms of interaction between nanoparticles and soil and to develop new technologies for preserving and protecting the environment. This article is important for the scientistsecologists, as the authors of the article extensively examine the potential use of clay mineral nanoparticles for the preservation and protection of the environment. The prognostic results of research show that the use of clay mineral nanoparticles can be an effective way to improve the ecological stability of soil. The researching this topic can help to understand the mechanisms of interaction between nanoparticles and soil and to develop new technologies for conservation and protection of the environment. This article offers a new perspective on the use of clay mineral nanoparticles for soil and environmental protection that can make significant progress in reducing the negative impact of human activity on nature, can help to identify the most effective ways to use clay mineral nanoparticles for soil remediation and reducing environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are only 15 % of water reservoirs in Ukraine that can be used as sources of water supply, taking into account water treatment facilities. 55 % of polluted objects and 30 % very dirty, water from these sources cannot be used even after cleaning. With the help of sanitary-hygienic, ecological and water management assessment, they ensure the quality of water in the impact on the environment and the quality of fish products. The main documents that determine the quality, properties and chemical composition of drinking water are DSTU 7525:2014 and DSTU 27384:2005, they specify the main toxicological and organoleptic concentrations of chemicals that must be contained in water. The standard “Sources of centralized economic drinking water supply, hygienic and ecological requirements for water quality and selection rules” makes it possible to develop a complex of interrelated standards and norms, including the use, protection and restoration of water resources, objective assessment of the ecological state and quality of surface and underground waters and their compliance with the requirements of EU standards. Water treatment equipment and technologies used nowadays for wastewater treatment do not provide a sufficient degree of purification and disinfection. Surface water reservoirs, along with impurities of natural origin, contain chemical pollution – heavy metals, pesticides, insecticides, oil products, phenols. The methods of wastewater disinfection are divided into chemical, physical, physico-chemical and in the conditions of artificial and natural biocenoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are common in Antarctic habitats. However, the adaptations of Antarctic microorganisms to heavy metals are poorly understood. One of the mechanisms of toxicity of transition metals is the formation of free radicals which damage the cell macromolecules. In 2020, we isolated the bacteria Paenibacillus tundrae IMV B-7915 from a sample containing moss, soil, and underground parts of Deschampsia antarctica (Berthelot Islands, Maritime Antarctic). The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of copper (II) chloride on the specific growth rate, the content of products of free radical damage to lipids and proteins, the activity of antioxidant defense system enzymes, and the synthesis of extracellular polymeric substances in P. tundrae IMV B-7915. The bacteria were incubated for an hour in Tris-HCl buffer with 2–8 mM copper (II) chloride, then washed and inoculated into the tryptic soy broth. The bacteria were cultured for 72 hours. The content of copper in the cells was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The content of indicators of lipid peroxidation (diene conjugates, lipid hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), oxidative modification of proteins (carbonyl groups in proteins), the activity of the antioxidant defense system enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase), total thiols, exopolymeric compounds (exopolysaccharides and proteins) were determined photometrically. Within an hour, cells accumulate 1.5–3.4 mg Cu/g of biomass, leading to a decrease in biomass accumulation and specific growth rate within 24 hours. In cells, copper ions induce free radical reactions of damage to cell macromolecules, reflected in the increase in the content of primary lipid peroxidation products and carbonyl groups in proteins. Cell division is inhibited. In response, P. tundrae IMV B-7915 cells activate efflux systems, as evidenced by a significant decrease in copper content during prolonged cultivation, and enzymes of antioxidant defense and synthesis of exopolysaccharides. The complex of the studied adaptation reactions ensures the detoxification of copper accumulated in cells, reflected in the restoration of the specific growth rate.

Purpose. The main aim of research is to study the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary, in particular, to establish their lithological characteristics and the peculiarities of the distribution of heavy metals in their layers. Method. The research was done with the results of the expedition work carried out in 2018-2019, 31 samples of the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary, channels and paleochannels of the Kogylnyk and Sarata rivers, and rocks of the shoreline of the studied reservoir were selected. We carried out sampling along the network of 31 stations from a motor boat using a bottom-grab and orientation by GPS navigation. The content of heavy metals was determined using geochemical spectral emission analysis. Statistical and cartographic processing of the research results was carried out using geographic information systems Mapinfo, QGIS, Global Mapper and Surfer. Also, to establish the possible routes of metal migration, we used the analysis of mesotopolineaments formed according to the NASA SRTM digital terrain model, with the construction of rose diagrams of the main directions of the lineaments. The results. We established that the bottom sediments were represented mainly by grey-black, black, viscous silt, often with an admixture of shell detritus. Less often, they were composed of sand, sometimes muddy with abundant fauna. We also determined the content of heavy metals in the system of bottom sediments, features of their distribution and possible ways of infusing. Thus, in the territory of the Sasyk estuary, heavy metals of the first (Pb), second (Ni, Cu, Cr, Mo) and third (V, Mn, Ba) hazard class are found in high concentrations. The average content of Pb for the bottom sediment system of the estuary is: for sand – 32 mg/kg, for silt – 41 mg/kg. The maximum content for both is 100 mg/kg. The average Ni content is: for sand – 27 mg/kg, for silt – 62 mg/kg. The maximum content for sand is 80 mg/kg, for silt – 100 mg/kg. The average Cu content in the silt of the Sasyk estuary is 81 mg/kg, and 26 mg/kg in the sand. An elevated content of Mn, Ba and Mo was also found in several samples. Оften areas with increased concentrations of metals have a point character. In almost all cases, they are connected to the river systems adjacent to the pond. The distribution of some metals is correlated with the main directions of estuary water circulation. Wastewater is a likely sources of metals entering the estuary geoecosystem. We also assume that the migration of these elements to the pond may occur through tectonic blocks. Scientific novelty. For the first time in recent years, we have carried out expeditionary work on research of the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary, along the complete network of the station. We obtained the data on the gross content of heavy metals, and determined their average, maximum and minimum concentrations. For the first time, maps of the spatial distribution of metals were constructed, which made it possible to establish the main regularities of their accumulation in the bottom sediment system of the pond. Practical significance. Pollution of the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary with heavy metals is one of the components of today's critical ecological state of the pond, which affects the well-being of the residents of the surrounding areas. The obtained results can be used at the state level to create effective programs for quality management of the resource potential of the estuary.

The mechanism of accumulation of Cd compounds and the migration of its mobile forms in the soil are considered. The method of sampling soil and plants, as well as the method of morphometric research, was explained. The process of determining the content of cadmium in plants and soil was analyzed. The analysis of the experiment shows that high concentrations of Cd salts significantly inhibit all growth processes. This is manifested in growth retardation, color change, reduction in the number of leaves, occurrence of chlorosis and necrosis, which leads to a decrease in the accumulation of phytomass. With an increase in the amount of Cd, we observe suppression of plants and a sharp decrease in their height. A trend line is given based on the received data. The value of the reliability of the approximation is close to one and is R2=0.99, which indicates a close relationship between the increase in the concentration of cadmium in the soil and the decrease in the height of spring barley plants.

