Jenise M. Bauman, R. Brisbin, K. Gilland, Erica T. Cline
Abstract: The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative outlines planting methods that include preparation of a deep-rooting zone for healthy tree establishment (> 1.3 m deep). Continued monitoring may show that soil-ripping has pronounced effects in later years. However, little is known about the interactions of reclamation methods, buried metals, and micronutrients in soils on reclaimed coal mined sites. This study examined soil samples and plant tissue in eight-year-old pure American (Castanea dentata) and hybrid chestnuts BC1F3, and BC2F3 (C. dentata × C. mollissima) on a reclaimed coal mine site located in Dresden, Ohio under various treatments: 1) untreated control plots, 2) plots plowed and disked to 30 cm depth, 3) plots deep-ripped to 1 m depth, and 4) a combination of ripped and plowed/disked. Soil samples were collected in triplicate from all four treatments (n=3). Leaves were collected from a randomly selected subset of 108 trees (n=9). Flowers were collected from this subset (22 individuals), representing all treatments. Soil, leaves, and floral tissue were analyzed for silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. No differences were detected when metal concentrations in soil, foliage, and floral tissue were compared among soil preparation treatments and chestnut tree types. Soil concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Se were detected at higher levels than county averages. Differences were noted when metal concentrations in soil were compared to chestnut leaves and chestnut floral tissue (P < 0.05). Elements including As and Cd were detected in soils but not found in tree tissue, indicating no potential transfer into the food chain. However, Se and Cu concentrations in chestnut floral tissue were significantly higher when compared to foliage (P = 0.004 and < 0.0001), which merits monitoring focused on metal concentrations in developing chestnut seeds.
{"title":"METALS IN SOIL AND AMERICAN CHESTNUT TISSUE IN EXPERIMENTAL SOIL TREATMENTS PLOTS ON A COAL MINE RECLAIMED SITE","authors":"Jenise M. Bauman, R. Brisbin, K. Gilland, Erica T. Cline","doi":"10.21000/JASMR16020001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR16020001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative outlines planting methods that include preparation of a deep-rooting zone for healthy tree establishment (> 1.3 m deep). Continued monitoring may show that soil-ripping has pronounced effects in later years. However, little is known about the interactions of reclamation methods, buried metals, and micronutrients in soils on reclaimed coal mined sites. This study examined soil samples and plant tissue in eight-year-old pure American (Castanea dentata) and hybrid chestnuts BC1F3, and BC2F3 (C. dentata × C. mollissima) on a reclaimed coal mine site located in Dresden, Ohio under various treatments: 1) untreated control plots, 2) plots plowed and disked to 30 cm depth, 3) plots deep-ripped to 1 m depth, and 4) a combination of ripped and plowed/disked. Soil samples were collected in triplicate from all four treatments (n=3). Leaves were collected from a randomly selected subset of 108 trees (n=9). Flowers were collected from this subset (22 individuals), representing all treatments. Soil, leaves, and floral tissue were analyzed for silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. No differences were detected when metal concentrations in soil, foliage, and floral tissue were compared among soil preparation treatments and chestnut tree types. Soil concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Se were detected at higher levels than county averages. Differences were noted when metal concentrations in soil were compared to chestnut leaves and chestnut floral tissue (P < 0.05). Elements including As and Cd were detected in soils but not found in tree tissue, indicating no potential transfer into the food chain. However, Se and Cu concentrations in chestnut floral tissue were significantly higher when compared to foliage (P = 0.004 and < 0.0001), which merits monitoring focused on metal concentrations in developing chestnut seeds.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"413 1","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79989825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christy L. Christian, B. Oswald, H. Williams, K. Farrish
The practice of mine reclamation aims to balance the energy needs of society with proactive environmental restoration of degraded land, and long-term studies of vegetative community development on reclaimed mine land have been invaluable in developing effective reclamation practices. This study investigated vegetative community characteristics (composition, richness, species importance) over a 30-year time frame in planted mixed pine-hardwood areas on reclaimed surface coal mine land in East Texas, United States. Reclaimed sites were compared vegetatively to unmined reference forests. A chronological pattern was shown for reclaimed community development in both understory and overstory strata. Understory community development exhibited natural patterns, while the overstory community varied with different groups of planted species. The older reclaimed sites were most similar to unmined reference sites. Dissimilarities between mined and unmined communities were also apparent; for example, the woody vine community of reference sites was much more substantial in midstory and overstory strata as compared to reclaimed sites. Overall, this study provided baseline ecological information about these plant communities that may assist land managers and researchers in furthering their development of reclamation techniques and attainment of reclamation goals. Additional
{"title":"Vegetative Community Development over 30 Years within Mixed Pine-Hardwood Mine Reclamation sites in east Texas","authors":"Christy L. Christian, B. Oswald, H. Williams, K. Farrish","doi":"10.21000/JASMR16020019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR16020019","url":null,"abstract":"The practice of mine reclamation aims to balance the energy needs of society with proactive environmental restoration of degraded land, and long-term studies of vegetative community development on reclaimed mine land have been invaluable in developing effective reclamation practices. This study investigated vegetative community characteristics (composition, richness, species importance) over a 30-year time frame in planted mixed pine-hardwood areas on reclaimed surface coal mine land in East Texas, United States. Reclaimed sites were compared vegetatively to unmined reference forests. A chronological pattern was shown for reclaimed community development in both understory and overstory strata. Understory community development exhibited natural patterns, while the overstory community varied with different groups of planted species. The older reclaimed sites were most similar to unmined reference sites. Dissimilarities between mined and unmined communities were also apparent; for example, the woody vine community of reference sites was much more substantial in midstory and overstory strata as compared to reclaimed sites. Overall, this study provided baseline ecological information about these plant communities that may assist land managers and researchers in furthering their development of reclamation techniques and attainment of reclamation goals. Additional","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"84 1","pages":"19-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75630997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
With the global mining industry's focus on Sustainable Development, there has been a significant emphasis on mine closure and reclamation performance and reporting through the development of the International Council on Mining Metals (ICMM) Sustainable Development Framework and Principles, the Minerals Council of Australia's (MCA) