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The article reports the results of studying the effects on polluted water of SHF-energy together with the residual free (active) chlorine as a by-product of electrolysis action on dissolved chlorine-containing salts. Purpose of the studies was to evaluate input of these elements to the water disinfection effect. The synergy was found to kill microorganisms without impacts on the physicochemical properties of processed water or nutrient medium; therefore, it can be used for water treatment, and cultivation of microorganisms in microbiology.

The influence of light water with the reduced content of heavy stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (deuterium) on the cytogenetic status of irradiated animals was investigated. In mice, hybrids of the first generation (CBA x C57B1) F1, the increase in the output (two-fold at the dose of 2 Gy) of aberrant mitoses in the cells of bone marrow and the decrease in the duration of the mitotic index of the first cellular cycle occurred under the influence of the two week maintenance before the irradiation on light water with ppm 35 obtained by the method of rectification as compared with the irradiated animals that were kept on the distilled water. It has been discovered that 24 h after irradiation the number of leukocytes in the group which consumed light water is lower than that in the animals that were contained on the distilled water. Moreover, the cellularity of the bone marrow in the group which consumed light water was higher than that in the animals that were contained on distilled water. The prolonged application of light water before irradiation (for 14 days) led to an increase in the sensitivity of the chromosomal apparatus of mice to γ-irradiation against the background of an increase in the mitotic activity of cells.

Eighty outbred CD-I male and female mice (initial body mass of 31-34 g) and 40 male Wistar rats (initial body mass of 280-360 g) were randomly distributed into the experimental and control groups by sex and body mass. According to the results of experiments, consumption of rectified light-isotope water over 30 days immediately after irradiation by gamma-quanta 60Co at 5 Gy and 6.5 Gy can increase survivability rate significantly, accelerate hemopoiesis recovery and prevent body mass loss in irradiated animals. Therefore, light-isotope water can be considered as an effective agent for treatment of the bone marrow syndrome.

The article presents a possible design of an atmosphere revitalization system (ARS) as a component part of a new generation life support system (LSS). The main goal of the test investigation was to block formation of solid hard-to-remove carbon as a by-product of carbon dioxide and hydrogen processing. The Bosch reaction stage of CO2 conversion into CO and water was chosen as the core one. Beside the C02 and hydrogen conversion unit, other ARS constituents are a palladium membrane to generate ultrapure hydrogen, a water electrolysis unit, a hydrogen accumulator and a hydrogen absorber. To reach the materials balance, ARS was complemented with a system for trace contaminants and CO2 removal, and a Co2 concentrator. Zeolites in the CO2 removal system and concentrator ensure microwave energy absorption. Hydrogen is accumulated and absorbed by a LaNi5-based intermetallide. The palladium membrane serves to separate hydrogen from the CO-CO2 mixture.

The stimulating effect of light-isotope water on microbial growth was demonstrated in bacterial culture Pseudomonas esterophilus. Nutrient medium was prepared of mineral salts and ethyl acetate as a source of carbon dissolved in light-isotope water with ppm 35 and 70; the control medium contained same components dissolved in distilled water. The investigation showed an increase in the number of bacterial cells in the exponential stage of growth in static culture in light-isotope water as compared with the control. Specifically, accretion made up 87.3 and 35.2% in light-isotope water with ppm 35 and 70, respectively. In an hour, the number of cell divisions increased by 6.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Therefore, light-isotope water stimulates the metabolic activity and, consequently, growth of bacterial cells.

Action of "light" water with reduced quantities of heavy stable hydrogen and 18O ions on incidence and progress of lenticular opacity was studied in gamma-irradiated mice (60Co, 1.0 Gy). The animals were subjected to electroophthalmoscopy regularly till end of life time. The observation showed that chronic intake of "light" water safeguarded the irradiated mice against lenticular opacity. The experimental data indicate that "light" water strengthens the general body resistance as well as slows down aging of mammals.

Fractionation of hydrogen stable isotopes was studied in 9 human subjects in a chamber with normal air pressure imitating a space cabin. Mass-spectrometry of isotopes in blood, urine, saliva, and potable water evidenced increases in the contents of heavy H isotope (deuterium) in the body liquids as compared with water. These results support one of the theories according to which the human organism eliminates heavy stable isotopes of biogenous chemical elements.

