Surface reclamation of sodic spoil. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7114877

Halvorson, G A

Plots were established on regraded abandoned mine spoil to determine if nearby good quality spoil could be used in place of topsoil for the reclamation of these sites. Gypsum, calcium chloride, and power plant ash were also tested to determine the effectiveness of these materials in reclaiming these sites. Two sites were selected on which very little vegetation was growing on highly sodic spoil material. Gypsum, calcium chloride, and ash were added to the spoil at a rate designed to reduce the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in the surface 15 cm to 10 or less. The good quality spoil (replacement soil) was then laid on the surface at rates of 0, 5 or 15 cm of material. The plots were seeded to a mixture of smooth bromegrass (Bromus enermis Leyss.), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch Ex Link) Schult) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L). The addition of 5 of 15 cm of replacement spoil significantly improved vegetative growth on these sites. Chemical treatments had no effect on vegetative growth. Weathered ash showed no adverse effects on plant growth or soil properties.

• Research Organization: North Dakota State Univ., Mandan, ND (United States). Land Reclamation Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7114877
• Report Number(s): PB-92-191691/XAB; CNN: J0289005
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
ABANDONED SITES
ADSORPTION
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ASHES
CALCIUM CHLORIDES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM HALIDES
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
ELEMENTS
GRAMINEAE
GYPSUM
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LAND RECLAMATION
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
METALS
MINERALS
MINING
PLANTS
RESIDUES
REVEGETATION
SODIUM
SORPTION
SPOIL BANKS
SULFATE MINERALS
SURFACE MINING