ASSESSMENT OF THE DYNAMICS OF DISTURBED LANDSCAPES OF THE MAGADAN REGION ASSOCIATED WITH GOLD MINING

Gold mining in alluvial ore deposits is a key industry in the Magadan region. In recent years, the impact of gold mining on river and floodplain ecosystems has increased significantly. This study provides a detailed overview of land cover changes associated with gold mining in the Magadan region in the 21st century. The results indicate a significant increase in the area affected by mining between 2000-2002 and 2022. According to Sentinel-2 images, in 2022 it was 726 km2. River runoff is also polluted with suspended solids. Based on Sentinel-2 images, it has been established that the main source of river pollution with suspended solids in the Susumansky and Tenkinsky districts is currently the developed alluvial gold deposits in the floodplain of the Berelekh river. Elevated concentrations of suspended solids in streamflow relative to the background persist all the way to the Kolyma Reservoir (200 km from the source of pollution).