New data about the distribution of nickel, lead and chromium in the coal seams of the DonetskMakiivka geological and industrial district of the Donbas

Abstract

A modern and scientifically based indicators forecast of toxic and potentially toxic element concentrations allows us to develop and plan organizational and technicaltechnological measures aimed at reducing the negative impact of the coal industry and heating enterprises on the ecological state of the environment. For this purpose it is necessary to have data about concentration, character and features of the distribution of toxic and potentially toxic elements, including nickel, lead and chromium in coal and the rocks that contain it. Toxic elements are one of the main sources of environmental pollution thatnegatively affects human health. Research in this direction is conducted to reduce the degree of negative effects and additional pollution of the environment. Increasing requirements for environmental protection in the coal-mining industry sector of Ukraine stipulates the need for new scientifically grounded methods for forecasting the content of toxic and potentially toxic elements in the rock mass which is extracted by mines, the waste of coal extraction and coal enrichment and also the influence of the coal-heating enterprises on the environment. In the article, the results of investigations of toxic elements in coal seams of the Donetsk-Makiivka geological and industrial area of the Donbas are considered. The research covered the whole territory of one of the most studied geological and industrial districts of the Donbas – Donetsk-Makiivka. As a result of the study, correlation coefficients were calculated that allow us to predict the concentration of nickel, lead and chromium in the products and wastes of coal enrichment and correct the technological schemes of coal enrichment taking into account their content. We also calculated the regression equation between these elements and the ash content of the coal, which will allow us to predict their concentration in the main working coal seams of the DonetskMakiivka geological and industrial districts relative to the values of coal ash content. The character of the distribution is established and the weighted average concentrations and basic descriptive statistics for nickel, lead, and chromium in the coal seams and suites are calculated. The composition and character of their typomorphic geochemical associations, as well as the features and regularities of their accumulation in the coal seams of the Donetsk-Makiivka geological and industrial districts are revealed.