Assessment of self-healing of mines at the limestone quarry in Inkerman, Crimean Peninsula

Abstract

Limestone quarries, widespread throughout the Crimean Peninsula, are not recultivated after mining operations, which has a negative impact on the environment. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the self-healing process for mines at limestone quarries on the Crimean Peninsula. To assess the current state of mines and self-healing processes, field studies were conducted at the Inkerman saw limestone quarry. Using remote sensing resources, the areas of disturbed lands were determined. The route method made it possible to make floristic descriptions of vegetation. The influence of various factors on the self-healing of, including mining parameters, the size of quarries, the height of ledges, the width of berms, the angles of slopes, the composition of rocks in the surface layer, has been studied. The influence of the slope angles on the self-healing process was determined and their permissible values were justified; the hydrological conditions of the deposit were estimated. Factors affecting the intensity of self-healing were established. Radical changes in the landscape, destruction of flora and fauna, soils, a sharp decrease in the biological productivity of the territory, deterioration of sanitary and hygienic and aesthetic living conditions caused by the manmade relief were observed. Potential for the development of industrial limestone production and conditions for self-healing of the disturbed lands were evaluated. When completing mining operations, it is recommended to leave a layer of loose sediments with a capacity of 0.4–0.5 m on the rocky foundations (bottom and berms of ledges), including from destroyed minerals, and to form non-working sides of quarries by doubling and straining the ledges with simultaneous expansion of the berm while maintaining a stable slope angle.