Aspects of the Environmental Monitoring on the Territory of Verhnekamskoye Potash Deposit (Russia)

摘要

For effective environmental management the system of complex environmental monitoring has developed in the southern part of Verhnekamskoye Potash Deposit - one of the biggest potash salt deposits in the world. Environmental monitoring includes hydrochemical, soil and biological monitoring in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The main factor of potash mining effect on the environment is high solubility of wastes. High concentrations of Na~+, Cl~-, K~+, SO_4~(2-), Mg~(2+) in waste and active water migration of these chemical elements caused salinization of the environment.There are two types of technogenic bio- and geochemical salt anomalies. The first type of anomalies is localized near the salt tailings and plants as a result of air migration of pollutants. The second type of technogenic anomalies is more intensive and developed in river valleys. The main transport of salt components is surface and groundwater ones. Technogenic bio- and geochemical anomalies are characterized by high content of Na~+, Cl~-, K~+, SO_4~(2-), Mg~(2+), decrease of soil microbial biomass and invasion of salt-resistance species of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Hydrogen sulfide settings and precipitation of iron-rich minerals in soils are developed in discharge areas of saline ground water.