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cover of episode This Huge Mining Pit Is About To Be A Lake

This Huge Mining Pit Is About To Be A Lake

2024/12/18
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Short Wave
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Martin Schulze
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Willa Rubin
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Willa Rubin：德国科特布斯市及其周边地区历史上曾有大量的褐煤矿开采活动。随着柏林墙倒塌和德国统一，许多矿山由于经济原因或资源枯竭而关闭，留下了许多大型矿坑，对景观和安全造成了负面影响。科特布斯市提出了一项创新方案，计划将这些废弃矿坑改造成人工湖泊，其中最大的一个将成为德国最大的一个人工湖——科特布斯东湖（Kotbusser Ostsee）。这个项目不仅具有美学意义，还能促进当地旅游业发展，为城市带来经济效益。然而，将矿坑改造成湖泊并非易事，需要克服许多技术和环境挑战，例如地下水酸化问题以及水资源的竞争等。 Willa Rubin：矿坑注水后，地下水与空气接触，会与黄铁矿发生氧化反应，产生硫酸，导致水体酸化。为了解决这个问题，可以使用石灰石粉末中和酸性，但这种方法成本高且不够环保。更有效的方法是用河水稀释酸性水体，利用河水中富含的碳酸氢根离子来中和酸性。科特布斯东湖项目采用了这种方法，自2019年以来，利用施普雷河水进行注水，目前水质已得到改善。然而，由于施普雷河水资源的日益紧张，以及其他矿坑和自然保护区对水资源的需求，科特布斯东湖项目的注水速度受到限制，导致湖泊的海岸线稳定性成为一个持续的挑战。 Willa Rubin：缓慢的注水速度也导致湖泊的海岸线不稳定，这给项目的建设带来了额外的困难。科特布斯市和相关机构已经投入了大量资金用于该项目的建设，包括修建环湖自行车道等基础设施。尽管面临挑战，科特布斯东湖项目仍在稳步推进，人们已经开始享受这个正在形成的湖泊带来的休闲和景观效益。 Martin Schulze：作为一名研究人员，我致力于保持这些人工湖泊的清洁和生态健康，这对我来说非常重要。 Martin Schulze: I'm super passionate about keeping these lakes clean and ecologically healthy.

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why are old mining pits being turned into lakes in Germany?

Old mining pits leave behind large, unsafe holes in the landscape, which are both unsightly and a safety hazard. Turning these pits into lakes not only addresses these issues but also creates new recreational spaces and boosts local tourism.

What is the largest artificial lake being created in Germany?

The Cottbus East Lake, also known as Kotbusser Ostsee, is set to become the largest artificial lake in Germany. It will have a shoreline of 26 kilometers (about 16 miles).

What challenges are involved in turning a mining pit into a lake?

The process involves several challenges, including the slow return of groundwater, which can take decades, and the potential for groundwater to become acidic due to contact with minerals like pyrite. Additionally, stabilizing the shoreline and managing water resources from rivers like the Spree are significant hurdles.

How is the acidity of groundwater managed in these new lakes?

Acidity is managed using methods like adding limestone powder, which is a base and helps balance the pH. Alternatively, water from rivers, which contains hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate), can be used to neutralize the acidity naturally.

What role does the Spree River play in the creation of the Cottbus East Lake?

The Spree River is used to flood the mining pit, helping to neutralize the groundwater's acidity and fill the lake. However, environmental concerns and competition for water from other projects have slowed the process.

What are the economic and environmental benefits of these lake projects?

These projects create new recreational areas, boost tourism, and provide ecological benefits by restoring natural habitats. However, they also face challenges like resource competition and the need for careful environmental management.

Chapters
The city of Cottbus in Germany is transforming a giant former lignite mining pit into a massive artificial lake, the largest in the country. This project involves complex scientific and engineering challenges, as the groundwater is highly acidic.
  • Transformation of a former lignite mining pit into an artificial lake
  • The lake will be the biggest artificial lake in Germany
  • The project is located in Cottbus, Germany near the Polish border

Shownotes Transcript

Old mines leave behind a a pressing problem: Huge holes that make the landscape look like a chunk of swiss cheese. But in Germany, some scientists and city planners are turning these into lakes. The largest one will be the biggest artificial lake in Germany when it's done, with a shoreline of 26 kilometers or about 16 miles all around. But it's not as easy as simply filling the holes with water. It takes a LOT of research to get this science right. *Interested in more environmental stories? Email us at [email protected]). We'd love to hear from you!Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave).*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)