NEW DATA ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF NATURAL WATERS IN THE AREA OF DISTRIBUTION OF UROV (KASCHIN–BECK) DISEASE (TRANSBAIKAL REGION)

• Main Authors: Leonid V. Zamana, Leonid P. Rikhvanov, Bulat R. Soktoev, Natalia V. Baranovskaya, Ekaterina S. Epova, Mariya A. Solodukhina, Larisa A. Mikhailova, Yulia G. Kopylova, Albina A. Khvashchevskaya
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Tomsk Polytechnic University 2019-01-01
• Series: Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов
• Subjects: urov disease; kaschin–beck disease; hydrogeochemistry; chemical composition; underground and surface waters; calcium; selenium; iodine
• Online Access: http://izvestiya.tpu.ru/archive/article/view/56/28
• ISSN: 2500-1019; 2413-1830

The relevance of the research. The Kaschin–Beck disease, or Urov disease, has been known for over 160 years, but the real reason, that causes the disease development, has not been still identified. For the moment there are more than 20 theories and hypotheses explaining the reasons for its occurrence, the leading one is the biogeochemical, first proposed by A.P. Vinogradov. According to this theory, the Kaschin–Beck disease is related to the influence of the environment in the form of lack or excess of a chemical element or compounds. In this regard, it is relevant to study the chemical composition of natural components in the manifestation area of this disease. The main aim of the research is to evaluate the chemical composition of natural waters used for drinking water supply in the manifestation area of the Kaschin–Beck disease in Transbaikal region. Objects: underground and surface waters. Methods. Hydrogeochemical, chemical composition of water samples was detected with the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results. The content of 71 chemical elements, including those not previously considered for this area, was studied in natural waters. We have established that waters used for drinking water supply are characterized by low content of calcium, which may be an indicator of trouble in areas with this disease without aggravating effects of either strontium or phosphorus and manganese. The levels of selenium and iodine in the studied waters are below the optimum value for drinking usage. This fact agrees well with the literature data for China, where the natural components (water, soil, vegetation) in the areas of the Kaschin–Beck disease distribution are depleted in iodine. In this case, the lack of iodine can cause the development of endemic goitre, against which the Urov disease manifests itself brighter.