Factors related to reclamation success on graded spoil and on topdressed surfaces at two coal mines in New Mexico

Conference · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5305596

Reith, C C

Soils in coal-bearing regions of New Mexico often lack sufficient organic matter and horizon development to qualify as topsoils. When native soils differ little from excavated overburden, the expense of salvaging surface material for use as topdressing over graded spoil may be bypassed to make reclamation more economical without reducing quality. Out of four comparisons between topdressed surfaces and graded spoils on two coal mines, the author found only one reclaimed area where topdressing clearly supported more vegetation. Seventeen soil properties and other physical parameters were measured at reclaimed areas with and without topdressing. These areas represented a wide range of reclamation success at each mine, enabling tests for correlation between soil properties and reclamation success. At one mine, sand content was positively correlated and magnesium concentration and sodicity were negatively correlated with reclamation success, serving as predictors if not determinants of revegetation potential. At the other mine, aspect and Sodium Absorption Ratio were the principal correlates with reclamation success. None of the seventeen factors were positively correlated with reclamation success at both mines. Exchangeable Sodium Percentage, an index of sodic hazard, was the only negatively correlated soil property at both mines. Although the mines were both in the San Juan Basin, environmental differences between them resulted in different factors being correlated with, and presumably responsible for, reclamation success.

• Research Organization: Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
• OSTI ID: 5305596
• Report Number(s): CONF-821175-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMISTRY
COAL MINES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FEDERAL REGION VI
GROWTH
LAND RECLAMATION
MINES
MINING
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PLANT GROWTH
PRODUCTIVITY
REVEGETATION
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOILS
SPOIL BANKS
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA