ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE HYDROCHEMICAL CONDITIONS OF FLOODED PHOSPHATE ROCK QUARRIES

Abstract

Introduction. This article presents the results of studying the current environmental state of surface water bodies located in the affected area of phosphate mining enterprises and significantly altered as a result of technogenesis. Objects of accumulated environmental damage caused by mining enterprises contain the bulk (up to 85%) of waste accumulated in dumps, heaps and storages. In the Leningrad region, these are ash and slag dumps of the Slantsy Plant — about 35%, phosphogypsum of Fosforit Production Association and Volkhov Aluminum Smelter — about 18%, quartz sand with the content of phosphorite of Fosforit Production Association — about 17%, limestone — wastes from beneficiating oil shale of Leningradslanets Production Association — 12%, ash and slag dumps of CHPPs and state district power plants — 5%. In this regard, the authors assess the hydrochemical situation that has formed in the territory of the industrial site of ООО PG Fosforit in recent years. Methods. The article describes in detail a method for conducting field and laboratory studies for the period from 2017 to 2019, including a method for sampling and analysis. The authors analyze the content of basic anions and cations in a series of metals using high performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results. In the course of the studies, the authors revealed pollutants, the content of which in surface water bodies exceeds the maximum allowable concentrations. Conclusions. As a result of the studies, the authors identified sources of accumulated environmental damage and post-technological processes affecting the state of water bodies, and determined the trophicity of minor rivers in the affected area of decommissioned mining enterprises.