Search

Background: The July flood 2021 at the mountain front of the Eifel-Ardennes Mountains and their foreland resulted in the flooding of the lignite mining area of Inden in Germany. The mining activities resulted in large-scale anthropogenic changes to the relief and fluvial system, leading to a landscape that is no longer adjusted to the recent process-response system. This paper concentrates on the Inde River, where lignite mining led to the relocation of a 5-km-long river section. The flood event resulted in the temporary avulsion of the Inde River into the former channel and, ultimately, in the flooding of the open-cast lignite mine Inden. Results: The flooding of the open-cast lignite mine Inden led to headwall erosion and enormous sediment mobilisation, mobilising more than half a million cubic metres of sediment within a few hours, forming a 700-m-long deeply incised channel cut. Thereby, the underlying bedrock, near-subsurface man-made structures, and former river channels influence the erosional processes to different degrees. Surface erosion is likely to be the decisive process, and subsurface erosion is likely to play a secondary role. In both cases, former channels and mill ditches were likely impacting the course of erosional processes. Conclusions: During high flood events open-cast mining sites in floodplains are endangered by enormous erosion and sediment transport within a short period of time (several hours). Understanding such complex erosion and depositional processes in open-cast mining areas could provide a blueprint for geomorphological processes and hazards in these anthropogenically shaped fluvial landscapes. Further, information on historic impact in the area is crucial to estimate potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the mineralogy and geochemistry of coal mine waste presents environmental and social challenges while simultaneously offering the potential source for recovery of metals, including critical raw materials (CRMs). Assessing these challenges and opportunities requires effective waste management strategies and comprehensive material characterization. This study deals with the integration of analytical data obtained from various portable sensor technologies. Infrared reflection spectroscopy (covering a wide wavelength range of 0.4 to 15 µm), and geochemical x-ray fluorescence (XRF) were utilized to differentiate between samples belonging to various geological lithologies and quantify elements of interest. Therefore, we developed a methodological framework that encompasses data integration and machine learning techniques. The model developed using the infrared data predicts the Sr concentration with a model accuracy of R2 = 0.77 for the testing dataset; however, the model performances decreased for predicting other elements such as Pb, Zn, Y, and Th. Despite these limitations, the approach demonstrates better performance in discriminating materials based on both mineralogical and geochemical compositions. Overall, the developed methodology, enables rapid and in-situ determination of coal mine waste composition, providing insights into waste composition that are directly linked to potential environmental impact, and the possible recovery of economically valuable metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the open‐cast mining activities, a large area in the Lusatian region in eastern Germany was left unproductive. Robinia pseudoacacia L. was planted within different ages in that large area as a short rotation coppice for woody biomass cultivation as well as to increase soil nutrients by increasing plant phosphorous (P) availability, accumulating organic matter input and biological nitrogen fixation. In this experiment, soil chemical analysis has been done to investigate the improvement and status of P in the mining soil depending on the ages of plantation (16, 17, 18, and 27 years old) of Robinia pseudoacacia L. The results show a higher P sorption in the oldest site, and the average P sorption capacity (PSC) obtained in the oldest site was 21.0 mmol Kg−1, which was 3–4 times higher than the youngest site. However, all the values were very low compared with the optimum plant growth level, and low P desorption indicates a low level of plant‐available P in the soil. The lower sorption properties with the small amount of oxalate iron (Feox) and oxalate aluminum (Alox) indicate the general P deficiency in the soil. However, a comparison from a previous study on the same experimental areas shows that not much improvement has occurred in soil P, and the change in soil P dynamics is very low. Nevertheless, the improvement of the values with increasing ages of Robinia pseudoacacia L. indicates that further improvement may be expected in soil nutrients with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translation abstract Investigations on the liquefaction resistance of an open‐cast lignite mine soil under loading by earthquake‐typical signalsFor the embankments of the planned opencast mining lakes in the Rhenish mining area, the proof of the stability under earthquake action must be provided. According to the guideline for the investigation of the stability of slopes in lignite opencast mines (RfS – Richtlinie für Standsicherheitsuntersuchungen [1]), the permanent slopes must be designed and constructed in such a way that a soil liquefaction is not to be expected. For the proof, in which actions and soil resistances are locally compared with each other, the irregular earthquake signal is converted into a regular signal with an equivalent number of cycles and constant amplitude. In this paper, this conversion is investigated for a typical earthquake signal of the Rhenish area, which was obtained from a dynamic finite element calculation. Triaxial tests with vertical cyclic loading and hollow cylinder triaxial tests with cyclic torsional loading are performed to investigate the liquefaction behaviour of an opencast mine soil under the influence of this earthquake signal. The results of these tests are compared with data from further tests with constant amplitude. It can be shown that the factor β for converting irregular to regular signals depends on the type of loading and the magnitude of the static shear or deviatoric stress. On the basis of the experiments, recommendations for the choice of β for the Rhenish mining area are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fungal palynomorph corresponding to the fossil-species Lirasporis intergranifer R. Potonié & S.C.D. Sah, from the Middle Miocene lignite mine in Tomisławice (central Poland), is considered as the new combination Cancellidium intergraniferum (R. Potonié & S.C.D. Sah) G. Worobiec & E. Worobiec, comb. nov. The fossil-genus Lirasporis is treated as a synonym of the modern genus Cancellidium Tubaki. Cancellidium intergraniferum from the Miocene of Poland represents the first fossil record of Cancellidium outside Asia, the first record of this genus from Europe, and the northernmost known fossil occurrence of Cancellidium. Living representatives of Cancellidium seem to prefer warm and humid climates and, being aero-aquatic hyphomycetes, are usually associated with decaying woody remains in aquatic environments. A similar ecology is suggested for the fossil C. intergraniferum, which could be a reliable fungal non-pollen palynomorph proxy for palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic element concentrations including As, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, and Mn were assessed in lignite mining areas of the Kutch district of Gujarat. It was assessed mainly in land uses like reclaimed mine soil, core zone soil, roadside soil, and reference agricultural soil along the soil layer of different depths. Roadside soil has the highest concentration of mercury (5.36 mg/kg), arsenic (18.2 mg/kg), lead (34.5 mg/kg), and manganese (464 mg/kg). In comparison, the core zone soil has the highest concentration of zinc (93.4 mg/kg), chromium (52.3 mg/kg), cobalt (19.2 mg/kg), and cadmium (5.65 mg/kg), respectively. Numerous soil indices including contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, ecological risk factor (ERF), and ecological risk index (ERI) showed that the study area lies within the moderate contamination to very high contamination zone and moderately polluted to the unpolluted range. The (Eif) (Hg) for roadside soil and core zone soil indicated high potential ecological risk category, while reclaimed mine site indicated considerable potential ecological risk. The Eif (Cd) in all sites in the mining area (121–327) can be put under high potential ecological risk, and the rest of the metals (As, Pb, Zn, Co, Cu, Cr, and Mn) can be put under low ecological risk category. In the three sites (i.e., reclaimed mine site, roadside soil, and core zone soil), core zone soil of (10–20 cm) showed the highest ERI value of 660.48 (10–20 cm), indicating high ecological risk. Cd and Hg contribute to 48% and 38% of ERI value. