Characterization of soil properties of reconstructed prime and non-prime land in western Kentucky

Conference · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5340451

Barnhisel, R I; Wilmhoff, G; Powell, J L

A field experiment was established in the fall of 1978 on the Alston Surface Mine operated by Peabody Coal Company in order to evaluate physical and chemical characteristics of restored prime and non-prime land and crop response on this land. Scraper-pans were used to reconstruct various plots with three treatment variables: 1) depth of soil material (prime vs. non-prime); placement of lime in upper subsoil zone prior to replacement of the topsoil or A horizon; and 3) use of a subsoiler to reduce the compaction from scraper-pans. After the various plots were constructed they were seeded to corn, soybeans and alfalfa in order to compare the effect of the treatments with an unmined reference area. The bulk density was increased significantly as the result of multiple passage of the scraper-pans as they deposited soil to the required depths needed for prime land. These increases occurred in both the topsoil materials. In both cases, the increase in densities exceeded the 0.1g/cc amount allowed by the Federal Regulations, although the bulk density of the topsoil horizon decreased to an acceptable level over winter and as the result of tillage. Only small changes in density occurred for subsoil materials during one year and this material does not meet the Performance Standards. It appears that remedial measures will be required if scraper-pans are used to reconstruct prime land in order to comply with the above standards. Subsoiling reduced the density of the upper 50cm, but this treatment was not effective in reducing the density to acceptable levels.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington
• OSTI ID: 5340451
• Report Number(s): CONF-791262-
• 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
010800* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CHEMISTRY
COAL MINING
CROPS
FEDERAL REGION IV
FIELD TESTS
KENTUCKY
LAND RECLAMATION
LAND USE
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRODUCTIVITY
REGULATIONS
REVEGETATION
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOILS
SURFACE MINING
TESTING
USA