Vegetative stabilization of spent oil shales: Vegetation moisture salinity and runoff, 1973--1976. Final report, April 1974--August 1976

Technical Report · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6768341

Harbert, III, H P; Berg, W A

Disposal of massive amounts of spent shale will be required if an oil shale industry using surface retorting is developed. Field studies were initiated in 1973 on two types of spent oil shale--coarse-textured (USBM), and fine-textured (TOSCO). The objectives of these studies were to investigate surface stability of and salt movement in spent shales and spent shales covered with soil after vegetation has been established by intensive treatment and then left under natural precipitation conditions. The plots were established at low-elevation (1,700 m) and high-elevation (2,220 m) study sites in northwestern Colorado. A good cover of native species was established on all plots by leaching, N and P fertilization, seeding, mulching, and irrigation. High levels of Mo were found in plants grown in the spent shales compared to plants grown in soil. Resalinization occurred following leaching of the TOSCO spent shale. The greatest runoff was from the TOSCO spent shale. Runoff was moderately to highly saline.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6768341
• Report Number(s): PB-280308
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040900* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Waste management
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COLORADO
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MANAGEMENT
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALES
PLANTS
RETORTING
REVEGETATION
ROCKS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SHALES
SPENT SHALES
STABILIZATION
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT