Trace element distribution in soils of the Bohdanka coal mine impact zone (Lublin coal basin): a geochemical perspective

Authors

  • Vasyl Popovych Lviv State University of Life Safety
  • Viktor Skrobala Ukrainian National Forestry University
  • Victoria Serhiyenko Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University
  • Taras Boyko Lviv State University of Life Safety
  • Yevhen Kobko National academy of internal affairs
  • Nazarii Koval Lviv State University of Life Safety
  • Oksana Telak Fire Service Academy
  • Ostap Kit Lviv State University of Life Safety
  • Iryna Fediv Lviv State University of Life Safety

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2026.5.5

Keywords:

coal mine, rock dump, trace elements, geochemical processes, environmental safety, technological safety, human health

Abstract

The results of comprehensive studies of the content of chemical elements in soils in the zone of influence of the coal mine waste dump are presented. The object of our research is the Bohdanka mine (Lublin coal basin) and the impact of hazardous factors of waste dumps on adjacent territories and ecosystems. The geochemical information is based on data on the concentration of 12 chemical elements (P, S, Ti, Y, Zr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, V, Mn, Sr) in the soil at six sites in the area affected by the waste dump. Mathematical modelling was carried out by establishing systematic relationships between the concentrations of chemical elements. Based on the absolute content in the soils of the studied areas, the following groups of microelements were identified: I – Ti (average concentration 4854 mg/kg); II – S (average concentration 804 mg/kg); III.1 – P, Mn, Zr (average concentration 353-590 mg/kg); III.2 – V, Sr, Zn (average concentration 86-145 mg/kg); III.3 – Pb, Y, Ni, Cu (average concentration 21-26 mg/kg). Site No. 4 (foot of the rock dump) is characterised by a dangerous level of soil pollution (total pollution index Zc=53.1-76.5), site No. 2 is at the upper limit of the permissible level of pollution with a transition to a moderately hazardous zone (Zc=10.8-15.1). Other sites are characterised by permissible levels of pollution. Discriminant analysis enabled the determination of the distribution of microelements in the upper soil layers by depth. In the distribution of microelements by depth, a geochemical series of 5 cm → 10 cm → 15 cm is formed. The use of the developed mathematical models makes it possible to refine the ecological gradients of the distribution of chemical elements in the soil, primarily heavy metals, in the upper soil layers. Graphical visualisation of geochemical information based on typological schemes, where the axes serve as complex environmental gradients, can be used to predict the ecological condition of objects and monitor the environment.

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Published

2026-08-04

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 5 (2026): Forthcoming Issue: No. 81

Section

Mining

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Vasyl Popovych, Viktor Skrobala, Victoria Serhiyenko, Taras Boyko, Yevhen Kobko, Nazarii Koval, Oksana Telak, Ostap Kit, Iryna Fediv

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How to Cite

Popovych, V., Skrobala, V., Serhiyenko, V., Boyko, T. ., Kobko, Y., Koval, N., Telak, O., Kit, O., & Fediv, I. (2026). Trace element distribution in soils of the Bohdanka coal mine impact zone (Lublin coal basin): a geochemical perspective. Rudarsko-geološko-Naftni Zbornik, 41(5), Article in press. https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2026.5.5

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