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) suggested that the Cu and Mn were closely linked with each other and derived from similar origin and geo-chemical composition. The results of this study interpreted that the soil near the lignite mining area was contaminated with toxic elements. It is, therefore, recommended that the routine toxic element monitoring in the soil sample of the examined area should be done, and remediation action should be advised to prevent the accumulation of toxic elements in the soil and further into the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we present a diverse record of dinoflagellate cysts from the lignite-associated sedimentary succession (belonging to the Akli Formation) at Sonari Lignite Mine, Barmer Basin, Rajasthan State, western India. The dinoflagellate cyst assemblage implies a Danian to Ypresian age for the investigated succession and argues that the deposition of lignitic sequences along India's western margin is not coeval. We also identify two vertebrate (dominantly fish-yielding) units within the studied Akli Formation succession. The Ypresian fish genera (mainly represented by dental remains) include Ginglymostoma, Jaekelotodus, Brachycarcharias, Pycnodus and Myliobatis while the Selandian-Thanetian fish dental remains include Dasyatis. A discontinuous distribution of fish fauna during the early Paleogene (based on the temporal and spatial data) within the lignite-associated sedimentary successions of western and north India allows us to infer the prevalence of separated realms with variably restricted palaeoenvironmental conditions. Overall, the faunal evidence is indicative of dominantly estuarine to shallow marine conditions with enhanced freshwater influence during the Thanetian as compared to the Danian. Our study also argues in favour of the earliest appearance of dinoflagellate cyst Apectodinium in the near-equatorial region of the Tethys Ocean during the early Paleocene. (within Danian). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market-driven closures of coal mines have typically been associated with negative economic consequences for the affected regions. In Germany, structural policy directed towards ameliorating the negative effects of hard coal decline in the Ruhr area lagged behind the onset of decline, caused major political conflicts, and has been variously criticized for its reactive character that failed to generate a positive image of the future. The phase-out of lignite coal in Germany, in contrast, is policy-driven and accompanied from the outset by compensatory and investment policies that strive to facilitate regional structural change proactively. Against this backdrop, we investigate how the policies of lignite coal phase-out initiated in 2018 and the accompanying public discourse affect the economic worries of individuals in the remaining three lignite coal mining areas in Germany. We focus on the period 2016–2021, using a longitudinal multilevel design based on regional and individual data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP). Overall, probabilities of strong economic worries decrease throughout the observed period. Results show that subjective economic worries do not significantly differ between residents of lignite mining regions and those in the rest of the country. Further robustness analyses confirm that the coal phase-out policy has not increased economic uncertainties in the populations of German lignite mining regions. Based on our results, we discuss the need for future research on the effects of policy designs of clean energy transitions on subjective perceptions of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deposition of fine‐grained material of low permeability on the borehole wall during drilling (wellbore skin) is a common problem affecting the operation and efficiency of water wells. Here, we present new data and novel insights from four excavated dewatering wells from a lignite surface mine. All wells have the same age, are of similar construction, and were sampled at two different depths each. The thickness of the skin layer increases with depth. Its composition and permeability is strongly influenced by the surrounding aquifer material. Nonuniform sediments of low permeability result in less permeable wellbore skin deposits. The presence of discontinuities in the skin layer may be a determining feature for the resulting flow to wells, especially with skin layers of low permeability. The presence of naturally occurring swelling clay (smectite) provides the skin layer with a significant self‐sealing capacity. Article impact statement: In‐depth analysis of samples of wellbore skin, insights into formation, dependency on aquifer properties, and role of discontinuities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global climate budget for 1.5°C necessitates distributing future CO2 emissions to individual countries. In Germany, this translates to 3.1 billion tons (January 2022). All sectors must engage to meet this target, particularly the lignite (i.e. low-grade brown coal) sector. This entails leaving significant reserves untapped. Also, economic factors are already driving a decline in coal consumption, aided by Germany's renewable expansion and rising CO2 prices. Forecasts suggest lignite phase-out by 2030, prompting reevaluation of mining plans without devastation of villages. The paper proposes new mining plans for the main lignite regions Rhineland and Lusatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil leaves, fruits, and woods assigned to Rhamnaceae have been recorded from India, however, there are no previous reports of rhamnaceous fossil flowers from India. Here, we report the first fossil flowers in appreciable numbers from the early Eocene (Palana Formation) sedimentary sequences of Gurha Lignite Mine, Rajasthan, western India, and show that they are attributable to Rhamnaceae. We examined variation in flower morphology among extant and extinct rhamnaceous species as a basis for interpreting our fossil flowers. The specimens are small star‐like, pentamerous, actinomorphic, gamosepalous flowers with triangular, keeled sepals with acute apices, spathulate, short‐clawed petals alternating with sepals, shallow, five‐lobed nectary disc with prominent pentagonal outer margin, and a centrally placed globose ovary with stigma scar. The flowers co‐occur with ziziphoid leaves and are recognized as a new species Eopaliura indica Patel, Rana & Khan sp. nov. Because of aforesaid characteristics, fossil flowers are easily identifiable as Rhamnaceae and should provide a reliable means of documenting the evolutionary history of this family during the Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The Aptian–Albian (121.4–100.5 Ma) was a greenhouse period with global temperatures estimated as 10–15°C warmer than pre‐industrial conditions, so it is surprising that the most reliable CO2 estimates from this time are <1400 ppm. This low CO2 during a warm period implies a very high Earth‐system sensitivity in the range of 6 to 9°C per CO2 doubling between the Aptian‐Albian and today. Methods: We applied a well‐vetted paleo‐CO2 proxy based on leaf gas‐exchange principles (Franks model) to two Pseudotorellia species from three stratigraphically similar samples at the Tevshiin Govi lignite mine in central Mongolia (~119.7–100.5 Ma). Results: Our median estimated CO2 concentration from the three respective samples was 2132, 2405, and 2770 ppm. The primary reason for the high estimated CO2 but with relatively large uncertainties is the very low stomatal density in both species, where small variations propagate to large changes in estimated CO2. Indeed, we found that at least 15 leaves are required before the aggregate estimated CO2 approaches that of the full data set. Conclusions: Our three CO2 estimates all exceeded 2000 ppm, translating to an Earth‐system sensitivity (~3–5°C/CO2 doubling) that is more in keeping with the current understanding of the long‐term climate system. Because of our large sample size, the directly measured inputs did not contribute much to the overall uncertainty in estimated CO2; instead, the inferred inputs were responsible for most of the overall uncertainty and thus should be scrutinized for their value choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greece committed to the European Green Deal plans to complete mining operations by the end of 2028 and to transition from coal-based electricity to renewable energy sources (RES). The mine closure under the principles of effective strategic planning of the post-mining land uses constitutes an integral part of this transition. This research aims to simulate land use changes in the Ptolemais lignite mining area from 2023 to 2030 using a cellular automata-based (CA) calibrated model. The model analyzed three distinct scenarios with directions of agriculture development, industrial growth, and nature and biodiversity conservation. Five areas' topographic-morphologic characteristics (slope, distance from roads, predetermined RES, future lakes, and cities) were assessed through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to calibrate the model for each scenario. A fuzzification algorithm was developed in a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment to generate a land use suitability map for each scenario. The generated suitability maps were imported into the simulation model, serving as transition rules for each scenario. The study's findings revealed that each scenario diachronically derives different land use types of distribution. The scenario-based approach has proven to be a valuable tool for simulating the dynamic transitions of post-mining land uses, offering significant assistance to decision-makers in planning new land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of lignite mining on vegetation constitutes a key issue due to the role of plants in restoring and maintaining the ecological balance of ecosystems. In this context, the identification of its impact on the functioning of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) as a species often colonizing disturbed habitats takes on particular importance. Therefore, we aimed to determine the changes in nutrient content in silver birch overgrowing a spoil heap and in the vicinity of a fly ash settling pond and power plant. For this purpose, plant tissues (fine and coarse roots, stemwood, bark, coarse and fine branches, leaves) and soil samples (0–10, 10–20, 20–40, 20–40 cm deep) were examined. The basic soil characteristics were determined, along with the N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn contents of the soil and plant samples. The soils varied in terms of soil pH and were poor in total organic carbon and other elements. The plant nutrient content varied strongly across the analyzed tissues, with the leaves usually containing the most and the stemwood the least nutrients. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between the control vs spoil heap (particularly in Mn, S, and Mg) and the stand close to the settling pond (particularly in Ca, Mn, P, K, and S). We found that the chemical properties of the spoil heap and fly ash originating from the lignite mining operations are likely factors influencing nutrient accumulation in silver birch trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In times of increasing demand for resources, processing various waste materials is becoming more economically and ecologically viable. Red mud is a waste material that originates from the bauxite process, also known as the Bayer process. Red mud, due to its high alkalinity and heavy metal content, is often stored in landfills, which can lead to accidents such as those in Brazil or Hungary, especially if the storage takes place above ground. Red mud contains not only iron and aluminum residues but also other economically valuable metals such as manganese, titanium, cadmium, or cobalt. Currently, only 4 million tons of the annual production of 150 million tons are utilized in various industries, which is a relatively small amount. Typically, only the iron content is further processed, leaving other potential resources untapped. Chitin has a high binding capacity for various trivalent and divalent metal ions, making it a suitable material for separating red mud into its components. It has been demonstrated that chitin can effectively remove aluminum, barium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, iron, nickel, lead, strontium, and various lanthanides from a red mud-like sludge. The elements bound to chitin can be easily removed using wet chemistry. Biologically compatible substances are predominantly used in this process, with few exceptions. The removal of elements from red sludge or other mining wastewater using chitin is a viable alternative to traditional mining methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much public debate today is carried out on Twitter (now X), where the participants employ a range of diverse resources to convey their ideas effectively. Disentangling the resources into clear and understandable structures and patterns presents a fresh challenge for discourse pragmatics. This article addresses that challenge methodologically by evaluating existing methods for identifying and classifying pragmatic patterns, revealing their drawbacks, and advocating for a new coding system. This categorizes tweets based on a post's primary pragmatic function (informing, appealing, or expressing emotivity), considering subsidiary functions. The study then applies this new scheme to analyze the Twitter debate on the Polish Turów lignite mine, which became a subject of international dispute as the Czech and European authorities sought the mine's closure to eliminate its negative environmental impact. The debate unfolds mainly in Polish, Czech, and English, each language being associated with a distinct discourse. The English discourse emphasizes a transnational appeal for widespread decarbonization, contrasting with the predominantly oppositional, national political perspectives in the Polish and Czech discourses. These rely heavily on emotivity directed, in the Polish case, primarily against the country's ruling party, and in the Czech one against the deal eventually reached with Poland to mitigate the problems. • introduces a novel coding system for navigating complex Twitter discourse. • provides a systematic approach to categorizing primary and subsidiary functions of tweets. • unveils distinct pragmatic strategies in diverse discourses/debates. • reveals the specific character of debates on Twitter across cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poland is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of lignite resources (including reserves). With respect to lignite mining, its position is even higher at sixth in the world, fourth in Europe and second in the European Union (EU). The role of lignite in the Polish energy mix is crucial because ~27% of electricity was generated in lignite-fired power plants in 2022. However, there are countries in Europe where the dependence on lignite is much greater and currently in the range of 40-96%. B oth the national and EU climate energy policy assumes the abandonment of lignite as a source of 'dirty' electricity within the next two decades. This ambitious goal is achievable but it may be threatened by the geopolitical situation. However, after 2040-2044, a large number of lignite deposits will remain in Poland. The deposits are well recognized and the detailed geology is well documented, with the estimated reserves intended for exploitation amounting to 5.8 Gt. These deposits, like the five which are currently mined, are stratigraphically diverse and characterized by a complex geology, representing different genetic types. In the context of a coal-free energy policy in the EU, the problem of the legal protection of lignite deposits remains. Thus, the question arises of what is next for Polish lignite deposits. They may be managed in the coming decades by using improved unconventional methods, such as in situ or ex situ gasification. Lignite deposits will constitute a strategic reserve in the event of a deep energy crisis caused by an unstable geopolitical situation. Finally, we suggest the urgent introduction of more precise legal changes that would protect at least part of the lignite resources in Poland for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern development of urban areas is related to, among others, the location of industrial facilities on the outskirts of cities. More and more often, commercial buildings are founded on areas that have not been used for construction so far. Such areas include, among others: reclaimed lignite mine banks in the Konin region. The man-made soil is a chaotic mixture of fragments of glacial tills and Pliocene clays, often exceeding 20 m in thickness, which is naturally consolidated over time. Due to the method of formation of the embankment, despite the fact that banks are made of natural soil, their strength and deformation characteristics clearly differ from those characteristic of lithologically similar soils deposited as a result of geological processes. In this case, the use of a standard test approach may overestimate the strength and stiffness of the soil. Due to the complex structure of the bank in-situ tests were used for geotechnical exploration: CPTU and FVT, as well as laboratory tests in a triaxial apparatus and an oedometer. The results were compared with the results of studies conducted in similar naturally deposited soils. The obtained results provide valuable geotechnical characteristics of the embankment soil, which in its large fragments is built of natural soil clasts. The obtained results indicate a relatively small change in the geotechnical properties of the soils incorporated into the embankment within individual clasts of the natural soil (on a local scale) and a clear deterioration in the scale of the entire embankment, treated as the impact zone of building structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a continuation of the previous one (Widera, 2024. Acta Geologica Polonica, 74 (1), e2). A new, alternative interpretation of the tectonic development of two lignite-rich deposits in the Lubstów and Kleszczów grabens in central Poland is presented. The maximum thickness of lignite mined from both deposits is >86 and >250 m, respectively. These grabens were selected for detailed tectonic analysis because syn-depositional or post-depositional tectonic uplift is undeniably evident. The current study focuses on the distinction between tectonic subsidence/uplift and autocompactional subsidence, and on the timing of their occurrence. Such a research approach allows for the presentation of new conceptual models of Cenozoic tectonic evolution during the formation of the third, very thick, Ścinawa lignite seam (ŚLS-3) and the second Lusatian lignite seam (LLS-2). As a result, it is shown here that the magnitude of both the downward and upward tectonic movements are significantly smaller than previously thought. This new interpretation is also confirmed by the low rank of lignite coalification and the net calorific value of the ŚLS-3 and LLS-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timetables for energy transition vary across EU Member States. The planning for dealing with the consequences of the transition in affected regions also varies. Under the pressure of the ten-year economic crisis, Greece is one of the few countries that has committed to stop using lignite in electricity generation, achieving 80% by 2023 and definitively by 2028. Apart from its environmental impact, the country assessed using lignite in electricity generation as unprofitable and damaging to the Greek economy. Simultaneously, it formulated a national energy transition plan for the country's lignite areas. The plan also provides support for existing enterprises and incentives for new enterprises. European and domestic financial instruments accompany the support incentives. The compressed timetable is ambitious and demanding, entailing risks of project failure. As one of the first Member State projects to be completed in 2028, its outcome will shape an ambient atmosphere, positive or negative, for other Member States' projects as well. Based on the transition plan and the timelines to which Greece has committed, this research examines the reanimation of rural areas involved in lignite mining from the perspective of entrepreneurship and financial support instruments. The findings revealed that while there is strong social consensus around the design that incorporates best practices, the basis for the completion schedule has unrealistic elements that will have potentially negative consequences for the restoration of the areas that the energy transition affects. The present study highlights the risks for entrepreneurship that tight schedules pose in the context of lignite area redevelopment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish communities of streams and rivers might be substantially subsidized by terrestrial insects that fall into the water. Although such animal‐mediated fluxes are increasingly recognized, little is known about how anthropogenic perturbations may influence the strength of such exchanges. Intense land use, such as lignite mining, may impact a river ecosystem due to the flocculation of iron (III) oxides, thus altering food web dynamics. We compared sections of the Spree River in North‐East Germany that were greatly influenced by iron oxides with sections located downstream of a dam where passive remediation technologies are applied. Compared to locations downstream of the dam, the abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates at locations of high iron concentrations upstream of the dam was significantly reduced. Similarly, catch per unit effort of all fish was significantly higher in locations downstream of the dam compared to locations upstream of the dam, and the condition of juvenile and adult piscivorous pike Esox lucius was significantly lower in sections of high iron concentrations. Using an estimate of short‐term (i.e., metabarcoding of the gut content) as well as longer‐term (i.e., hydrogen stable isotopes) resource use, we could demonstrate that the three most abundant fish species, perch Perca fluviatilis, roach Rutilus rutilus, and bleak Alburnus alburnus, received higher contributions of terrestrial insects to their diet at locations of high iron concentration. In summary, lotic food webs upstream and downstream of the dam greatly differed in the overall structure with respect to the energy available for the highest tropic levels and the contribution of terrestrial insects to the diet of omnivorous fish. Therefore, human‐induced environmental perturbations, such as river damming and mining activities, represent strong pressures that can alter the flow of energy between aquatic and terrestrial systems, indicating a broad impact on the landscape level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancistrocladaceae, a family of shrubs or woody lianas, are widely distributed in tropical West and Central Africa and Southeast Asia. However, no fossil from this family has been reported to date. Here, we report winged fruits of Ancistrocladaceae consisting of five wings and a globose nut from the early Eocene (Palana Formation) sediments of Gurha lignite mine, Rajasthan, in western India. We determine their taxonomic position based on detailed macromorphological features and compare them thoroughly with both modern and fossil species of angiosperms having five-winged fruits. All of the major morphological characters (size, shape, and venation pattern) of the early Eocene winged-fruit fossil are comparable with winged fruits of extant Ancistrocladus Wall. (Ancistrocladaceae), and therefore we assign them to a new fossil species, Ancistrocladus eocenicus Ali, Manchester & Khan. The fossil evidence indicates that Ancistrocladus once existed in western India during the early Eocene period. However, at present Ancistrocladus is absent from the local present-day desert vegetation and is endemic to the evergreen tropical forests of the western ghats of India, probably a consequence of environmental changes. Our discovery constitutes the first reliable fossil recognition of Ancistrocladaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial set of four measurements (scans) captures the failures occurring in the core of steel cable conveyor belt segments used in a lignite coal mine in Poland. These measurements utilize the DiagBelt+ magnetic system, enabling the analysis of averaged damage sizes. The scanning results allowed the analysis of complete changes in the failure sizes to a maximum of six different time intervals from 1 to 19 months. The cumulative increase in the length and width of the failure (their total extent in both directions) is a linear function of time. However, the inclination of the selected lines (growth speed) depends on the age of the belt segment at the time of its first scan. It is possible to find the best regression function of slope coefficients for the age of the belt segment. The obtained results are crucial for rational belt management, including reliable short-term forecasts of belt needs with the flow of time, indications of the best moments for belt segment replacements, and estimating the budget of the belting department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of an old open-pit lignite mine as an auxiliary reservoir for the supply of the city of La Coruña has involved a detailed analysis of the chemical quality of the vertical profile. The study has shown that a stratified lake is formed where the shape of the filling (first with groundwater and later surface waters from the nearby rivers were added) has influenced the formation of the