Lime treatment experiments gob revegetation in Illinois: A twenty-five year record

Conference · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:361654

Medvick, C ^[1]

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1. Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, IL (United States). Office of Mines and Minerals

In 1971 and 1972, an attempt was made to achieve direct coal refuse revegetation on an Illinois coal refuse (gob) pile by testing six lime application rates and six grass and legume species. Following achievement of some initial success, a larger plot employing best treatment was established. Additionally, a small test was installed using best treatment and six-inch thick soil cover. In 1976, early results were published, in which short term success was presented. At that time, the prevailing question seemed to be, how long will the vegetation persist? In 1984 and 1985, the gob pile excluding the research plots, was lime-treated and revegetated, but the research plot was left undisturbed. In 1997, after a 25-year time lapse, the original plots were re-staked from original records, and plot-by-plot, existing vegetation on the plots was evaluated. Data is presented correlating for each treatment (each treatment repeated three times), sulfur analysis, vegetation status and lime adequacy. Related research is discussed. Ramifications concerning relevant acid mine drainage is addressed. Eleven conclusions are offered at the end of the paper.

• OSTI ID: 361654
• Report Number(s): CONF-9805185--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
AGE DEPENDENCE
COAL MINES
ILLINOIS
LAND RECLAMATION
LIMING
PERFORMANCE
RECOMMENDATIONS
REVEGETATION
SPOIL BANKS