Integrated Mathematical and Physical Modelling of Salt Ions Leaching from Coal-Mining Waste: Implications for Ecological Safety and Civil Protection

Authors

  • Vasyl Karabyn Lviv State University of Life Safety
  • Iryna Kochmar Lviv State University of Life Safety
  • Oksana Karabyn Lviv State University of Life Safety
  • Clint Sutherland University of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Valentyna Loboichenko Lutsk National Technical University
  • Andrii Khorolskyi National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2026.3.2

Keywords:

predictive modelling, civil protection, geochemistry, ecological safety, emergency warning

Abstract

Coal-mining waste heaps represent a significant source of dissolved salts that can be mobilised by precipitation, posing risks to ecological safety and civil protection. This study focuses on the Chervonohrad Central Concentration Plant spoil heap in western Ukraine, where both thermally altered and unaltered argillite were tested. Laboratory column experiments were performed on 100 g samples flushed with deionised water to simulate leaching under controlled conditions. The cumulative leachate volumes reached approximately 432 L, allowing quantification of total dissolved solids and ion-specific contributions. We flushed 100 g columns for 24 h at 300 mL·min⁻¹ (8.5 L recirculated; ≈ 432 L passed), which yielded final filtrate total dissolved solids of 462 vs. 185 mg·L⁻¹ for burnt and unburnt argillite and cumulative leached masses of 3.93 vs. 1.57 g (≈ 2.5× higher for burnt). Early-time contrast was also strong: after 2 h (≈ 0.7 L), burnt reached 183 mg·L⁻¹ vs. 50 mg·L⁻¹ (≈3.7×). Physical observations were combined with a mathematical modelling approach to establish a precipitation-response relationship linking annual rainfall to total dissolved solids release. The results indicate a strong linear increase of annual salt release with precipitation, with burnt materials exhibiting markedly higher fluxes. This integrated framework demonstrates how laboratory data and simple models can be applied to anticipate pollutant releases, supporting ecological safety and informing civil protection measures in coal-mining regions prone to hydrological extremes.

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Published

2026-05-15

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 3 (2026): No. 79

Section

Mining

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Vasyl Karabyn, Iryna Kochmar, Oksana Karabyn, Clint Sutherland, Valentyna Loboichenko, Andrii Khorolskyi

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How to Cite

Karabyn, V., Kochmar, I., Karabyn, O., Sutherland, C., Loboichenko, V., & Khorolskyi, A. (2026). Integrated Mathematical and Physical Modelling of Salt Ions Leaching from Coal-Mining Waste: Implications for Ecological Safety and Civil Protection. Rudarsko-geološko-Naftni Zbornik, 41(3), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2026.3.2