lake profile. The Meirama mine is an open-pit brown lignite mine located in NW Spain. Exploitation ended in March 2008, leaving a pit of approximately 146 hm3 with a maximum depth of 205 m. The rehabilitation of the pit consisted of the creation of a lake that will serve as an auxiliary water reservoir for the city of La Coruña. The filling process lasted approximately 8 years (March 2008–May 2016) with subterranean and surface contributions from the environment. The formation of an invariant chemocline and a seasonal thermocline was observed. Therefore, in this work, (the first of a series of two articles), an analysis of the evolution of various physicochemical parameters, elements, and compounds at certain heights (the surface, the first 2 m (2 mbs), at 59 masl, and at the bottom (2 masl)). In this first article, the physicochemical parameters of pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and some metallic elements (iron and manganese) are analysed. From the analyzed parameters it can be seen the creation of a surface thermocline and a chemocline at a depth of 59 masl with the beginning of the formation of anoxic conditions of the bottom of the pit through the consumption of oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate policies pose serious challenges for the operations of energy companies, especially those strongly dependent on fossil fuels. This study explores the case of one such company, Poland's PGE Group. In 2021, PGE was instructed by the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) to close its Turów lignite mine for contravening EU decarbonization policy. The company refused to comply and launched a public affairs campaign in support of its efforts to prevent the mine's closure. Methodologically, the study relies on a linguistically-informed combination of content and frame analysis and shows that strategic frames are more likely to leverage their persuasive potential when they align with the existing cultural frames, resulting in cultural and discursive resonance. In the public campaign, PGE (re-)framed the EU's Green Deal in highly negative terms and the CJEU's instruction so as to delegitimize it and the Court itself. In doing so, PGE employed frames used globally by the energy industry, adapting them to tie in with anti-EU sentiment among Polish opinion and decision-makers. This study thus contributes to the body of literature on strategic framing of energy transition and provides relevant insights into the localization of global energy frames. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archaeologia Historica is the property of Masaryk University, Faculty of Arts and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims at exploring the economy-wide impacts of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 in Thailand. This study developed a recursive dynamic Asia-Pacific Integrated Model/Computable General Equilibrium (AIM/CGE) model of Thailand for the assessment. The macroeconomic impacts of Thailand's net-zero GHG emission targets by 2050 are analyzed relative to its 2-degree pathway. Results indicate that Thailand should put more effort in GHG mitigation actions to achieve the emissions peak by 2025 and net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Improvement in energy efficiency; increasing electrification; expanding renewable energy utilization; deploying green hydrogen; bioenergy; carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); and behavioral changes are the key identified pillars of decarbonization to drive Thailand towards the pathways of net-zero emissions by 2050. Results show that there is a possibility of attaining net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the expense of an economic loss for Thailand. The gross domestic product (GDP) loss would be as high as 8.5% in 2050 to attain net-zero emissions. Lower productivity from the energy intensive industries such as petroleum refineries, coal and lignite mining, manufacturing industries, and transport are the key contributing sectors to the GDP losses. The price of carbon mitigation would shoot up to reach USD 734 per tCO2eq in 2050 from USD 14 per tCO2eq in 2025 to attain net-zero emissions in 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to look for the answer to the question of whether the applicable public law regulations contain adequate mechanisms enabling the realisation of the interests of local communities in the transboundary dimension. The background to the considerations will be an analysis of the spatial planning and environmental impact assessment procedures in connection with the planned expansion of the area of the open cast Turów lignite mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine fires are one of the common major disasters in underground mining. In addition to the external fire sources generated by mining equipment and mechanical and electrical equipment during operations, coal is exposed to air during mining, and spontaneous combustion is also the main cause of mine fires. In order to reduce the hidden danger of coal mines caused by spontaneous coal combustion during lignite mining, the microbial inhibition of coal spontaneous combustion is proposed in this paper. Via SEM, pore size analysis, and NMR and FT-IR experiments, the mechanism of coal spontaneous combustion is discussed and revealed. The modification of lignite before and after the addition of retardants is analyzed from the perspective of microstructure, and the change in flame retardancy of the lignite treated with two retardants compared with raw coal is explored. The results show that, compared with raw coal, a large number of calcium carbonate particles are attached to the surface of the coal sample after bioinhibition treatment, and the total pore volume and specific surface area of the coal sample after bioinhibition treatment are decreased by 68.49% and 74.01%, respectively, indicating that bioinhibition can effectively plug the primary pores. The results of NMR and Fourier infrared spectroscopy show that the chemical structure of the coal sample is mainly composed of aromatic carbon, followed by fatty carbon and carbonyl carbon. In addition, the contents of active groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, and methyl/methylene) in lignite after bioretardation are lower than those in raw coal, and methyl/methylene content is decreased by 96.5%. The comparison shows that the flame-retardant performance of biological retardants is better than that of chemical retardants, which provides an effective solution for the efficient prevention and control of spontaneous combustion disasters in coal mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studied crevasse-splay complex, situated within the 1st Mid-Polish lignite seam (MPLS-1), ranks amongst the best-developed and most readily accessible for direct research of all hard coal and lignite occurrences worldwide. The sandy-coaly sediments constituting it required a number of field and laboratory tests. However, the present article focuses solely on sedimentological and statistical analyses of sediments along a selected key section, the most important results of which are presented below. First of all, data obtained in previous sedimentological studies have been confirmed, in that individual segments of this complex represent both subaerial and subaqueous types of crevasse splays. On the one hand, their sediments are characterised by an extremely high content of coalified organic matter, reaching 20–40 wt.