The article considers the issue of bottom sediments qualitative composition methodology studying. Bottom sediments, as the most stable component of surface water bodies, accumulate pollutants, but can subsequently cause secondary water pollution. Therefore, sediment contamination poses a significant threat to both surface and groundwater, especially the uppermost aquifers. The factors of Ukrainian rivers bottom sediments state formation under natural and anthropogenic conditions were analyzed. It has been proven that despite the long-term man-made pressure on the surface water bodies of Ukraine, natural factors are decisive. This is confirmed by the results of detailed ecological and geochemical studies within the city of Kyiv and regional studies throughout Ukraine. The inheritance of heavy metals content in the bottom sediments from the qualitative state of catchment areas soils was confirmed. The peculiarities of the qualitative state of bottom sediments formation under the man-made conditions are considered, using the example of typical in anthropogenic pressure and industry structure Chernihiv City. Within urban areas the influence of anthropogenesis on bottom sediments state is determined by the level of pressure and characteristics of watercourses, primarily water availability and dynamics of water flow. Within the city of Chernihiv with a moderate man-made pressure the main water artery – the Desna River – at the time of the study was characterized by an acceptable level of pollution of bottom sediments, and in the bottom sediments of Desna’s tributaries with low water flow (Stryzhen and Bilous) a moderately dangerous level of pollution was recorded. The identified features of distribution of pollutants in bottom sediments can be used for planning and conducting environmental monitoring.

The relevance of the results of these studies lies in the fact that until recently, changes in the mineral composition of different types of meadow agrophytocenoses under the influence of symbiotic alfalfa and mineral nitrogen in the content of macro- and microelements, heavy metals, and nitrates in feed biomass have not yet been sufficiently investigated, which hinders the development and implementation of feed production findings in agricultural production. The purpose of the study is to establish changes in the accumulation of various meadow agrophytocenoses in dry feed biomass on various agricultural zones of mineral elements during cultivation on dark grey soils of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe. During this study, field and laboratory methods were used, and an analytical method was used to determine the mineral composition of dry feed biomass. The results of studies on the accumulation of alfalfa, alfalfa-cereals, and cereal stands in in dry feed mass on various backgrounds of fertilisation and liming of raw ash, macro- and microelements, heavy metals, and nitrate nitrogen are presented. It is shown that under the action of symbiotic nitrogen in alfalfa and alfalfa cereal stands, compared with cereals in the dry mass of feed, raw ash accumulates more macroelements, trace elements, and heavy metals by 0.6-0.8%, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus increases by 0.11-0.26, and potassium to the sum of calcium and magnesium decreases by 0.11-0.26. Under the action of mineral nitrogen in the case of the introduction of N90 in the cereal stand, the content of nitrates increases from 0.02 to 0.04%, zinc – from 9.1-9.2 to 12.4-12.6 or by 3.2-3.5 mg/kg, copper – from 3.4-3.7 to 5.3-5.5 mg/kg, as well as manganese, lead, nickel, cadmium in the dry mass of the feed of the cereal stand. It is proved that the content of macro- and microelements in the dry mass of feed corresponds to zootechnical standards for feeding cattle, and nitrates and heavy metals do not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. The results of these studies can be used in the development of recommendations on technologies for growing perennial cereals for feed purposes and in the educational process

Potato tubers are one of the most widespread and valuable food products in the world. An important component of their nutrients are minerals. Significant part of them is presented in potatoes in the form of mineral salts that are easily soluble in water. The total quantity of minerals in potato tubers is about 0.4–1.9% of the total weight and includes more than 30 elements. The objects of the study were five varieties of potato tubers that according of the length of the growing season belong to two ripeness groups: medium-early (Satina – control, Red Lady, Mozart) and medium-ripe (Aroza – control, Sifra). The quantitative composition of macro- and microelements (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Al, Fe, Mn, Ni and Cr), content of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) was determined and influence of some mineral substances (K, Fe and Cu) on the resistance of raw and cooked potato tubers to different types of darkening was assessed. Mineral substances were determining by corpuscule-emission spectrometry with inductively-linked plasma. Potassium had the highest quantity among macronutrients. Its amount changed from 5860 mg in the Sifra variety to 3740 mg in the Satina. Magnesium content was averaged 200 mg, and calcium ranged from 68 mg in Red Lady to 159 mg in Cifra. The main quantity of microelements was represented by aluminum and iron. The content of heavy metals in potato tubers did not exceed the permissible concentrations, and in some cases it was lower: lead was found in the traces quantities, zinc was almost twice less and copper was in five times lower than the maximum permissible concentration. Direct relationship between the amount of potassium and the degree of darkening of cooked tubers was revealed: if its amount in the tubers increased therefore resistance to darkening of potatoe increased too. It was established that iron and copper can also affecting on the processes of darkening in potato tubers, although a clear relationship between their quantity and the depth of these processes was not found. The reason may be the imperfection of the visual method of detecting of degree of darkening and the possible formation of complex compounds with these minerals, as a result of which they become unavailable for the reaction.

Purpose. Detection of post-pyrogenic transformation of biogeochemical properties of soils in pine forests of the Kharkiv region under technogenic loading. Methods. Determination of the pH of the water extract by the potentiometric method, the content of humus and gross nitrogen according to the Tyurin method, the granulometric composition according to Kachynskyi, the mobile forms of phosphorus and potassium according to Machigin. The content of mobile forms of heavy metals was determined by the atomic absorption method. Results. There is a certain dependence of the post-pyrogenic transformation on the age of fire impact on the soil. Relatively recent consequences of a fire of medium intensity on the soil were marked by a clear reaction of the complex of their properties. Physical-chemical properties of soils in the post-fire period deteriorate due to a significant decrease in the amount of nutrients in the soil: humus burns, nitrate nitrogen content decreases. The acid-alkaline reaction according to the pH index in the soils affected by fires shifts to neutral, which should be explained by the saturation of the absorbing complex of soils with alkaline earth elements. Forest lowland fires significantly transform the morphological appearance of the upper part of the soil profile. Under the influence of fires, there are changes in pH, the content of exchangeable cations, gross and mobile forms of nitrogen, etc. The behavior and content of heavy metals in the forest floor is determined, in addition to the effect of fire and the geochemical state of the region, the speed of water migration and biological absorption, and the topography of the area. The concentration of heavy metals in the surface horizons of the soils of pine forests increases several times and exceeds the background concentrations as a result of the mineralization of the forest floor and grassy vegetation from combustion and subsequent migration of chemical elements. Conclusions. As a result, the surface horizons of soils change, in particular, a new pyrogenic horizon is formed, which differs in a certain way from natural analogues. Fires, on the one hand, improve the conditions for seed penetration into the soil, but worsen the conditions for the germination, growth and development of coniferous tree species. The concentration of heavy metals in the surface horizons of pine forest soils is an ecological hazard. Further research on the transformation of soil properties under the influence of pyrogenic factors is of significant theoretical and practical importance in the development of scientific approaches to the restoration of ecosystems in the post-fire stage of development.

