IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF MERCURY PRODUCTION ON THE ENVIRONMENT, ON THE CASE OF A NON-OPERATING MINE IN VILLAGE OF OLENYOVO

Abstract

The work is devoted to the study of the effect of non-working mercury mine (not operational since 1974) on the state of the environment, as exemplified by mine in the village of Olenyovo. Given the high toxicity, relative mobility and bioavailability, as well as the ability to bio-accumulate Hg compounds, the study of such effects is relevant. The work is planned in such a way that, on the basis of determination of the gross Hg content in the humus soil profile (H) of the adjacent areas and the natural water of the Rostoka stream, to estimate such an influx, to highlight the main tendencies of the processes of environmental pollution.It was found that the Hg content in soils in the vicinity of the mine is relatively low 0.24-0.46 mg×kg-1, with the lowest content observed in the background (control) area, with a gradual increase in concentration from the entrance to the mine in the direction of the road mercury ore. The trend of spreading pollution is clearly evident, although the mercury mine is no longer operational for about 45 years. The distribution of Hg content in the water of the Rostock stream has a distinct character (confirmed by mapping data), and the concentration of Mercury in the waters ranges from 0.066-0.093 μg×L-1. The highest Hg content in the water is observed in the stream at the mine entrance area (0.093 µg×L-1) and this is close to the fishery concentration limit. According to the environmental assessment (Hg content), the Rostoka stream water belongs to the second class of category 3 – good (as it is) and quite pure (in terms of purity).In general, the impact of a non-working mercury mine in the village of Olenyovo to the environmental status of the environment is acceptable in terms of soil and natural water contamination with Hg compounds, but it should be borne in mind that the mine is no longer operational for about 45 years. As a potential source of environmental pollution, mercury mines can be considered as dangerous objects of influence.