New Aspects of the Role of Organisms and Detritus in the Detoxification System of the Biosphere; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322861119 ; Russian Journal of General Chemistry, Ostroumov S.A.

Abstract

Article:
Ostroumov S.A., New Aspects of the Role of Organisms and Detritus
in the Detoxification System of the Biosphere.
Russian Journal of General Chemistry, 2017, Vol. 87, No. 13, pp. 3190–3198.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322861119 ;
© Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2017. ISSN 1070-3632,

Original Russian Text © S.A. Ostroumov, 2017, published in Ekologicheskaya Khimiya, 2017, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 165–174.

New Aspects of the Role of Organisms and Detritus

in the Detoxification System of the Biosphere;

S. A. Ostroumov;

Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991 Russia;

Received September 25, 2016;

Abstract—

This article presents the recent author's discovery of new aspects of the participation of organisms in the detoxification system of the

biosphere. Problems of detoxification of toxic environmental pollutants are analyzed. New author’s

experimental data in combination with a large amount of information in the scientific literature gave rise to a

new concept of the role of biogenic detritus and related nutrients in environmental detoxification (ex-living

matter concept). This may be useful for the development of new technologies for remediation and

decontamination of the environment.

Keywords: biosphere, detoxification, pollution control, toxic chemical elements, immobilization, sorption,

biogenic detritus, ex-living matter;

INTRODUCTION.

Study of the problem of detoxification of harmful

substances in the biosphere is closely related to several

areas of environmental chemistry. Many authors studied

problems of migration and cycling of chemical elements

in the biosphere [1–3], elemental composition of

environmental objects [2–22] and other aspects of

biosphere chemistry [18–49], and the role of organisms

in the formation of certain chemical parameters of the

habitat [5–7, 15–17, 50–79]. Studies of the chemical–

biotic interactions [11, 12, 14–22, 25–47, 55, 67, 72–

75, 78–80] and accumulation of a large amount of

information on the geochemical environment (see, e.g.,

[14–17, 21, 23, 47, 55, 73, 75, 80]) have revealed some

unresolved issues, which leads to the need to reexamine

the question of how organisms are involved in

the transformation and detoxification of habitats.

It is interesting to analyze how toxic chemical

elements are neutralized in the biosphere during

natural ecological and biogeochemical processes. New

important relevant data are actively accumulating in

experimental studies conducted in the laboratory of

biogeochemistry of the environment of the Vernadsky

Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of

the Russian Academy of Sciences [15, 16], as well as

in many laboratories of the world [81, 82].

V.I. Vernadsky emphasized the importance of

studying migration of chemical elements in the

biosphere and relations between the activity of living

matter and the physicochemical characteristics of the

biosphere [5–7, 74], as well as the importance of

various ways of the influence of living matter on the

environment. Data on the chemistry of the biosphere

[3, 4, 15–17], geochemical environment, and factors

affecting the concentrations of chemical chemical

elements [3, 4, 15–22, 25–47, 55, 67, 72–74], migration

of elements and biogeochemical flows in the biosphere

[67, 22, 28, 30], and self-purification of the environment

from chemical pollutants [28, 63–69] rapidly accumulate.

The new data require additional analysis, so that it is

necessary to formulate appropriate generalizations.

The objective of this analysis is to consider the role

of organisms and substances derived therefrom

(biogenic detritus and other detritus-like substances) in

the detoxification system of the biosphere with account

taken of our data.

It is necessary to distinguish two aspects of the

problem under study:

(1) The role of living organisms during their vital

activity;

(2) The role of biogenic detritus and related

substances of biological origin which were referred to

...

DOI: 10.1134/S1070363217130138;

