Tomsk Polytechnic University, Toms, Russia:

S. V. Azarova, Associate Professor, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences, svetazara@tpu.ru
N. A. Osipova, Associate Professor, Candidate of Chemical Sciences
E. G. Yazikov, Professor, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences

Institute for Water and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Barnaul, Russia:

A. V. Puzanov, Director, Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences

The study focuses on composition of elements and geochemical features of tailings, as well as on contamination of adjacent territories of tailings storage. The study object is two tailings ponds of Altai Mining and Processing Works (located in the south-west of the Altai Krai, Lokot district, population more than 27000). The tailings ponds are situated at the north-wester suburbs of the Gornyak town (population 13000). The tailings ponds are the result of Altai MPW activities in complex ore processing and production of nonferrous metal concentrates by the method of flotation for 50 years. The total area of the ponds is round 1 km², the solid mass volume is 1 Mm³. The authors have sampled and analyzed waste and soil in the area of Altai MPW. Using the methods of statistics and the knonw geochemical procedures, the hazard coefficients are calculated (Clarke of concentration, overall pollution index). The environmental hazard of the tailings ponds is estimated by the hazard classes and overall pollution indexes. The distribution of chemical elements in soil horizons is studied. The geochemical specificity of soil in the location area of the research objects is revealed. It is concluded on the required assessment of the environmental hazard constituted by the Altai MPW tailings ponds and analogoes object as well as on estimation of the extent of soil pollution in the adjacent territories. The health protection in the closely spaced areas of the research objects can be maintained through prophylactic of blood circulatory sysem and respiratory system deseases within the framework of the Health Promotion Program for the polulation in this region.

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