Low-cost method of reclaiming strip-mined land in Iowa to agriculture

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Environ. Geol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473518· OSTI ID:5694844

Drake, L D; Ririe, G T

The paper reports on a loess terrace method for returning Iowa strip mines to crop land as mining progresses. During the 1970s, corn growth and yields were monitored on various thicknesses of loess over leveled acid spoils in Mahaska County, Iowa. The cost of reclaiming mined land to acceptable levels of productivity have been evaluated. When saturated loess was emplaced, the resulting compaction seriously reduced corn yields during the initial years of reclamation. This problem was substantially reduced at an adjacent site by emplacement during a dry season. After compaction had been partially alleviated by growth of sweet-clover, chisle plowing, freeze-thaw, and increase in organic matter, yields were clearly proportional to loess thickness. During years of normal rainfall, yields of approximatley 100 bushels per acre were produced from about 3 1/2 feet of loess cover. Four feet of loess cover produced yields equivalent to the counter average in 1978 (114 bushels/acre) and 1979 (119 bushels/acre). Although the underlying spoils were toxic (pH 3-4), upward migration of acids into the loess was minor, even during drought years. The cost of loess terrace reclamation was evaluatd for 3 to 5 feet of loess cover. Refs.

• Research Organization: Univ of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
• OSTI ID: 5694844
• Journal Information: Environ. Geol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Geol.; (United States) Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 3:5; ISSN ENGED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AGRICULTURE
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