Radioactive investigation of the impact the Kostomuksha Mining Enterprise on the radioecological state of adjacent areas, the Republic of Karelia, the Russian Federation

This article presents the results of radioecological studies on the territory of the Kostomuksha iron ore deposit (the Republic of Karelia, the Russian Federation, 64°38′55.0″N 30°44′58.1″E). Solution of the geoecological issues caused by the environmental pollution during the development, extraction, and enrichment of iron ore in large quantities has been shown by the example of the Kostomuksha Mining Enterprise, one of the largest in northwest Russia. The task solution was based on radioisotope methods. It has been determined that the concentration of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes is within the abundance percentage across the entire Kostomuksha Deposit. We found that some ore types have an increased potassium concentration. In the process of ore enrichment, radiopotassium migrates to the tailings dam of the Lake of Kostomuksha, resulting in pollution of the Kenti–Kento lake system with potassium-enriched sediments.