Soft drinks are consumed in Nigeria due to their easy availability, distinct taste and ability to quench thirst. However, the high demand can reduce production quality due to possible heavy metal contamination, leading to human poisoning and death. This study evaluated some components of 100 soft drinks in Nigeria and investigated the presence of heavy metal contaminants and ascorbic acid concentrations. The presence of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Manganese, Nickel and Chromium in soft drinks was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer; the Ascorbic acid was determined using the titrimetric method. The analysis of the soft drink revealed that Arsenic was present in all the samples in a concentration ranging from 0.017 to 0.33 mg/l; Cadmium - 0.027 to 0.160 mg/l; Lead - 0.046 to 0.109 mg/l; Manganese - 0.036 to 0.116 mg/l; Nickel - 0.002 to 0.110 mg/l; Chromium - 0.057 to 0.122 mg/l. The attention of ascorbic acid ranged between 4.03 to 7.2 mg/100 ml. Compared to WHO standards, the levels of the heavy metal contaminants were above the tolerated limits for good quality drinking water in most samples. Moreover, the ascorbic acid values in this analysis were lower than those the manufacturers reported. Therefore, the National Health Surveillance agency should monitor ascorbic acid. These results suggest that soft drinks in Nigeria may be contaminated with heavy metals, which constitute a significant public health problem. Quality control is recommended during production, especially during sterilization and purification steps.

Among the most pressing threats to the existence of forest plant complexes of the nature reserve fund is the pyrogenic danger, which is exacerbated by changes in the natural hydrolytic regime and global climate change, the driving effects of which are currently difficult to fully assess. The article highlights the results of a study of the forest plant complexes and soil state of the nature reserve "Drevlyanskyi" in Zhytomyr region after the fires. The results of the field survey of plantations, agrochemical and radiological analysis of soil indicators are presented. Studies show a change in the composition of forest plant complexes, a reduction in the number of herbaceous species, and a decrease in the area of moss and lichen cover. The surveyed area is characterized by significant spatial heterogeneity of the main agrochemical and physicochemical parameters of the soil. There was a slight increase in the content of heavy metals in the soil, however, the indicators did not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations in these areas. To assess the radiation situation after fires on the territory of the nature reserve, the indicators of the density of soil pollution with 137Cs and 90Sr were determined. The authors recommended a set of measures to improve the efficiency of nature reserves. Adherence to the recommendations will help to increase the environmental sustainability of forest plant complexes and will minimize the occurrence of fires and their consequences.

Adsorption processes have seen a broad level of usage by various researchers over the years to remove heavy metals from waste streams. An adsorbent frequently used is activated carbon. Although activated carbon is used extensively in water and wastewater industries, it remains expensive. In recent years, there has been a need for economical and safe methods for heavy metal elimination from contaminated water. This need has only grown, which gave rise to research aimed toward producing low-cost alternatives to activated carbon. There is an urgent need to explore all possible sources of inexpensive agro-based adsorbents, and heavy metal removal's feasibility should be studied in great detail. This research objective is to learn how inexpensive adsorbents can remove heavy metals from wastewater. Treating Automobile battery waste efficiently remains a significant challenge due to its enormous quantity, hazardous nature, and complexity. When effective treatment technology has poor implementation, this aggravates the situation and worsens the situation further in countries with high and rising populations. This leads to more pressures of urbanisation and industrials, giving room for more industrial waste. This research suggests the best possible options by critically reviewing the existing practices. While slow biological treatment schemes usually fail to support microbial activities in the presence of toxic components in concentrations, other physicochemical plans often need to meet strict waste disposal and discharge regulations. The approach where sludge disposal is thermally incinerated has never seen environmental justification, and this is because of dioxin release and obnoxious substances transferred directly. Newly emerging membrane-based schemes can be flexible, environmentally friendly, petite, economically self-sufficient, and easy to implement and maintain after installation.

Watermelon Shell, an agricultural waste, was employed for the adsorptive removal of chromium (II) ion Cr2+ from textile effluent. This study analysed the adsorbent's active sites and morphological structures using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and XRF. The independent variables' effect, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH were predicted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for chromium adsorption onto Watermelon Shell Activated Carbon (WSAC). The experimental results indicated that NaOH activation effectively improved WSAC's adsorption capacity. The maximum adsorption capacity was 54.53 %, with an adsorbent dosage of 0.6 g/l, pH of 6.0, and agitation time of 40 min. The high correlation coefficient (R2=0.978) between the model and the experimental data showed that the model predicted the removal of Cr2+ from textile effluent using Watermelon Shell Activated Carbon efficiently.

The results of studies of chemical pollution (Pb, Zn) of perennial grasses—Elymus repens L., Artemisia absinthium L., and Hypericum perforatum L.—on background plots and within the areas of impact of industrial enterprises in Kropyvnytskyi (Ukraine) are presented. It is noted that chemical pollution is the most dangerous. The activity of enterprises is considered, in the result of which heavy metals enter the air. Testing of plants (stems and leaves) was carried out at a distance of 10–100 m from the enterprises. The content of heavy metals in the aboveground part of plants was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer in the laboratory of the Department of Exploratory and Ecological Geochemistry, IGMR NAS of Ukraine. The comparison of sorption properties of different plants in the same phases of development allowed plants with bioindication capabilities to be identified. The results of the analysis showed that plants most effectively accumulate the maximum amount of heavy metals from the atmospheric air at the end of the summer dormancy phase (second half of August). At this time the plant requires the minimum amount of nutrients that it takes from the soil. Stems and leaves of perennial grasses actively accumulate aerosols and fine dust on their surface due to plant secretions with the formation of a mucous film that actively adsorbs heavy metal ions. The background, minimum, and maximum content of heavy metals in plants is determined. Comparing the content of heavy metals in plant samples in the background and study plots, it was found that E. repens near industrial enterprises is the most effective bioindicator of air pollution. In order to determine the level of atmospheric air pollution using bioindication methods, the index of plant contamination (Sр) was proposed, which is the ratio of concentration coefficient of heavy metals and their amount. An assessment scale for atmospheric air pollution with heavy metals has been developed based on the contamination index (Sр) of bioindicator plants: the degree of pollution is 1–3—weak, 3–6—medium, 6–9—strong, more than 9—very strong. The proposed coefficients allow for conducting a situational assessment of atmospheric air pollution with heavy metals using bioindication methods.