Full text

ISSN 1070-3632, Russian Journal of General Chemistry, 2017, Vol. 87, No. 13, pp. 3190–3198. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2017.
Original Russian Text © S.A. Ostroumov, 2017, published in Ekologicheskaya Khimiya, 2017, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 165–174.
3190
New Aspects of the Role of Organisms and Detritus
in the Detoxification System of the Biosphere
S. A. Ostroumov*
Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991 Russia
*e-mail: ostroumov@mail.bio.msu.ru
Received September 25, 2016
Abstract—The review covers new aspects of the participation of organisms in the detoxification system of the
biosphere. Problems of detoxification of toxic environmental pollutants are analyzed. New author’s
experimental data in combination with a large amount of information in the scientific literature gave rise to a
new concept of the role of biogenic detritus and related nutrients in environmental detoxification (ex-living
matter concept). This may be useful for the development of new technologies for remediation and
decontamination of the environment.
Keywords: biosphere, detoxification, pollution control, toxic chemical elements, immobilization, sorption,
biogenic detritus, ex-living matter
INTRODUCTION
Study of the problem of detoxification of harmful
substances in the biosphere is closely related to several
areas of environmental chemistry. Many authors studied
problems of migration and cycling of chemical elements
in the biosphere [1–3], elemental composition of
environmental objects [2–22] and other aspects of
biosphere chemistry [18–49], and the role of organisms
in the formation of certain chemical parameters of the
habitat [5–7, 15–17, 50–79]. Studies of the chemical–
biotic interactions [11, 12, 14–22, 25–47, 55, 67, 72–
75, 78–80] and accumulation of a large amount of
information on the geochemical environment (see, e.g.,
[14–17, 21, 23, 47, 55, 73, 75, 80]) have revealed some
unresolved issues, which leads to the need to re-
examine the question of how organisms are involved in
the transformation and detoxification of habitats.
It is interesting to analyze how toxic chemical
elements are neutralized in the biosphere during
natural ecological and biogeochemical processes. New
important relevant data are actively accumulating in
experimental studies conducted in the laboratory of
biogeochemistry of the environment of the Vernadsky
Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of
the Russian Academy of Sciences [15, 16], as well as
in many laboratories of the world [81, 82].
V.I. Vernadsky emphasized the importance of
studying migration of chemical elements in the
biosphere and relations between the activity of living
matter and the physicochemical characteristics of the
biosphere [5–7, 74], as well as the importance of
various ways of the influence of living matter on the
environment. Data on the chemistry of the biosphere
[3, 4, 15–17], geochemical environment, and factors
affecting the concentrations of chemical chemical
elements [3, 4, 15–22, 25–47, 55, 67, 72–74], migration
of elements and biogeochemical flows in the biosphere
[67, 22, 28, 30], and self-purification of the environment
from chemical pollutants [28, 63–69] rapidly accumulate.
The new data require additional analysis, so that it is
necessary to formulate appropriate generalizations.
The objective of this analysis is to consider the role
of organisms and substances derived therefrom
(biogenic detritus and other detritus-like substances) in
the detoxification system of the biosphere with account
taken of our data.
It is necessary to distinguish two aspects of the
problem under study:
(1) The role of living organisms during their vital
activity;
(2) The role of biogenic detritus and related
substances of biological origin which were referred to
DOI: 10.1134/S1070363217130138