The investigations of the water with decreased content of heavy stable hydrogen and of oxygen (18O) isotope received by the method of rectification were conducted on development of radiation injuries in organisms of the experimental animals. The objects of the investigation were male mice of Balb/c line. The animals were irradiated at the unit PX-gamma-30 with the gamma-radiation source 60Co in the dose of 25 sGy. It was observed that the water with decreased content of heavy stable hydrogen and of oxygen (18O) isotope influences positively the processes of restoration. It was manifested in decrease of the degree of gravity of radiation injuries in immune system organs (thymus and spleen), peripheral blood and marrow cells.

It was investigated whether preliminary administration of water with reduced Deuterium content may modify the inhibitory effect of the water given to BDF1 and CDA mice on the day of tumor transplantation. Two models were used: Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and uterine cervical carcinoma (UCC). Experimental mice (20 per group) used the water with reduced Deuterium content. Water with a Deuterium content close to that of drinking water was given to controls (30 per group). Both kinds of water were given to mice 4 weeks before the experiment. Inhibitory effect was acknowledged by the time at which the first nodules appeared at site of transplantation and assessed with respect to volume of tumor and animal life-span. Metastasis inhibition coefficient was determined for Lewis carcinoma metastasizing to the lung. It was found that water with reduced Deuterium content effectively inhibited the growth of the transplantable tumors under study, significantly reduced metastasis weight in mice with LLC and increased life-span in animals with transplantable UCC.

Results of isotope investigations of atmospheric condensate and potable water supplied from Earth confirmed the fractionating of hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes in the organism of ISS crewmembers. Samples of ISS atmospheric condensate were characterized by altered concentrations of 18O2 and deuterium. Atmospheric deuterium quantities varied in the interval of -67 to 79 +/- 3 ppm, whereas water deuterium made up -85 +/- 3 ppm as compared with SMOW. Atmospheric condensate consists of water vapor transpired and perspired by humans. In addition, cells of crews' red blood were also found to contain increased concentrations of deuterium as compared with the deuterium content of potable water. Results of isotopes measurements in urine, blood, saliva and potable water in a chamber experiment also evidenced in favour of the body fractionating of the stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen.

Effects of water with varying isotopic composition (high and low deuterium content) were studied on the model of cultivated human endothelial cells. In laboratory conditions, changes in the isotopic content of water in nutrient substrate did not affect significantly the cell proliferative activity. In cells cultivated in no-serum medium increased deuterium concentration inhibited growth with a consequent of cell death. Both decreased and increased concentration of deuterium activated proliferation in originally low-density cell cultures supplemented with serum. It is hypothesized that changed isotopic composition of water has an effect only when combined with some other cell cultivation factors.

Such models of transplantable tumors as Lewis sarcoma, uterine sarcoma-322 and uterine carcinoma-5 were used to study possible inhibitory effect by low-deuterium water. Such water was given to experimental animals (20 mice in each group). Controls (30 in each group) received tap water with standard deuterium concentrations. Low-deuterium water treatment resulted in significant inhibitory effect on volume of all tumor patterns concerned: it delayed nodule formation at transplantation site. However, no increase in survival time was obtained.

Interplanetary missions, including to Mars, will put crews into severe radiation conditions. Search for methods of reducing the risk of radiation-induced cancer is of the top priority in preparation for the mission to Mars. One of the options is designing life support systems that will generate water with low content of the stable hydrogen isotope (deuterium) to be consumed by crewmembers. Preliminary investigations have shown that a decrease of the deuterium fraction by 65% does impart to water certain anti-cancer properties. Therefore, drinking deuterium-free water has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer consequent to the extreme radiation exposure of the Martian crew.

