Reclamation of pyritic waste

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6515733

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, agricultural 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 percent 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 (USA). Municipal Environmental Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 6515733
• Report Number(s): PB-83-116947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
CARBONATE ROCKS
CHALCOGENIDES
COAL MINES
DISSOLUTION
FERTILIZERS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
LAND RECLAMATION
LEACHING
LIMESTONE
MINERALS
MINES
PYRITE
REVEGETATION
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
SOLID WASTES
SULFIDE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES