Natural and anthropogenic biogeochemical province of the biosphere over Cherepovets

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to summarize information on the formation of the natural and anthropogenic biogeochemical province of the biosphere over Cherepovets, develop biogeochemical standardization, and prevent environmentally conditioned human diseases. The migration of biogenic elements through food chains is analyzed. A significant flow of toxic elements entering the natural environment in the course of human industrial activity leads to the formation of anthropogenic biogeochemical provinces. In these geochemical zones and landscapes, the natural endemic environment interacts with chemical elements. As a result, biogeochemical cycles are altered, and vital elements are replaced with toxic metals. With these changes, intracellular biochemical reactions are disrupted. In this study, information on Cherepovets biogeochemical province formed in the 1960s was examined in the presence of intense industrialization. Data on high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil horizons of the given province were examined. Toxic elements actively accumulated in plants growing in the Cherepovets territory and vegetables growing in household plots within the city and the nearest 10 km zone. Metals accumulated in soil, different components of land ecosystems, and organs and tissues of carnivores. CONCLUSION: A high load in the Cherepovets biogeochemical province poses certain risks to the health of the population and causes the development of endemic diseases, microelementoses, and exogenous toxicoses in humans.