Elemental status and social tension in selected regions of Russia

BACKGROUND: The elemental status of a population in a specific geographic area is shaped by the concentration of various macro- and microelements in soil, air, water, and food. Existing Russian and international studies suggest that biologically significant elements in the environment may influence psycho-emotional states and contribute to the risk of deviant behavior. However, there is no available information on the systemic relationships between the elemental status of regional populations and the severity of social and criminal tension indicators in society.

AIM: This exploratory study investigates the role of biologically significant macro- and microelements in shaping social and criminal tension among the populations of specific regions in the Russian Federation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Theoretical research was based on the analysis of data from the Federal State Statistics Service and cartographic materials from the National Atlas of Russia. The field stage of the study was conducted in 14 model regions and involved 700 representatives of the local population of the studied territories. Elemental status was assessed through hair sample analysis for biologically significant elements (Al, As, B, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, V, Zn). At the third (analytical) stage of the study, statistical analysis was conducted to assess the relationships between social and criminal tension indicators and the elemental status of residents in the model regions. Additionally, a comparative analysis was performed to evaluate the concentrations of biologically significant chemical elements in individuals from regions characterized by the lowest and highest levels of deviant behavior. The obtained results were processed using statistical methods, including Spearman’s correlation coefficient, the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test, and the calculation of the median (Me) and quartiles (Q1; Q3).

RESULTS: A range of deviant social behaviors was systematically observed in the model regions, including homicide, suicide, alcohol abuse, smoking, and induced abortion. Statistically significant associations were found between these deviant behaviors and the concentrations of specific biologically significant elements in the human body. A comparative analysis of elemental status was conducted for local population of regions with the highest and lowest levels of deviant behavior. Refined critical thresholds of chemical element concentrations were identified for local populations in various regions of the Russian Federation, corresponding to different levels of social and criminal tension.

CONCLUSION: The findings specify the potentially significant biogeochemical factors influencing the risks of forming key vectors of social and criminal tension in population groups unified by their geographic location within the Russian Federation.