Results of chemical elements content analysis in interlayers of tailing deposits using rapid methods

Introduction. The article presents the results of studies to determine the chemical composition of layered tailings deposits formed as a result of gravitational sedimentation of fine fractions. These studies will allow us to create a map of the layered distribution of the elemental composition content throughout the entire volume of the tailings dump for further objective assessments of the profitability of using tailings deposits as a source of secondary raw materials or cheap microelement fertilizers, as well as to analyze the environmental sustainability and threats to the environmental safety of mountainous areas. Materials and methods. To determine the layered content of chemical elements in the thin layered structures of the tailings dump massif, samples were taken based on the characteristic features of the granulometric composition and color range and analyzed using the equipment of the Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics named after N.N. Semenov of the Russian Academy of Sciences to determine the refined content of elements. Research results and their discussion. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the distribution of the elemental composition by layers is uneven and does not have an ordered nature depending on the layer thickness and its length, but there is a presence of certain coloring elements characteristic of color gamut. To form a complete picture of the distribution of the elemental composition by layers, it is necessary to carry out additional targeted studies that allow establishing the individual characteristics of each alluvial and sedimentary layer, such as: layer thickness, layer extension area and physicochemical conditions of their formation. Conclusions. The use of modern scientific equipment using current research methods made it possible to obtain data on the distribution of the elemental composition in the section layer by layer with the required accuracy and to form a data array in terms of the distribution of the elemental composition by the studied alluvial and sedimentary layers, for subsequent assessment of the total content of chemical elements in the tailings dump array. As proposals for practical application and direction of future research. In the future, the authors consider it advisable, from the point of view of a comprehensive assessment of the content of chemical elements throughout the tailings dump array, to conduct a further study of the content of elements throughout the depth of the tailings dump down to the underlying surface.