Pollution of rivers by mine waters: scientists from the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have found a solution

The Sverdlovsk region is faced with a serious environmental problem – pollution of rivers with acidic waters from closed mines. Scientists from the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have found out how to reduce the harmful effects and restore water bodies.

The Sverdlovsk region regularly finds itself in anti-ratings due to the high level of pollution of water bodies. The main reason is flooded copper-pyrite mines, from which acidic mine water continues to flow into rivers. This leads to catastrophic consequences: the water becomes toxic, the shores turn red, and all living creatures within the affected radius die. 

As Pyotr Rybnikov, head of the laboratory of geoinformation technologies of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explains, mining the structure of rocks is disrupted. As a result of sulfuric acid weathering of sulfide minerals, toxic drainage waters are formed that have poisoned the environment for centuries. 

Scientists examined two closed deposits – Degtyarskoye and Levikhinskoye. Despite similar cleaning technologies, the results were different. At the Degtyarsky mine, efficiency reaches 99%, while at Levikhinsky, pollution indicators remain critical. 

The difference is in the condition of the settling ponds. At the Degtyarsky mine there is more free volume for cleaning, and the settling time is longer. At Levikhinsky, the ponds are almost completely filled with sludge, which sharply reduces the efficiency of filtration. 

Scientists have proposed a set of measures: 

1. Replace old clarification ponds. 
2. Introduce multi-stage cleaning with aerators and settling tanks. 
3. Carry out reclamation of dumps and cleaning of sludge accumulations. 

However, the main problem is legal. The Levikhinsky mine is abandoned, and no one is taking responsibility for its restoration. 

In the Perm region the situation is even more complicated. The Kizelovsky coal basin continues to poison the rivers of the Kama basin, but no funding is allocated for cleanup activities. 

Solving the problem requires not only scientific developments, but also legislative changes, as well as serious financial investments. 

_{Source: rg.ru}

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