The article considers the issue of bottom sediments qualitative composition methodology studying. Bottom sediments, as the most stable component of surface water bodies, accumulate pollutants, but can subsequently cause secondary water pollution. Therefore, sediment contamination poses a significant threat to both surface and groundwater, especially the uppermost aquifers. The factors of Ukrainian rivers bottom sediments state formation under natural and anthropogenic conditions were analyzed. It has been proven that despite the long-term man-made pressure on the surface water bodies of Ukraine, natural factors are decisive. This is confirmed by the results of detailed ecological and geochemical studies within the city of Kyiv and regional studies throughout Ukraine. The inheritance of heavy metals content in the bottom sediments from the qualitative state of catchment areas soils was confirmed. The peculiarities of the qualitative state of bottom sediments formation under the man-made conditions are considered, using the example of typical in anthropogenic pressure and industry structure Chernihiv City. Within urban areas the influence of anthropogenesis on bottom sediments state is determined by the level of pressure and characteristics of watercourses, primarily water availability and dynamics of water flow. Within the city of Chernihiv with a moderate man-made pressure the main water artery - the Desna River - at the time of the study was characterized by an acceptable level of pollution of bottom sediments, and in the bottom sediments of Desna's tributaries with low water flow (Stryzhen and Bilous) a moderately dangerous level of pollution was recorded. The identified features of distribution of pollutants in bottom sediments can be used for planning and conducting environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The main aim of research is to study the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary, in particular, to establish their lithological characteristics and the peculiarities of the distribution of heavy metals in their layers. Method. The research was done with the results of the expedition work carried out in 2018-2019, 31 samples of the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary, channels and paleochannels of the Kogylnyk and Sarata rivers, and rocks of the shoreline of the studied reservoir were selected. We carried out sampling along the network of 31 stations from a motor boat using a bottom-grab and orientation by GPS navigation. The content of heavy metals was determined using geochemical spectral emission analysis. Statistical and cartographic processing of the research results was carried out using geographic information systems Mapinfo, QGIS, Global Mapper and Surfer. Also, to establish the possible routes of metal migration, we used the analysis of mesotopolineaments formed according to the NASA SRTM digital terrain model, with the construction of rose diagrams of the main directions of the lineaments. The results. We established that the bottom sediments were represented mainly by grey-black, black, viscous silt, often with an admixture of shell detritus. Less often, they were composed of sand, sometimes muddy with abundant fauna. We also determined the content of heavy metals in the system of bottom sediments, features of their distribution and possible ways of infusing. Thus, in the territory of the Sasyk estuary, heavy metals of the first (Pb), second (Ni, Cu, Cr, Mo) and third (V, Mn, Ba) hazard class are found in high concentrations. The average content of Pb for the bottom sediment system of the estuary is: for sand – 32 mg/kg, for silt – 41 mg/kg. The maximum content for both is 100 mg/kg. The average Ni content is: for sand – 27 mg/kg, for silt – 62 mg/kg. The maximum content for sand is 80 mg/kg, for silt – 100 mg/kg. The average Cu content in the silt of the Sasyk estuary is 81 mg/kg, and 26 mg/kg in the sand. An elevated content of Mn, Ba and Mo was also found in several samples. Оften areas with increased concentrations of metals have a point character. In almost all cases, they are connected to the river systems adjacent to the pond. The distribution of some metals is correlated with the main directions of estuary water circulation. Wastewater is a likely sources of metals entering the estuary geoecosystem. We also assume that the migration of these elements to the pond may occur through tectonic blocks. Scientific novelty. For the first time in recent years, we have carried out expeditionary work on research of the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary, along the complete network of the station. We obtained the data on the gross content of heavy metals, and determined their average, maximum and minimum concentrations. For the first time, maps of the spatial distribution of metals were constructed, which made it possible to establish the main regularities of their accumulation in the bottom sediment system of the pond. Practical significance. Pollution of the bottom sediments of the Sasyk estuary with heavy metals is one of the components of today's critical ecological state of the pond, which affects the well-being of the residents of the surrounding areas. The obtained results can be used at the state level to create effective programs for quality management of the resource potential of the estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the current issue of solid household waste management and focuses on the fact that the most effective method of reducing the amount of waste is heat treatment. Attention is paid to such important parameters during the incineration of solid household waste as the ash content and the content of chemical elements in the ash, in particular heavy metals. Recently, the problem of waste is becoming more and more relevant due to the increase in the amount of waste and the negative impact on the environment. One of the ways to reduce the amount of waste is to convert it into fuel. Solid household waste and solid fuel pellets are a source of energy, but they can also contain heavy metals that can be harmful to human health and the environment. A study of the ash content in various waste types and wood solid fuel pellets made from different types of wood was conducted. During the field trip to the landfill of solid household waste (SHW) in the village of Rybne the samples were taken for further research. The ash level of the waste mixture was analyzed, which corresponded to the morphological composition of the landfill of solid household waste in the village of Rybne, and a further analysis of the ash for the content of heavy metals was carried out. Also, the contents of ash and chemical elements in the mixture of wood solid fuel pellets made from different types of wood were analyzed. The level of ash content for different types of waste (plastic, bio-waste, rubber, paper, textiles, wood, etc.) and different types of solid fuel wood pellets (oak, beech, pine, etc.) was studied. A graph was developed to compare the calorie content of different types of waste and pellets to their ash content. Microsoft Excel software was used to simplify the calculation. The study involved the actual calorific values obtained during laboratory research with the help of IKA C1 calorimeter, the ash content obtained by the method of ashing samples in a muffle furnace with subsequent weighing of samples, and the investigation of the chemical composition of samples on the EXPERT 3L precision analyzer with a constant supply of helium in collimator channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrolled entry of pollutants – heavy metals into the environment creates obstacles to the production of environmentally safe, biologically complete cow's milk. The accumulation of pollutants in the soil reduces the supply of essential mineral elements to plants, which are necessary to ensure the full feeding of animals. In such environmental situations, it is important to analyse feed rations for the content of essential and non-essential mineral elements. Samples of feed included in the main diet were taken on four experimental farms specialising in the production of cow's milk, the agroecosystems of which were located around the industrial centre and near environmentally unfavourable objects – roads, enterprises for the extraction (processing) of gas condensate, etc. The samples were analysed for the content of mineral elements by atomic adsorption spectrophotometry. Statistical data processing – STATISTICA software suite version 10.0. The feed was found to exceed the permissible level for cadmium by an average of 2.1-3.2 times, lead – 2.4-5.7 times, copper – 1.4-2.3 times, zinc – 1.2-2.4 times. In cereal and legume hay, the concentration of cadmium and lead exceeded permissible levels by 3.2 and 5.7 times, respectively. Against this background, there is a deficiency of calcium in various types of diets of cows from 1.4% to 47.5%, phosphorus – from 1.5% to 62.3%, magnesium – from 2.7% to 64.4%, potassium – from 0.8% to 37.9%, sulphur – from 2.3% to 48.8%, among trace elements, iron – from 2.3% to 48.8%, cobalt – from 5.0% to 80.0%, iodine – from 4.0% to 60.7%. The reason for the deficiency of vital mineral elements in plants (feed) is different, including changes in soil pH, but mainly antagonism between mobile forms of toxic elements and essential elements. For the production of high-quality milk, it is necessary to normalise toxic metals in the diets of cows with different types of feeding and eliminate the lack of minerals with the help of specially developed feed additives (mineral and vitamin premixes), which will prevent elementosis in cows, which is a pressing issue in many countries of the world. Future studies will be aimed at monitoring the concentration of mineral elements in animal feed kept in the forest-steppe and steppe zone and Donetska oblast of Ukraine

Heavy metals in model conditions as well as industrial pollution launch disturbances in neural cells of different animals and human beings. The neurotoxicity of mercury, which is one of the most toxic heavy metals, has been studied for several decades. However, its low doses chronic exposure effects for neural tissue cells are still poorly understood. Therefore, the basic molecular mechanisms of mercury should be clarified. The purpose of our research is to clarify the mechanism of mercury genotoxicity, the role of the DNA repair protein apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) in neural tissue cells, and the response to inorganic mercury-induced neurotoxicity. In our model, we used juvenile rainbow trout exposed to mercury chloride with a range of doses 9‑36 µg/L for 60 days to study the cytotoxicity of chronic exposure. We detected the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as an index of oxidative stress and APE1 as a marker of cellular DNA damage response in a neural cell. The ROS level was measured by using the fluorometric method based on 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate reaction. The analyses of markers of the DNA repair (APE1) and apoptosis (B cell lymphoma-2 anti-apoptotic protein – Bcl-2) were carried out with western blotting. The mercury chloride chronic exposure induced statistically significant upregulation of the ROS production in the fish brain. Contrary, the mercury low doses stimulated the downregulation of APE1 expression in the brain tissue. Furthermore, mercury chronic exposure inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 in the animals treated with 18 and 36 µg/L mercury chloride. The harmful effect of mercury could be promoted by oxidative stress generation. The downregulation of APE1 expression could lead to a lack of DNA damage response efficacy and initiate the decline in neural cell functioning. Obtained data on the APE1 expression have shown that the neurotoxic effect of mercury could be mediated, at least partially, by the decline in cellular DNA damage response in the brain. The evaluation of decrease in DNA repair response via detection of the APE1 expression can be a prospective tool to reveal the deleterious effects of toxicants in terms of their neuro- and genotoxicity.

the most urgent problems of today. Ensuring the environmental safety of food raw materials and food products is one of the main tasks that determine the health of the human population and the preservation of its gene pool. Analysis of recent research and publications. Toxic effects of Pb on human bodies have been confirmed by numerous clinical studies that have shown the negative effects of heavy metals on the nervous, cardiovascular, immune systems and oncology. The works is devoted to the development of detoxification techniques, in which scientists proposed to reduce the content of heavy metals in chernozems by detoxifying soils by growing battery plants on them, which will «extract» heavy metals from soils disinfecting them. The disadvantage of the proposed technologies is the economic costs borne by farmers, producers and consumers. Farmers will suffer financial losses due to idle sown areas and the cost of seed. Producers will be forced to raise prices for the final food product as a result of reduced consumer purchasing power. Formulation of the purpose of the article. The aim of the article is to determine ways to optimize lead-contaminated chernozem soils in the system «soil – plant» (on the example of chernozem soils within the test sites on the territory of the collection nursery «Agrotek» in Kyiv region). Presentation of the main research material. The article presents the results of a study of ways to optimize lead-contaminated chernozem soils in the system «soil – plant». The objects of the study were soybean and chickpea varieties of different vegetation varieties, namely: ultra-early varieties, maturation period 95… 105 days. Мedium, maturation period 100…115 days. Мedium-ripe varieties maturation period115…125 days. Early ripening varieties of chickpeas growing period 95…115 days, and medium-ripe sotu chickpeas, growing period 115…125 days. Experimental studies were conducted during 2019 – 2021 within the test sites on the territory of the collection nursery «Agrotek» in Kyiv region. The method of ion exchange and liquid chromatography on the liquid chromatograph Shimadzu LC-20 (Japan). Studied the variability of nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates) in soybeans and chickpeas of different vegetation varieties. With the help of the MATLAB program, mathematical optimization was carried out and the five-year dynamics of protein, fat, and carbohydrate content in legumes grown on chernozem soils of the «Agrotek» collection nursery in the Kyiv region was determined. By the method of inversion-voltammetry with the help of voltammetric analyzer «ABA-3» (Russia) which is equipped with an indicator electrode for the determination of lead, the concentration of Pb in chernozems and soybeans and chickpeas with different protein content was studied. Concentrations of Pb in soybean and chickpea grains depending on the chemical composition of soils for cultivation were grown and studied at the test sites of the «Agrotek» collection nursery. Conclusions. As a result of experimental studies, it was found that the contamination of chernozem soils Pb and subsequent processes of its translocation in the system «soil – plant» have negative consequences and are manifested in the accumulation of toxicants in plants. It is significant that the largest metal-accumulating properties have cultivated early-ripening legumes, and the smallest – medium-ripe. It was determined that the indicators of Pb concentration in the storage organs of legume assimilants are influenced to a greater extent by the protein content in them than by mobile forms of Pb, which come due to translocation from soils contaminated with Pb. It is established that with the increase of protein in the organs of plant assimilators, the indicators of accumulation of toxic concentrations of Pb increase. Given that the genetic characteristics of chernozems allow us to consider them the most environmentally friendly soils in terms of anthropogenesis, however, they deposit contaminants and, accordingly, require optimization and development of detoxification methods. It has been experimentally established that when growing legumes of different vegetation varieties on chernozems contaminated with Pb, the intensity of their detoxification to obtain environmentally friendly plant products can be distributed as follows: N180P180K180 + Pb + lime + manure > N360P360K360+ Pb > N180P180K180 + Pb + lime > N180P180K180 + Pb + manure. The obtained laws provide an opportunity to develop recommendations and propose ways to detoxify contaminated Pb soils. Which will provide an opportunity to significantly reduce budget expenditures, which is socially necessary and cost-effective.

The article covers evaluation of the ecological and geochemical state of surface water and bottom sediments in Donbas, as well as their pollution resulting from spatio-temporal changes of natural and anthropogenic factors. It was established that chemogenic pollution occurs due to penetration of polluting elements into surface water as a result of filtration leaks from sedimentation tanks and water discharges made by enterprises of coal, chemical, metallurgical, coke-chemical and petrochemical industries. Increased concentrations of biogenic elements (mineral forms of nitrogen and iron) were recorded in the water of the Siverskyi Donets and the Luhan Rivers. The most significant deterioration of groundwater quality because of high content of sulfates and chlorides is observed within the watersheds of the Luhan River's valley. Measurement results of the metals content indicated an increased content of copper and manganese. Some values even exceed the average annual concentrations specified by the existing normative values. In general, the results of the pollutants content analysis in the river basins under study did not reveal significant changes in the content of heavy metals during the period of military actions as compared to the results of government monitoring by 2014. The obtained experimental data indicate that vanadium, chromium and copper dominate in bottom sediments of all the studied objects. The greatest accumulation of heavy metals is observed in the Bakhmutka River and the Kryvyi Torets River. The research established that copper and plumbum in the bottom sediment samples taken from the Kryvyi Torets exceed the background values by 4-5 times. Zinc and vanadium exceed the background content values by 10 and 4 times, respectively. The same indicators are slightly lower in the Volyntsevske Reservoir and this fact is associated with more intense processes of water exchange and certain peculiarities of bottom sediments granulometric composition. Concentration of zinc is 3 times as much as the background level, vanadium and manganese – twice as much. Heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the studied water bodies are characterized by uneven distribution. Vanadium and copper dominate in the content of bottom sediments. Concentrations of zinc, vanadium and nickel at certain objects also exceed their regional background content values. Titanium was detected in minimum quantities.

