Emergence and growth of plant species in coal mine soil
Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse in Arizona with the following objectives: to evaluate the chemical properties of undisturbed soil, surface-mined coal land (coal mine soil) on the Black Mesa Coal Mine, and Gila loam soil; and to study the emergence of seven plant species in the greenhouse in Gila loam soil and coal mine soil. The pH of coal mine soil (6.2) was lower than the pH of undisturbed soil (7.5) or Gila loam (7.6). The total soluble salts in coal mine soil (3241) and undisturbed soil (4592) were much higher than in Gila loam (378); however, coal mine soil was lower in total soluble salts than undisturbed soil. The nitrogen content of coal mine soil was higher than the nitrogen content of undisturbed soil or gila loam. Emergence percentages for seven plant species grown in coal mine soil were similar to emergence percentages for the same species grown in Gila loam. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) had from 84 to 93% emergence in coal mine soil. Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides Roem. and Shult), fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens Pursh), yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis Lam.), and winterfat (Euroti lanata Pursh.) emerged <35% in coal mine soil and Gila loam. Plant growth data from forage species grown in the greenhouse indicate that coal mine soil has a lower fertility level than does Gila loam soil. When supplied with optimum soil moisture and plant nutrients, coal mine soil produced approximately the same yields of forage from alfalfa, barley, and wheat as were produced in Gila loam under the same soil-moisture and fertility conditions.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Arizona, Tucson
- OSTI ID:
- 5369072
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 8:1; ISSN JEVQA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
010800 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
510100* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALFALFA
ARIZONA
BARLEY
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
BUILDINGS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CEREALS
COAL
COAL MINES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DATA FORMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FERTILITY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
GREENHOUSES
GROWTH
INFORMATION
LAND RECLAMATION
LEGUMINOSAE
MILL TAILINGS
MINES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PH VALUE
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
SOILS
SOLID WASTES
TABLES
TAILINGS
USA
WASTES
WESTERN REGION
WHEAT