Bioindication of the state of the environment in the iron ore production area

The article analyzes the transformation of environmental components in the impact region of the JSC Karelian Pellet, Republic of Karelia. The content of metals (Mn, K, Sc, V, Sr, Fe, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb and Ti) in soils, bark of Pinus sylvestris and leaves of Betula pubescens was measured, and the changes in anatomical and morphological characteristics of indicator species were studied. The natural and territorial complexes in the Kostomuksha Nature Reserve were taken as a background. It is shown that the chemical composition of soils and plants depends on that of the underlying rocks, specific features of ore occurrence and the intensity of peat accumulation. When dusting from quarries, the soils receive K, Sr, Ba, Fe, Mn and Ti. Pollution from motor vehicles is an agent of increasing concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd in soils and plants. Biotesting on Daphnia magna and Chlorella vulgaris have shown a low level of soil toxicity. Application of a set of bioindicating parameters revealing even minor environmental changes proved to be the most demonstrative one. Morphological deviations of plants under the influence of pollution increase by 1,5–4 times, the projective cover of epiphytic lichens decreases to zero compared with the background. The climatic signal in the radial growth of P. sylvestris is suppressed by anthropogenic impact within the plant area, the minimum and maximum growth indices decrease by 1,5–3 times relative to the background. The bioindication integral parameter (BIP) based on the Harrington’s desirability function indicates the absence of pollution in the reserve (BIP = 0,77–0,84), and “average” (BIP = 0,37–0,63) and “high” (BIP = 0,28–0,37) degree of environment transformation near production facilities within the plant territory. The outskirts of roads, production sites, and cuttings are overgrown with apochoric and ruderal species, such as Urtica dioica, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Chamaenerion angustifolium, Tussilago farfara, Picris hieracioides, etc. Invasive Ribes nigrum, Frangula alnus, Melandrium dubium, etc. occur widely within the reclaimed areas of old dumps of overburden grounds. The need for regular monitoring and control of the content of metals, especially Fe, Ni, V, Pb, Cu and Zn, in environmental components within the impact area of iron ore enterprises was noted.