Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chita, Russia:

L. V. Zamana, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences, l.v.zamana@mail.ru
V. A. Abramova, Researcher, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences
T. E. Khvostova, Leading Engineer
L. P. Chechel, Researcher

Contamination of drainage water with nitric compounds as a consequence of blasting with ammonia–niter explosives in regional mines is analyzed. The data on the content of inorganic nitrogen compounds (NO₃^–, NO₂^– and NH₄⁺) in water of mining objects (open pits, adits, dumps, etc.) at some earlier and currently operating deposits are presented. Effluents of all operating mines feature increased concentrations of these compounds. The concentration level varies greatly depending on the amount of concurrent explosives and drainage water flow rates but almost always exceeds permissible rates set for fishery water bodies. The maximum contents were (mg/dm³): NO₃^–—592, NO₂^–—7.7 and NH₄⁺—24.3. The major occurrence form is nitrate ion. Its maximum is found in dump drainage, probably, due to unexploded explosives remnant in gangue. The ammonium content is lower than the value fitting the ratio with nitric form in explosives, which is reflective of its active oxidation n the zones of aeration and water saturation. Nitric compounds are not removed from drainage water at mines of the Eastern Transbaikalia; sometimes effluents with exceeded MAC are discharged into water courses of the first and the highest categories of commercial fishing importance. The methods of removing nitric compounds from water are briefly reviewed with specified techniques used in mining. It is most promising for introduction in the regional mines to use rhizosphere systems or constructed wetlands—artificial swamp areas, as well as floating bio-plateaus. It can be also possible, especially with small volume effluents and in case of gold cyanidation, to use the method of aerobic–anaerobic biological treatment in bio-reactors by ANAMMOX technology, with oxidation or reduction of nitric compounds to the molecular form with transition to gas phase.
The article is prepared based on the budgetary research projects of the Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences.

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