In order to evaluate the effects of gravity on growing plants, we conducted ground-based long-term experiments with dwarf wheat (cultivar "Apogee USU") and Chinese cabbage (cultivar "Khibinskaja"). The test crop had been grown in overhead position with HPS lamp below the root module so that gravity and light gradients were in opposite direction. Plants of the control crop grew in normal position under the same lamp. Both crops were grown on porous metallic membranes with stable--1 kPa water potential on the surface. Results from these studies allowed us to examine the significant differences in growth and development of the plants as well as the root systems in relation to the gravity force. Nevertheless, the experiments in greenhouse Svet aboard the Mir space station proved that it is possible to compensate the effects of weightlessness on higher plants by manipulating gradients of environmental parameters (i.e. photon flux, water potential in the root zone, etc.). Even in ground studies Svet productivity averaged no more than 14 gm of fresh salad biomass per a day. This does not provide a sufficient supplement nutrients to the ISS crew. A cylindrical design of a space plant growth facility (SPGF) allows for maximal productivity under very tight energy and volume limitations onboard the ISS and a number of operational advantages.

The problem of environmental compatibility of the ISS Russian and U.S. segments arises from chemical and biological inequality of their atmospheres and is attested by the data of observations during operation of Russian orbital stations Salyut and Mir. Efforts must be made to develop unified limits, and common procedures and requirements for evaluation of ISS materials and equipment by experts of the international partners.

The methods of deuterium-free water, as applied to the conditions of long-term space expeditions have been discussed. It is shown that with the use of the method of electrolysis of distilled water or urine condensate followed by the catalytic or high-temperature synthesis one can obtained water with four-fold decrease in deuterium concentration. In order to reduce the energy expenditure it is necessary to use the existing routine technologies of water and oxygen regeneration or the versions with applying the fuel cells in which hydrogen and oxygen resulting from electrolysis would generate the electrical power with simultaneous isolation of deuterium-free water.

The analysis of the study associated with cultivating the leaf cabbage, small radish in the Russian-Bulgarian greenhouse "Svet" aboard Mir orbital space station in 1990 has demonstrated that under microgravity conditions the zeolite substrate "Balkanin" with particles dimensions of 1-3 mm placed in the root modules of the greenhouse "Svet" did not ensure the sufficient transfer of the water from moisture-saturated wicks to the periphery of the vegetation vessels what is attributable to the peculiarities of hydrophysical characteristics of the substrate used. There presented the results of experimental research on the hydrophysical and agrochemical characteristics of the ion-exchange substrates of two other types--"Biona 312" and "Biona V" prepared on the basis of the artificial ion-exchange resins: cationite--CU-2 and anionite EDE-10P. For these substrates there found the estimates of humidity correlating with the loss of gassy pores as well as there measured the specific weight of the solid phase and the volumetric weight. There presented data on the content of the nutrients as well as the results of assessing the biological productivity potential of the tested substrates in the "Svet" greenhouse root modules. The characteristics obtained are indicative of the possibility to use the mentioned substrates in space greenhouse of the "Svet" type.

Isotope composition of biogenic chemical elements (BCE) is discussed. A hypothesis is offered that biochemical and biomedical processes must be influenced as by the isotope composition of hydrogen and oxygen, so by the composition of stable isotopes of all the BCE constituting plants, animals, and humans. Biochemical, toxicological and other biomedical analyses should be performed to determine the best BCE isotope composition. These must be followed by development of methods, technologies, and life support systems to form and maintain the best isotope composition inside spacecraft habitable modules.

This paper shows that the method of water and air purification using immobilized cells and enzymes can be applied in regenerative life support systems in a habitable enclosed environment. This method is based on selective and adaptive functions of enzymic systems of microorganisms to assimilate organic components of the medium to be eliminated. Advantages of biocatalysis are low energy requirements and mild temperatures of purification leading to practically complete elimination of the substrate. Due to immobilization, cells and enzymes constitute an independent component which can be added to any continuously operating system of purification without generating a specific interface which is crucially important in microgravity. This allows the process of purification to be controllable. The resulting water and air meet biological requirements because they are formed under the influence of living organisms as in natural biogeocenoses. The production of ecologically pure water and air is highly important for long-duration space missions, especially for flights to Mars.