as ex-living matter (ELM) in our previous publications
[29, 32, 78, 79].
Role of living organisms in the detoxification of
the environment during the period of their vital
activity. The useful role of living organisms in detoxi-
fication of the environment can be traced through the
example of aquatic ecosystems. In our previous
publications, a comprehensive mechanism of water
purification in freshwater and marine ecosystems has
been discovered and detailed to some extent [28, 63–
65, 67–69]. In these studies, attention was paid to the
multifunctional role of biota and the entire biological
community [63, 64]. A significant but sometimes not
obvious contribution of organisms to non-biological
(physical and chemical) water purification factors was
revealed [28, 64]. As a result, a theory of biotic self-
purification of water was created [28, 63, 64]. Studies
of this series were supported and cited by other
researchers [12, 14].
Thus, the useful function of ecosystems and
biological community in the performance of ecosystem
services in maintenance and improvement of water
quality, assimilation and purification of anthropo-
genically contaminated and waste water, and environ-
mental safety (environmental safety) of water supply
sources was analyzed more deeply than before. These
studies have proven even higher utility of many species
of aquatic ecosystems, which supports the arguments
for the protection of wildlife and biodiversity.
It is necessary to consider in more detail the role of
biogenic substances in the detoxification of the
environment.
Role of biogenic detritus and related substances
of biological origin. The role of biogenic detritus and
related substances of biological origin (ex-living
matter, ELM) [29, 32] in the detoxification of the
environment is increasingly understood.
As noted in [78], substances related to ELM makes
a significant contribution to the immobilization of a
number of chemical elements, decrease in their
bioavailability, and partial inhibition or interruption of
their circulation in the geochemical environment. The
emphasis given to the important role of substances of
this type provides another vivid example of what V.I.
Vernadsky wrote about: “During the geological time,
the power of living matter in the biosphere grows, and
its significance for the biosphere and its effect on the
inert matter increase” (italics of V.I. Vernadsky) [6].
Taking into account the phenomenon of immobiliza-
tion of toxic elements, the author believes it necessary
to pay attention to the following fact. In some cases,
living matter, creating favorable conditions for itself,
affects inert (non-alive) and sometimes toxic substance
of the environment not directly but indirectly. The
mediator is a substance that we proposed to call a
substance of the third type or former living matter (ex-
living matter, ELM) [29, 32, 78, 79]. It immobilizes
toxic elements. Examples of experimentally observed
immobilization of toxic elements are given below.
The following components of the biosphere can be
regarded as ELM (some of the classes listed below
may intersect and overlap one another):
(a) organic matter of pellets excreted by soil and
aquatic invertebrates, including benthic invertebrates
(e.g., mollusks) and zooplankton;
(b) substance of dead organisms;
(c) plant mortmass, including leaf litter, fallen pine
needles, branches, and other components;
(d) biogenic detritus (particulate organic carbon,
POC) in aquatic ecosystems (total content in the
biosphere about 3 × 1016 g of carbon [73]);
(e) dissolved organic matter (DOC, dissolved
organic carbon) in freshwater and marine ecosystems
(total content in the biosphere about 1 × 1018 g of
carbon [73]). This class of substances also includes
exometabolites and organic ligands;
(e) humus (both soil and water);
(g) biogenic inorganic particles, e.g., shells of some
aquatic microscopic organisms, including diatom
algae, radiolarians, foraminifera, and coccolitho-
phorids. The specific surface of these natural sorbents
is 5–120 m2 per gram [23];
(h) organic matter of bottom sediments of the
World Ocean and continental water bodies (estimated
at 1022 g of carbon) [73];
(i) various exometabolites and biopolymers released
by organisms to the environment, as well as products
of their biochemical and chemical transformations
(products of microbiological processing, oxidation
with oxygen, photoreactions, including photodegrada-
tion, etc.).
As additional examples, we note that such terms as
forest litter, dead organic matter, phytodetritus, dead of
NEW ASPECTS OF THE ROLE OF ORGANISMS AND DETRITUS
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL CHEMISTRY Vol. 87 No. 13 2017
3191

organic matter, and others are used for terrestrial
ecosystems [1, 2, 10, 52]. Analysis of published data
on humic substances is given in [24].
The total amount of ELM is very large and is
several orders of magnitude higher than the total
amount of living matter in the biosphere.
An example of the formation of appreciable amounts
of the third type of matter is the accumulation of biogenic
detritus on the bottom of aquatic systems with organisms.
For brevity, substances of the third type will be denoted
ELM (ex-living matter) [29]. This report focuses on such
constituent of ELM as biogenic detritus. However, it
should be emphasized that it is by no means the only
representative of the third type of matter.
It is important that in many cases the actually
observed substance of the third type, for example, in
aquatic ecosystems, is not simply the lifeless bodies of
earlier living organisms. After their death, micro-
organisms take effect, and chemical reactions such as
oxidation, degradation, etc. are initiated. After a short
time, the observed substance is the product of many
modifications and transformations. In addition, mole-
cules of polymers (e.g., polysaccharides) and other sub-
stances excreted during the lifetime play an important
role. Obviously, the actually observed matter of the third
type is complex and is the result of many processes.
EXPERIMENTAL
Experimental studies revealed additional data on
the possibility of binding of a number of chemical
elements, including toxic ones, to biogenic detritus.
The results of prolonged incubation of microcosms
with macrophytes showed the following (Tables 1–3).
Experiments with microcosms and solutions of
metals. The experiments [29, 32, 34, 41] are described
in Tables 1–3 which contain (1) the compositions of
the examined microcosms (Table 1), (2) amounts of
metal salts added to the microcosms (Table 2), and
(3) elemental composition of biogenic detritus in these
experimental aquatic ecosystems after incubation
(Table 3).
The composition of the M7 solution added to the
microcosms is given in Table. 2. The total volume of
M7 added over a period of 5 weeks was 10 mL or 2
mL per liter of water in the microcosm (5 L).
Binding of a group of elements, including metals
and rare earth elements, as well as toxic
nanoparticles, to biogenic material. Along with other
elements, As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se,
Sr, Ti, V, Zn, Bi, Ga, Gd, Ge, Ho, Ir, Nb, Rb, Ta, Tb,
Te, Th, and Tm were studied. The data on binding of
copper-containing nanoparticles to biogenic material
were obtained in cooperation with J. Tyson,
M. Johnson, and B. Xing (University of Massachusetts,
US) [56–58]. Binding of nanoparticles to biomass and
mortmass of a number of plant species, including
Myriophyllum aquaticum, Ludwigia sp., Typha sp., and
Gingko biloba, was studied. It was found that copper
oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles were immo-
bilized by binding to the above biogenic materials.
Metal salt
Amount of
salt in M7
(1 L), mg
Amount of salt
added to micro-
cosm (1 mL of
M7), μg
Fe2(SO4)3·9H2O 40 40
K2Cr2O7 40 40
Cd(CH3COO)2·2H2O 20 20
MnSO4·5H2O 40 40
CuSO4·5H2O 40 40
ZnSO4 40 40
CoSO4·7H2O 40 40
Tabl e 2 . Composition of M7 solution and amounts of metal
salts added to microcosms
Component Microcosm no. 1
(control)
Microcosm no.
2 (experiment)
Mollusks Unio
pictorum, number of
individuals
6
6
Mollusks Viviparus
viviparus, total
biomass, g (wet)
33.7
31.6
Macrophytes
Ceratophyllum
demersum, g (wet)
16.3
15.1
Water (settled tap
water), L
5
5
Tabl e 1 . Microcosm composition
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OSTROUMOV 3192

