Copper-nickel Plant Research Articles

Prediction of the Impact of the Environmental State in the Area of a Copper–Nickel Plant Based on the Balanced Identification Technology

Prediction of the Impact of the Environmental State in the Area of a Copper–Nickel Plant Based on the Balanced Identification Technology

Estimation of scots pine cytogenetic parameters under the conditions of industrial air pollution in European boreal forests.

Cytogenetic studies of Pinus sylvestris seed progeny have been carried out for the first time in the Murmansk region of Russia. Seeds were collected in the territory of 6 district forestries: Zelenoborsky, Kovdorsky, Kandalakshsky, Zasheikovsky, Umbsky and Nickelsky, which were at different distances from large copper-nickel plants. Analysis revealed higher S, Cu, and Ni content in Pinus sylvestris tree seeds from the Zasheikovsky and Nickelsky district forestries. Seeds from the Zelenoborsky district forestry had a higher Cu content (13.6 ± 0.5 mg/kg) compared to other areas. It was found that the frequency of mitotic pathologies in all areas of the study exceeded the level of spontaneous mutation in 5%. The most frequent aberrant cells were registered in the root meristem of seedlings from the Zasheikovsky district forestry, and their proportion averaged 9.4 ± 1.3% of the total number of cells studied at the metaphase and ana-telophase of mitosis stages. In Pinus sylvestris seedlings, micronuclei were noted in the cells at the interphase stage, often varying on average from 0.2 ± 0.1% in plants from the Kandalakshsky district forestry to 0.9 ± 0.3% from the Zasheikovsky district forestry. The data obtained testify to the colossal impact of heavy metals on the living organism cell genetic apparatus. The negative effect from industries, as sources of air pollutants, extends over tens of kilometers. Therefore, regularly monitoring the cytogenetic parameters of bioindicators such as Pinus sylvestris is necessary.

Modeling and Predicting the Environment State in the Impact Area of a Copper–Nickel Plant: A Balanced Model of the Transformations of Atmospheric Deposition at the Catchment and in Lake

Modeling and Predicting the Environment State in the Impact Area of a Copper–Nickel Plant: A Balanced Model of the Transformations of Atmospheric Deposition at the Catchment and in Lake

Modeling and Predicting the Environment State in the Impact Area of a Copper–Nickel Plant: A Balanced Model of the Transformations of Atmospheric Deposition at the Catchment and in Lake

The paper discusses modeling the dynamics of nickel concentration in soils, water, and the bottom sediments of lakes caused by atmospheric emissions from the Pechenganickel plant, Kola Peninsula, throughout its whole operation period. The applied technology of balanced identification makes it possible to use a mathematical description of heterogeneous geochemical processes in ecosystems to combine heterogeneous experimental data and build up a computer model with an optimal balance of its complexity and fitting quality of the data. The model is used to analyze the spatial and temporal variability of natural objects in the zone of distribution of atmospheric pollution (nickel) from the Pechenganickel plant. The paper presents and discusses results of this study, including estimates of the retrospective state of the simulated objects (before the start of the intense studies) and a forecast of their dynamics until 2030. According to the model calculations, the intensity of Ni accumulation in the soil and bottom sediments was 2.35 and 4.48 mg/(m2 year) during the maximum deposition periods (1980–2005), whereas the model predicts a decrease in the intensity of Ni accumulation in the bottom sediments (0.23 mg/(m2 year)) and slow Ni leaching from the soil (0.19 mg/(m2 year)) after the shutdown of the plant.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Micro- and Nanoparticles of Zero-Valent Iron in the Detoxification of Technogenic Polluted Soil

We studied the safety of sorbents based on zerovalent iron in the form of micro- and nanoparticles and their detoxifying activity in peat eutrophic soil (Eutric Histosol) polluted by emissions from a copper-nickel (Cu/Ni) plant (Kola Peninsula, Russia). Iron nanoparticles, as well as iron microparticles at a dose of 2%, turned out to be non-toxic according to the results of three standard bioassays based on the reactions of test organisms of different taxonomic affiliation. Toxicity was assessed by the change in the length of the roots of seedlings of plants Sinapis alba L. in uncontaminated peat, by the survival of Ceriodaphnia affinis Lilljeborg and the protozoan Parameciun caudatum Ehrenberg in water extracts of the samples. Fe-containing preparations significantly reduced the ecotoxicity of the soil due to the extremely high content of copper (6877 mg/kg) and nickel (2580 mg/kg). Differences in the remediating ability of the preparations were revealed. According to the results of soil phytotesting, iron nanoparticles significantly outperformed the detoxifying effect of microparticles (iron powder). When analyzing the water extract, the superiority of nanoparticles in reducing soil toxicity was not found. The dependence of the assessment of the detoxifying ability of zerovalent iron nanoparticles on soil properties and the plant species used in phytotesting is discussed.

Algae and cyanobacteria in soils polluted with heavy metals (Northwest Russia, Murmansk region)

The analysis of algae and cyanobacteria in Albic Podzols affected by emissions of the copper–nickel plant Pechenganikel in the forest-tundra of the Arctic region was carried out. The main pollutants contained in the emissions and entering the soil are sulfur compounds and heavy non-ferrous metals. Algae and cyanobacteria were identified in soil samples collected in three zones differing in their distance from the pollution source: the zone of strong pollution (at a distance of 3 km southwest from the source of the emission), the zone of medium pollution (5-7 km), and the zone of weak pollution (16-25 km). In total, 61 species of eukaryotic algae and 2 species of cyanobacteria were found. In the studied soils, several species of algae were found with a high frequency, apparently resistant to unfavorable natural and anthropogenic factors: Chloromonas sp., Neocystis brevis, Parietochloris alveolaris, Pseudococcomyxa simplex, Stichococcus bacillaris, Interfilum terricola, Leptosira cf. obovata, Myrmecia bisecta, Nostoc muscorum. Algae from the Chlorophyta division predominated in all soils studied. Yellowgreen algae and diatoms were found only in the zone of strong pollution and were represented by a very small number of species. The presence of Microthamnion kuetzingianum, which is resistant to high acidity and heavy metals concentration, can be useful as an indicator of severe heavy metal contamination. Our study confirmed sensitivity of Vischeria magna to soil contamination with heavy metals. In long-term aspect, the species diversity of algae has increased by 35% in the soils influenced by the Pechenganikel plant in comparison with the data obtained 30 years ago, which probably indicates a certain decrease in anthropogenic load on the adjacent territories.

Sulphur dioxide content in soils in the zone of influence of Severonickel plant in Murmansk region of the Russian Federation

Anthropogenic air pollution attracts attention of scientists and the public around the world for many years. Traveling over vast distances, particles and aerosols pollute the environment many kilometers away from emission sources. Primary anthropogenic aerosols enter the air mainly with industrial emissions from factories. Secondly aerosols are formed in the atmosphere through various physical and chemical processes involving water vapor, organic compounds, etc. This group includes sulphur dioxide. The article discusses issues related to the pollution of the environment as a result of the activities of the copper-nickel plant Severonickel, located on the Kola Peninsula. In particular, the problem of accumulation of sulfur compounds in the soil, which occurs over decades at a different distance from the industrial factory. Sulphur dioxide is a toxic substance, at high concentrations in the air there is a harmful impact on living organisms, precipitation leads to acidification of the soil, disturbance of soil and vegetation cover, changes balance and destroy ecosystems. For this reason, it is important to monitor the condition of ecosystems that are under the influence of industrial plants. This issue is dedicated to the work of researchers and students of the Department of Environmental Management of the Faculty of Geography of Lomonosov Moscow State University, who for more than twenty years have been monitoring the state of ecosystems in the impact zone of Severonickel plant, including a number of studies devoted to pollution of the soil with sulfur compounds.

Mobility of Heavy Metals in Strongly Polluted Soils near the Severonikel Plant (Murmansk Oblast, Russia)

The mobility of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn in podzols and organic soils (Histosols) in the area of long-term pollution from the Monchegorsk copper–nickel plant (Murmansk oblast, Russia) has been assessed using the parameters of diffusion and convection–diffusion models. The found values of diffusion parameters match the data for other regions. In most cases, the convective flow of heavy metals is directed downwards and has a velocity of 0.126 to 0.31 cm/yr, or it does not differ from zero in a statistically significant manner. On the average, podzols and organic soils are similar in the diffusion parameters with regard to the total heavy metal content but differ in the velocity of convective transfer, which is much slower in organic soils. The model estimates for the inflow of heavy metal pollutants to soil do not depend on the distance from the plant, although a correlation with soil type is observable: an additional lateral influx of heavy metals to the surface most likely takes place in organic soils, associated with local depressions. An insufficient sample volume does not permit to assess the correlation of migration parameters with soil properties, while their correlation with chemical mobility (extraction with ammonium acetate buffer) appears as an insignificant trend.

Analyzing the status of northern taiga forests amid reduced Severonikel emissions

Based on the analysis of rain- and snowfall, as well as soil waters and conifers (1991–2014), this paper evaluates the status of the forest ecosystems in the Murmansk Region since the copper-nickel plant Severonikel owned by Kola MMC started to cut its emissions. The analysis focused on low-shrub spruce forests with green mosses and low-shrub lichen pine forests going through different stages of degradation caused by human activity. Coniferous forests situated in the impact area have high background concentrations of the main pollutants — i.e. heavy metals and compounds of sulphur, present in different components of the forest ecosystems. The closer it is to the source of emissions, the higher the concentration of pollutants is in rain- and snowfall, as well as in soil waters and conifer tree needles in both pine and spruce forests. The paper demonstrates inter- and intrabiogeocenotical variability in the composition of rain- and snowfall and soil waters in northern taiga forests. The concentration of nickel and copper is typically higher under the trees than in between them, and in spruce forests as compared with pine forests. A significant variability in the chemical composition of rain- and snowfall and soil waters was established. Observations showed a reduced amount of the major pollutants penetrating the soil waters and then falling out with rain in the impact areas with light forest, which is indicative of the airborne industrial pollution levels gradually going down. High concentrations of S, Ni, Cu in the conifer tree needles were noted in 1991, i.e. in the period of major air pollution. The authors looked at the concentrations of heavy metals over the period of over two decades in which emissions were being cut down. Their analysis showed that the concentration of nickel and copper in the pine tree needles of different ages went down in defoliating forests and impact areas with light forest, as well as in the spruce tree needles in the area around the pollution source, in the impact areas with light forest. It is shown that the concentration of sulphur in the pine tree needles went down compared with the 1991 data and reached the level of background variation in defoliating forests and impact areas with light forest. The spruce tree needles saw lowered concentrations of sulphur in the impact areas with light forest in 2007 and 2012.This research study was funded under a governmental assignment (State Registration No. АААА-А18-118021490070-5), as well as under the following grants by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research: 18-05-60142_Arktika and 18-35-00170 mol_a.

Geochemistry features of sediments of small urban arctic Lake Komsomolskoye, Murmansk region

First data of geochemistry and mineralogy of recent sediments of small Lake Komsomolskoye located in Monchegorsk town from Murmansk region (Russia) are presented. The high concentrations of heavy metals were found in surface layers of researched lake sediments. The most accumulation level is initialled for copper and nickel, which are entered to lake from copper-nickel plant complex situated near the arctic town. Other metals also can enter to waterbody in result of activity of this factory complex. In addition, lead, cadmium, antimony, thallium and other elements may be products of the atmospheric transport of pollutants from industries of North and East Europe. Moreover, we have studied main fractions of heavy metals from upper layers of Lake Komsomolskoye and morphology and composition of technogenic particles of nickel, copper, iron and other metals. The origin of these particles is directly associated with the different stages of processing technology of nickel and copper ore on the copper-nickel plant complex (crushing, flotation, roasting, and smelting).

Сравнительный анализ уровня загрязнения органогенного горизонта Al-Fe-подзолов и болотных почв в локальной зоне воздействия медно-никелевого комбината

Сравнительный анализ уровня загрязнения органогенного горизонта Al-Fe-подзолов и болотных почв в локальной зоне воздействия медно-никелевого комбината

Carbon Dioxide Emission by Soils as a Criterion for Remediation Effectiveness of Industrial Barrens Near Copper-Nickel Plants in the Kola Subarctic

Technogenic barren lands formed under the influence of sulfur dioxide and heavy metal emissions near nonferrous metallurgy enterprises on the Kola Peninsula are characterized by inhibited CO2 emission from soils (10–30 mg C m–2 h–1, or 12–26 g C m–2 summer–1). Remediation of barrens promotes the growth of plant roots and microorganisms, the respiration of which accelerates the flow of CO2 from the soil by half at chemophyto stabilization and five times at application of the fertile layer; at this, the proportion of root respiration increases from 0 to 40–60%. The intensity of CO2 emissions by soils and the structure of its production can be used as criteria for remediation effectiveness of technogenic barren lands.

Multiyear Impact Monitoring of Pine Forests in the Central Part of the Kola Peninsula

The spatiotemporal dynamics of structural and functional parameters of undamaged pine forests and those exposed to industrial emissions containing highly aggressive sulfur compounds in combination with heavy metals, Cu and Ni, were studied. The current condition of different components of undamaged pine forests is determined by natural succession processes. Technogenic air pollution is a significant factor in determining the life state of forest stands, and in the proximity of a large copper–nickel plant in the central part of Kola Peninsula, it is main factor causing weakening and even destruction of pine forest communities. There is a clear trend of improving life condition of the pine forests, even in the zone of strong pollution, on the background of significant reduction of emissions into the athmosphere.

