Conditions for biological reclamation of a mine dump in the area of the Ternivka city, Ukraine

Abstract The article contains the results of the observation of the waste dump of the “Zakhidno-Donbaska” mine of DTEK PAVLOGRADVUGOL private joint-stock company, located near the city of Ternivka, Pavlohrad district, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine (48°32’13.9”N 36°05’58.4”E) in order to determine the conditions for biological reclamation of disturbed lands. The work used landscape, soil science, cartographic, and botanical research methods. Research indicators were determined according to the Rules for Biological Reclamation of Mine Dumps in Coal Mines of Ukraine. According to the results of the analyses, the granulometric composition of the dump rock corresponded to sandy loam. The pH of the salt extract of the soil ranged from very strongly acidic to strongly acidic. The structural and aggregate composition of the surface layer of the rock was heterogeneous, variegated, the soil structural coefficients were from 3.41 to 5.23. Strong and very strong sulfate-type salinization was observed. The lowest dry sediment values were recorded on the plateau – 0.30 %, on the slopes and at the foot of the dump – 0.39 and 1.73 %, respectively. The rock has been found to contain high concentrations of chlorides and sulfates of sodium and magnesium, and sometimes sodium carbonate, which are toxic to plants. In areas with active technological process (freshly deposited rock or early stages of external exposure), the mobile aluminum concentration was 46 mg/100 g, that makes the rock unsuitable for plant growth and development Thus, the dump requires full or partial melioration to carry out the biological stage of reclamation and reduce the negative impact on the environment. It is recommended to conduct environmental monitoring based on indicators of control and assessment of physical, physicochemical and chemical properties of mine rocks (especially the mining area), use of GIS technologies to determine the design vegetation coverage of waste dumps for the optimal choice of the method and technology of reclamation, the detection of toxic sites on waste dumps and their localization.