Assessment of the possibility of using hydrolysis lignin for biological reclamation

Hydrolysis lignin is a large-scale industrial waste that has no useful application. It is disposed in special landfills, causing alienation of valuable lands and having a negative impact on the environment. The aim of the work was to evaluate the possibility of using hydrolysis lignin formed as a result of the activities of the Ivdelsky timber processing plant for biological reclamation of disturbed lands. The object of the study is hydrolysis lignin from a lignin storage facility located in the city of Ivdel, the Sverdlovsk region. The study of the composition of the runoff accumulated in the lignin deposit showed that the content of lignin in it is 58.97 wt. %, also a significant part is the mineral fraction, represented mainly by oxides of silicon, aluminum and calcium. The total content of heavy metals does not exceed 0.15 wt. %. The experiments have shown that the toxic effect of the aqueous extract on the test culture (red clover Trifolium pratense L.) is absent, respectively, the waste is not dangerous to the environment. The substrates used for biological reclamation should not have a toxic effect on the crops grown. In this regard, a phytotoxicity assessment was carried out by growing test object (oats Avena sativa L. and red clover Trifolium pratense L.) on a substrate from the waste. The results of the experiment showed a lower percentage of germination and growth of plant biomass compared to the control, but the test objects developed normally, there were no damages on the leaves and shoots. Thus, the studies have shown the possibility of using the hydrolysis lignin as a substrate for biological reclamation without preliminary treatment.