Analysis of the prospects to use peat-based soil conditioners for reclamation of disturbed lands

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-2-124-130

Читать на русскоя языкеA.V. Mikhailov, V.Yu. Piirainen, E.M. Bobrova, A.I. Smirnov
Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation

Russian Mining Industry №2 / 2025 p.124-130

Abstract: One of the ways to reduce the negative impact of mining on the environment is reclamation of the disturbed lands. Unused overburden and host rocks are stored mainly in external dumps and occupy significant territories, being a source of such negative effects as emission of pollutants, development of erosion and spontaneous combustion. The use of traditional methods of biological land reclamation by covering the dump surface with a layer of fertile soil or potentially fertile rocks requires significant costs and is not always feasible in practice. The studies that aim at developing economically feasible ways to restore the biological productivity of soils in disturbed areas and help to avoid these labor-intensive operations are of particular importance. An analysis of peat resources and properties of peat raw materials has been carried out for production of soil conditioners. Due to its functional properties, low cost and widespread availability, peat as a raw material has a high potential for manufacturing soil conditioners characterized with a slow release of nutrients for the reclamation of land disturbed by mining activities.

Keywords: mining, disturbed lands, reclamation, peat resources, peat raw materials, peat-based soil conditioners

For citation: Mikhailov A.V., Piirainen V.Yu., Bobrova E.M., Smirnov A.I. Analysis of the prospects to use peat-based soil conditioners for reclamation of disturbed lands. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(2):124–130. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-2-124-130


Article info

Received: 30.01.2025

Revised: 03.03.2025

Accepted: 13.03.2025


Information about the authors

Aleksandr V. Mikhailov – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0516-7737; e-mail: Mikhaylov_AV@pers.spmi.ru

Viktor Yu. Piirainen – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Department of Materials Science and Technology of Art Products, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5767-3765; e-mail: piraynen@gmail.com

Evgenia M. Bobrova – Postgraduate Student of the department of Materials Science and Technology of Art Products, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5005-5565; e-mail: bobr2502@gmail.com

Andrey I. Smirnov – Postgraduate Student of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5609-9246; e-mail: a.s.555@inbox.ru


References

1. Hu Z., Wanh P., Li J. Ecological restoration of abandoned mine land in China. Journal of Resources and Ecology. 2012;3(4):289– 296. https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2012.04.001

2. Abramowicz A., Rahmonov O., Chybiorz R. Environmental management and landscape transformation on self-heating coalwaste dumps in the upper Silesian coal basin. Land. 2021;10(1):23. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10010023

3. Rahmonov O., Różkowski J., Klys G. The managing and restoring of degraded land in post-mining areas. Land. 2022;11(2):269. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11020269

4. Hu Z., Liu S., Gong Y. Evaluation of soil quality and maize growth in different profiles of reclaimed land with coal gangue filling. Land. 2021;10(12):1307. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10121307

5. Young I., Renault S., Markham J. Low levels organic amendments improve fertility and plant cover on non-acid generating gold mine tailings. Ecological Engineering. 2015;74:250–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.10.026

6. Волохов Е.М., Кожухарова В.К., Бритвин И.А., Савков Б.М., Жерлыгина Е.С. Проблема оценки влияния горных работ на объекты наземной инфраструктуры. Горный информационно-аналитический бюллетень. 2023;(8):72–93. https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2023_8_0_72 Volohov E.M., Kozhukharova V.K., Britvin I.A., Savkov B.M., Zherlygina E.S. Assessment of impact of mining operations on surface infrastructure. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2023;(8):72–93. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2023_8_0_72

7. Пиирайнен В.Ю., Михайлов А.В., Баринков В.М., Старовойтов В.Н. Применение шламово-торфяной композиции для переработки отходов глиноземного производства. Обогащение руд. 2022;(6):51–58. https://doi.org/10.17580/or.2022.06.09 Piirainen V.Yu., Mikhailov A.V., Barinkov V.M., Starovoitov V.N. The use of sludge-peat composition for the processing of alumina production waste. Obogashchenie Rud. 2022;(6):51–58. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17580/or.2022.06.09

8. Gagnon A., Fenton N.J., Sirois P., Boucher J.-F. Plant community diversity at two reclaimed mine tailing storage facilities in Québec, Canada. Land. 2021;10(11):1191. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10111191

9. Пашкевич М. А., Куликова Ю. А. Мониторинг и оценка негативного воздействия техногенных массивов минерально-сырьевого комплекса. Горный информационно-аналитический бюллетень. 2023;(9-1):231–247. https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2023_91_0_231 Pashkevich M.A., Kulikova Yu.A. Monitoring and assessment of the negative impact of technogenic massives of the mineral and raw complex. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2023;(9-1):231–247. https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2023_91_0_231