% in some samples; on the other, these crevasse splays are composed of fine sands with a median and mean grain size of 0.15 mm. In addition, the remaining statistical parameters (standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis) indicate a very good sorting of these sands, no significant so-called 'tails' and a better sorting close to the sediment mean grain size value, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the extension of the valid periods for lignite exploitation licenses in the current perimeters in the Oltenia basin is considered (except for those perimeters that will deplete the exploitable resource) until the horizon of the year 2030 (possibly even 2035), it is crucial to ensure that extractive activities take place under safe conditions, and, above all, under legal conditions regarding environmental protection. Despite the significant and undeniable negative effects of current lignite mining, this industrial sector has multiple possibilities at its disposal to minimize the negative impact on the environment and, moreover, to restore affected areas. In this context, within this paper, our goal is to identify, describe, and evaluate the environmental impact produced by lignite mining activities in the Jilț North open pit. To achieve this, well-known and recommended techniques and procedures from the specialized literature are used, taking into account the legislative provisions stipulated by Emergency Ordinance no. 195/2005 on environmental protection (approved by Law no. 265/2006) and the Mines Law no. 85/2003, as well as the guidelines outlined for anthropogenic impact assessment by Law no. 292/2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entering the coal phase-out era, major priorities of the Greek lignite mining industry are sustainable mine closure, land reclamation, and planning for long-term and sustainable land repurposing scenarios. A holistic and digitally enabled approach to water management could lead to effective strategic planning in the coal phase-out era. This research proposes an integrated approach to evaluate the hydrological profile of a large and complex open pit lignite mining area based on remote sensing data. This framework included processing of satellite images in different bands and an evaluated digital elevation model of an ≈170 km2 area within the Ptolemais Basin, northern Greece, that has extensive surface lignite mining. Several spectral (SMI, RIP, NDVI, NDWI, MNDWI) and topographic (SPI, TWI, LS) indices were investigated, providing details of spatial and temporal variations in the terrestrial water cycle. The analysis permitted the hydrological characteristics of the study area to be mapped with sufficient accuracy. Water bodies, low-flowing streams, water flow direction, vegetation cover, erodible areas, locations with water accumulation, and areas with high soil moisture were identified. A major additional outcome of this research was the construction of flood-susceptibility maps introducing several hydrological parameters in a fuzzy model. The results indicated several areas inside the mining area with high flood susceptibility. These results were subsequently validated through PPC flood event reports during heavy rainfalls and events reported in the National River Basin Management plans. Using high-resolution digital elevation models and remote sensing data processing to identify hazards, like flooding, could improve land use planning and water management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "Baganuur" lignite coal mine is one of the biggest open cast mines in Mongolia. However, there is a huge challenge in managing the stability of its internal dump, which prevents the proper operation of the mine and has an impact on the economy. To solve the internal dump slope stability problem, this study focused on incorporating the inherent mechanical properties of the rock material to build numerical models of the internal dump. By applying two software programs from Rocscience (Phase2 and Slide) and four different methods, the finite element method, the Bishop method, the Janbu simplified method, and the Spencer simplified method, the current and improved internal dump parameters were numerically simulated and analyzed. Based on the properties of the rock, the LEM and FEM were used to determine the parameters that could have an impact on the stability of the internal waste dump. The impacts of the internal dump height, dip angle, and safety berm on these parameters were studied. This study covers several analytical methods for calculating safety factors. Based on the results of the numerical simulation, it is determined that it is possible to increase the internal dump capacity by approximately 56% at a 50 m height and 28° dip angle and using a 15 m safety berm. Under similar conditions, this study presents an optimum SRF at 40 m height, 28° dip angle, and 5 m safety berm. Based on the numerical models, it is found that changes in the dip angle have a greater impact than changes in the dump height on the slope stability of an internal dump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

German energy giant and coal mine operator RWE makes two products: cheap electricity and 'pretty new landscapes'. These 'pretty new landscapes' are biodiversity offsets to compensate for the destruction of the ancient Hambacher Forest for the world's largest opencast lignite coal mine in the German Rhineland. Drawing on in-depth fieldwork including participant observation and interviews in and around the mine and its offset sites, this paper explores the relationship between coal mining, spectacularisation of conservation, the ecotourism–extraction nexus and accumulation by restoration. I illustrate the historic and contemporary importance of restoration activities to the accumulation process and explore the recent engagement of mine operator RWE in the provision of restored nature (in the form of 'eco-points'), which constitute new business opportunities. The significance of RWE's biodiversity work for accumulation by restoration lies not only in its profit opportunities but its productive power: the legitimation of coal mining and the making of new, ordered 'ecologies of repair'. This productive power operates through the mobilising function of RWE's offsetting work, which forms the foundation for corporate partnerships and alliances with conservation groups and volunteers. These lend legitimacy to RWE's 'repair work' and form the basis for the ecotourism–extraction nexus by turning the mine and its offsets into 'extractive attractions' for visitors and 'nature lovers'. Its power further manifests in the way it captures imaginations through novel imaginaries and narratives of sustainable coal mining, supposedly creating not only a 'better nature' but a 'better future'. Positioning offsetting as social technology of governance, I explore RWE's spectacular performance of sustainability and the ontological flattening to facilitate claims of commensurability and 'offsettability' of nature. These are integral to the ecotourism–extraction nexus and grounded in the belief in the human/corporate ability to recreate nature, a fascination with huge earth-shifting machinery and a commitment to high-modernist ideologies of control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the beginning of the 19th century, nobody in the landscape of the heaths and ponds of Lusatia, a small region in the German-Polish border area, would have suspected the lasting effects of the lignite mining boom on the economy, landscape, and the local communities there. The initially small underground mines soon developed into large open-pit mines. 'Industrial cathedrals' were established, new cities were raised out of the heathland, long-distance transport networks were expanded, and industrial centres emerged that gained importance throughout Europe. The local population and culture changed through migration, adaptation and assimilation, the landscape through the huge earth movements caused by lignite mining. This enormous transformation of an entire region has an impact on identity even today, and still influences political processes. It is now the task of archaeology and heritage management organisations to document this recent past as well and to preserve its cultural value.

Market-driven closures of coal mines have typically been associated with negative economic consequences for the affected regions. In Germany, structural policy directed towards ameliorating the negative effects of hard coal decline in the Ruhr area lagged behind the onset of decline, caused major political conflicts, and has been variously criticized for its reactive character that failed to generate a positive image of the future. The phase-out of lignite coal in Germany, in contrast, is policy-driven and accompanied from the outset by compensatory and investment policies that strive to facilitate regional structural change proactively. Against this backdrop, we investigate how the policies of lignite coal phase-out initiated in 2018 and the accompanying public discourse affect the economic worries of individuals in the remaining three lignite coal mining areas in Germany. We focus on the period 2016–2021, using a longitudinal multilevel design based on regional and individual data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP). Overall, probabilities of strong economic worries decrease throughout the observed period. Results show that subjective economic worries do not significantly differ between residents of lignite mining regions and those in the rest of the country. Further robustness analyses confirm that the coal phase-out policy has not increased economic uncertainties in the populations of German lignite mining regions. Based on our results, we discuss the need for future research on the effects of policy designs of clean energy transitions on subjective perceptions of the future.

