Water Problems Connected With Oil Shale Mining in North-East Estonia

Perens, Rein; Punning, J-M; Reinsalu, Enno

doi:10.3176/oil.2006.3.03

2006

DOI: 10.3176/oil.2006.3.03

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Water Problems Connected With Oil Shale Mining in North-East Estonia

Rein Perens¹,

J-M Punning²,

Enno Reinsalu³

Abstract: This paper presents a short overview about the discussion about the hydrogeological problems connected with oil shale exploration in NE Estonia. On the basis of the results of the solution to the hydrogeological model developed at Geological Survey of Estonia it was found that the proportion of unconfined groundwater in different open-cast mine fields accounts for 6-34% and precipitation water makes up 66-84% in the depleted area. Presently a unified groundwater model of Estonian-Russian border region comprisi… Show more

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Cited by 7 publications

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Environmental problems in the Estonian oil shale industry

Raukas

Punning

2009

Energy Environ. Sci.

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In Estonia technologies for oil shale mining and consuming have been continuously developed for more than 80 years. By March 2006 one billion tonnes of oil shale had been produced in Estonia. Since the 1960s, Estonia has been the largest oil shale producer and consumer in the world. In the 1980s about two-thirds of the world's oil shale output came from Estonia. Serious problems in the mining complex are connected with large losses of oil shale at mining and enrichment (more than 30%) and voluminous dewatering (25 m 3 per tonne of oil shale). After mining and beneficiation, much limestone remains unused and is deposited in waste dumps. Oil shale waste and waste heaps may be considered a rather innocent production residue; however, from time to time they are subject to self-ignition. Following combustion of enriched oil shale, ash remains which also has to be deposited. The most toxic waste (semicoke) comes from the oil-shale chemical industry. Power stations using oil shale emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases; the groundwater regime, and often also the water quality, are altered in mined-out areas. Environmental effects and the resulting immediate hazards were greatest in the 1980s, now the situation is improving.

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Environmental problems in the Estonian oil shale industry

Raukas

Punning

2009

Energy Environ. Sci.

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Environmental Impact of Closing of Oil Shale Mines on River Water Quality in North-Eastern Estonia

Selberg¹,

Viik²,

Päll³

et al. 2009

Oil Shale

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Chemical and biological characteristics of the Pühajõgi and Kunda catchments were determined in 1995, 2000 During last ten years the concentration of total nitrogen in the samples of the river water from the Pühajõgi catchment has decreased on the average almost 90% since four mines were closed. The concentrations of total nitrogen in the water samples of the Kunda catchment decreased on the average ca 20% during these ten years. The conductivity values of the river water samples of the Pühajõgi catchment between 800 and 1800 µS cm -1 indicated a significant amount of ionic species in the river water. The water was microbiologically unpolluted according to the results of the analysis in 2005.

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Influence of Water Discharging on Water Balance and Quality in the Toolse River in Ubja Oil Shale Mining Region

Robam

Valgma²,

Iskül³

2011

Oil Shale

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The extraction of mineral resources below the groundwater table is related to water removal from surface and underground mines. Water drainage is considered the main process for keeping mining sites dry or suitable for mining. Parameters of depression cone and its impact radius are factors influencing decision makers. Water collection system, pumping station and sedimentation ponds are the main tools for water drainage. The quantity of drainage water depends on the amount of precipitation, surface water, soil water and groundwater. Water table in wells, the amount of pumped-out water and the amount of water in the Toolse River have been measured from 2005 to 2009, and chemical components in river water have been analysed. Analyses have shown that water is often repumped from the mining sites. Operating surface mines in the Ubja region act as water reservoirs. Accumulated water is directed to the Toolse River increasing its flow. Quality indicators in the Toolse River of the Ubja region are in accordance with water normatives except total P content downstream the Toolse River.

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Water Problems Connected With Oil Shale Mining in North-East Estonia

Cited by 7 publications

References 3 publications

Environmental problems in the Estonian oil shale industry

Environmental problems in the Estonian oil shale industry

Environmental Impact of Closing of Oil Shale Mines on River Water Quality in North-Eastern Estonia

Influence of Water Discharging on Water Balance and Quality in the Toolse River in Ubja Oil Shale Mining Region

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