Responses of soil biota to organic amendments in stripmine spoils in Northwestern New Mexico

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6876443

Elkins, N Z; Parker, L W; Aldon, E; Whitford, W G

The effects of organic amendments and topsoiling on the soil biota and decomposition were examined in order to evaluate the relative efficacy of the amendments in restarting soil processes. Decomposition of barley straw (Hordeum vulgare) and populations of soil biota on strip coal-mine spoils in northwestern New Mexico were studied. The spoils had been amended with straw mulch, bark, topsoil, or no organic additives. Decomposition rates were highest in the unmined area and the bark, amended spoils, and lowest on the topsoil amendment and unamended spoil. Few differences were observed in the populations of soil microflora. Where differences were observed, the bark-amended spoils had the highest populations and biomass. Soil microflora activity, as indicated by decomposition rates, was enhanced by bark amendment. Soil microfaunal populations were highest on the bark-amended spoils and unmined soil. Important soil mites (soil Acari), the oribatids, were found only in the bark-amended spoils and the unmined soils. These studies suggest that addition of selected organic amendments (bark) to mine spoils may be as effective in developing a soil as the more expensive topsoil/mulch procedures currently used in reclamation procedures. 25 references.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces
• OSTI ID: 6876443
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 13:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ARTHROPODS
POPULATION DENSITY
ORGANIC MATTER
DECOMPOSITION
SPOIL BANKS
LAND RECLAMATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COAL MINES
MICROORGANISMS
SOILS
ANIMALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
INVERTEBRATES
MINES
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)