The review presents the analysis of publications dedicated to problems of using of Bryobionta representatives for bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring of heavy metals and radionuclides in the environment. Taxonomic structure of Bryobionta is briefly observed, three divisions of Bryobionta are elucidated – Anthocerotophyta, Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta. It is concluded that the most suitable moss species for biomonitoring of heavy metals and radionuclides are representatives from division Bryophyta, such as Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum cupressiforme, Scleropodium purum. The mosses have been successfully used in biomonitoring of atmospheric fallout of heavy metals in the environment in Europe for 25 years. A special system of monitoring on their basis is applied in 28 countries of the continent. For the most important moss species used as test-objects of biomonitoring, significant width of their geographic distribution is shown as well as distribution on different substrates of growth (epigeious, epiphytic, epilytic). The main biological peculiarities of mosses which allow to use them for purposes of biomonitoring of heavy metals and radionuclides have been analyzed, i.e. absence of roots, that permits them to derive the main part of nutrients (and pollutants) directly from aerial fallouts – dry (dust) and wet (rain, snow), and high cation exchange capacity of their cell membranes. The most important anatomical and morphological features of three moss groups (endohydritic, ectohydritic, mixohydritic) are briefly reported, and a conclusion about the best suitability of ectohydritic moss species for bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring of pollutants is made. Results of numerous biomonitoring studies conducted with using of widely distributed moss species in Europe in nature and anthropogenic biogeocenoses are demonstrated. Criteria to mosses as test-objects of bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring are briefly reported. Physiological adaptations of mosses to stress emerging due to intake of significant concentrations of heavy metals to their phytomass are generalized. Requirements to sampling of moss cover for purposes of bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring of pollutants are reported. Perspective moss species as test-objects of environmental pollution by heavy metals and radionuclides are proposed for different natural zones of Ukraine: for Polissya zone – Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi, for Forest-Steppe zone – Hypnum cupressiforme, for Steppe zone – Tortula muralis and Bryum argenteum.

Purpose. To analyze an array of special scientific literature and summarize the obtained information on the commercial exploitation of the Kуiv reservoir as a fishery water body. To review main abiotic conditions of the reservoir, which exist and form the specificity of its commercial use by the fishery industry of Ukraine. To highlight the historical course of their impact on the fish fauna of the Kyiv Reservoir and general forecasts for its future transformations. Findings. An overview of scientific publications devoted to the specifics of commercial exploitation of the Kуiv reservoir as a fishery water body from the moment of its creation to the present day were presented. In particular, following was analyzed: hydrological regime, color and chemical composition of water, oxygen regime, accumulation of heavy metals, formation of bottom sediments and landscape. In addition, the radioecological situation in the reservoir was anazyed, both general and in three most significant areas for fisheries — in bottom sediments, macrophytes, and fish fauna. The literature data on the specificity of the above-mentioned abiotic factors in this reservoir, which form the hydro-ecological feature of this reservoir, were generalized. The main directions of their influence on the ichthyofauna of the Kуiv reservoir, which affect the possibility of its commercial exploitation, were described. The share of anthropogenic origin in the composition of the above-mentioned abiotic factors and the consequences of its impact were highlighted. The perspective ways of further development of the Kiev reservoir as a fishery water body of strategic importance for Ukraine were shown. Practical Value. The review may be useful for scientists, PhD students, students, government authorities, and private entrepreneurs involved in research process or exploatation of aquatic living resources in internal water bodies, primarily in the Kуiv reservoir.

The widespread use of water in crop production and agriculture is due to a significant increase in yields during the watering of agricultural crops, as well as the transfer of pesticides and mineral fertilizers to plants and soil by water. One of the ways to improve the quality of water used in crop production is to structure it. An urgent task is to study the effect of structured water delivered to agricultural crops by watering or spraying on the yield, quality of the resulting products and agroecological condition of the soil. Field studies on pea crops were conducted at experimental sites of the Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, laboratory studies were conducted in accredited laboratories for monitoring the quality, safety of feed and raw materials of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillya of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine and the testing centre of the Vinnytsia branch of the state institution “Institute of Soil Protection of Ukraine”. When watering peas with structured water, its yield increases by 42.3% compared to the version without water application and by 22.3% compared to the version with watering with plain water. Pea seeds when watered with structured water have a lower content of crude protein by 0.43 %, crude fat – by 0.09%, crude ash – by 0.63%, but a higher content of crude fibre by 0.11% and nitrogen-free extractives – by 0.99% compared to the version without water. The content of humus in the soil, when watered with structured water, was lower than in the version without water by 0.04%, lightly hydrolysed nitrogen – by 8.0%, mobile phosphorus – by 20.0%, exchangeable potassium – by 7.9%, the reaction of the soil solution – by 0.2 pH, hydrolytic acidity – by 21.7%, the concentration of mobile lead – by 18.4%. However, the concentration of mobile cadmium increased by 43.8% and soil moisture – by 4.3%. When comparing the indicators of the agroecological state of the soil, which was watered with structured and plain water, it was found that watering with structured water reduces the content of humus by 0.03%, lightly hydrolysed nitrogen – by 2.3%, mobile phosphorus – by 20%, exchange potassium – by 9.7%, hydrolytic acidity – by 7.7%, the reaction of the soil solution – by 0.3 pH, but increases the content of mobile lead by 10.9%, mobile cadmium – by 25.0% and increases the moisture content in the soil – by 2.7%

