Geochemical evaluation of environmental conditions in the area of activity of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Plant (Kabardino-Balkaria, North Caucasus): Sources of environment contamination, impact upon neighboring areas, and ways for recovery

Geochemical investigations of surface waters, agricultural soils, pastures, and industrial waters of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Plant (TTMP) have revealed the technogenic and natural contamination sources of the ecosystem. In 2014, the Baksan River waters on coming to the plain were contaminated in W, Mo, Nb, U, Fe, Sb, Rb, Li, Tl, and Be. The TLVs for potable water were exceeded from tenfold to thousandfold (Tl and Be). These waters are hazardous for agricultural irrigation. To decrease the negative environmental loads, the authors propose to create a technology for the treatment and utilization of technological wastes, as well as to build up the cleaning filters (ion-exchange columns of various types) for the watercourses draining the TTMP open casts.