Concentration of Heavy Metals in Water Flows in the Area of Unalsky Tailing Dump and Ardon River

Abstract

The long history of development of deposits of lead-zinc ores of the Sadonsky mining region led to the formation of extensive halos of chemical pollution of surface watercourses. Aim. The aim of this study is to monitor surface watercourses in the area of the Unalsky tailing dumps and the Kholst deposit by points of sampling of 1992-2004. Sampling was conducted in the summer of 2016. Methods. The content of heavy metals of 2 and 3 hazard classes (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn and Cu) was studied by atomic absorption. The contribution of the Unaldon River and Unalsky tailing dump to the pollution of the Ardon River. Results. The highest content of cadmium, lead and zinc, significantly exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) in the water bodies of cultural and domestic use is found in the Ardon River down from the Unalsky tailing dump. The flow of heavy metals into the Unaldon River with adit waters compared with the observation period of 1992-2004 decreased noticeably. In conditions of a reduction in the production capacity of mining and processing enterprises, the leaching of heavy metals from mountain dumps and excavations make an insignificant contribution to the pollution of the Ardon River in comparison with the Unalsky tailing dump. Conclusion. The state of the Ardon River down from the discharge from the tailing dump corresponds to the "environmental disaster" category. The condition of the rivers Mayramdon and Unaldon according to the content of heavy metals corresponds to a "relatively satisfactory" type.