Vegetative cover grows directly on acidic mine refuse pile

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Coal Min. Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6521276

Nickerson, F H

Duquesne Light Co., working in conjunction with GAI Consultants, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA, has established permanent, self-sustaining vegetation on an acidic, 80-yearold coal refuse pile without using a soil cover. The pile is at Duquesne's Warwick mine, located near Greensboro, Greene County, PA, about 60 mi. south of Pittsburgh. It was first used prior to 1900, and had continued to build up after Duquesne took over the mine in 1942. With the advent of the new federal and state regulations, the refuse pile posed a problem. The face of the completed portion of the pile had to be covered with vegetation. According to the letter of the law, this meant the addition of 2 ft of cover soil which is just not available in Greene County. Area soils are not only fairly thin, but in most cases, have a low pH and a low nutrient level. The better soils in the county are those formed in shale which breaks down to develop spoils high in silts and clays. These clays can be uncohesive, especially when wet. On a 3:1 slope such as that found on the Warwick refuse pile, this property may cause soil covers to slide. The cover can be lost before plants have a chance to produce roots deep enough to hold the material.

• OSTI ID: 6521276
• Journal Information: Coal Min. Process.; (United States), Journal Name: Coal Min. Process.; (United States) Vol. 21:2; ISSN CMPRB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMISTRY
CLAYS
COAL MINES
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
GROUND COVER
GROWTH
LAND RECLAMATION
MANAGEMENT
MINES
NUTRIENTS
PH VALUE
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
REGULATIONS
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
SILT
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SPOIL BANKS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT