Chapter 30 - Successes in Application of Biotechnologies to Mine Land Remediation in the Russian Sub-Arctic

Abstract

Sub-Arctic regions, previously considered one of the largest pristine ecosystems in the world, are being subjected to increasing pressure from mining and smelting activities. The minerals industry has contributed significantly to environmental damage and deterioration in the Russian sub-Arctic. Despite a significant reduction in gaseous and particulate emissions in the recent decades, the continuing air pollution and accumulation of potentially toxic metal levels in surface soils have promoted soil erosion and nutrient depletion in topsoils that inhibit vegetation recovery near the industrial complexes in the Kola Peninsula. These cumulative impacts on regional ecosystems are further exacerbated by the changing climatic conditions. The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs initiated in 2003–04 is largely dependent on the ongoing decrease of pollutant loadings, on the improvement of physical, chemical, and biological conditions of regional soils, and also on the effectiveness and suitability of the evolving remediation technology. The pace of rehabilitation using diversified and newly developed improved remediation technologies to enhance sustainable environmental management and regional economic development needs to be accelerated.