The speciation of chemical elements in water and their possible impact on human health

Abstract

The speciation of chemical elements in groundwaters of Apatity Kirovsky district may affect their bioavailability and toxicity. A complete hydrochemical analysis showed measurable concentrations of uranium, molybdenum, silver, barium, nickel, vanadium, aluminum, and lead, which contributed to a growing database of the chemical compositions of groundwater. Physical and chemical models showed that the vital elements calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and sulfate ion are in chemical forms that are favorable for human health (Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, SO42-). Forms of migration of carcinogenic or toxic elements (nickel, barium, vanadium, strontium, aluminum, lead) are among the most toxic (Ni2+, Ba2+, Sr2+) and remain so at the temperatures studied +3, +25, +37°C. One of the most insidious effects of inorganic compounds of lead, barium and strontium is the ability to replace calcium in bones isomorphically, nickel in the form of free ions (Ni2+) is 2 times more toxic than its complex compounds with inorganic and organic ligands. The results of this research can be useful in the fields of geochemistry, hydrology, ecology and medicine.