10. Xie L., van Zyl D. Distinguishing reclamation, revegetation and phytoremediation, and the importance of geochemical processes in the reclamation of sulfidic mine tailings: A review. Chemosphere. 2020;252:126446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126446

11. Gardner W.C., Anne Naeth M., Broersma K., Chanasyk D.S., Jobson A.M. Influence of biosolids and fertilizer amendments on element concentrations and revegetation of copper mine tailings. Canadian Journal of Soil Science. 2012;92(1):89–102. https:// doi.org/10.4141/cjss2011-005

12. Mikhailov A. Reclamation of mine tailings using natural peat. In: Hu Z. (ed.). Legislation, Technology and Practice of Mine Land Reclamation: Proceedings of the Beijing International Symposium Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration, LRER 2014, Beijing, China, 16–19 October 2014. CRC Press; 2014, pp. 363–369.

13. Litvinenko V.S., Dvoynikov M.V., Trushko V.L. Elaboration of a conceptual solution for the development of the Arctic shelf from seasonally flooded coastal areas. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology. 2022;32(1):113–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2021.09.010

14. Литвиненко В.С., Петров Е.И., Василевская Д.В., Яковенко А.В., Наумов И.А., Ратников М.А. Оценка роли государства в управлении минеральными ресурсами. Записки Горного института. 2023;259:95–111. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2022.100 Litvinenko V.S., Petrov E.I., Vasilevskaya D.V., Yakovenko A.V., Naumov I.A., Ratnikov M.A. Assessment of the role of the state in the management of mineral resources. Journal of Mining Institute. 2023;259:95–111. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2022.100

15. Pikon K. Recultivation of mining waste dumps – environmental aspects. In: 8th International Scientific Conference of Modern Management of Mine Producing, Geology and Environmental Protection, Albena, Bulgaria, June 16–20, 2008. Curran Associates, Inc.; 2008. Part 1, pp. 773–780.

16. Середина В.П., Андроханов В.А., Алексеева Т.П., Сысоева Л.Н., Бурмистрова Т.И., Трунова Н.М. Экологические аспекты биологической рекультивации почв техногенных экосистем Кузбасса. Вестник Томского государственного университета. Биология. 2008;(2):61–72. Режим доступа: https://journals.tsu.ru/biology/&journal_page=archive&id=742&article_id=17195 (дата обращения: 02.02.2025). Seredina B.P., Androhanov V.A., Alekseeva T.P., Sysoeva L.N., Burmistrova T.I., Trunova N.M. Ecological aspects of biological recultivation soil of Kuzbass technogenic ecosystem. Tomsk State University Journal of Biology. 2008;(2):61–72. (In Russ.) Available at: https://journals.tsu.ru/biology/&journal_page=archive&id=742&article_id=17195 (accessed: 02.02.2025).

17. Макеева Н.А., Неверова О.А. Обзор методов ускоренной рекультивации нарушенных угледобычей земель. Вестник КрасГАУ. 2016;(8):77–86. Режим доступа: https://kgau.editorum.ru/ru/nauka/article/79448/view (дата обращения: 02.02.2025). Makeeva N.A., Neverova O.A. The review of methods of the accelerated recultivation of the lands broken by coal mining. Bulletin of KSAU. 2016;(8):77–86. (In Russ.) Available at: https://kgau.editorum.ru/ru/nauka/article/79448/view (accessed: 02.02.2025).

18. Zhao Y., Chai L.J., Chen J., Wang X.M. Technology and application for ecological rehabilitation on self-maintaining vegetation restoration. In: Hu Z. (ed.). Land Reclamation in Ecological Fragile Areas: Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration (LRER 2017), Beijing, PR China, October 20–23, 2017. London: CRC Press; 2017. Part 3, pp. 255–261.

19. Томсон А.Э., Наумова Г.В. Торф и продукты его переработки. Минск: Беларус. навука; 2009. 328 с.

20. Xu J., Morris P.J., Liu J., Holden J. PEATMAP: Refining estimates of global peatland distribution based on a meta-analysis. Catena. 2018;160:134–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2017.09.010

21. Мякотных А.А., Иванова П.В., Иванов С.Л. К вопросу классификации комплексов добычи торфяного сырья. Горная промышленность. 2023;(6):137–142. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-6-137-142 Myakotnykh A.A., Ivanova P.V., Ivanov S.L. On classification of peat extraction complexes. Russian Mining Industry. 2023;(6):137–142. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-6-137-142

22. Bambalov N., Clarke D., Tomson A., Sokolov G. The use of peat as a raw material for chemistry today and in the future. In: After Wise Use – The Future of Peatlands, Proceedings of the 13th International Peat Congress: Chemical, Physical and Biological Characteristics of Peat, Tullamore, Ireland, 8–13 June 2008, pp. 316–319. Available at: https://peatlands.org/document/theuse-of-peat-as-a-raw-material-for-chemisry-today-and-in-the-future/ (accessed: 02.02.2025).

