How a Terrible Catastrophe in the Capital's Subway Was Averted
An investigation is underway regarding the causes and culprits of the tunnel collapse between the "Demiivska" and "Lybidska" stations.
It has already been established by experts that the leadership of the subway did not want to involve specialists from research institutes, subway construction companies, design organizations, and others who could determine the causes of the tunnel damage.
Today, we will discuss the importance of involving scientists in the study of critical situations in the subway. 55 years ago, it was thanks to microbiologists that a terrible catastrophe was averted in the Kyiv subway. At that time, scientists reported an invasion of highly aggressive bacteria in the tunnels between the "Zavod Bilshevyk" station (now "Shulyavska") and "Zhovtneva" (today "Beresteyska"). This unexpected bacteriological attack could have led to the destruction of powerful tunnel structures designed to last for centuries. At a depth of 104 meters, the tunnels floated in a lake of sulfuric acid. The press at that time had a taboo on discussing the critical threat to Kyiv residents.
At one time, I managed to conduct a journalistic investigation on this topic and interview Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, and leading researcher at the Danilo Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Iryna Panasivna Kozlova. Today, I share exclusive facts with the readers of Kaштан News.
I remember that time very well, – Iryna Panasivna recounts. – It was the autumn of 1969. I had just returned from vacation and was just getting into my favorite winter wheat (the topic was related to my candidate dissertation) when I learned that I had an extremely important task ahead of me. The management informed me that there was a government decision to involve scientists in research work in the Kyiv subway.
What happened? It must have been a special case if the republican leadership sounded the alarm.
A branch of the subway was being built from the "Zavod Bilshevyk" station to "Zhovtneva." They encountered an underground lake. Two options for solving this problem were discussed: to use the caisson method with compressed air during the work or to resort to freezing the ground. The first option was chosen, as it was the least expensive.
0 This is how things are usually done nowadays. But then they regret it...
Even before the critical situation arose, specialists provided information about the complete picture of all soil deposits in this area. For instance, this natural ecosystem contained iron sulfides, sulfur, and various microorganisms. If their balanced equilibrium is disturbed, an aggressive environment inevitably arises, which is exactly what happened. Thus, with the "help" of compressed air, some bacteria were "suppressed," and, conversely, others, the thionic bacteria—those that oxidize sulfur and iron compounds into sulfuric acid—suddenly began to assert their strength.
So, the thionic bacteria had been there in a kind of dormant state?
Yes. But their number could not affect the ecological balance of the underground environment. However, by using air, people disturbed this balanced system.
So the builders "opened the gate" to dangerous omnipotent bacteria due to their ignorance?
And this natural army produced sulfuric acid. The tunnels literally floated in it. In just four months, the bacteria "ate" 200,000 screws that held the structures together. Aggressive corrosion devoured the metal and concrete—it seemed to dissolve. The number of bacteria kept increasing.
1 How did the scientists begin their offensive against this enemy?
Initially, we spent three months conducting research. We—this was a special creative team of scientists led by Doctor of Sciences, Professor Kateryna Ivanivna Andreliuk. We also worked with leading specialists from other departments. I should mention the renowned microbiologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences Lev Yosypovych Rubenchik, who had a fundamental database on this issue. Together, we set out to save the subway. We felt a unique excitement and creative zeal in this battle against an invisible enemy. We believed we could overcome it. We conducted a series of experiments. Specifically, we drilled a series of holes in the tunnel structures to take water samples. We were surprised that subway builders began to resist—refusing to "mutilate" their creation with holes. However, we firmly insisted on our approach. The analyses confirmed our assumptions—thionic bacteria were swarming around the subway tunnel.
How many years would "predatory" bacteria need to completely "devour" the metro tunnel on this stretch?
I believe they would achieve this in a year.
Clearly, the microbiologists felt a tremendous responsibility. The matter was under the control of the republican leadership. After all, the opening of the "Zhovtneva" station was planned for the next "October anniversary," that is, the Communist holiday.
We were confident: we would manage… However, builders were already contemplating a plan to reroute the subway branch around the sulfuric underground lake, where thionic bacteria thrived. But a new tunnel would cost 18 million dollars. We, having fulfilled the government's task, saved a significant amount of money.
From the Editor: The metro station "Zhovtnéva" was opened on November 5 1971.
Interestingly, how were the predatory bacteria defeated?
I can tell you that there are no methods for fighting bacteria. We only create conditions to prevent them from multiplying excessively. Following our recommendations, the subway builders drilled dewatering wells near the critical area, pumped out the aggressive water, of course, along with the bacteria, and clad the tunnel in a special reinforced concrete "shirt." Subsequent studies proved that our methods were correct; over time, the number of thionic bacteria on the segment from "Zavod Bilshevyk" to "Zhovtneva" decreased significantly. The danger had passed. The natural ecosystem was brought back to a normal state. This took five years. By the way, both government officials and Doctor of Biological Sciences Kateryna Andreliuk signed the acceptance act for the new metro station. Thus, we microbiologists guaranteed the safety of subway passengers.
2 Can aggressive bacteria launch another offensive against underground transport communications?
Of course. If a favorable environment is created for them.
It’s also interesting—can thionic bacteria be beneficial to humans?
Yes. They are used in industry, for example, in processes related to uranium extraction.
Did the high-ranking officials acknowledge the work of the microbiologists?
In 1983, representatives of our creative team, including your interlocutor, became laureates of the Council of Ministers of the USSR award. We received about 500 rubles each.
From the official website of the Danilo Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine: "The largest and leading scientific institution in Ukraine in the field of microbiology, virology, and microbial biotechnology conducts fundamental research on the systematics, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and ecology of various groups of bacteria, microscopic fungi, and viruses, as well as the development of scientific foundations for biotechnological products and processes based on microorganisms for agriculture, industry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and environmental protection."
The main task of the Institute is to create scientific research aimed at obtaining and utilizing new knowledge in the fields of microbiology, virology, and biotechnology, bringing scientific knowledge to practical application, training highly qualified scientific personnel, satisfying social, economic, and cultural needs, and fostering the innovative development of the country.
The conversation was conducted by Leonid FROSEVYCH