Modern eco-geochemical background of Lebedinsky ferruginous quartzite deposit in the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly

Abstract

A mine exerts a strong integrated impact on all environmental components, which ends with their transformation or, often, total degradation. The object of the study is the open-pit mining area of Lebedinsky GOK and the adjacent territories in the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA). The subject of the research is the current ecological and geochemical situation at Lebedinsky GOK and at pit dumps. The authors carried out the comprehensive analysis of the current ecosystems at the Lebedinsky surface mining and dumping facilities, with the identification of 3 severe impact zones: significant ecosystem degradation zone, moderate ecosystem degradation zone, relatively satisfactory ecological situation zone. The soil contamination studies in the sanitary protection zone of Lebedinsky GOK were also carried out at the depths of 0–5 and 5–20 cm. In particular, the distribution of lead, copper, zinc and arsenic concentrations in soil samples was analyzed, and the index of total chemical pollution (Zc) was calculated. The obtained data allowed the authors to clarify the geochemical situation in the area of the open pit and dumps based using the earlier research data collected starting from 2005. According to the total soil contamination index, the study area can be subdivided into 2 sub-areas. The first sub-area is agrolandscapes, forests, gullies, and is characterized by the relatively satisfactory condition of soils (Zc up to 16). In the second subarea, the local sites with moderately hazardous soil pollution are observed (Zc from 16 to 32) in the territory of the open pit and overburden dump. The forecast of changes in the ecological and geochemical situation in the area of KMA mines is made with regard to potential expansion of production activities.