Comprehensive methodological approach to determine the toxicological characteristics of the highly dispersed rock samples

Abstract

A schematic diagram of the integrated approach for assessing the toxicological properties of rocks, taking into account their physicochemical properties, was proposed. This methodology was tested on the basalt samples taken from the Myandukha deposit (Arkhangelsk region). The paper presents data of the chemical composition on the basis of which the value of the specific mass energy of atomization of the raw material of the rock was calculated. The energy parameters of the micro- and nanosystems of the sample were calculated: free surface energy and surface activity. To perform toxicological evaluation of the analyzed material a new generation sequencing (NGS) method, the metagenomic analysis, and the MTT method for determining the viability of cell cultures were used. These methods allowed determining species diversity of microorganisms in basalt samples, as well as the cytotoxicity of highly dispersed basalt particles. It was found out that basalt, possessing a high surface activity, is capable of sorbing significant number of microorganisms of different species groups on the surface of the particles, that is a potential danger of microbiological contamination - this fact must be taken into account when processing raw materials in technological processes. At the same time, the non-toxic nature of the basalt nanoparticles was noted. The proposed schematic diagram of the integrated approach can be recommended for assessing the toxicological properties of rocks.

Keywords

• rocks
• basalt
• nanoparticles
• free surface energy
• surface activity
• toxicity