ABSTRACT

The distinctive features of technogenic geochemical landscapes arising from mining of mineral deposits are considered. Mine dumps cause pollution of the soil and plants of the neighboring landscapes with heavy metals. This is mainly due to water migration (often as ionic solutions) and insignificantly owing to atmospheric transport. Particular attention is paid to the changing prevalence of major ore-forming and associated chemical elements in various parts of industrial landscapes and pollution during the development of natural biogenic landscapes. Associations of elements found jointly in elevated concentrations in soils and plants often do not coincide, which indicates the role of biogeochemical processes. The possibilities of self-restoration and self-cleaning of geochemical landscapes after the closure of mines are assessed.