Studying the features of soil cover and bioreclamation of coal dumps

Abstract

Industrial dumps serve as natural habitats for numerous biocenoses due to the specific features and directionality of early soil formation processes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of soil cover and bioremediation on coal dumps. It is demonstrated that the lithological heterogeneity of disturbed territories in Kuzbass is influenced by mining technologies, which directly affect the methods of coal extraction. The study establishes that eluviated material on technogenically disturbed lands shows significant variations in physical and chemical properties depending on the conditions of formation. These differences determine the varying quality of the resulting soils and underscore the need for reclamation efforts. Phytocenoses at later metastable stages of development exhibit impoverished composition and structural deficiencies upon reaching this stage. It is proven that the impact of vegetation on young soils, supplemented by fertilization, can lead to the accumulation of biophilic elements in the upper soil profile. The presence of rare earth and radioactive elements in anthracite slows the development of biota on dump surfaces due to their potentially toxic effects on microorganisms and vegetation. Bioremediation is shown to focus on restoring soil formation processes, enhancing soil self-purification capabilities, and re-establishing phytocenoses. The selection of plant species for reclamation is based on their ability to thrive in technogenically disturbed landscapes. These species should belong to a group of resilient plants with high phytoremediation potential, such as Pinus sylvestris, Picea pungens, Larix decidua, Physocarpus opulifolius, Betula pubescens, Populus nigra, Caragana arborescens, Rosa rugosa, and Elaeagnus commutata. These species are characterized by high resistance to adverse factors and are considered promising for biological reclamation of technogenically disturbed landscapes.