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Vol 281 Iss. 1
Pages:
107-119
In press
Article
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Development of technosol substrates based on mining waste and sewage sludge

Authors:
Tatyana K. Ivanova1
Evgeniya A. Krasavtseva2
About authors
  • 1 — Ph.D. Junior Researcher Nanomaterials Research Centre, Subdivision of the Federal Research Centre Kola Science Centre of the RAS ▪ Orcid
  • 2 — Ph.D. Researcher Institute of North Industrial Ecology Problems, Kola Science Centre of the RAS ▪ Orcid
Date submitted:
2026-02-17
Date accepted:
2026-06-25
Online publication date:
2026-10-02

Abstract

The article focuses on developing an effective method for reclaiming anthropogenically disturbed areas through optimization of the composition of technosol substrates that incorporate industrial mineral waste and sewage sludge. The relevance of the study stems from the need to eliminate the negative consequences of mineral extraction and processing, which lead to the formation of vast tailings storage areas that adversely affect the environmental situation in the region. We investigated the physicochemical properties of dressing tailings and the differences in their properties upon addition of sewage sludge from three mining enterprises in the Murmansk Region: the loparite tailings storage facilities Karnasurt-1 and Umbozero (Revda settlement), and the apatite-nepheline tailings storage facility ANOF-3 (Kirovsk). Under laboratory conditions, we determined the component proportions in the technosol substrate, providing a reduction of pH to neutral values, an increase in the moisture-holding capacity of the substrates, and an improvement in the availability of essential plant nutrients. Phytotoxicity test confirmed the high biological activity of the formulated soil substrates and the positive effect of the introduced additive on the development of the test crops: radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The study identified the optimal balance between mineral tailings and sewage sludge, ensuring the best plant adaptation and the maximum reclamation efficiency for disturbed areas. The results obtained hold significant practical importance for land reclamation in areas with high load from the mining industry, contributing to the minimization of environmental risks, substrate stabilization, the formation of a sustainable vegetation cover, and the sustainable use of industrial and municipal waste. We noted the need to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach under long-term experimental conditions. The practical implementation of this technology will ensure environmentally sustainable economic activities in regions with intensive exploitation of raw material reserves, including the northern regions of Russia.

Область исследования:
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Keywords:
reclamation technosols mining waste sewage sludge tailings storage facilities
Funding:

The study of technosol substrates based on loparite tailings was performed with funding from the Russian Science Foundation grant N 25-17-20012 “Development of scientific foundations for integrated processing of loparite ore dressing tailings with simultaneous reduction of anthropogenic impact on the environment in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation”, https://rscf.ru/project/25-17-20012, and the study of apatite-nepheline tailings – under the research topic 1023032200159-7.

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