Purpose. The aim of the study is to analyze the geochemical composition of ash and slag waste at the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant (TPP) and to identify the features of migration of heavy metals (HM) from the place of storage of ash and slag waste into the ecosystem. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: geochemical analysis of ash and slag waste at Zmiiv TPP; study of the reliability of HM migration into the soil in the places of ash and slag waste storage. Methods. The content of heavy metals in ash, slag and soil were investigated using atomic absorption analysis (AAA) on a spectrophotometer S-115. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to determine the solid inorganic part of ash and slag. Results. Ash and slag of Zmiiv TPP contain Cu, Cr, As, Cd, Ni, Pb in quantities that are several times higher than the maximum permissible concentration (MPC). For ash and slag waste, the total pollution index is Zc = 43, which corresponds to a high level. That is, this artificially created horizon is dangerous. HM migrate into groundwater and into the soil near the ash dump due to the infiltration of atmospheric precipitation, emissions from water pipelines, filtration of water through the base of the ash dump of the Zmiiv TPP. To determine soil contamination near the ash dump, soil analyzes were performed at a distance of 0 ... 100 meters. At a distance of up to 100 meters from the dump, there is an excess of MPC in the soil for the content of Ni, Cu, As, Cr. At a distance of up to 100 meters from the dump, an excess of the MPC in the content of Ni, Cu, As, Cr is observed. Concentration factor exceeds unity for Cr, As, Cu, Cd, Ni. The content of Pb and Zn reaches background values only at a distance of more than 100 meters. The calculation of the total soil pollution indicator allows us to classify these soils as moderately hazardous and permissible. However, there are several significant disadvantages of the Zc indicator. First of all, it does not take into account the differences in the potential hazard of chemical elements, and, most importantly, the synergistic effects of polymetallic pollution. The coefficient of the synergistic effect of heavy metals is 26.64 (in the soil of the ash dump), then it decreases, but even at a distance of 100 meters it is 11.23, that is, at a distance of 0 ... 100 m from the ash dumps, the condition of the coefficient of synergistic effect is less than one. It has been established that Cu, Ni, Zn and Cr are characterized by low mobility in the soil near the ash dump, therefore they accumulate in the ecosystem near the ash dump, which is explained by the neutral and slightly alkaline soil pH values (pH = 8.0 ... 8.5). The ratio of mineral phases to glass is unstable; however, it should be noted that aluminosilicates, calcium silicates and glass predominate in ash and slag. Сompounds with HM are confined mainly to amorphous clay aggregates and sooty-carbon formations of ash, to a lesser extent to slag glass and even less to grains of quartz sand. Conclusions. Since the ash contains such fractions that can be easily carried by wind, it should be assumed that the HM entry into the ecosystem is also by air, which also contributes to air pollution. The solution to the problem of ash and slag waste disposal should be found in the production of building materials, in road construction, but it is necessary to study the composition of ash and slag and the probability of HM migration depending on the conditions of use.

Purpose. is to highlight the methodological approach and the results of the integrated ecological and analytical assessment of the environmental impact of the car-road-environment system, namely the structure of interaction between internal and external factors and their spatial analysis, including the actual assessment of the ecological state of the roadside space of a selected section of the road M-29 (Е-105) on the example of accumulation in the biota of roadside space heavy metals of road origin. Methods. Expert analytical analysis, T. Saati's hierarchy analysis method, field studies of vegetation and soil, laboratory studies of the content of heavy metals in selected samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results. Analysis of the complex impact of the "car-road-environment" (CRE) system on the state of the natural environment made it possible to develop a comprehensive multi-level hierarchical structure of the influence of the "CRE" system on environmental components for subsequent environmental and analytical assessment. According to the results of the environmental-analytical assessment, it was determined that the components of the natural environment are significantly affected by the "CRE" system, with living organisms of roadside space being the most stressed (43,08% of the total influence). When carrying out field studies, it was found out that it is advisable to use direct measurements when choosing the information content of soil and vegetation sampling points. After processing laboratory studies, an excess of the MPC of heavy metals was revealed in the samples of vegetation and soil of the roadside space at a distance of 10 m, 50 m and 100 m from the road bed, a rank series of accumulation of heavy metals in the studied samples of vegetation and soil of the roadside space was established. Conclusions. As a result of research, it was found that the complexity of the impact of the "CRE" system on the environment in a significant way depends on the biotic component of the roadside space, which, as a rule, until that time received little attention. It was concluded that the biota of the roadside space is not only susceptible to accumulation of pollutants, including heavy metals, but can be used for effective integrated monitoring of the ecological state of the environment in the zone of influence of roads.

Among the most pressing threats to the existence of forest plant complexes of the nature reserve fund is the pyrogenic danger, which is exacerbated by changes in the natural hydrolytic regime and global climate change, the driving effects of which are currently difficult to fully assess. The article highlights the results of a study of the forest plant complexes and soil state of the nature reserve “Drevlyanskyi” in Zhytomyr region after the fires. The results of the field survey of plantations, agrochemical and radiological analysis of soil indicators are presented. Studies show a change in the composition of forest plant complexes, a reduction in the number of herbaceous species, and a decrease in the area of moss and lichen cover. The surveyed area is characterized by significant spatial heterogeneity of the main agrochemical and physicochemical parameters of the soil. There was a slight increase in the content of heavy metals in the soil, however, the indicators did not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations in these areas. To assess the radiation situation after fires on the territory of the nature reserve, the indicators of the density of soil pollution with 137Cs and 90Sr were determined. The authors recommended a set of measures to improve the efficiency of nature reserves. Adherence to the recommendations will help to increase the environmental sustainability of forest plant complexes and will minimize the occurrence of fires and their consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the work is synthesis of new organomineral composites by in situ immobilization and adsorption of poly[8-methacroyloxy-quinoline] on the surface of vermiculite and study of sorption properties of cations Cu(II), Pb(II) and Fe(III). In situ immobilization of poly [8-oxyquinolinemethacrylate] on the surface of vermiculite was carried out by initiated radical polymerization of 8 oxyquinoline methacrylate using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a dinitrile initiator in the presence of vermiculite. To obtain the composite by adsorption of poly[8- oxyquinolinemethacrylate] on the surface of vermiculite, the polymer was synthesized in advance, then dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and adsorbed on vermiculite. The fact of immobilization of poly[8-oxyquinolinemethacrylate] on the surface of vermiculite was confirmed by comparative analysis of the IR spectra of the source mineral and relative composites. The regularities of thermal decomposition of immobilized polymer were studied by thermogravimetric analysis combined with mass spectrometry. Using the results of low-temperature adsorption-desorption of nitrogen and scanning electron microscopy, changes in the morphology of the vermiculite surface after immobilization of poly[8-oxyquinolinemethacrylate] by the selected methods are shown. The sorption characteristics of the synthesized composites with respect to Cu(II), Pb(II) and Fe(III) ions were examined in static mode. The polymer with oxyquinoline groups immobilized on the surface of vermiculite showed sorption activity against those metal ions with which 8-oxyquinoline forms stable complexes, the sorption capacity relative to cations Cu(II) is doubled after in situ immobilization of poly [8-oxyquinoline methacrylate] on the surface of vermiculite and increases almost 3 times after adsorption of this polymer. For Pb(ІІ) ions this effect is lower: after in situ immobilization of [8-methacroyloxyquinoline] sorption capacity increases by one-third and as the result, the increasing of adsorption of this polymer is insignificant and is within the experimental accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Various modes of transport are among the main sources of environmental pollution with heavy metals and other pollutants. Bryophytes are known to accumulate heavy metals; however, metabolic changes in mosses under conditions of metal accumulation have not been extensively studied. The aim of this article was to analyze the accumulation of heavy metals, the process of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of enzymes of the antioxidant system in Didymodon rigidulus Hedw. moss collected in urban areas with an intense load created by road and railway transport. Materials and Methods. Gametophyte shoots were collected at three sampling sites in the city of Lviv (Ukraine). Site 1 was selected in a park zone, which was considered a control one; sites 2 and 3 were selected in areas with heavy road and rail traffic, respectively. Concentrations of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in the moss material were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The levels of LPO products, namely lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, were determined by standard methods. The results were processed using the methods of variation statistics. Results. Moss D. rigidulus growing in the park area (site 1) accumulated metals in the following order of decreasing concentration: Zn> Cr> Ni> Pb. Gametophyte shoots of D. rigidulus collected at site 2 accumulated higher levels of Pb, Zn and Ni (by 2.27, 1.78 and 1.45 times, respectively), and at site 3, higher levels of Pb and Zn (by 1.8 and 1.67 times, respectively) compared to gametophytes collected in the park zone. In the moss samples from these sites, no significant differences in the Cr content were found as compared to the control. Concentration of lipid hydroperoxides in the moss sampled at sites 2 and 3 was 4.26 and 3.75 times higher, respectively, compared to the control, and TBARS production was more intense in plant material from site 2 than from the control site. SOD and catalase activities were considerably increased in D. rigidulus moss from site 2 compared with those from the control area; however, the activity of both enzymes in the moss samples from site 3 did not significantly exceed the control levels. Conclusions. Both road and rail traffic loads contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals, especially Zn and Pb, in D. rigidulus moss growing in the surrounding areas. Under such conditions, LPO process is stimulated, which is more pronounced in moss growing in area with heavy road traffic. The increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) in moss growing in this area can play an important role in protecting bryophyte cells against metal-induced oxidative stress under conditions of intense metal accumulation.

