Introduction. Residents of northern regions have a diet low in essential macro- and microelements. The Sea of Okhotsk is an enormous source of fish and non-fish products. We aimed to determine mineral contents in marine fish, shellfish, and algae in order to assess if they could satisfy the daily requirement for these elements through fish and non-fish consumption. Study objects and methods. Our study objects were saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis L.), blue-headed halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides L.), commander squid (Berryteuthis magister L.), northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis L.), salted pink salmon caviar (Oncorhynchus gorbuscham L.), and kelp (Laminaria L.). The contents of 25 macro- and microelements were determined by atomic emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry with inductively coupled argon plasma. Results and discussion. The absolute contents of macro- and microelements in the marine species were used to assess the proportion of the recommended daily requirement that they account for. Also, we performed a thorough comparative analysis of mineral quantities in the studied species of marine fish, pink salmon caviar, shellfish, and algae from the Sea of Okhotsk. Finally, we examined the elemental status of the coastal residents belonging to the “northern type” and identified their deficiencies of vital chemical elements. Conclusion. Some chemical elements in the studied marine species from the Sea of Okhotsk (Magadan Region) satisfy over 100% of the daily human requirement for these minerals. Therefore, their products can be recommended as part of a northern diet in order to compensate for the deficiencies of certain minerals.

When northern territories are divided into different zones, it is conventionally done as per a geographic approach. However, according to some researchers, the issue is to be considered within a more complex approach. Experts at «Arktika» Scientific Research Center of the RAS Far East Division suggested a procedure for determining a degree of environment discomfort; the procedure included assessing several factors: natural and climatic, economic-geographic, socioeconomic ones and factors related to the environment on a territory being suitable for living.Our research goal was to assess tension coefficients of basic physiological systems and functional state of young people living in the North, in different Far East regions.We applied random sampling and examined 1,632 young males aged from 17 to 21 who permanently resided in Magadan region. Similar groups made up of Caucasian young males were examined in Susuman settlement (n = 88) and Anadyr in Chukotka Autonomous Area (n = 65). We analyzed basic functional parameters of the cardiovascular system, microcirculation, external breath functioning, gas analysis, biochemical and microelement profile of a body.Comparative analysis of all the obtained data reveal that Magadan city territory which is considered to belong to Zapolyarye (extreme climatic conditions) is no less uncomfortable, and in some relation even more uncomfortable, as per medical and biological parameters than subarctic territories in Magadan region (Susuman) or arctic zone (Anadyr, Chukotka) as it is shown by calculated discomfort coefficient. Accordingly, aggregated discomfort coefficients amounted to 3.21 arbitrary units in Magadan; 3.42 arbitrary units, in Susuman; 2.90 arbitrary units; in Anadyr (Chukotka); 0.46 arbitrary units, in Central Russia. Given all the above stated, we believe that Magadan region territory can be considered a territory with a high discomfort degree.

By methods of atom-emission and mass spectrometry with inductively bonded argon plasma there was determined the content of 25 macro- and trace elements in tap cold drinking water used by the residents of the city of Magadan for food purposes and in hair samples of 30 young male Europeans aged of 17-23 years, who are the residents of the city of Magadan. According to our data the content of 25 elements in drinking water conforms to standards, but that content of such essential elements as Co, Cr, Cu, I, Mn, Na, Se, Zn is shown to be lower than referential indices. After boiling the water the concentration of trace elements is changed. The content of Cd, Cu, K, P, Pb, Zn, Ni becomes lower significantly. In healthy young men aged of 17-23 years, from the number of natives Europeoids, residents of the North there was detected deficit of Co and I (86% and 62%, respectively), lower concentrations of Ca, Mg, Se, Zn (76%, 69%, 24%, 24%, respectively). The constant use by residents of the city of Magadan of ultrafresh brackish drinking water in food aims may be the one of the main reasons of the imbalance of macro- and micronutrients in the body, characterized by features of the so-called "northern" type with a marked deficiency of basic essential elements.

The aim is to assess hair macro- and microelement profile of young men - residents of the city of Anadyr, Chukotka Autonomous District Arctic Russia among indigenous and Caucasoid populations. Methods: atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry we used to assess concentrations of 25 elements, namely, 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 in the hair of randomly selected indigenous and non-indigenous residents of Anadyr. Results. We observed a so-called "northern" element imbalance with the tendency towards deficiency of the basic essential chemicals. Individual concentrations of the most chemical elements in the hair were highly variable. Proportions of participants with low levels of elements in the body of the Caucasians significantly exceeded that in among the indigenous people. Conclusions. Ethnic variations in the hair microelement profiles were minor reflecting similarities in the structural profile of macro- and microelements. The difference in the concentration values from the reference values may be considered as a reflection of the characteristics of the genetically determined system of maintaining the balance of the body's element system in the indigenous peoples of the north and adaptation to extreme climatic and socio-ecological conditions in case of Caucasians living in this Arctic region for several generations.

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