Enzyme activities in revegetated surface soil overlying spent Paraho Process oil shale

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1981.00472425001000030024x· OSTI ID:6304061

Sorensen, D L; Klein, D A; Ruzzo, W J; Hersman, L E

Techniques for covering Paraho retorted oil shale with surface soil to allow more efficient revegetation have been evaluated for 2 years in the Piceance Basin of Colorado. In this study, several key microbiological parameters related to soil development and biogeochemical cycling processes were monitored to evaluate possible relationships between surface soil management and soil microbiological responses. Surface soil of 30-, 61-, and 91-cm depths placed directly over Paraho processed oil shale showed appreciable reduction in nitrogenase (acetylene reduction), dehydrogenase, and phosphatase activities as compared with surface soil not in contact with processed shale. The decreased nitrogenase and dehydrogenase activities in these soils placed directly over the processed shale at the various depths were not significantly different (P less than or equal to 0.05). With a 30-cm coarse rock capillary barrier between 61 cm of soil and the processed shale, the soil had nitrogenase and phosphatase activities which were not significantly lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) than the control soil. Interactive effects of seeding mixtures and fertilization on nitrogen fixation potential were also suggested, with introduced species plot soils not showing decreased nitrogen fixation potentials that were observed with the native species plots. These field results suggest that a capillary barrier may allow better maintenance of microbial processes in soils placed over Paraho retorted shale during revegetation.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-S-02-4018
• OSTI ID: 6304061
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 10:3; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
041000* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMISTRY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
FERTILIZATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOCHEMISTRY
HYDROLASES
INDUSTRY
LAND RECLAMATION
MATERIALS
NITROGEN FIXATION
OIL SHALE INDUSTRY
OIL SHALES
OXIDOREDUCTASES
PARAHO PROCESS
PHOSPHATASES
REVEGETATION
SOILS
SPENT SHALES