Restoration tailings and recultivation of soil fertility

¹ North-Caucasian Mining and Metallurgical Institute, 362021 Vladikavkaz, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia
² Gorsky State Agrarian University, 362040 Vladikavkaz, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia
³ South Ossetian State University, 100001 Tskhinval, Republic of South Ossetia, Russia
⁴ North Caucasus Research Institute of Mountain and Piedmont Agriculture of the Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 363110 Mikhailovsky Village, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia

Abstract

In the mining industry place, tailing dumps remain, which contain toxic substances. For their rehabilitation, it is proposed to use local zeolite-containing clays of North and South Ossetia Eredvit and Dialbekulit containing a complex of minerals with an alkaline reaction of the environment. In addition to clays, peat with a high content of humic substances is introduced into the substrate. The prepared substrate is irrigated with mineral sulfur-containing water of the Tamisk spring. Accumulating toxic substances and herbs are sown on the surface of the densified area: annual and perennial herbs, for example, amaranth, legumes, winter camelina. Before sowing, grass seeds are mixed with the husk of winter camelina. Such remediation of contaminated sites reduces the toxicity of tailings to 90 % and restores soil fertility.