ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE FLOODED COPPER MINE LEVIKHINSKY ON THE QUALITY OF TAGIL RIVER WATER

Abstract

Mine waters are one of the main threats to the hydrosphere of mining areas not only at the stage of active production, but also after its completion. The analysis of pollution indicators of technogenic water bodies of Tagil river and its tributaries, located on the territory of a private catchment area in the zone of the flooded Levikhinsky copper mine, revealed the spatial and temporal patterns of changes in the chemical composition of ground water and surface water. The main sources of chemical elements in water bodies are man-made lakes, mine workings, dumps, tailings. Despite the fact that the existing system of collection and treatment of mine and underspoil waters can significantly reduce the content of pollutants in wastewater, the degree of pollution of the Tagil river remains very high after the discharge of treated mine waters 20 years after the cessation of mining activity. To improve the environmental (ecological) situation, it is necessary to supplement the existing scheme of cleaning with passive methods.