These results are consistent with our NMR data
which showed effective binding of zinc-containing
nanoparticles to some amino acids (tryptophan) [48]).
Additional data on the binding of nanoparticles of
different nature, including those containing toxic
elements, to biogenic matter are given in [70].
Experiments with other types of biogenic
material and copper. Recently, the author conducted
new experiments with some other types of biogenic
material. New data were obtained on the immobiliza-
tion of copper and other heavy metals. The relevant
publications are now in preparation.
Humus substances in soils and waters. There are
extensive published data on the binding of many toxic
compounds to humic substances [76, 77]. The binding
of copper and lead to soil humus was characterized
using X-ray absorption spectroscopy [76]. Similar X-
ray absorption spectroscopy studies were carried out
by other authors [8, 9].
Analysis of vast new information obtained by
studying speciation of heavy metals and metalloids in
soils by synchrotron X-ray technologies of the third
generation [8, 9] led to the following conclusions. The
chemical affinity of heavy metals and metalloids for
specific soil components has been characterized. A
number of heavy metals, specifically those that are
most often referred to as dangerous ecotoxicants, fall
into the category of organophiles, i.e., elements
exhibiting chemical affinity for the organic matter of
soils [8]. Organophiles are zinc, lead, copper, cad-
mium, and mercury. The first four elements of this list
(Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd) also behave as manganophiles.
Mercury is a chalcophile [8]. This indicates a variety
of chemical factors that affect the behavior and
immobilization of toxic chemical elements in soils.
The overall pattern is complex and in no way should it
be simplified. Essentially, the organic matter of soils
makes an indisputable significant contribution to the
immobilization of a number of these elements.
Binding of toxic elements by bottom sediments.
Studies performed in many laboratories has revealed
that many toxic substances accumulate in bottom
sediments and that the concentration of organic matter
therein is important here. These findings are closely
connected with the above examples. Analogous results
were obtained for binding of Cd, Fe, Co, Ni, As, Cr,
Pb, Cu, and V by bottom sediments of the Ivankovo
Reservoir (upper reach of the Volga River, Tver oblast,
Moscow oblast) [22]. Organic matter of bottom
sediments is biogenic in nature and, of course, it may
be regarded as ELM.
There are additional data on the binding of
chemical elements, including toxic metals, to biogenic
materials. Such data have been obtained in many
laboratories. For example, effective binding of Al(III),
Cu(II), and Ag(I) to ten biologically generated
materials immobilized on a polysilicate matrix was
demonstrated. The examined biogenic materials
included sphagnum peat, topsoil, several other peats,
dead biomass of Chlorella vulgaris, and cellular
material of Datura innoxia [72].
Chemical
elementa
Microcosm no. 1
(control)
Microcosm no. 2
(experiment)
Experiment-to-control ratio,
% Comment
As 1.85 1.42 76.8 No excess
Со (+) 0.67 9.36 1397.0 Excess
Cd (+) 0.62 2.25 362.9 Excess
Pb 11.75 12.25 104.3 No excess
Cr (+) 0.32 56.00 17500.0 Excess
Fe (+) 4830.00 5788.00 119.8 Slight excess
Mn (+) 3233.00 4729.00 146.3 Excess
Zn (+) 1398.00 2501.00 178.9 Excess
Cu (+) 293.00 592.00 202.0 Excess
Tabl e 3 .
a The elements marked with a “plus” sign were added to the aqueous medium of the microcosm.
NEW ASPECTS OF THE ROLE OF ORGANISMS AND DETRITUS
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL CHEMISTRY Vol. 87 No. 13 2017
3193