Ecological situation of many countries, including Ukraine, is characterized by progressive anthropogenic and technogenic pollution, which causes growth in thyroid pathology, the share of which is significant in the structure of endocrine diseases. The main causes of thyroid disorders include iodine deficiency in the environment, exposure to a number of widely used che­micals (thyrodisruptors), heavy metal ions. A variety of physical environmental factors are important. A significant increase in thyroid cancer is frequently associated with local or general exposure to ionizing radiation. Prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields can lead to disorders in the gland's homeostasis. The functional capacity of the gland is also impaired by unsanitary living conditions, some bacteria and viruses, and improper nutrition. High sensitivity of the gland to external impacts and high social significance of thyroid pathology give grounds to consider the morphofunctional condition of the thyroid gland as a marker of ecological well-being of the environment.

A significant degree of ploughness of agricultural lands of Ukraine has led to increased erosion and the creation of soils of varying degrees of washout, which leads to dehumification and contamination of soils with toxic substances. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to establish the features of horizontal migration and accumulation of heavy metals of lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc, trace elements of boron and manganese, radionuclides of caesium and strontium on podzolic heavy loamy chernozems with varying degrees of washout: non-eroded, weak and medium washout, conditioned by the development of erosion processes. During the study, spectrophotometric, colorimetric, gamma-spectrometric, and radiochemical methods were used to determine the content of toxic substances in the soil. The study results showed that on slightly washed soils, the content of humus is 12.9% less, easily hydrolysed nitrogen – 13.3%, mobile forms of phosphorus – 51.1%, mobile potassium – 34.9% less than on slightly washed soils. The humus content on medium-washed soil was 8.8% less than on lightly washed soil, easily hydrolysed nitrogen – 14.3% less, mobile phosphorus – 15.3% more, mobile potassium – 42.9% more. A strong horizontal migration of mobile lead forms in washed podzolic heavy loamy chernozem was established, which increases with increasing degree of soil washout with the content of mobile lead forms on medium-washed soil by 24% more than on non-eroded soil. The same dependence was established on the content of mobile forms of zinc in the soil, with their predominance on medium-washed soil by 17 %, compared to non-washed. The content of mobile forms of copper is lower on slightly washed soil, compared to non – washed soil by 5%, boron – 18.8% less on non-washed soil, compared to medium-washed, and the content of mobile forms of manganese increases by 3.3% from slightly to medium-washed soil. It was also found that the concentration of caesium decreased by 25.6% on medium-washed soils, compared to non-washed ones

Ukraine has a unique natural resources potential and is one of the world's richest agricultural countries in terms of soil composition and land bioproductivity. More than 2/5 of its agricultural land is located within the steppe zone – a zone of unstable and insufficient humidification. The production of agricultural products under arid conditions largely depends on solving the problem of agricultural land artificial irrigation. Due to this, since the 1960s large-scale construction of amelioration facilities took place in Southern Ukraine, including construction of the Kakhovka Reservoir and the Kakhovka Irrigation System, the largest one in Europe. The quality of water intended for irrigation depends on a water source and internal physicochemical/biological processes observed in the amelioration system. The attached bivalve molluscs present an important biotic component of hydrotechnical amelioration systems. They form dense settlements on solid artificial substrates and are usually considered as a source of biological barriers that should be constantly fought against. However, their filtration and sedimentation role can exert influence on the processes of water self-purification. The study aims at evaluating the role of filtering molluscs fouling process when it comes to treatment of irrigation water from suspensions and removal of some heavy metals from the water column. The research is based on the results of field analysis of deposits sedimentation processes in the water column with the help of sedimentation traps at 5 stations along Kakhovka Main Channel. It was found that the total biomass of settlements of attached bivalve molluscs Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis that are present in the channel constitutes about 370 – 463 tons and they contribute to precipitation of 11.6 – 27.5 tons of suspended matter to the bottom sediments during summer months. This process is manifested in a decrease of suspended matter concentration in the water along the channel. Together with suspended matter 1.8 – 3.9 kg of Cr, 0.3 – 0.6 kg of Ni, 0.09 – 0.24 kg of Co, 0.08 – 0.18 kg of Pb, 0.088 – 0,144 kg of Cd also join the bottom sediments every month. Thus, the settlements of molluscs attached to the hydraulic structures can be considered as biological amelioration agents contributing to the improvement of irrigation water quality.

Air pollution by heavy metals in the urbanized surroundings presents a serious threat to human health and the environment. Road dust is distinguished as a high-level pollutant and characterized by a significant content of heavy metals. Green spaces play a leading role when it comes to improving the quality of atmospheric air in megalopolises. They trap pollutants. Most of them settle on the surfaces of plant leaves, but some can be also absorbed through the stomata. As a result of these processes, pollutants, along with fallen leaves, can later migrate to other components of the ecosystem. An important component of this system is forest litter that plays a kind of trigger role by regulating the directions of substance flows in the “leaves-litter-soil” system, keeping chemical elements from leaching out and evenly distributing their inflows. Thus, forest litter functions as a sort of biogeochemical barrier and plays a leading role in the ability of ecosystems to self-regulate. Thus, the purpose of this work was to assess the role of green spaces in improving the quality of atmospheric air in the urban surroundings and to conduct a preliminary assessment of the features of the processes of heavy metals transformation within the forest litter. The model site of research is located within the territory of Holosiivskyi forest, a part of the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park (Kyiv). The content of heavy metals in the forest litter was determined using the methods of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results of the study of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn content annual dynamics within the forest litter of the hornbeam forest of the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park show that the maximum concentrations are typical for the summer period, when the litter reserves sharply decrease, and the minimum ones – for the autumn-winter period during their accumulation. Comparison of the distribution of heavy metals content within the leaf and fermented layers showed that, under the conditions of the model area, Zn, Cu, and Ni are predominantly accumulated right in the leaf layer of the forest litter. Moreover, it was revealed that the processes of leaf litter mineralization lead to migration of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr, and setting of Zn.