Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов (Sep 2021)
SPECIFIC FEATURES OF SOIL AND ECOLOGICAL STATE OF NATURAL TECHNICAL SYSTEM «EVRAZ KGOK TAILING DUMP»
Abstract
The relevance. Soil-ecological potential of technogenic landscape among other components is determined by properties of lithogenic resource, which for mining areas are, primarily, heavy tonnage wastes – overburden rocks and mineral processing wastes. The purpose of this work is to assess the soil-ecological state of the natural-technical system of the tailings dump of the Kachkanarsky Ore Mining and Processing Plant and to identify prospects of ecosystems development and potential for their self-restoration. The research objectives included identification of soil formation features and determination of basic agrochemical and environmental characteristics of technogenic surface formations, assessment of their phytotoxicity, assessment of the vegetation cover condition, and identification of the need for reclamation. The object of the study is technogenic soils, which are part of the lithogenic basis of the natural and technical system of the tailings dump of the Kachkanarsky Ore Mining and Processing Plant. Methods. The study of technogenic surface formations was carried out in the areas of their removal outside the tailings dump. The field studies included general acquaintance with the area, field study of soils and technogenic surface formations, soil sampling, and study of vegetation cover of the area. Laboratory investigations were carried out in specialized laboratories using unified methods. The content of microelements was determined by ICP-MS method. Results. According to obtained results, natural and technogenic deposits represented by tailings of wet magnetic separation of sand fraction are identified as technogenic surface formations of artifact group, artiindustrates subgroup. Compared with the background soils, they are characterized by lower content of organic matter, total nitrogen, and less acidic reaction of the soil solution. They are non-saline in the content of water-soluble ions and are characterized by the admissible level of pollution by elements of hazard classes 1-2 and the absence of acute toxic effect on the studied biological test systems. Active reforestation processes on technogenic surface formations and satisfactory state of vegetation demonstrate the absence of negative effect of the mentioned deposits on the vegetation. Following revegetation of technogenic surface formations, signs of initial soil formation appear. These processes are identified by formation of forest floor, accumulation of organic matter in the upper layers, and initial differentiation of soil horizons. The soil-ecological state of the studied natural-technical system can be recognized as satisfactory. Currently, no special environmental protection measures are required to restore the soil and vegetation layer at the waste disposal sites outside the tailings management facility.
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