Home – Home – Jornals – Chemistry for Sustainable Development 2002 number 3

Urine concrements were studied in patients from the Donetsk region and piedmonts of the Carpathians Region. The mineral composition of concrements was studied with the help of X-ray and IR spectroscopy methods. A semiquantitative estimation of chemical trace element content of uroliths was carried out by X-ray spectral microprobe technique on a raster electron analysing microscope DS-130 C (Akashi, Japan) and a microanalyser Camebax (France). The results obtained witness to the fact that the main carriers of heavy metals in the concrements are oxalates, phosphates and amorphous organic substance. The distribution of trace elements between concrement components has a complicated pattern. The main carriers of copper, zinc, and manganese are oxalates, however, under certain conditions they may be components of phosphates. Characteristic of lead and iron is isomorphic inclusion into phosphates (apatite). To a smaller degree, they are associated with oxalates. Mercury, and partly lead, zinc, iron and manganese seem to be able to form micrograins in the form of independent phases - calomel, cerussite, hopeite, humboldtine and manganese carbonate. Partially, all heavy metals may be contained in amorphous organic substance.