The metabolic versatility and potential of microbes enables their survival and growth in harsh condition such as sites ravaged by mining activities. The Kapurdi lignite deposit of the Barmer Basin is one of the important Tertiary lignite deposits underlying the Great Indian Thar desert in the north-western part of Rajasthan. The diversity of culturable sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) in Kapurdi and Jalipa lignite mine site, Barmer, Rajasthan was assessed in this study. Bacteria were isolated by plating on selective thiosulfate mineral media, and dominant isolates were identified from their physiological characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequences. The obligate chemolithotrophic SOB were identified as Thermithiobacillus sp. strain KO11, KO12, KO13 (OP788122, OP788123, OP788124). Whereas heterotrophic SOB was identified as Bacillus sp.strain KO1 (OP788112), Bacillus sp. strain KO2 (OP788113), Bacillus sp.strain KO3 (OP788114), Enterobacter sp.strain KO4, KO5, KO6, KO9 (OP788115, OP788116, OP788117, OP788120), Leclercia sp. Strain KO7(OP788118), Pantoea sp. strain KO8(OP788119), and Rhodococcussp.strain KO10 (OP788121). The culture condition was optimized for the two most potential SOB i.e., Thermithiobacillus sp. strain KO11 and Leclercia sp. strain KO7. Both the isolates grew well and produced maximum amount of sulfate in thiosulfate mineral media at pH 8.0 and with 40 mM of thiosulfate substrate. Thermithiobacillus sp. strain KO11 had the optimum growth at 45°C indicating its thermophillic nature whereas, Leclercia sp. strain KO7 had optimum growth at 35°C. This study significantly enhances our knowledge of native bacteria in mining impacted environments and their role in biogeochemical cycling of sulfur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of energy transformation and decarbonization, the production of hard coal and lignite mining plants is gradually being phased out. Mine heaps, i.e., mine waste heaps, created as a result of the operation of these plants, are not attractive as land for housing, for the construction of production plants, or for agriculture. One of the most advantageous ways of recultivating these areas is using them as a place for the installation of renewable energy sources. In the case of post-mining heaps, it seems natural to use photovoltaics and wind turbines due to the artificial elevation of the terrain. This issue was analysed within the RFCS project SUMAD (Sustainable Use of Mining Waste Heaps). Experts from various countries and scientific disciplines analysed possible scenarios for the mine heaps' management, with a special attention to geotechnical, environmental and socio-economic challenges. This article discusses one of the variants, namely the possibility of constructing the wind turbines on mining heaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers the current state of hydropower in Poland and the legal and environmental conditions for its development. The research objective was to provide insights into the future of hydropower in Poland. An attempt was made to determine the direction of hydropower development in Poland by 2050, taking into account the requirements of the European Green Deal. The basic method used is logical argumentation, which is in turn based on a critical analysis of planning documents and scientific papers. Statistical data on the production and consumption of hydropower were also analysed. Currently, Poland's potential for hydropower production is not being fully exploited. The main reasons for this are a lack of political support and socio-ecological issues associated with the need to take over inhabited areas or areas of high natural value. The analysis of the state of hydropower in Poland indicates that urgent intervention is required in many areas. This applies, especially, to issues of the control, modernisation and technical condition of hydropower plants and damming facilities. The potential for the development of hydropower in Poland is assessed to be very small. Environmental, socio-economic and legal conditions are unfavourable to the construction of new, large hydropower plants. The exception is pumped-storage power plants, which, acting as energy storage facilities, should in the future constitute an important element of the Polish energy system. The possibility of using defunct lignite mining pits for this purpose is indicated. It is shown that some of Poland's former lignite mines are also conveniently located. The possible beneficial impact of building pumped-storage power plants into the water ecosystem of central Poland is emphasised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This two-part paper investigates the feasibility of producing export quantities (770 t/d) of blue hydrogen meeting international standards, by gasification of Victorian lignite plus carbon capture and storage (CCS). The study involves a detailed Aspen Plus simulation analysis of the entire production process, taking into account fugitive methane emissions during lignite mining. Part 1 focusses on the resources, energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions associated with production of gaseous and liquefied hydrogen, while Part 2 focusses on production of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier. In this study, the proposed process comprises lignite mining, lignite drying and milling, air separation unit (ASU), dry-feed entrained flow gasification, gas cooling and cleaning, sour water-gas shift reaction, acid gas removal, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) for hydrogen purification, elemental sulphur recovery, CO 2 compression for transport and injection, hydrogen liquefaction, steam and gas turbines to generate all process power, plus an optional post-combustion CO 2 capture step. High grade waste heat is utilised for process heat and power generation. Three alternative process scenarios are investigated as options to reduce resource utilisation and greenhouse gas emissions: replacing the gas turbine with renewable energy from off-site wind turbines, and co-gasification of lignite with either biomass or biochar. In each case, the specific net greenhouse gas intensity is estimated and compared to the EU Taxonomy specification for sustainable hydrogen. This is the first time that a coal-to-hydrogen study has quantified the greenhouse gas emissions across the entire production chain, including upstream fugitive methane emissions. It is found that both gaseous and liquefied hydrogen can be produced from Victorian lignite, along with all necessary electricity, with specific emissions intensity (SEI) of 2.70 kg CO 2 -e/kg H 2 and 2.73 kg CO 2 -e/kg H 2 , respectively. These values conform to the EU Taxonomy limit of 3.0 kg CO 2 -e/kg H 2. This result is achieved using a Selexol™ plant for CO 2 capture, operating at 89.5%–91.7% overall capture efficiency. Importantly, the very low fugitive methane emissions associated with Victorian lignite mining is crucial to the low SEI of the process, making this is a critical advantage over the alternative natural gas or black coal processes. This study shows that there are technical options available to further reduce the SEI to meet tightening emissions targets. An additional post-combustion MDEA CO 2 capture unit can be added to increase the capture efficiency to 99.0%–99.2% and reduce the SEI to 0.3 kg CO 2 -e/kg H 2. Emissions intensity can be further reduced by utilising renewable energy rather than co-production of electricity on site. Net zero emissions can then be achieved by co-gasification with ≤1.4 dry wt.% biomass, while a higher proportion of biomass would achieve net-negative emissions. Thus, options exist for production of blue hydrogen from Victorian lignite consistent with a 'net zero by 2050' target. Production of blue hydrogen from Victorian lignite. [Display omitted] • A detailed model for net-zero emissions hydrogen from Victorian lignite proposed. • Gasification of lignite, production of hydrogen and electricity, with CCS included. • Fugitive methane emissions during mining included in the model. • Options exist for greenhouse gas emissions to be consistent with 'Net zero by 2050'. • Production of low-emissions blue hydrogen from Victorian lignite is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microremains of fungi from Neogene deposits from the Gray Fossil Site (Tennessee, United States) and the Bełchatów Lignite Mine (Poland), similar to the enigmatic fossil-species Kutchiathyrites eccentricus R.K. Kar, 1979, were reconsidered as representatives of the modern mitosporic genus Mycoenterolobium Goos, 1970. A new combination, Mycoenterolobium eccentricum (R.K. Kar) G. Worobiec, n. comb., is proposed. The geographical and stratigraphical range and ecology of the fossil and modern Mycoenterolobium species are discussed. Investigated remains of Mycoenterolobium eccentricum (R.K. Kar) G. Worobiec, n. comb. document the first fossil record of this fungus from both Northern America and Europe, while the Bełchatów mine represents the northernmost known fossil and modern occurrence of the Mycoenterolobium genus. Both modern and fossil species of Mycoenterolobium seem to prefer warm (tropical to warm temperate), usually humid climates. They are associated with plant debris (mainly wood) decaying in a damp or aquatic environment. Mycoenterolobium eccentricum (R.K. Kar) G. Worobiec, n. comb. is suggested to be used as a non-pollen palynomorph proxy for palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The decision of the German federal government to cease lignite mining until 2038 or—if possible—already earlier until 2030, will cause manifold transition processes in the remaining lignite mining districts of Germany. The two largest districts are located in geographically opposite regions: The Rhineland in the western part and Lusatia in the east of Germany. As particularly these two mining districts will experience severe changes in their socioeconomic as well environmental conditions, the federal government has adopted comprehensive economic support measures. However, the environmental changes will also cause altered ecosystem functions and services to be provided by the future post-mining landscapes. Results In this paper, the two main lignite-producing regions of Germany are compared with regard to their natural and cultural settings. The economic situation and its history are reflected and differences are outlined. Part of the disparities in the cultural development can be explained by very different natural conditions, especially edaphic factors and climatic situation. Because of dissimilar geological settings, different mining technologies were developed and are in use in the two regions with distinct effects on the resulting post-mining landscapes. Conclusion The long-standing and manifold lignite mining activities have radically restructured the landscapes in Lusatia and the Rhineland. With the ongoing decline of the mining industry and its complete cessation, presumably within the next decade, both regions will alter their faces significantly. These changes offer both challenges but also opportunities with respect to the post-mining landscapes and their ecosystem services they are going to provide. The prerequisites for a positive socioeconomic development and for sustainable land-use concepts that also consider ecological aspects are different for both regions. However, or especially because of these differences, the knowledge exchange and experience transfer between both mining regions are pivotal for the success of this extensive transformation process.

