Abstract
Surface evaporation rates that are greater than precipitation rates lead to upward salinization processes and, consequently, man-made contamination of the covering surface layers on coal dumps in Western Donbass, Ukraine. The effectiveness of capping the mine dumps with different layers of black-soil mass, both with and without a shielding layer of loess-like loam, was studied in order to develop the optimal scheme for the reclamation of these dumps. Principal component analyses were carried out in order to reveal the regularities of the upward salt migration to the surfaces of reclaimed coal mine dumps. The parameters of the layer-by-layer variation of the physical and chemical data in soil water extracts (namely, pH, total salinity and concentrations of bicarbonates, chlorides, sulfates, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium) which were obtained in 1987, 2003 and 2016 along the reclaimed profiles of various models of technogenic edaphotop, gradually acquire a stable-equilibrium state of mineralization in space and time. The alkaline barrier is the main factor for pH-changes and profile salinization of reclaimed land.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.74.2.19940
Highlights
The need for land reclamation in Ukraine’s Western Donbass region is associated with the long-term underground coal development in the Samara River floodplain
The principal component 1 (PC1) accounts for 47.01 % of total variance, and this component is characterized by statistically significant correlation coefficients with
The PC1 reflects the level of total mineralization of the soil solution, indicating that the increase in mineralization is associated with a decrease in pH values
Summary
The need for land reclamation in Ukraine’s Western Donbass region is associated with the long-term underground coal development in the Samara River floodplain. The problems associated with environmental restoration after coal mining are relevant even for such developed countries as USA, Germany, UK and others (Chugh and Behum 2014; Bellenfant et al 2013; Wiessner et al 2013; Lottermoser 2010; Bian Zhengfu et al 2010). The problem of nature conservation in Western Donbass is very real since almost half of the coal reserves are deposited under Samara River floodplain and its tributaries. Among the negative impacts after coal mining, contamination of surface and groundwater bodies is the most significant. The coal mining results in the formation of deep fissures and intense subsidence on the floodplain surface (up to 1 m, and sometimes up to 3-7 m). The environmental state is aggravated by leaching toxic substances from waste rocks accumulated in slag heaps, which contaminates soils and groundwater (Yevgrashkina et al 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Environmental Research, Engineering and Management
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
