Seasonal Dynamics of the Hydroecological Situation in the Yakovlevsky Mining Industrial District of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze the seasonal dynamics of the hydroecological situation in the Yakovlevsky mining district of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA). Materials and methods. The study presents data on the content of pollutants in the Vorskla River network, sourced from project organizations’ archives for the period 2005-2020, as well as summarized results of other hydrochemical studies of the river. To clarify the impact of mining operations on the state of the Vorskla River in the Yakovlevsky mining district, detailed monthly observations were conducted in 2024 at representative points of the river network outside industrial areas. In addition to monthly measurements, annual average values were calculated. Hydrochemical parameters were determined using potentiometric and photocolorimetric analytical methods. To better understand the nature of water pollution processes, a correlation analysis was performed on the paired dynamics of pollutant concentrations – both of individual pollutants at diff erent monitoring sites and of diff erent pollutants in relation to one another. The correlation coefficient was calculated using STATISTICA 10 software. Results. The most significant contribution to water pollution in the Yakovlevsky mining district of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA) comes from mine water components, including chlorides, sodium, fluorides, and hydrocarbonates. Notably, all these substances are also detected in the background reaches of the Vorskla River, albeit at much lower concentrations. Sulfates, as well as compounds of iron, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc and ammonium, are the key components responsible for intermittent (peak) concentrations of pollutants. Conclusions. The study demonstrates a significant impact of mining activities on the hydroecological state of water bodies in the Yakovlevsky mining district (Vorskla River). The polluting effect of industrial effluents extends over considerable distances within the Ryazanovskoye Reservoir, even upstream of the Vorskla River fl owing through it.