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Vol. 29 (2026 year), No. 2, DOI: 10.21443/1560-9278-2026-29-2
Vasileva T. I., Legostaeva Ya. B., Prokopiev I. A., Shadrinova O. V.
Weddellite formation in cryosols as a factor of technogenic impact in diamond mining areas (Western Yakutia)
The paper presents a comprehensive study of the formation conditions, composition, and genesis of surface oxalate minerals discovered on technogenically disturbed soils in the Udachnaya kimberlite pipe mining area in Western Yakutia. The main objects include two soil profiles (R-29 and R-29/1) located on a gentle slope between the slurry pipeline and the tailings storage facility of the Udachninsky Mining and Processing Plant, directly above the deep disposal site for highly mineralized drainage brines. In profile P-29 located in the micro-depression an extensive continuous white coating was observed, whereas no similar formations were found in the adjacent micro-elevation (P-29/1). A complex of methods (X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry) reveals that the coating consisted of well-crystallized calcium oxalate dihydrate – weddellite (CaC2O4·2H2O). GC-MS analysis has confirmed biogenic nature of the formation: free oxalic acid has not been detected in the soil, although a significant amount of bound oxalates (2.7 mg/g dry weight) was found in the lichen biomass from the P-29 site. It has been concluded that coating formation is a protective response of lichen biota to technogenic impact due to a slurry pipeline failure. The major natural conditions of the process include the location in low microrelief parts, increased humidity due to seasonal permafrost thawing, a slightly alkaline soil environment, and the presence of carbonates in the parent rock. The trigger for abnormally intense oxalate formation is a technogenic pressure associated with emergency situations in the processing plant environment. The formation of visible macroscopic weddellite accumulations accompanied by lichen suppression is proposed to be utilized as a diagnostic indicator of ecological imbalance in permafrost zones subjected to intensive industrial impact.
(in Russian, стр.14, fig. 5, tables. 3, ref 37, AdobePDF, AdobePDF 0 Kb)