Alternative technologies for remediation of technogenic barrens in the Kola Subarctic

Vermiculite-Lizardite Industrial Wastes Promote Plant Growth in a Peat Soil Affected by a Cu/Ni Smelter: a Case Study at the Kola Peninsula, Russia

“…Thus, the topic of rehabilitation of vegetative cover on industrial barrens has a worldwide relevance. Koptsik et al (2015Koptsik et al ( , 2016 attempted to revegetate barren soils in the vicinity of the Cu/Ni smelter by means of (1) phytostabilization, based on a single application of lime and mineral fertilizers, and (2) cover of the contaminated soil with an artificial 40-cm-thick layer composed of peat, sand, and wood sawdust. The resulting state of vegetation revealed failure of the phytostabilization technique, suggesting necessity of repeated applications of lime and fertilizers (Koptsik et al, 2016).…”

“…Koptsik et al (2015Koptsik et al ( , 2016 attempted to revegetate barren soils in the vicinity of the Cu/Ni smelter by means of (1) phytostabilization, based on a single application of lime and mineral fertilizers, and (2) cover of the contaminated soil with an artificial 40-cm-thick layer composed of peat, sand, and wood sawdust. The resulting state of vegetation revealed failure of the phytostabilization technique, suggesting necessity of repeated applications of lime and fertilizers (Koptsik et al, 2016). On the other hand, covering the contaminated soil with the artificial 40-cm-thick fertile layer produced satisfactory results in terms of plant development (Koptsik et al, 2015).…”

“…On the other hand, covering the contaminated soil with the artificial 40-cm-thick fertile layer produced satisfactory results in terms of plant development (Koptsik et al, 2015). However, Koptsik et al (2016) stated that the practical use of the artificial-fertile-layer technique is impeded by its high cost and damage to the environment when removing and transporting the fertile peat layer. Likewise, a deficiency of organic-rich soil resources at the Kola Peninsula makes the artificial-fertile-layer technique unfeasible, requiring a search for alternative options.…”

Organic amendments potentially stabilize metals in smelter contaminated Arctic soils: An incubation study

“…The adverse environmental impacts of sulfur dioxide and metallic emissions high in Ni and Cu, especially as surface soils contaminants, on the landscapes and watersheds surrounding the industrial complex of the MMC have been detected up to 250–300 km from the industrial complexes as widely discussed in scientific literature for decades ( Reimann et al., 1998 ; Barcan, 2002 ; Evdokimova et al., 2011 ; Koptsik et al., 2016 ; Lyanguzova et al., 2016 ; Kashulina, 2017 ). The industrial barrens created by emissions of the MMC extend for 5–7 km depending on the wind direction, with areas in the prevailing N and S wind being most impacted.…”

“…Modern policy-makers consider soil as a non-renewable natural resource of high importance that links atmospheric, subsurface and aquatic media to minimize release of wastes and emissions ( EC, 2006 ; EEA, 2017 ) and support development of monitoring ( Tóth et al., 2016 ) and remediation programs ( Martino et al., 2016 ). However, input of pollutants into soils is still increasing, commonly reaching toxic levels, with examples on the planet where industrial activity has catastrophically affected soil cover and destroyed ecosystems ( Kozlov and Zvereva, 2007 ; Koptsik et al., 2016 ; Campbell et al., 2017 ).…”