The great functional significance of biogenic
material in natural ecosystems is clearly manifested in
the case of freshwater and marine ecosystems. The
biogenic organic matter constituting bottom sediments
contributes significantly to pollutant binding to bottom
sediments, which is one of the processes of self-
purification of water in aquatic ecosystems [28, 63, 64,
67–69].
An additional array of data on biogenic organic
material in ecosystems, especially in aquatic ones, has
been reported in many other publications, including
[73, 75].
These examples illustrate the diversity of experi-
mental data which allowed substantiation of our conclu-
sion on the essential role of ELM in detoxification of
the environment.
It should be emphasized that effective heavy metal
binding to ELM (e.g., biogenic detritus) indicates
important functions of ELM for the biosphere, namely
detoxification, conditioning, purification, and stabiliza-
tion of habitats for living organisms. These functions
are important and necessary to maintain favorable
environment for living organisms. Examples
supporting these ELM functions have been reported by
many authors.
Practical utility of the author’s ideas about the
role of detritus and ex-living matter in the
biosphere and its detoxification system. The above
stated indicates significant role of ELM in the binding
of toxic elements and their detoxification. This should
be taken into account when carrying out environmental
monitoring. The latter should include analysis of the
concentrations of toxic elements in those components
of the environment that contain ELM, specifically
biogenic detritus of bottom sediments and humus in
terrestrial ecosystems.
This proposal introduces a new emphasis and
supplements the existing monitoring system. The
existing monitoring system includes measurement of
concentration of chemical elements in bottom
sediments. However, this is insufficient since biogenic
detritus constitutes a variable part of bottom sediments.
Certainly, toxic elements also bind to other com-
ponents of bottom sediments of aquatic ecosystems,
such as clay and iron and manganese hydroxides [22].
To evaluate the heavy metal content of these
components or complexes with them, certain metal
extraction methods are used. However, the question is
so important that further studies are required. It is
necessary to verify the selectivity and specificity of
these extraction methods, as well as their reliability as
applied to bottom sediments.
The above theoretical concepts introduce a new
element in the analysis of empirical data on the
concentrations of chemical elements in bottom
sediments of aquatic ecosystems. The concentration
level of some toxic elements in this component of the
biosphere is much higher than the background level,
which is caused by human activity. Examples of such
high values in sediments of some rivers of Moscow
oblast of the Russian Federation are given in [54].
The quantitative characteristics indicating excess
lead and silver concentrations in bottom sediments,
given in [54], can be compared with the corresponding
data for water. The concentration of lead in water of
the Pakhra River exceeded the background value by a
factor of ~8, whereas the maximum excess for
anthropogenic silt was significantly higher, 30 times.
In the same river, the maximum silver content of water
was 4 times higher than the background concentration.
Excess silver in anthropogenic silt was estimated at a
value two orders of magnitude higher, 300 or more. In
further studies it is advisable to take into account
organic matter content of bottom sediments.
In aquatic ecosystems, a significant amount of
ELM is present in the forms of suspended organic
matter (SOM) and dissolved organic matter (DOM).
As follows from the aforesaid, it is necessary to
conduct a more complete monitoring of the concentra-
tions of toxic metals bound to SOM and DOM. This
will also require methodological improvements.
The above theoretical propositions can be used in
analyzing concentrations of chemical elements in soils.
In some cases, heavy metal content of soils signi-
ficantly exceeds not only background values but also
the maximum allowable concentrations. An example is
provided by the concentrations of heavy metals in soils
in urbanized or industrial areas [8, 9, 45, 46], including
Semipalatinsk [46] and other territories in various
countries.
When analyzing metal concentrations in soils and
bottom sediments, it is advisable to take into account
the organic matter content of soils and sediments as a
factor that favors immobilization of pollutants such as
heavy metals.
Apparently, in the future it will be necessary to
carry out additional monitoring of the concentrations
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL CHEMISTRY Vol. 87 No. 13 2017
OSTROUMOV 3194

