Plant species selection and biomass nutrient content on post-mine sites of the Kursk magnetic anomaly, Russia

The article presents data on the assessment of the different tree and shrubs species for a reclamation of the hydraulic dump of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly, Russia. The purpose of the work is to identify highly productive tree and shrub species with the maximum content of nitrogen and ash elements in the biomass. The objects of research are protective plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia L., Caragana arborescens L., Betula pendula L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., Pínus sylvestris L., Populus balsamifera L. Under the influence of different type of vegetation, the fertility of the dump substrates increases and the initial substrates gradually turns into soil. The rate of formation of primary soils depends on the biomass of plantations and the content of chemical elements in it. The article analyzes data on the content of the main chemical elements in different parts of plants aged 8-9 years. Trees and shrubs are arranged in sequential rows in terms of nitrogen accumulation, ash elements and overall biological productivity. The authors identified sea-buckthorn and robinia pseudoacacia, which, already at a young age, are characterized by high productivity (146.2 and 118.0 dt/ha) and have a positive effect on the fertility of the dump substrates.

THE U-Pb AGE AND Lu-Hf ISOTOPE SYSTEMATICS OF ZIRCON FROM THE HULIAIPOLE MET AVOLCANICS, THE AZOV DOMAIN OF THE UKRAINIAN SHIELD: EVIDENCE FOR THE PALEOARCHEAN-HADEAN CRUST

The Azov Domain occurs as a part of a larger Mesoarchean (3.2-3.0 Ga) craton, fragments of which are preserved in the eastern part of the Ukrainian Shield and as a block of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA). In the Neoarchean-Palaeoproterozoic time, it was fragmented into several tectonic blocks: Vovcha, Remivka, Huliaipole, Bilotserkivka, and Saltych. The northern part of the Huliaipole Block is composed of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) rock association, that hosts the Kosivtsevo greenstone structure. It is composed of metamorphosed rocks of the jaspilite-komatiite-tholeiite association (the Kosivtsevo unit), which corresponds to the Sura Suite of the Konka Series of the Middle Dnieper Domain. The Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic formations are represented by volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Huliaipole Suite and granitoids of the Dobropillya and Anadol complexes. Granitoids of the Dobropillya complex host numerous pyroxenite, gneiss, and plagioclase granite xenoliths. The U-Pb zircon age of granitoids of the Dobropillya Complex is 2040 Ma and inherited zircon has an age up to 3400 Ma. Small intrusions of two-feldspar granites of the Anadol Complex are widespread in the Ternuvate structure. Their U-Pb monazite age is 2190 Ma. In the central part of the Huliaipole Block, the NW-striking Huliaipole syncline (3.5 × 9 km) occurs. This structure is composed of volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Huliaipole Suite, which unconformably overlie Archean TTG. Felsic and intermediate metavolcanics are confined mainly to ferruginous quartzites of the middle Subsuites. To a limited extent, meta-andesites and felsic metavolcanics are also found in the lower and upper Huliaipole Subsuites. Zircons from meta-andesites and felsic metavolcanics of the Huliaipole Suite are very heterogeneous, indicating their crustal derivation. The U-Pb age of zircon populations from metadacite of the Huliaipole Suite was determined using the LA-ICP-MS method at 3085-2850 and 3700-3360 Ma. In addition, the age of the two crystals exceeded 3800 Ma. According to geological and geochronological data, the Huliaipole Block, 30 × 50 km in size, is composed of rocks and relicts of the Hadean, Archean, and Palaeoproterozoic eons. The oldest nucleoid of the Azov Domain.

Geonics (geomimetics) and search for optimal solutions in building materials science

Introduction. Methodological approaches and validation of the emergence of a new transdisciplinary area -geonics, which is considered as the art of applying knowledge of the inorganic world, are presented.Materials and methods. The concept of technogenic metasomatism as a stage in the evolution of building materials, characterized by the adaptation of the composite to changing conditions is formulated. The Law of affinity of structures, which consists in the selection of raw materials for a composite with similar physical and mechanical characteristics, is described.Results. The examples of non-traditional raw materials use in the areas of construction materials science (intelligent composites, restoration mixtures) and architecture (the building of the Belarusian Potash Company in Belarus, the 'Reflection of the mineral’ building in Japan, the design concept of the monument to the Kursk magnetic anomaly) are presented.Discussion and conclusions. It is proved that the development of a transdisciplinary approach to geonics will improve the comfort of human stay in the environment.

Improving the quality of concentrates of Stoilensky GOK JSC with the use of magneticAgravity separation

An innovative high-grade magnetite concentrates production technology has been developed and pilot tested for ferruginous quartzites of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. This paper assesses the possibility of using magnetic-gravity separation to obtain high-grade products, suitable for direct metallization, from finely disseminated ferruginous quartzites of the KMA. The results of pilot tests are presented for the current production of high-grade magnetite concentrates from commercial concentrates and for the production of pellets at the Stoilensky GOK, which may be used to draw the following conclusions. Commercial magnetite concentrate may be processed by magnetic-gravity separation. The grade improvement (mass fraction of Fetot) in the pilot tests averaged 1.23 %, while the expected grade increase for industrial MG separation is 1.17 %. Magnetite concentrate for pellet production may also be processed by MG separation. The grade improvement in the pilot tests averaged 1.26 %, while the expected grade increase for industrial MG separation is 1.20 %. Magnetite concentrates are diluted with classes of over 0.045 mm. It is recommended to conduct the tests using classified feed. The processing of MG separation overflows, ground to d80 0.045 mm (the size of stage III industrial grinding), demonstrated the lack of prospects for obtaining any commercial product from this product.