This study aims to present some ecological aspects regarding these lakes, and, as case study, we chose the lake formed in the remaining gap of Urdari open-pit (within the Rovinari Mining Basin). Artificial lakes, resulting either from damming watercourses or by flooding of gaps resulting from excavations are often found all over the world.
Formation of so-called open-pit lakes has become an increasingly common practice in Romania (more precisely in the Oltenia Mining Basin, where the lignite deposit contained in Dacian and Romanian formations was and is extracted through open-pits). The flooding process of the remaining gaps is in general a natural one, as water comes from underground sources (phreatic and pressurized aquifers) and from precipitations (including runoff waters from the surrounding terrains). This practice is considered to be a type of ecological reconstruction of former exploitation areas and has been applied worldwide for quite a time (in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, USA, Australia, etc.). The modifications of the physical and chemical properties of the biotope are the consequence of the activity of the biocenoses. There is an interdependence between the biotope and the biocenosis, the interrelationships are close and the influences are mutual. However, the authors consider that given the multitude of similar conditions (bioclimate, geology, topography, etc.) in which they form, the preliminary conclusions of this study can be extrapolated for other lakes in the area (existing, such South Peșteana and Moi, or planned, such as Roșia and North Peșteana). This study presents data on the existing biotope and biocenoses (restricted to species identification), without going into specific details about populations, ecosystem production, energy and matter flows within it, as these investigations demand a longer period of time and more resources and are foreseen for a future development stage of this study. We recommend continuous monitoring of the vegetation in the studied area, in order to complete the inventory with phytocoenoses whose emergence is related to natural multi-annual dynamics as well as human interventions.
Author(s) Details:
Florin Faur,
Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University of Petrosani, University Street, No. 20, 332006, Petrosani, Romania.
Izabela-Maria Apostu
Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University of Petrosani, University Street, No. 20, 332006, Petrosani, Romania.
Maria Lazăr
Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University of Petrosani, University Street, No. 20, 332006, Petrosani, Romania.
Recent global research developments in Ecological Study of Urdari Open-Pit Lake in the Rovinari Mining Basin
Urdari Lake: A Case Study in Ecological Reconstruction
- Urdari Lake is an artificial lake formed within the Rovinari Mining Basin in Romania. It began to take shape at the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004, following the cessation of productive mining activities.
- The formation of open-pit lakes like Urdari is a common practice worldwide. These lakes result either from damming watercourses or from flooding gaps created during excavations. In Romania, this practice has been applied in the Oltenia Mining Basin, where lignite deposits were extracted through open-pit mining.
- The flooding process of the remaining gaps is primarily natural, with water coming from underground sources (phreatic and pressurized aquifers) and precipitation (including runoff from surrounding terrains). Ecologically, these lakes serve as a form of reconstruction for former exploitation areas.
- The lake’s physical and chemical properties are influenced by the activity of biocenoses (the living organisms within the ecosystem). There is a close interdependence between the biotope (physical environment) and the biocenosis, with mutual influences.
- While this study provides data on the existing biotope and biocenoses (restricted to species identification), further investigations are needed to explore population dynamics, ecosystem production, energy flows, and matter cycles over a longer period.
- Urdari Lake serves as a valuable case study, and its findings can potentially be extrapolated to other lakes in the region with similar conditions.
References
1. Faur, Florin, Izabela-Maria Apostu, and Maria Lazăr. “Consideration regarding the aquatic ecosystems developed in the open pit lakes from Oltenia Mining Region.” Górnictwo Odkrywkowe 63 (2022). https://yadda.icm.edu.pl/baztech/element/bwmeta1.element.baztech-1bc074c8-2796-4daa-9e78-41b327c15d26
2. Gurică, Crina-Adriana, and Mircea Georgescu. “Environmental Impact Assessment Related by Energy Sector in Rovinari Mining Area.” Mining Revue 27, no. 2 (2021): 59-75. https://sciendo.com/es/article/10.2478/minrv-2021-0017
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