The features of the mineral composition for heavy fraction of Permian sandstones in the territory of the Pre-Kama Region are considered. The presence of two mineralogical “boundaries” in the formation of Permian terrigenous rocks with characteristic associations is established (chromite for the rocks of the Lower Permian, and epidote for the rocks of the Middle and Upper Permian). The reason for the change of association is the erosion of various bedrocks in the greenstone zone of the Urals. At the same time, the epidote association in sandstones has a particularly wide distribution, and its presence is also characteristic of the sandstones of the Lower Triassic. The main purpose of the investigations is to suppose the new opportunities to use of mineralogical information for understanding of geological history of the Permian period in the Pre-Kamd Region.The change in the mineral composition of Permian sandstones can be used in dissection and correlation of sections, as well as in the search for ore occurrences.

Ochre particles in modern alluvium were studied in the area affected by the development of the Kizel coal basin deposits (Perm Krai, Russia) to establish their material composition. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the morphology and material composition of ochre particles, as well as their role as concentrators and mobilizers of toxic metals in river systems. Using scanning electron microscopy, microprobe analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and x-ray diffraction analysis, we found a wide range of ochre particle types, micro- and nano-textures, and material compositions. Toxic elements found in the ochre particles include (in wt.%): Cu (up to 2.56), Zn (up to 2.04), Co (up to 0.29), Sb (up to 0.23), Hg (up to 0.13), and As (up to 0.10). The diffraction data revealed that an important portion of the substance in the ochre composition is cryptocrystalline. Terrigenous components (quartz, feldspars, plagioclases, clay minerals, hematite) and authigenic components (goethite, carbonates) dominate the composition of the crystalline part of the ochre. Ochres in this area are the main toxic element concentrators; they actively migrate in the aquatic environment over long distances and deserve special attention in environmental monitoring studies.

The Kosva Bay is permanently affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) from Kizel Coal Basin in the Perm Krai of Russia. This discharge is released in the middle part of the Kosva River from the abandoned mines. This study investigates the current trace element (TE) concentrations for Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg and the mineral composition, major oxides, grain size of sediments, and acute toxicity using two test organisms within the site of AMD downstream from the Kosva River and up to the Kosva Bay of Kama Reservoir. The objectives of this study were to analyze the quality of sediment and level pollution of Kosva Bay using pollution and ecotoxicological indices. The environmental indices, namely the contamination factor (CF), the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and the potential ecological risk factor (Eri), indicate contamination by Cr and Pb in sediments at the site of AMD, with the highest values for Cr, Cu, and As in the Kosva Bay sediments downstream of abandoned coal mines. The results of Igeo and CF average values in bay of sediments showed different degrees of contamination, from moderate contamination to considerable contamination, respectively. According to the potential ecological risk index (RI) values, the Kosva Bay sediments exhibited low to moderate risk, and As and Cd have the highest contribution rate. According to LAWA and the Polish geochemical classification of sediments, sediments of the bay correspond to the highest levels (IV–III classes) for Cr, Ni, and Hg. Based on the SQGC, Hg, Cd, Cr, and Ni are the most probable for resulting in adverse effects on aquatic organisms in this study. The results of this study indicate that complex pollution and ecotoxicological indices must be supported by ecotoxicologal tests. High precipitation totals, low evaporation rates, and flow regulation stream by the Shirokovsky Reservoir located upstream from abandoned coal mines provide significant fluctuations in streamflow, which is probably the most important factor controlling the distribution and mobility of TE in the studied sediments.

Currently, one of the most effective stimulating oil production methods from the Vereiskian production zones of oil fields in Perm Krai is proppant hydraulic fracturing (PHF). The effectiveness of the method largely depends on the geometric dimensions of the fracture and the optimal distribution of the proppant in it. The mudstones of the Vereiskian stage limit the growth of the fracture in height, but in certain cases its can be broken in the course of hydraulic fracturing. In this regard, the determination of the conditions for their fracturing is an urgent and important task. In the absence of rock samples of proper quality, the chemical composition of mudstones was determined during the study. The obtained results are compared with the existing data on the minerals of the montmorillonite group of clays. To determine the parameters of the ultimate stress state of the formation, a Mohr’s circle of stress is constructed using the known values of the compressive stress and the angle of internal friction of the clays. As a result, the fracture stress of mudstones is obtained, which is in the range of bottom-hole pressures during hydraulic fracturing, that is, there is a possibility of fracture growth outside the target interval.

