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Trace Elements in Medicine
International scientific and practical peer-reviewed journal
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ANTHROPOGENIC POLLUTION BY CHEMICAL ELEMENTS (POST-TRANSITION METALS): AL, GA, IN, SN, TL, PB, BI

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A.A. Sherstneva1, A.V. Galchenko2

1 Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy of Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education,
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University),
Trubetskaya st., 8/2, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation

2 Melodia Vitae, Earth

 

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ABSTRACT. Technological progress is rapidly growing, but the side effect of this process is an increase in the anthropogenic impact on the environment. These factors can cause serious ecological problems. Uncontrolled hunting and exploitation of animals leads to the extinction of many species. The widespread use of plastic products results in large amounts of plastic waste that is not biodegradable and breaks up into micro- and nanoplastics. These particles accumulate in living organisms and can cause toxicity. Deforestation (especially of tropical forests) to the needs of urbanization and agriculture leads to climate change and extinction of many species of plants and animals. Industrial development and farming cause the large production of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4). This leads to a greenhouse effect and climate change. Waste of metallurgical, chemical, pharmaceutical industries, as well as household waste, enters the environment in large quantities, contaminating it. A large number of chemical elements, including post-transition metals, can be considered as anthropogenic pollutants. The purpose of this manuscript was to overview the facts of environmental pollution with post-transition metals.

These metals are naturally present in the Earth's crust, however, their use in the industrial cycle has significantly increased their release into the environment. Many of them are emitted to the environment during the combustion of coal and oil, use and disposal of products, as the waste from industrial plants. Extensive pollution of water, soil, and air has been discovered. The accumulation of metals in living organisms is risky since in this way they become a component of the food chain and have a toxic effect on organisms. To date, some sources of pollution are already being restricted, e.g., more environmentally friendly alternatives are chosen, the use of leaded gasoline, Pb or Sn paints in many countries are limited. Some elements, such as Ga, In, Tl, became especially widespread with the development of the electronics. Given the exponential growth of this industry and the lack of eco-friendly recycling ways, severe environmental pollution by these metals may develop. To date, it already occurs in areas of e-waste in some countries, such as Ghana, Nigeria, India, where the accumulation of Ga, In, Tl is found not only in the environment, but also in plants, animals, and people. Increased emissions of industrial untreated waste can lead to acute toxic stress for the entire planet. The development of optimal methods for the production and utilization of these metals and their compounds is crucial in order to preserve the biosphere.

KEYWORDS: environment, ecological crisis, biogeochemistry, biohazard, aluminum, gallium, indium, tin, thallium, lead, bismuth.