Satellite images in the new Atlas «Russian Arctic»

The increasing interest in the Arctic promotes appearance of new cartographic products to provide information for the primary tasks of this region development. So, several atlases of the Arctic have been already published. At the initiative and with the financial support from the oil and gas industry, a new Atlas «Russian Arctic» is being prepared for publication, in which considerable attention is given to the environmental aspects of the development of the North with account for conditions of changing climate. Unlike previous atlases, this Atlas contains thematic sets of satellite images reflecting changes in the natural environment, in particular, different types of natural ice under conditions of warming. The space part of the Atlas developed by the authors of this article covers a number of subjects. Thus, the decrease in the area of sea ice is illustrated by the materials of shooting from the space of the Northern polar cap for the period of the largest reduction in the area. Images made in different time fix retreating of the shores, composed of underground ice, being the result of the processes of thermal abrasion, thermal erosion and thermal denudation. Complicated ice conditions of navigation in the Ob Bay and characteristics of the Arctic rivers mouths are presented by pictures of tidal estuaries of the rivers Mezen and Kuloi. Images of ice jams at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River and materials of space monitoring of measures for liquidation of them are also given in the Atlas. Special attention is given to forms of permafrost relief, which are well displayed in high-resolution images. They show a polygonal micro-relief of different types and stages of development of them, as well as frost mounds, dales, and thermo-erosion forms. Formation of aufeises (naleds), thermokarst lakes, and craters of gas outbursts is also shown. The wildlife of the Arctic is represented in the Atlas as well. The pictures present a visual image of different types of tundra. The influence of warming on vegetation development is well reflected in the photo map of the dynamics of the vegetation index for 2000-2009, showing the growth of phytomass in the European North. The Atlas contains unique materials of satellite monitoring of Arctic mammals - walruses and seals. The impact of using mineral resources on the vulnerable nature of the Arctic is shown in the Khibiny region. Prominent examples of the vegetation degradation in the areas of Norilsk and Monchegorsk cities are given, where technogenic wastelands have been formed under the sulfuric acid fumes of the copper-nickel plants.

Some aspects of Scots pine forests monitoring in extreme conditions of the Kola North

Forest ecosystems located at the Northern limit of distribution in the Kola North are chronically affected by a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors, among which industrial atmospheric pollution is currently the main one. The spatio-temporal dynamics of structural and functional parameters of undisturbed middle-aged pine forests ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and forests exposed to chronic industrial emissions, which contain highly aggressive sulfur compounds in combination with heavy metals (Cu, Ni) was studied. Long-term studies have established that the current trends in the state of Scots pine communities in the background conditions are due to natural processes and intra-population relationships. At the beginning of our research (1982) vitalitetnye spectra of the dominant part of the pine populations differed absolute dominance of healthy individuals, pronounced positive asymmetry and peaked. By the end of observations (2014-2017) vitality distribution of individuals of the pine was transformed into full member, assymetrique moderately positive and moderately peaked. Aerotechnogenic pollution in the considered conditions of the Kola North is a significant factor determining the vital state of individual trees and stands in general, and near a large copper-nickel plant, it is the main factor that has an oppressive effect on individual trees and stands, and in some cases leads to the destruction of young communities of Scots pine. A significant reduction in atmospheric emissions by Severonikel in recent years causes a noticeable improvement in the living condition of pine forests, even in the area of heavy pollution.

OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGI IN THE POLLUTED SOILS OF KOLA PENINSULA

The species diversity and the structure of the opportunistic fungi complexes in the forest Albic Podzols under the impact of the Aluminum and Copper-Nickel Plants emissions, as well as in the Hortic Anthrosol contaminated by the oil products (diesel fuel, gas condensate, mazut) in the north-west region of Russia (the Kola Peninsula) have been investigated. The share of the opportunistic fungi increase up to 15% in the zones of the Aluminum and Copper-Nickel Plants emissions comparable to the background soil, and up to 20-25% in the soils contaminated by the oil products has been revealed. The majority of the fungi species belong to the following genera: Penicillium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Lecanicillium, Phoma and Cladosporium. The structure of the fungal complexes has changed in the polluted soil, that is, the species abundance and the frequency of the opportunistic fungi occurrence have increased. The strains of the fungi isolated from the contaminated soil reveal the potential pathogenicity in a greater degree, than the strains isolated from the clean soil. 55% of the total amount of fungi strains isolated from the soils contaminated by the Aluminum Plant emissions had the potential pathogenicity. The most dangerous for a human’s health were Amorphotheca resinae, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, Paecilomyces variotii, Penicillium commune, P. purpurеogenum, Trichoderma viride isolated from the soils contaminated by the Aluminum Plant emissions; and P. aurantiogriseum, P. glabrum, P. commune, P. simplicissimum, Rhizopus nigricans isolated from the soils contaminated by the oil products. Those species revealed protease, phospholipase activity, as well as the growth ability at the temperature 37°C