The development of coal deposits is accompanied by negative environmental changes. In the territory of the Kizel coal basin (Perm Region, Russia), the problem of contamination of water sources by acid mine waters and runoff from rock dumps is particularly acute. Mine waters are acidic (pH 2–3), with high mineralization (up to 25 g/L) and significant content of sulfate ions, iron, aluminum, manganese, toxic trace elements (As, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn). They are formed as a result of the interaction of underground waters from flooded mines of the Kizel basin with coal and rocks of dumps with high sulfur content (15%). Uncontrolled inflow of mine water into rivers (about 22 million m3 annually) leads to significant amounts of iron and aluminum hydroxide precipitation. These precipitations are in active interaction with river water, polluting the rivers tens of kilometers downstream and are entering the Kama reservoir. Studies of alluvial precipitation can be considered as a method of control and predictors of technogenic water pollution. The mineral composition of river sediments was studied with the application of different methods, including studies of sand-gravel and silty-clayey sediments. The sandy-gravel grains in the bottom load are mainly composed by natural minerals and are represented by a significant number of particles of coal dumps, slags and magnetic spherules. The silty-clayey material, mixed with natural minerals, contains a significant number of amorphous phases with a predominance of iron-rich substances, which may actively concentrate toxic elements. The presence of jarosite, goethite, basaluminite, lepidorocite and copiapite in silty-clayey sediments are indicators of the influence of mine waters.

Many features of natural nanogold described in previous chapters, due to the variety of mechanisms of their formation. They significantly influence on the morphology of the nanostructures, their chemical composition, physical properties, spreading, etc. Genetic interpretation of natural nanogold forms is given in this chapter on the basis of generalization of electron microscopic and microprobe studies. There are many specific signs that indicate to origin of nanogold particles and their aggregations. Among them are the followings: nanolayering of crystals, unusual morphological forms and chemical composition with specific associations of elements, pseudomorphs after bacteria, etc. The most favourable conditions for origin of nanogold are created in the weathered rocks above deposits with plenty of mineral–concentrators (first of all, Fe-sulfides). The geological formations with nanogold are enumerated, too.

The authors present the results of their study of technogenic magnetic spherules found in alluvial sediments in industrial centres of the Urals (Russia). Electron microscopy of such spherules reveals their morphological diversity. There are ideal spheres and sphere-shaped particles with smooth surface, irregular grains with rough surface, complex forms composed of several small round particles and slag with magnetic spherules, spheres with empty cores, transformed varieties with products of magnetite dissolution, etc. The chemical composition of the spherules is identified by spectral and microprobe analyses, revealing ferriferous (magnetite), silicon-ferriferous (magnetite and silicates) and silicon (silicate minerals with magnetite) spherules with admixtures of Ti, Zn, Cu, As, V, etc. Magnetic spherules may be used in the lithomonitoring procedure as indicators of technogenic pollution of sediments and soils near industrial enterprises. Magnetic spherules gradually change and dissolve in sediments and soils setting free technogenic ferroxides, which absorb different metals including toxic ones. In the Urals region, magnetic spherules contain such toxic elements as Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, As, Sb. Special studies have shown that such elements concentrate in secondary products.

It is determined that though nanogold is predisposed to dissipation in the environment,. but in some situations it may be concentrated under influence of natural processes. The results of our studies in the territories of the Urals and Siberia (Russia), as well as Alaska Territory (Canada) on the base of high-resolution electron microscopy methods and microprobe analysis have shown that the main natural mechanisms of nanogold concentration are growing up of colloids, absorption, precipitation. on the placer gold grains, and amalgamation. The forms of natural nanogold concentrations in geological objects are described. The natural processes may be used as analogs of corresponding nanotechnologies. The ways of their working out are experimental researches under laboratory conditions and application in the tailings of gold placer mining.