of toxic metals not only in soils in total but also in the
most important component of the soil, soil humus.
Probably, it will also be necessary to improve methods
for such monitoring.
It was found that Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn form so-
called inner-sphere complexes with organic compounds
in soils [9, 60, 76, 77]. EXAFS (Extended X-ray
Absorption Fine Structure) spectroscopy is an efficient
tool for studying metal binding to organic matter in
soils. E.g., according to the EXAFS data, organic sub-
stances play an important role in the immobilization of
lead in soil [61].
Likewise, when comparing data on the content of
heavy metals and other toxic elements in the bottom
sediments of aquatic ecosystems, it will also be
advisable to take into account information on the
organic matter content of these sediments. In this part
of aquatic ecosystems, the organic matter is mainly
either biogenic detritus or its transformation products.
Thus, the material of this study makes it necessary
to propose new steps in improving the ecological
monitoring of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
In general, the above data emphasize the
advisability of increasing attention to the functional
role in the biosphere of various forms of organic
matter that are not part of the biomass. This may be
useful for practical issues of assessing the state of eco-
systems and environmental monitoring.
CONCLUSIONS
A significant part of the organic matter not included
in the biomass is detritus; the considered types of
matter include dissolved organic matter (DOM),
dissolved organic carbon (DOC), suspended organic
matter (SOM), particulate organic matter (POM), plant
mortmass, and other types of organic matter. Taking
into account that these types of organic matter perform
some common functions important for the biosphere, it
seems reasonable to combine them under a common
name. The experimental results and analysis of
scientific literature lead to the following conclusions:
(1) Biogenic detritus and related substances (ex-
living matter, ELM) [29] performs important
ecological and biogeochemical functions, including
conditioning of geochemical environment, e.g.,
binding of certain chemicals and chemical elements
(including toxic ones). This can reduce the concentra-
tion of these toxic components in the environment,
specifically in the aquatic environment, which is
beneficial for the habitat of living organisms.
(2) The results of recent studies confirm the earlier
prediction [78] that new data will be obtained on the
great role of ELM in the environment, functioning of
the biosphere, and decontamination or conditioning of
environmental components, including the aquatic
environment.
(3) The role of ELM in environmental impact
assessment and environmental monitoring needs to be
taken into account more fully.
(4) The above-mentioned studies of the
immobilization of toxic chemical elements by biogenic
detritus contribute to the analysis of fundamental
concepts and systematization of extensive empirical
data on the geochemical environment and the
biosphere [12–15, 17–19, 27, 31, 35, 37, 38–42],
which is useful for understanding the natural processes
of neutralizing toxic elements. On this basis, additional
opportunities appear for the development of new
ecotechnologies for the purification and neutralization
of industrial wastes and sewage [3, 21, 22] and other
fields of activity. The author predicts that these
technologies will be based on the sorption of toxic
substances by biogenic materials.
In general, the studies performed showed that the
role of biogenic detritus and other forms of biogenic
organic matter not included in the biomass (ex-living
matter) is more important and fundamental than
believed previously. In fact, this matter interferes very
significantly with migration of chemical elements and
immobilization of toxic substances. As a result, the
availability of these substances for living organisms is
reduced, and detoxification of the habitat is achieved
to some extent.
This publication is based on the author’s previous
publications [32, 78, 79, etc.], in particular on the
review written for the collection of papers [80].
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author thanks Prof. S.V. Orlov, Prof. S.V.
Kotelevtsev, the staff of the Laboratory of
Biogeochemistry of the Environment (Vernadsky
Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry,
Russian Academy of Sciences), Prof. V.V. Ermakov,
Prof. A.P. Sadchikov for discussion and critical notes,
Т.V. Shestakova, I.V. Tropin, and other colleagues for
participating in joint experiments.
NEW ASPECTS OF THE ROLE OF ORGANISMS AND DETRITUS
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL CHEMISTRY Vol. 87 No. 13 2017
3195

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