Науковий вісник НГУ

Vectors of autogenic successions of vegetation in a granite quarry under drilling and blasting operations

• 
• 

User Rating:  / 0

PoorBest 

Details

Parent Category: 2026

Category: Content №3 2026

Created on 26 June 2026

Last Updated on 26 June 2026

Published on 30 November -0001

Written by I. Khomiak, I. Patseva, L. Herasymchuk, O. Medvid

Hits: 876

Authors:

I. Khomiak, orcid.org/0000-0003-0080-0019, Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine

I. Patseva, orcid.org/0000-0001-6271-7355, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine

L. Herasymchuk*, orcid.org/0000-0002-3166-5588, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

O. Medvid, orcid.org/0000-0002-2368-712X, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine

* Corresponding author e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

повний текст / full article

Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu. 2026, (3): 084 - 091

https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2026-3/084

Abstract:

Purpose. To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of drilling and blasting operations on the formation, structure, and dynamics of vegetation cover in quarry areas, using the Shamraivske granite deposit as a case study. This will make it possible to identify patterns of autogenic succession and vegetation self-recovery under conditions of long-term technogenic pressure and to assess the role of blasting operations as a specific ecological factor.

Methodology. The methodological framework of the study is based on field geobotanical methods, syntaxonomic analysis, and a synphytoindication approach. Geobotanical relevés were carried out on sample plots, followed by data processing in the software environments of Turboveg and JUICE using cluster analysis (TWINSPAN). Methods of synphytoindication were applied to assess environmental factors, the level of anthropogenic transformation, and the natural dynamics of vegetation. In addition, a hydrochemical analysis of the quarry’s water bodies was performed.

Findings. It was established that drilling and blasting operations significantly affect the conditions of vegetation formation, determining the species composition, structure, and successional pathways of phytocenoses. The formation of derivative plant communities adapted to technogenic substrates and increased inputs of biogenic elements was revealed. It was shown that the combination of physical disturbance with chemical and hydrological changes can contribute to the acceleration of certain stages of autogenic succession.

Originality. For the first time, the possibility of using active granite quarries with regular drilling and blasting loads as model objects for studying vegetation dynamics under conditions of intensive explosive disturbance has been substantiated. The understanding of the role of blasting operations in shaping successional trajectories of quarry ecosystems has been expanded.

Practical value. The obtained results can be used for ecological assessment of quarry areas, forecasting vegetation self-recovery processes, substantiating reclamation measures and management of disturbed landscapes, as well as for extrapolation to other areas exposed to intensive explosive impacts, including those of technogenic and military origin.

Keywords: drilling and blasting operations, quarry, vegetation cover, self-recovery, technogenic landscapes, autogenic succession, anthropogenic transformation, synphytoindication models

References.

1. Shao, Y., Xu, Q., & Wei, X. (2023). Progress of mine land reclamation and ecological restoration research based on bibliometric analysis. Sustainability, 15(13), 10458. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310458

2. Dessì, L., Cucco, M., Assandri, G., & Pellegrino, I. (2025). Biodiversity and its restoration in limestone quarries: a review. Restoration Ecology, e70255. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70255

3. Carabia-Sanz, I., Simoy, M. V., Cortelezzi, A., Trofino-Falasco, C., & Berkunsky, I. (2023). Spatial Distribution and Landscape Impact Analysis of Quarrying in a Highly Fragmented Ecosystem. Authorea. https://doi.org/10.22541/au.169518980.08057973/v1

4. Damnjanović, B., Novković, M., Marković, A., Živković, M., Radulović, S., Vukov, D., Anđelković, A., & Cvijanović, D. (2019). Biodiversity-friendly designs for gravel pit lakes along the Drina River floodplain (the Middle Danube Basin, Serbia). Wetlands Ecology and Management, 27(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-018-9641-8

5. James, P., & Champion, M. H. (2022). Changing the Management of Post-mining Synanthropic Sites. In Green Scenarios: Mining Industry Responses to Environmental Challenges of the Anthropocene Epoch, (pp. 227-244). CRC Press.

6. Shehu, S. A., Yusuf, K. O., Zabidi, H., Jimoh, O. A., & Hashim, M. H. M. (2023). Blasting efficiency in granite aggregate quarry based on the combined effects of fragmentation and weighted environmental hazards. Mining of Mineral Deposits, 17(1), 120-128. https://doi.org/10.33271/mining17.01.120

7. Zhou, J., Zhang, Y., & Qiu, Y. (2024). State-of-the-art review of machine learning and optimization algorithms applications in environmental effects of blasting. Artificial Intelligence Review, 57(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-023-10636-8

8. Adesida, P. A., & Oladayo, O. O. (2024). Evaluating the Influence of Blast Design in Quarrying Operations on the Environment. ABUAD Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2(2), 40-47. https://doi.org/10.53982/ajeas.2024.0202.07-j

9. Sevelka, T. (2022). Blasting quarry operations: land use compatibility issues and potential property value impacts. Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, 2(3), 1-78. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp02.03.01

10.      Valerko, R., Herasymchuk, L., Patseva, I., Lukianova, V., & Pokshevnytska, T. (2025). The impact of drinking water quality from non-centralized water supply sources on the population morbidity in the region of Zhytomyr (Ukraine). Romanian Journal of Geography, 69(1), 135-148. https://doi.org/10.59277/RRG.2025.1.09

11.      Liu, Q., Li, Y., Li, W., Su, Q., Ma, B., Mu, M., Jia, Z., & Zhao, G. (2022). Effect of the release of gravel elements on soil nutrients and jujube fruit yield under wet-and-dry cycles. Agronomy, 12(11), 2881. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112881

12.      Grbeš, A., Dokoza, V., Lukač, G., & Bilić, Š. (2024). Potential for restoration of biodiversity in karstic mining regions with small-scale mining sites: birds and pits. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 9(2), 921-935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-024-00488-1

13.      Fan, Y., Wang, L., & Song, Y. (2025). Ecological Effect Assessment and Reclamation Pattern of Surface Mining: Based on the Perspective of Ecosystem Services. International Journal of Environmental Research, 19(5), 198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-025-00854-z

14.      Khomiak, I. V., Onyshchuk, I. P., Kychkyruk, О. Y., Vake­rych, M. M., Hasynets, Y. S., & Schwartau, V. V. (2025). The impact of strike UAV explosions on soil acidity and vegetation dynamics. Biosystems Diversity, 33(2), e2530-e2530. https://doi.org/10.15421/012530

15.      Alpatova, O., Maksymenko, I., Patseva, I., Khomiak, I., & Gandziura, V. (2022). Hydrochemical state of the post-military operations water ecosystems of the Moschun, Kyiv region. 16 ^th International conference monitoring of geological processes and ecological condition of the environment, 1, 1-5). European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.2022580145

16.      Herasymchuk, L., Patseva, I., Valerko, R., & Ustymenko, V. (2024). Military actions in Ukraine as ecocide and challenge to Formulas of peace. Present Environment and Sustainable Development, 18(2), 275-293. https://doi.org/10.47743/pesd2024182015

17.      Karlović, I., Marković, T., Smith, A. C., & Maldini, K. (2023). Impact of gravel pits on water quality in alluvial aquifers. Hydrology, 10(4), 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10040099

18.      Jiménez-Alfaro, B., Chytrý, M., Hennekens, S., Knollová, I., Schaminée, J., Agrillo, E., Alessi, N., …, & Zobel, M. (2014). The Braun-Blanquet project: evaluating and characterizing European vegetation alliances. 23 ^rd International Workshop of the European Vegetation Survey, (pp. 33-33).

19.      Hennekens, S. (2009). Turboveg for Windows (Version 2) [Computer software]. Inst. voor Bos en Natuur. Retrieved from https://www.synbiosys.alterra.nl/turboveg/

20.      Didukh, Y. P. (2012). Fundamentals of bioindication: monograph. Kyiv: Naukova dumka Publ. 344 p. ISBN 978-966-00-1255-4.

21.      Goncharenko, I. V. (2017). Phytoindication of anthropogenic factor. Dnipro. ISBN: 978-617-7479-74-0.

22.      Khomiak, I. V., Onyshchuk, I. P., Vakerych, M. M., Hasynec, Y. S., Khomiak, O. I., & Sabadosh, V. I. (2024a). Change in the general aboveground phytomass as a basis for modeling dynamics of recovery of vegetative cover. Biosystems Diversity, 32(2), 225-232.
https://doi.org/10.15421/012424

23.      Dubyna, D. V., Dziuba, T. P., Yemelianova, S. M., Tykho­myrov, O. O., Sheliah-Sosonko, Yu. R., Kuzyarin, O. T., Ennan, A. A.-O., …, & Borsukevych, L. M. (2019). Prodrome of the vegetation of Ukraine: monograph. Kyiv: Naukova dumka. ISBN: 978-966-00-1666-8.

24.      Mosyakin, S. L., & Fedoronchuk, M. M. (1999). Vascular plants of Ukraine: A nomenclatural checklist. Kyiv, Ukraine: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine-MG Kholodny Institute of Botany. ISBN: 966-02-1336-0.

25.      Matern, S., Nikolaus, R., Schafft, M., Klefoth, T., Emmrich, M., Maday, A., Bader, S., …, & Arlinghaus, R. (2023). Metadata for biodiversity data of gravel pit lakes in Northern Germany. Freshwater Metadata Journal. https://doi.org/10.15504/fmj.2023.53

26.      Couic, E., Tribondeau, A., Alphonse, V., Livet, A., & Bousserrhine, N. (2022). Positive effect of ecological. restoration with fabaceous species on microbial activities of former guyanese mining sites. Molecules, 27(6), 1768. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27061768

• < Prev
• Next >