Piotr Lichograj is one of the beneficiaries of the competition for funding student and PhD candidates mobility within the HarSval project. He received 8535PLN funding for the research trip: Electrical resistivity research in an area of historic coal mining, Svalbard, Longyearbyen.

Enjoy reading his report below:

“From August 19 to 29, 2024, we took part in a research trip to Svalbard. As part of the expedition, electrical resistivity surveys were conducted at five locations: Longyearbyen, Endalen, Bjorndalen and Nybyen. We surveyed the tailings using the electrical resistivity method to, among other things, assess the condition of the soil in terms of contamination. The study showed a large impact of former coal mining on the presence of contaminants, especially pyritic sulfur and sulfates.
The research was located, among other things, in the area of the former coal quay, where electrical resistivity tomography was carried out at the site of former coal dumps. Traces of handling activities, including the presence of coal in the ground, are still visible today, as evidenced by photographs documenting the condition of the site. The main research issue was to determine whether there is a process of leaching of contaminants from the deposited coal into the nearby fjord. A state-of-the-art ABEM Terrameter LS 2 instrument was used to carry out the measurements, which allowed for high-resolution and high-quality results. An additional advantage of the timing of the survey was the polar day, which made it possible to carry out measurements also during nighttime hours.
For the purposes of the photo-reporting, access was gained to the collected valuable materials on the history of mining activities on Svalbard. Their analysis, particularly of methods of transporting and handling coal, allowed a better understanding of the processes of waste generation and associated pollution.

The findings suggest the need for further monitoring and additional intrusive studies to better assess the scale of pollution. These activities are key to minimizing the negative effects of industrial activity and protecting the environment in areas of former mines.”