In order to select the method of water regeneration from air moisture condensate in a manned enclosed environment, the procedure of water decontamination from ethylene glycol was investigated. The process developed at t 20-22 degrees C and the following concentrations of C2H6O2 = 0.0125-0.5 mole/l, H2O2 = 1-5 mole/l, and catalyst = 1.7-50% wt. In the presence of 6.67 g/l of homogeneous catalyst FeSO4.7H2O, destructive oxidation of ethylene glycol to yield CO2 in the system 0.1 M C2H6O2 + 1M H2O2 proceeded effectively. However, the iron concentration in the decontaminated water exceeded significantly the maximally allowable concentration of iron in potable water as well as in industrial and non-industrial sewage. Heterogeneous MnO- and PbO-based catalysts provided no more than 20% ethylene glycol oxidation. Siderite, a natural mineral containing 33% wt. Fe2+, proved a more effective catalyst of ethylene glycol oxidation. When ethylene glycol and hydrogen peroxide were used at ratios of 1:30 and 1:80 with 5% wt. siderite, the degree of C2H6O2 to CO2 conversion was 99.2% and 99.8, respectively.

Organic acids have been obtained in an alkaline medium from a mixture of monosaccharides-carbohydrates to be used in a closed life support system. Methods of analysis of mixtures of synthetic acids have been developed. The composition of mixtures of organic acids has been identified by paper chromatography. During electrodialysis the mixtures release calcium ions. The use of mixtures of synthetic organic acids as carbon source gives rise to an intensive growth of the yeast Candida tropicalis SK-4.

The decontaminating effect of the pulsing magnetic field on the E. coli infected reclaimed water was studied on two installations. The magnetic field intensity was 500 and 1000-1500 ersted and the microbial load was 1, 10 and 100 thous. microbial units per 1 ml. It was found that the magnetic treatment of water had a noticeable bactericidal effect. This indicated that the method can be used for decontamination of reclaimed water.

The factors responsible for the formation of hydrogen sulphide in the water reclaimed from the atmospheric condensate were investigated. It was found that hydrogen sulphide developed in reclaimed water due to microorganisms which in the presence of inorganic sulphur (sodium thiosulphate) acquired the capacity to produce hydrogen sulphide, although normally they are not sulphur reducing. Among the microorganisms studied, E. coli showed the highest capacity (100%) and Streptococcus faecalis and Citrobacter freundii showed the lowest capacity (10-20%) to produce hydrogen sulphide.

The effect of different silver compounds (silver sulphate, silver nitrate, electrolytic ionic silver) on microorganisms in water reclaimed from the atmospheric condensate in an enclosed environment was investigated. The following microorganisms were examined: Alcaligenes faecalis, Citrobacter freundii. Aeromonas hydrophila, Staphylococcus epidermidis, etc. The ionic silver concentrations in solution varied from 0.1 to 10 mg/l. The efficiency of the silver compounds was found to depend on the microbial strain, ionic silver concentration in solution, and time of exposure. The microflora of the reclaimed water proved to be highly resistant to the preservatives which was strongly associated with the bacterial physical and chemical composition of the products preserved.

Experiments on the purification of wash water by means of reverse osmosis membranes MGA-100 were performed. The membrane selectivity with respect to the major components (catamine AB, amine oxide and sodium chloride) was close to 100% whereas membrane permeability was not lower than 70% that of distilled water. The results of a field study in which 330 1 of repeatedly used wash water were reclaimed showed that reverse osmosis can be effectively employed for that purpose.

Kinetics of CO2 and O2 production was investigated in the following systems: H2O - H2O2 - C6H5OH - siderite, H2O - H2O2 - HCl - siderite, H2O - H2O2 - siderite, H2O - HCl - siderite. A general equation describing the kinetics of phenol oxidation to yield carbon dioxide was derived: Vco2 = k2[C6H5OH]0.55 [H2O2]2 [Fe2+]2, where [Fe2+] denotes iron in the catalyst. The rate of oxygen production in the presence of phenol and siderite was described as Vo2 = k1 [H2O2]1.46. The CO2/O2 ratio in the concentration range 0.5-2.0 M H2O2 increased from 12.8 to 87.2 vol. %. The conversion degree of 0.05 M C6H5OH to carbon dioxide after 35 min oxidation in the presence of 0.5 g of the catalyst and at t = 21 degrees C reached 99.8%. As a result of chemical reactions between hydrogen of the admixtures and oxygen of the oxidizing agent as well as catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, the amount of pure water in the system increases. Due to reclamation of water containing wastes produced by one person, the total amount of additional water in space mission is estimated to make 204 kg per year.