Early stages of mine soil genesis as affected by topsoiling organic amendments
- Virginia Council on the Environment, Richmond (USA)
Topsoil substitutes offer alternative reclamation options in many surface mining regions, particularly where native topsoil materials are of poor quality. The objective of this study was to measure effects of various amendments on mine soil properties and the early stages of pedogenesis. Treatments applied to 2:1 sandstone/siltstone spoil mixtures were inorganic fertilizer (control): 112 Mg ha{sup {minus}1} sawdust: 30 cm of local topsoil: and 22, 56, 112, or 224 Mg ha{sup {minus}1} of municipal sewage sludge. Morphologically distinct A horizons and transitional AC and C1 horizons developed in all pedons between 1982 and 1985, primarily due to plant rooting. The depth and nature of transitional AC and C1 horizons was strongly influenced by organic additions. Water availability after 3 yr was enhanced by sawdust applications. Mine soil pH decreased over times as basic cations leached, but sludge additions moderated the rate of decline. Organic C accumulation rates ranged from 700 to 1500 kg C ha{sup {minus}1} yr{sup {minus}1} and were accelerated by sludge additions. Soil total N generally increased as well, and both C and N accumulations were associated with A horizon formation. Extractable Fe increased significantly in the surface of all treatments over time. Sludge additions dominated mine soil chemistry for multiple seasons. Total cation exchange capacity (CEC) was greatly increased by sludge additions, but decreased significantly over time due to leaching of Ca and Mg. Changes in soil chemical and physical properties reflect rapid pedogenesis and effects of organic matter additions to mine soils. Organically amended spoils can equal or surpass native topsoil materials in forgage productivity.
- OSTI ID:
- 5394665
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-881108-; CODEN: SSSJD
- Journal Information:
- Soil Science Society of America Journal; (USA), Vol. 52:3; Conference: 52. annual meeting of the Soil Science Society, Anaheim, CA (USA), 27 Nov - 2 Dec 1988; ISSN 0361-5995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SOILS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
SURFACE MINING
LAND RECLAMATION
CALCIUM
ION EXCHANGE
IRON
LEACHING
MAGNESIUM
NITRATES
PH VALUE
SOIL CHEMISTRY
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CHEMISTRY
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
METALS
MINING
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
010900* - Coal
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540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)