CHEMICAL-ISOTOPE INDICATIONS OF THE GENESIS OF THE SULFATES IN THE NATURAL WATERS OF COAL-MINING REGIONS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE EASTERN DONBASS)

Abstract

Besides its theoretical significance, this study is also of practical economic value, since it results in a quantitative determination of the contribution made by sulfates of different origins, which is extremely important to know in ascertaining the ecological state of surface water bodies and streams. As a test area, we chose the Shakhty-Nesvetayevskiy district, which along with a large number of mine fields working anthracite coal seams, also contains a developed hydrographic network. The mine waters and waters of the coal-concentration plants (CCP) discharged at the surface run into settling ponds before they reach any stream. The chemical-isotope indices and graphic method proposed here can also be used to solve more complex problems such as quantitative determination of the percentage of sulfates when biogenic processes act on them and the extent of this effect. Finally, the studies we have carried out demonstrate the polygenetic nature of the sulfates in natural waters.