Heavy metals distribution in the waste pile rocks of Chervonogradska mine of the Lviv-Volyn coal basin (Ukraine)

Abstract

Chervonogradska mine of the Lviv-Volyn coal basin (Ukraine) has been producing humic coal from four beds of Namurian carbon formation since 1971. The waste pile (2.9 mln m³ of the rock) has been formed as a result of the mine activity. The authors of this article state that the waste pile rocks contain argillite (83.8%), aleurolite (8.4%), sandstone (4.8%) and coal. The ash content of the rocks ranges from 47 to 98% and on average makes up 67.9%. The waste pile rocks have been compared with clark in siltage (clay, argillite) enriched with Cobalt (Cc 5.4), Lead (Cc 2.1), Manganese (Cc 1.9), Yttrium (Cc 1.7), Copper (Cc 1.2), Terbium and Beryllium (Cc 1.1). The waste pile rocks have Titanium( Cc 1.0), Vanadium (Cc 0.9), Zirconium (Cc 0.8) in quantities close to clark for sedimentary rocks. On the basis of middle, median content of chemical element, the distribution area of the chemical elements high content and their toxicity, we think that the most dangerous for environment are Lead, Manganese, Cobalt and Copper. It has been substantiated that Lead, Manganese, Copper and Cobalt can get into the rocks of aeration zone adjacent to the waste pile and into the water of the Solokiya river in excessively high background quantities. To prevent possible pollution of rocks adjacent to waste pile and the water of the Solokiya, the Western Buh, and the Visla with the above mentioned chemical elements we have proposed to create geochemical artificial barriers along the perimeter of the waste pile.