Revegetation of a superfund site

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · BioCycle; (USA)

OSTI ID:5874426

Sopper, W E ^[1]; McMahon, III, J M ^[2]

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1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)
2. Dept. of Public Works, Allentown, PA (USA)

Since 1898, a zinc smelter has been operating in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Emissions of Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, and SO{sub 2} have resulted in the death of all natural vegetation on approximately 2,000 acres on the north slope of Blue Mountain. Today, it is a barren, highly eroded biological desert. Soil nutrients have been washed away and microorganism populations are virtually non-existent. The Blue Mountain site represents a unique set of reclamation challenges. First of all, the area is totally inaccessible to vehicles because the slopes are covered by rocks, boulders, and undecomposed tree trunks and branches. Access would only be possible by bulldozing new roads. The slopes are steep averaging 30% and ranging from 25 to 100%. Most vehicles used to spread lime, fertilizer, or sludge must be able to transverse the site. This is not possible on this site, so that it would be necessary to use a spreading vehicle which could apply the amendments aerially considerable distances (100 to 150 ft) onto the slopes. Incorporation of the amendments, a usual practice, would also not be possible on this site. And lastly, the surface soil is highly contaminated with trace metals providing another impediment to vegetation establishment.

• OSTI ID: 5874426
• Journal Information: BioCycle; (USA), Journal Name: BioCycle; (USA) Vol. 29:7; ISSN BCYCD; ISSN 0276-5055
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ARID LANDS
CONTAMINATION
DESERTS
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION III
LAND POLLUTION
LAND RECLAMATION
LAWS
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
PENNSYLVANIA
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION LAWS
REVEGETATION
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SLUDGES
SMELTING
SOILS
SUPERFUND
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
ZINC