23. Петрова Т.А., Рудзиш Э. Виды мелиорантов для рекультивации техногенно нарушенных территорий горной промышленности. Горный информационно-аналитический бюллетень. 2021;(4):100–112. https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2021_4_0_100 Petrova T.A.1, Rudzish E. Types of soil improvers for reclamation of mining-disturbed lands. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2021;(4):100–112. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2021_4_0_100

24. Петрова Т.А., Рудзиш Э. Рекультивация техногенно-нарушенных земель с применением осадков сточных вод в качестве мелиорантов. Записки Горного института. 2021;251:767–776. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2021.5.16 Petrova T.A., Rudzisha E. Utilization of sewage sludge as an ameliorant for reclamation of technogenically disturbed lands. Journal of Mining Institute. 2021;251:767–776. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2021.5.16

25. Броварова О.В., Броварова Д.А. Гуминовые вещества торфа. свойства и биологическая активность. Химия растительного сырья. 2023;(2):301–309. https://doi.org/10.14258/jcprm.20230211727 Brovarova O.V., Brovarova D.A. Humic substances of peat. Properties and biological activity. Chemistry of Plant Raw Material. 2023;(2):301–309. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.14258/jcprm.20230211727

26. Линкевич Е.В. Органическое вещество торфа и оценка его биодоступности. Международный сельскохозяйственный журнал. 2023;(3):278–281. Режим доступа: https://mshj.ru/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MSHJ_2023-3_text__p_278-281.pdf (дата обращения: 02.02.2025). Linkevich E.V. Peat organic matter and assessment of its bioavailability. International Agricultural Journal. 2023;(3):278–281. (In Russ.) Available at: https://mshj.ru/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MSHJ_2023-3_text__p_278-281.pdf (accessed: 02.02.2025).

27. Крупнов Р.А., Базин Е.Т., Попов М.В. Использование торфа и торфяных месторождений в народном хозяйстве. М.: Недра; 1992. 232 с.

28. Kremcheev E.A., Nagornov D.O., Kremcheeva D.A. Changing hydraulic conductivity after rupturing native structure of peat under limited evaporation conditions. In: Frank-Kamenetskaya O., Vlasov D., Panova E., Lessovaia S. (eds) Processes and Phenomena on the Boundary Between Biogenic and Abiogenic Nature. Springer, Cham.; 2020, pp. 233–256. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21614-6_14

29. Утенкова Т.Г., Кремчеев Э.А., Нагорнов Д.О., Иванов С.Л. Механическое обезвоживание сапропеля в технологии его маломасштабной добычи. Устойчивое развитие горных территорий. 2023;15(2):308–316. Utenkova T.G., Kremcheev E.A., Nagornov D.O., Ivanov S.L. Mechanical dewatering of sapropel in its small-scale mining technology. Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories. 2023;15(2):308–316. (In Russ.)

30. Fertahi S., Bertrand I., Amjoud M., Oukarroum A., Arji M., Barakat A. Properties of coated slow-release triple superphosphate (TSP) fertilizers based on lignin and carrageenan formulations. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2019;7(12):10371– 10382, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b00433

31. Xianmin M. China: the next huge peat and growing media market in the world. In: Proceedings of the 15th International PEAT Congress (IPC 2016), Kuching, Malaysia, 15–19 August 2016. Kuching: Curran Associates, Inc.; 2016, pp. 51–54. Available at:https://peatlands.org/assets/uploads/2019/06/ipc16p51-54a085meng.pdf (accessed: 12.10.2024).

32. Schmilewski G. The role of peat in assuring the quality of growing media. Mires & Peat. 2008;3:1–8.

33. Ефимов В.Н. (ред.) Торф в сельском хозяйства Нечерноземной зоны. Л.: Агропромиздат; Ленингр. отделение; 1987. 302 с.

34. Barrett G.E., Alexander P.D., Robinson J.S., Bragg N.C. Achieving environmentally sustainable growing media for soilless plant cultivation systems – A review. Scientia Horticulturae. 2016;212:220–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.09.030

35. Халифа А.А., Бажин В.Ю., Устинова Я.В., Шалаби М.Э. Изучение особенностей кинетики процесса получения окатышей из красного шлама в потоке водорода. Записки Горного института. 2022;254:261–270. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2022.18 Khalifa A.A., Bazhin V.Y., Ustinova Y.V., Shalabi M.E. Study of the kinetics of the process of producing pellets from red mud in a hydrogen flow. Journal of Mining Institute. 2022;254:261–270. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2022.18

36. Liu C., Lin H., He P., Li X., Geng Y., Tuerhong A., Dong Y. Peat and bentonite amendments assisted soilless revegetation of oligotrophic and heavy metal contaminated nonferrous metallic tailing. Chemosphere. 2022;287(1):132101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132101