Vol. 337 No. 6 (2026)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/6/5348
Elemental composition of human hair in mining regions of Zabaykalsky Krai
Relevance. The necessity to develop criteria for assessing the state of the environment determines the relevance of this study. Modern conditions require a comprehensive biogeochemical study of objects and components of the biosphere. Local technogenic impact leads to uneven accumulation of chemical substances in the human body. Studying the elemental composition of hair allows us to assess the degree of such impact. Hair serves as a reliable indicator of environmental changes caused by human activity. Research was conducted in eastern districts of Zabaykalsky Krai, covering settlements Sherlovaya Gora, Khapcheranga, Nerchinsky Zavod, and Klitchka. Aim. To identify the features of the elemental composition of the population hair as an indicator of local mining and industrial technogenesis Methods. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to analyze samples, allowing precise determination of content levels of 28 chemical elements. Results and conclusions. The research revealed characteristic features of the chemical composition of local residents' hair reflecting industrial development in different populated areas of Zabaykalsky Krai. The largest industrial base is located in Nerchinsky Zavod village, which manifests itself in elevated concentrations of Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Eu, and Hf. Although most industrial enterprises were closed as early as the 20th century, Na, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, As, Ag, Sb, Ba, Lu, Hf, Ta, Au, Th, and U were found in the hair of residents of the Sherlovaya Gora. In the hair of residents of the Khapcheranga village situated near an exhausted tin-polymetallic deposit, significant accumulation of Sc, Cr, Fe, Nd, Tb, Hf, and Th was found. The village Klichka, known for its specialization in the mining and processing of polymetallic ores, is characterized by high levels of Ca, Zn, and U in the hair of its residents. The elemental composition of Zabaykalsky Krai inhabitants’ hair reflects the impact of ore-mining and processing industries and forms under the effect of both natural and anthropogenic factors. Accumulation of rare earth elements is observed in this region. In areas where waste from ore processing plants was stored, children's hair exhibits concentrations of chemical elements typical of the locally mined and processed raw materials. Thus, children's hair acts as an indicator of technogenic load on their place of residence.
For citation: Baranovskaya N.V., Mikhailova L.A., Kazakova A.A., Ageeva E.V., Vershkova E.M., Narkovich D.V., Azarova S.V. Elemental composition of human hair in mining regions of Zabaykalsky Krai. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Assets Engineering, 2026, vol. 337, no. 6, pp. 221-234. https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/6/5348
Keywords:
hair of the child population, elemental composition, tailings dam, biogeochemical specificity, technogenesis
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