Reclamation of pyritic waste

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

OSTI ID:5447873

Hill, R D; Hinkle, K R; Apel, M L

The reclamation of land used for the disposal of pyritic mine waste utilizing sewage sludge as a soil conditioner has been studied in laboratory greenhouse studies and a full-scale demonstration project. Analysis of samples revealed that some of the mining waste had a pH as low as 1.8, and copper and zinc content as high as 10 mg/g, and 2 mg/g, respectively. Greenhouse column studies showed that mine waste treated with sewage sludge, agriculture limestone, and fertilizer supported a good grass growth and improved the quality of the leachate generated. Reclamation of 8 hectares of disturbed mine land began in 1976. Fair to good vegetative cover had been established on over 90% of the area by 1982. To assure success of the vegetation, yearly maintenance of the more toxic areas has been required. Maintenance includes addition of fertilizer and limestone, and in the worst area, irrigation during drought periods. Weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) and Fescue (Ky-31, Festuca elatior var. arundenacea) have been the most successful vegetation.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 5447873
• 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

510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CHALCOGENIDES
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
FERTILIZERS
FIELD TESTS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
LAND RECLAMATION
LIMING
MINERAL WASTES
MINERALS
MINING
PYRITE
REVEGETATION
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
SOLID WASTES
SULFIDE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WASTES