Structure

Phone: (+994 12) 5382957
Fax: (+994 12) 5963408
E-mail: hfamil@mail.ru

Head of the Laboratory: Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor Humbatov Famil Yusif oglu

Total number of employees: 14

The main activities of the Laboratory:
- Implementation of studies on the distribution of Uranium-Thorium-Radium isotopes in water and soil ecosystems of Azerbaijan and related heavy metals and polycyclic compounds in ecologically sensitive zones and preparation of databases;
- Study of environmental contamination with radionuclides, heavy metals, toxic elements and common organic hydrocarbons in oil production areas;
- Study of radionuclides, metals and organic pollutants in the waters and bottom sediments of the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea;
- Study of natural and anthropogenic pollutants in the river basins of Azerbaijan and the risks they cause;
- Investigation of the effect of stressors on biological objects in the environment.

The main scientific results of the Laboratory:
1. The content of radionuclides, heavy metals, toxic elements and the total content of organic hydrocarbons in oil-producing and related areas were assessed and hotspots were identified in the areas under study. The age of oil reservoirs formed by formation waters was determined using the activities determined for Ra²²⁸ and Ra²²⁶ isotopes.
2. In the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, radionuclides, metals and organic pollutants were studied in the water and bottom sediments and based on the results, Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo.), Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), Environmental Risk Factor (Er), Degree of Contamination ( DC), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Environmental Risk Index (RI) were calculated. Despite anthropogenic enrichment and moderate contamination of the study area, the potential environmental risk was low.
3. Samples of water, bottom sediments and soil taken along the transboundary rivers were examined to determine the concentration of radionuclides, heavy metals and pesticides and the risks associated with them were assessed. It has been determined that changes in water quality due to natural and anthropogenic effects and seasonal changes may increase radionuclide and heavy metal accumulation. As a result of the study of pesticides in transboundary river ecosystems, it was found that there are more DDT and its isomers, a-BHQ, b-BHQ, d-BHQ, dieldrin, endosulfan II and isomers of endosulfan sulfate at the sites.
4. Water and bottom sediments taken from the Northern rivers of Azerbaijan and the rivers located on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, and soil samples taken from the surrounding areas were studied for radionuclides and elemental composition, and the degree of contamination was determined. The water quality was assessed for these rivers.
5. Contamination of natural and anthropogenic origin and associated risks were assessed in the ecosystems of the rivers of the Lesser Caucasus. Based on the research results and calculated data, the influence of natural and anthropogenic changes in river basins on water quality has been examined.
6. Initial assessment of the radioecological situation and radiation background measurements were carried out in the liberated territories. As a result of the study of water sources in the area, it was found that the concentration in Okchuchay, which enters the Zangilan region of Azerbaijan from the territory of the Republic of Armenia, is 1.7-1.8 times higher than the permissible limit values for Mn, 3.1-3.6 times for Al, and 6-7.5 times for Fe. Pesticides were evaluated in arable soils and the concentrations of prohibited DDT and its isomers were determined to be superior to other components.
7. Paramagnetic centers in biological objects were studied and it was found that various stressors (temperature, humidity, radiation, etc.) cause their magnetic properties.