Assessing the current status of the environment in the area of operation of coal mines in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
O.T. KONINA1, S.S. SANDIMIROV2, E.A. BOROVICHEV2, G.P. URBANAVICHUS2, T.A. SUKHAREVA2, A.V. RAZUMOVSKAYA2, L.P. KUDRYAVTSEVA2, I.R. ELIZAROVA2, D.V. MAKAROV2
1Beringpromugol Ltd, Beringovskii, Russia
2Institute of North Industrial Ecology Problems, Separate Subdivision of the State Budgetary Institution Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia
Keywords: environmental pollution, soils, vegetation, surface water, accumulated environmental damage, rare species
Abstract
A comprehensive assessment is made of the impact of coal mines on ecosystems in the water protection zone surrounding the urban-type settlement of Beringovskii (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug). Ground and soils have been investigated, and the chemical composition of surface water bodies and vegetation cover have been assessed. It was established that the area of operation of the Beringovskaya and Nagornaya mines and the coal storage area are characterized by an almost complete absence of soil and vegetation cover, and by a disturbance of the regime of surface and underground waters. The territory has retained only small areas typical for the lower parts of the slopes of the middle mountains in the southern hypoarctic tundras but significantly depleted in composition. We discovered a habitat of lichen previously unknown on Chukotka, which is included in the regional and federal Red Data Books: Cetraria kamczatica Savicz. Concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb) in the soil, plants, and lichens exceed background levels and are due to long-term technogenic impacts. The high values of the water pollution index in the Yasha River are determined by the concentrations of phosphates, nitrogen, aluminum, iron, and manganese. According to fish protection standards, the Yasha River water corresponds to the following classes: dirty, very dirty, and extremely dirty; Ugolnaya River water, to the class dirty, and the unnamed Lake, to the class moderately dirty. The content of biogenic elements and heavy metals in surface fresh waters depends mainly on anthropogenic pollution of the catchment area of the rivers: household wastewater from the urban-type settlement of Beringovskii, old abandoned settlements, a considerable number of inactive industrial and military facilities, construction and other waste, etc. The level of seawater pollution was caused by the increased content of iron and chromium. It is concluded that there is a need for regular environmental monitoring, reclamation of disturbed areas and restoration of the watercourses system and drainage on the territory.
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