Background: As lignite mining protests and #FridaysForFuture demonstrations gained momentum in Germany and further protests have been developing over time, this paper investigates the various causes and effects of the country's energy transition. Society and politics alongside economic, environmental, and technological developments have led to a profound and continuous transformation of the energy system, a transformation which is remarkable in terms of reach and speed for an economy of the size of Germany's. Pressure to transform the country's entire energy system even faster has recently been levelled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Results: From the perspective of the different pillars of sustainability and various stakeholder groups, this paper discusses the influences and their interdependencies towards the status quo of the German energy sector. We have used the cause-and-effect analysis method to answer the question of why major energy generators in Germany are still struggling with the energy transition, as well as the question of why a strategy towards more sustainability is needed to maintain Germany's industrial strength in the long run. We found that energy transition in Germany is substantially driven by society, which pushes political decisions that lead to an economic transition, while environmental incidents are only triggers for further societal and political doings. Furthermore, technological developments fulfil only needs and do not necessarily hurry ahead of time. Conclusions: Overall, the article creates a profound understanding of the factors influencing the German energy transition which is deeply embedded in the European energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to implement new building standards for residential and industrial construction in Poland to protect against earthquakes. For more than 20 years, Europe has experienced an increasing number of earthquakes. Failure to prepare residential and industrial buildings for such an event can result in extensive damage, death, and injury. It is therefore reasonable to ask what losses Poland could suffer after even a single strong earthquake. An estimate of the losses after such an event is presented. It is crucial for many buildings and mines in Poland. It is also important to prepare the population for such an event. In addition, it is also crucial for many Central European countries, as governments have not received training on how to behave during an earthquake. The lack of such training could cause panic during such an event. Poland is rich in natural resources, with many coal and lignite mines. A strong earthquake can threaten these as well as residential, public, industrial, and other buildings. This article provides an overview of earthquake events in Europe in relation to events worldwide and proposes solutions based on the experience of other countries. Here is a proposal to prepare new standards for buildings in Poland for protection against earthquakes in the next 50 years, based on the experience of other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of abandoned mines is continuously increasing in the world. The sustainable exploitation of these abandoned mines is a top priority globally. Pit lakes created in abandoned mining sites provide benefits and present risks for the mining region. This paper presents a methodology to assess the mining and natural hazards related to pit lakes. The proposed methodology framework is based on well-established and internationally accepted risk management standards and allows the assessment of the long-term stability of pit lakes. Potential ground movements, water pollution, fire hazards are presented, and their impact evaluated based on feedback and international experience. The methodology was applied for 13 European pit lakes created in former European coal and lignite mines. A risk assessment of the Most lake was carried out, using qualitative and a weighted probabilistic approach that considers the overall and the individual effect of identified mining and natural hazards. Results showed that the main potential hazards are the ground movements, slope stability, and flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

the domestic (Polish) lignite deposits, including the bełchatów deposit, are classified as multi-mineral and multi-raw materials. Ensuring the possibility of using a significant part of all minerals present in this type of deposits should be a matter of priority for mines. Over several dozen years of operation, the bełchatów lignite Mine, based on its own experience in documenting and exploiting both the main mineral and accompanying minerals, as well as rock mass components that are not solid minerals, this mine has developed a new approach to the problem of the comprehensive use of deposit resources. the content of the article is an attempt to answer the question: do the applicable laws guarantee a comprehensive and rational use of mineral deposits whose resources are non-renew- able? On the example of the area of the bełchatów lignite deposit, the comprehensive and rational use of mineral resources was analysed. It was indicated that the reasons for their use result from the lack of appropriate organizational, economic and financial solutions. Particular attention was paid to the need to modify the licensing procedures for prospecting, documenting and extracting minerals. It seems reasonable to introduce multi-resource concessions, which are an important element of the circular economy. therefore, proposals were formulated regarding the introduction of additional legal regulations and instruments of an economic and financial nature. these would be able to guarantee the comprehensive and rational use of most mineral resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All modern societies crucially depend on energy, which plays an extremely important role in economic progress and improving the quality of human life. With the evolution of the economy and intensive retrofitting in recent decades, the energy sector has undergone significant changes, including regarding access to limited energy resources. The energy strategy is now influenced by the integration of the concept of sustainable development into its process of formulation and implementation. In recent decades, the energy market has undergone significant transformations, reflecting adjustments in energy demand and adaptation to increasingly evident environmental impact challenges. This evolution has manifested in complex and interconnected ways, shaping the direction of the energy industry in an unprecedented manner. These changes and trends directly impact the strategic decisions of the energy industry and, consequently, have influenced the decision to close lignite mines, paving the way for exploring and implementing sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes a method to valorize abandoned mines whose traces were lost in the territory and in the collective memory. We selected two case studies in the Umbria region (central Italy) that were used as examples. The evidence of the presence of lignite mines on the Upper Tiber River Valley (northern Umbria) has been completely erased, and since they were located in rural areas, they represent an interesting challenge regarding recovering the memory of the places and proposing a no-longer-existent site as a geosite. The recovery and valorization of historical documents of the two lignite mines (Caiperino–Terranera and Carsuga) and their conversion into a digital format was carried out before constructing a geolocalized database in a GIS environment. This framework is the starting point for a promising dissemination process via a digital media app, using multimedia contents as video, 3D models and the principles of augmented reality (AR) to enhance the touristic or didactic experience and promote the cultural heritage of the territory by keeping the memory of 'ghost places'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]