Contents, seasonal variations, and forms of migration of major and minor elements in surface waters in the area of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Combine (TTMC) and adjacent areas (Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Russian Federation) and actions for recovery of the ecological environment

• Published in: Doklady earth sciences 2016-04, Vol.467 (2), p.346-349
• Main Authors: Vinokurov, S. F., Gurbanov, A. G., Bogatikov, O. A., Karamurzov, B. S., Gazeev, V. M., Lexin, A. B., Shevchenko, A. V., Dolov, S. M., Dudarov, Z. I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical elements; Drinking water; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Freshwater; Geochemistry; Molybdenum; Rivers; Seasonal variations; Surface water; Tungsten; Water pollution
• ISSN: 1028-334X; 1531-8354
• DOI: 10.1134/S1028334X16040073

Anomalous concentrations of numerous major and minor elements significantly exceeding the threshold limit values (TLV) for drinking water were registered in the area of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Combine (TTMC). The maximal excess of the TLV (by one or two orders of magnitude) were obtained for Mo (up to 11 mg/L), W (4.4 mg/L), As (1.5 mg/L), Mn (8.4 mg/L), and Tl (up to 3.3 μg/L) in water of the Bolshoi Mukulan Brook flowing through the mines and three brooks flowing out from the base of the embankment of the tailing store no. 1. They are the major pollutants for water of the Baksan River. Upon flowing out to the plain, water of the Baksan River shows significant excess of the TLVs (in summer) for Al, Fe, Mn, Be, Si, Ti, Tl, and Hg.