Environmental impact assessment of preventive emulsion based on heavy oil residue on organic pollution of water

Abstract

Introduction. Dusty surfaces insulation with preventive emulsions based on heavy oil residue (HOR) is a promising environmental technology in open-pit mining. To assess the environmental safety of these emulsions, it is required to assess the possible scale of organic pollutants emission into the technogenic leakage fluxes occurring due to the interaction of HOR insulation with precipitation. Research aim is to assess the scale of organic pollutants leaching occurring due to the interaction of HOR insulation with precipitation. Research methods. Laboratory modeling of HOR samples and water interaction and assessment of the scale of organic compounds (bitumen and oil products) discharge into the water environment. Results. Studies have shown that the addition of an insulating emulsion based on heavy oil residue leads to the creation of an organo-mineral mixture with hydrophobic properties, determining low solubility of hydrocarbons in water and posing no threat of excess organic pollution to the hydrosphere.