Lakes hydrochemistry in the zone of influence of iron-mining industry waste waters

To assess the current ecological state, a study has been conducted on the chemical composition of the lakes' waters which to varying degrees are influenced by the effluents of Olkon JSC (the town of Olenegorsk, the Murmansk region) mined and processed iron ores. The composition of the water of nearby reservoirs has undergone significant changes with the beginning of the activities of Olkon JSC. Mineralization (up to 100 mg/l) and pH values (up to 7.6) of the water of the studied lakes have increased. The qualitative composition of the water of these lakes also changed - the water class has changed from bicarbonate to sulphate. The biotites that make up the gneisses to which the ore bodies of ferruginous quartzites are confined are the main sources of cations K+ and Mg2+, and amphiboles - Ca2+ and Na+. Therefore, the increase in the content of basic ions and the mineralization of lake water is caused by the inflow of filtration water from tailing and waste dumps of Olkon JSC...