Some results of the work on the evaluation of radon emanations at Unal tailings

Abstract

Introduction. Despite the significant contribution of scientists to the study of the existing technogenic impact of the Unal tailing dump on the environment, studies on it of such parameters as the stress-strain state of the tailing dump body, radon emanation have not been previously studied. Materials and research methods. The purpose of the studies described in the work was to study the presence and magnitude of radon emanations in the subsoil air of the surface of the Unal tailing dump for further assessment of the applicability of the method to take into account the stress-strain state of the body. As a result of field studies, the authors measured the equivalent equilibrium volumetric activity of radon-222 (hereinafter EEVA) in the reference points selected according to the previously proposed algorithm for selecting reference points, which is based on the methodology for determining the stress-strain state of a body undergoing change. As a result of the studies, the values of radon emanation data were determined, the data obtained on EEDA were processed and systematized for subsequent analysis and evaluation using specialized software and algorithmic software. Research results. As a result of the analysis and evaluation of the obtained data on EEDA, after establishing the fact of the presence of radon emanations from the area, it can be concluded that it is necessary to conduct a second expedition in order to prove the hypothesis of the possible use of EEDA to assess and characterize the stress-strain state of the tailings body (in relation to the Unal tailings) and substantiate occurrence of serious consequences in case of a potential change in the state of the body of the tailing dump during seasonal flooding, seismic and technogenic impacts. In the course of this work on the analysis of the results of experimental studies in the scientific and educational center of the SFU branch in Gelendzhik and field studies, the following conclusions can be formulated. As a result of a number of research activities to assess the geo-ecological sustainability of tailings using seismic and satellite GPS equipment (including the justification of control well locations for monitoring radon emanations), the hypothesis was confirmed that the current values can be estimated from variations in changes in radon 222 emanations stress-strain state of the body of the tailing dump, which makes a significant contribution to the development of express methods for diagnosing the level of pollution of anomalous zones and assessing the risk for adjacent media using the latest geophysical, geochemical and geostatic methods. The proposed method for analyzing the stress-strain state of the tailing dump body and other parameters of its internal structure can also be used to monitor other alluvial and bulk man-made massifs formed as a result of the activities of mining and processing plants located in various regions of the Russian Federation.