heavy metals

The intensity of heavy metals, natural and anthropogenic radionuclides are studied in the cultivated plants and soil in the vicinity of the western coast of Georgia. It is shown that the intensity of their accumulation depends on the type of plant, the place of sampling and the ecological zone. The highest rate of natural radionuclides is 40K, and the lowest - 226Ra, from the technogenic radionuclides the high-quality activeness is characterized to 137Cs, and its accumulation is the highest in the soil. From the hard metals, the plants most actively absorb lead and cadmium.

The research represented in the given work concerns studying the organoleptic, chemical and microbiological indicators in the drinking water on the territory of the Ajara Autonomous Republic. Particularly, among the organoleptic indicators the scent, taste and color of the drinking water have been
determined; as for the chemical indicators – pH, ammonia and nitrite- and out of the heavy metals – lead, arsenic, cadmium and zinc have been determined.

Today there is a need for the development of new technologies of waste utilization, especially biowaste such as fallen leaves because it can accumulate a variety of harmful compounds, including heavy metals. One of the methods of its processing is composting. On the other hand, these leaves can be used to improve soil condition by bioconversion. Actually, a promising way for the realization of this problem is the use of vermiculture technology with the addition of red Californian earthworms.

The article presents experimental studies of the adsorption capacity of zeolite in relation to Cu2 + and Сr3 + ions in a column type apparatus. The comparison of theoretical calculations and the results of experimental studies of the process of compatible adsorption of copper and chromium ions on zeolite in dynamic conditions was presented. Experimental data of dynamics of adsorption of ion of cuprum and chromium zeolite in a column type apparatus were presented. The exhaustion time and breakthrough time for different sorts at different bed depth have been set.

The adsorption of Copper (II) and Chromium (III) from aqueous solution by natural zeolite was investigated in fixed bed column. The effects of selected operating parameters such as flow rate and bed depth were evaluated. The breakthrough data are fitted well to Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) and Thomas models with high correlation coefficient, R2 = 0,91. The results showed that zeolite can be an effective adsorbent for Copper (II) and Chromium (III) removal.

The paper is focused on the research of migration process of heavy metals in the soil environment in the area of phosphogypsum storage in Sumy region. In the profile of the gray forest soils the corresponding genetic horizons were identified. The various structures of compounds containing heavy metals were detected in the samples by the diffractometric analysis. The increased gross content of lead in comparison with the background concentration in allocated humus and illuvial horizons has been determined.

The research determines the efficiency of the use of activated carbon in the process of water purification from heavy-metal ions for technological purposes in the food industry. Comparative studies of the use of sorbents of various types of activated carbon have been carried out. The study determines the factors that influence the efficiency of drinking water purification from heavy metal ions through activated carbon. It also proves the highest efficiency of oxidized form of activated carbon

The paper analyzes the sources of the most widespread heavy metals contained in waste. Different directions of human activity are considered with emphasis on the waste containing heavy metals. It is established that the largest suppliers of heavy metals include waste of metallurgy, chemical industry, production of electrical appliances, batteries and accumulators, sewage sludge, ash and slag of coal-fired power stations and waste incineration plants, and the recent one is household waste.

The influence of rail transport on the environment creates many problems as it includes violation of the stability of natural landscapes transport infrastructure through the development of erosion and landslides; air pollution by exhaust gases; permanent increase in oil pollution of earth, lead, blowing products and shedding of bulk cargo (coal, ore, cement). Along with the benefits offered by the railway transport, there arise accute lssues of environmental safety during its use, which is caused by its negative and even destructive impacts on the environment.

The contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with heavy metals and other mining chemicals have been major environmental problems in many mining areas of the world. Industrial wastes, geochemical structure and metals mining form a potential source of metal contaminants in the aquatic environment especially in sediment. Monitoring sediment quality is one of the highest priorities in environmental protection policies.