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Marina V. Slukovskaya
Marina V. Slukovskaya
Senior Researcher, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Nature-Inspired Technologies and Environmental Safety of the Arctic NMC, Kola Science Centre of the RAS
Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Rare Elements and Mineral Raw Materials, Kola Science Centre of the RAS
Senior Researcher, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Nature-Inspired Technologies and Environmental Safety of the Arctic NMC, Kola Science Centre of the RAS
Apatity
Russia
Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Rare Elements and Mineral Raw Materials, Kola Science Centre of the RAS

Articles

Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Date submitted
    2024-03-28
  • Date accepted
    2024-06-03
  • Date published
    2024-07-04

Assessing the effectiveness of sewage sludge in the reclamation of disturbed areas in the Kola subarctic zone (a case study of a sand quarry)

Article preview

An assessment was made of the effectiveness of reclamation using sewage sludge for the accelerated formation of a stable erosion-proof vegetation cover on the unproductive anthropogenic soil of a sand quarry in the context of the Kola North. The experiment, launched in 2017, included three treatments: control – no treatment, experiment 1 – fragmentary (50 %) application of sewage sludge, experiment 2 – continuous application. In the sixth growing season, anthropogenic soil samples were examined, and measurements of CO2 emissions were carried out. It was shown that the application of sewage sludge had a positive effect on the physicochemical and agrochemical properties of the soils: in situ pH and density decreased, hygroscopicity increased, available phosphorus and potassium increased. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between CO2 emissions in the control and experimental treatments. The content of organic carbon in the control treatment was lower than in the experimental ones; under fragmentary application of sewage sludge, it was three times lower, and under continuous application, it was nine times lower. Significant (p < 0.05) differences in the content of carbon and nitrogen in cold and hot water extracts between control and treatment samples were found under continuous application of sewage sludge. At the same time, by calculating the C/N ratio, a very low level of nitrogen was found in the humus. The main factors behind the variability of the estimated parameters were identified – the treatment itself and the method of its application, the contribution of the treatment alone was 60 %, the contribution of the application method was 14 %. Taking into account the economic factors, fragmentary application of sewage sludge onto the anthropogenic sand quarry soil is recommended to support the establishment of a stable erosion-proof phytocenosis.

How to cite: Ivanova L.A., Slukovskaya M.V., Krasavtseva E.A. Assessing the effectiveness of sewage sludge in the reclamation of disturbed areas in the Kola subarctic zone (a case study of a sand quarry) // Journal of Mining Institute. 2024. Vol. 267. p. 444-452. EDN FNAPXK