Effects of ripping on mine soil compaction and black walnut establishment
Soil compaction of reclaimed surface-mined lands is a problem evident on most coal mining operations in southern Illinois. It is viewed as an unavoidable consequence of soil handling and grading and topsoil replacement. The authors have shown mine soil grading to be especially detrimental to planted tree seedlings and seed. Enhanced tree establishment and growth following ripping (subsoiling) illustrate the extent of soil compaction problems on reclaimed mine sites. In the spring of 1981 black walnut seed was planted in study plots on graded cast overburden and an adjacent area which had been ripped to a depth of 85 cm. During the second growing season bulk density (g/cm/sup 3/) in the top 15 cm was 1.1 on the ripped spoil compared to 1.5 on the unstripped spoil. Good establishment in the first year resulted in second year walnut survival of 85% and 64% on the ripped and unstripped spoil. Excavations of seedling root system suggest that the success or failure of black walnut on this site is linked to root system development in the two treatments. Excavated seedlings had extensive, spreading root systems on the ripped spoil. In contrast, seedlings on the unstripped spoil had shallow, stunted taproot and lateral root development. It cannot be determined at this point if the benefits of loosening compacted mine soils with ripping will continue throughout the life of the stand. The damage from intensive grading and resultant compaction is clearly evident.
- Research Organization:
- Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale
- OSTI ID:
- 5336607
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-821175-
- Journal Information:
- Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Conference: Symposium on surface mining hydrology, sedimentology, and reclamation, Lexington, KY, USA, 1 Nov 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SPOIL BANKS
PLANT GROWTH
REVEGETATION
SURFACE MINING
LAND RECLAMATION
COAL MINING
COMPACTING
FIELD TESTS
ILLINOIS
TREES
FEDERAL REGION V
GROWTH
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
TESTING
USA
010800* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Waste Management
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)