The unit for recycling formaldehyde containing solid waste by the method of medium-temperature dry pyrolysis with multistage pyrolysis gas purification system was proposed. Purification is carried out first in a catalyst cartridge, then in a dry cyclone, then in a scrubber, and at the final stage in a cold plasma unit. There original designs of chamber of thermal decomposition of wastes with variable, depending on loading, volume and with pre-heating chamber were proposed. On the example of recycling of waste of wood-chip boards, it is shown that the degree of waste processing in it is 98.1%, while the mass concentration of harmful substances in the air of the working zone does not exceed the MPC of the working zone and MPC of settlements. It was established that the proposed technical solutions not only make the process safer, but also improve it from the point of view of energy and resource saving.

The results of a comprehensive study of the process of thermal destruction of household waste and industrial polymeric materials in a mixture with petroleum feedstock at a pilot coking unit are presented. A mixture containing polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate was used as household polymeric waste. Industrial waste was represented by a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the resulting products was investigated. It is shown that the involvement of polymer waste in an amount of up to 8% by weight in the raw material of the coking plant will make it possible to efficiently process polymer waste without changing the technological regime and quality of the products obtained. It has been established that the impurities of inorganic components present in the polymer raw material do not affect the coking process.

The technology of utilization of drilling waste in the framework of pilot tests at an oil field is considered. The technology is based on a physicochemical method of disposal of drilling waste by introducing natural environmentally friendly components aimed at improving the water-physical and chemical properties of drilling waste. The basic technological scheme of utilization of drilling waste by pitless drilling is presented. The man-made soil obtained in the process of utilization of drilling waste is suitable for reclamation of adjacent (adjoining) industrial and auxiliary infrastructure, disturbed lands of temporary and permanent allotment of oil fields. The hydrogen index in the technogenic soil corresponded to the alkaline reaction of the medium and amounted to 8.8 pH. The content of oil products was at the level of 956 mg/kg. In terms of salinity, the technogenic soil was classified as non-saline soil (<0.5%).

Theoretical aspects of the stability of marine ecosystems under the influence of the dynamics of hydrometeorological conditions are considered. Groups of natural factors of the ecosystems of the Baltic and White seas defining a level of stability – biocenotical, dynamic hydrological, the dynamic oceanological and corresponding to them estimated indicator indices with assessment of their information significance are justified. Rating of values of indicator indices is executed. Three versions of the integral index of assessment of stability of AISE (integrated assessment of sustainable existence) based on accounting of 6, 9 and 15 indicators indices are developed. On the basis of the received integral estimates zoning of ecosystems of the Baltic and White seas in relation to their stability is executed. Need of accounting of a level of stability of specific water areas in the course of planning and implementation of sea economic activity – navigation, dredging operations, mounting of underwater infrastructure, industrial fishing is justified.

The results of a comprehensive assessment of the total area and the ecological state of disturbed lands as a result of opencast mining of numerous deposits of solid minerals in the Urals are presented. The ranking of mining divisions by the degree of restoration of plant ecosystems in the territory of mining landscapes has been carried out. The conclusion is made about the expediency of using the results of such studies when justifying environmental protection measures in the field of restoration of disturbed lands at existing and prospective mining enterprises.

The results of assessing the ecological state of lands disturbed during the open-cut mining of four coal deposits in the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions are presented. In the course of the studies carried out using the results of remote monitoring, it was found that ecologically acceptable restoration of vegetation cover on the territory of disturbed lands occurs as a result of reclamation work and natural processes of its self-restoration.

The results of assessing the formation of a plant and aquatic ecosystem on the territory of worked-out and being developed iron ore deposits in the regions of the Urals are presented. It has been established that the restoration of the ecobalance is taking place at an acceptable rate at iron ore deposits located in the forest zone. Environmental restoration assessment was carried out using the results of remote monitoring.

The results of remote monitoring of the state of disturbed lands during the development of deposits of nickel-containing ores from the Ufaleisk group are presented. An ecologically acceptable rate of formation of the plant ecosystem on waste dumps and in mined-out pits was recorded. Currently, more than 90% of disturbed lands are covered with resistant species of vegetation.

The paper presents the results of a study of the ecological state of rock dumps and repositories of processed gold-bearing ore in the course of open-pit mining of gold deposits in the Chelyabinsk region. According to remote sensing data and analytical calculations, it was established that the rate of reclamation of disturbed lands lags behind the rate of their withdrawal for the needs of gold mining enterprises. In parallel with this, low levels of vegetation cover restoration coefficients were revealed on waste dumps.

The results of the study of the ecological state of disturbed lands in the course of opencast mining of copper-zinc ore deposits in the territory of two regions of the South Urals are presented. The necessity of reclamation of waste dumps has been substantiated. Technological and organizational regulations have been developed, the implementation of which will contribute to an increase in the efficiency of work to restore the eco-balance on the waste dumps of mining enterprises.

A generalized analysis of the concept of "biodiversity" used in social practice of ecological movements is presented. The position is expressed about an extremely narrow interpretation and perception in society of mainly commercial and political goals, using the methodology of the "zombie economics" of the modern world order. Public data on biodiversity loss over the past half century and the need to correct their perception taking into account other sources have been assessed. The need was expressed to form an expanded understanding of biodiversity on the planet in a form accessible to every inhabitant within the limits of his natural environment in the process of work and life. It is proposed to use it within the framework of environmental education programs and the formation of environmental culture among the population.

This article assesses the resistance of brown forest soils of the Republic of Crimea, the Western and Central Caucasus to pollution by lead, chromium, nickel, and copper, and develops regional maximum permissible concentrations of these heavy metals. Soil contamination was modeled under laboratory conditions. Heavy metals were added in the form of oxides. Soil stability assessment was carried out by biological indicators. The brown forest soil of the Republic of Crimea proved to be the most resistant to pollution. The higher stability of the brown forest soils of the Western Caucasus relative to similar soils of the Central Caucasus, apparently, is determined by the higher content of organic matter in them, despite their lower acidity. Heavy metals formed the following series in terms of ecotoxicity for brown forest soils: Cr> Cu ≥ Ni ≥ Pb. The values of regional maximum permissible concentrations of lead, chromium, nickel and copper in the brown forest soils of the Crimea, Central and Western Caucasus are proposed.