Remediation in conditions of an operating copper-nickel plant: results of perennial experiment

Remediation in conditions of an operating copper-nickel plant: results of perennial experiment

Microbiota of the ground air layers in natural and industrial zones of the Kola Arctic

ABSTRACTThe fungi and bacteria number, as well as the species composition of the fungi in the ground air layer in the European Arctic region of Russia, primarily in the tundra (the Rybachy Peninsula), in the subzone of the northern taiga (the Pasvik State Nature Reserve) and in the industrial areas (the Copper-Nickel Plant “Pechenganickel,” the Kandalaksha Aluminum Plant) have been studied. One hundred and ninety-two atmosphere air samples of various ecosystems have been analyzed. The sample collection took place in the summer-autumn period (June, July, September, in 2012–2015) with the aspirator, precipitating microorganisms on the surface of media. The number of microorganisms per 1 m3 of air was calculated. The portion of the airborne fungi in the ground air layer both in the tundra and in the taiga was higher in comparison with the bacteria, and amounted to 60–77% of the total number colony forming units (CFU). The least number of microorganisms in the investigated period was registered in the Barents Sea coastal atmospheric air, only 11–15 microbial CFU per 1 m3. The airborne fungi diversity in the taiga zone was richer than in the tundra. The fungi of the g. Penicillium predominated in both zones air. Bacteria gram-positive (the division Fermicutes) predominated within the bacterial biota. The species Penicillium decumbens, P. raistrickii prevailed in the air of the background tundra zone regions. The representatives of the genus Torula and Sterilia mycelia, P. raistrickii predominated in the taiga zone. Close by the Copper–Nickel Plant (about 3 km), the air bacterial contamination (100–600 CFU per 1 m3) was revealed, with prevailing bacteria gram-negative (the division Gracilicutes). The species Cladosporium oxysporum predominated in the air to the greatest possible extent of the contaminated region due to the emissions of the Kandalaksha Aluminum Plant. The species Gongronella butleri were uppermost due to the emissions of the Copper–Nickel Plant «Pechenganickel». The quantity of the dark-pigmented fungi in the air for both zones amounted to 25% of the total amount within the emphasized species. The composition of the air industrial emissions stimulated the development of specific airborne fungi which are essentially different from those of the background regions.

Character of spatiotemporal variations in the chemical composition of lake water under the influence of emission from copper–nickel plants: Prediction of acidification

In this paper, we analyze the influence of variations in the emission of sulfur dioxide and solid substances by the Pechenganikel and Severonikel copper–nickel plants in Murmansk oblast on the chemical composition of lake water and development of acidification. The dynamics of ~100 lakes examined in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2009 and response of the chemical composition of the lake waters on the impact of acidifying substances was explored depending on the magnitude of load (distance from the plants), geologically controlled vulnerability of the lake catchments to acid precipitation, and the size of the lakes. Possible further changes in the sulfate concentration and pH values of lake waters were estimated for scenarios assuming an increase or a decrease in sulfur dioxide emission from the plants. It was shown that, in the zone of maximum and high load, a 20% change in sulfur dioxide emission will result in a mean change in sulfate concentration of ±8 μeq/L (which is comparable with the regional background) and a change in pH value of ±0.1 in acid-sensitive lakes and will have almost no effect on these parameters in lakes insensitive to acid precipitation.

Problems and prospects concerning the phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted soils: A review

The current state, problems, and prospects of phymoremediation of heavy metal polluted soils are analyzed. The main attention is paid to the phytoextraction and phytostabilization as the most widespread and alternative methods of soil phytoremediation. The efficiency of phymoremediation is related to the natural capability of plants for the accumulation and translocation of metals, their tolerance to a high content of metals, the plant biomass, and the amendments applied. The advantages and disadvantages of phytoremediation as compared to other methods of remediation of polluted soils in situ are considered. Examples of successful phytoextraction and phytomining for cleaning up of contaminated soils in Rasteburg (South Africa) and the phytostabilization of technogenic barrens nearby the copper-nickel plants in Sudbury (Ontario, Canada) and in the Kola Subarctic (Russia) are presented.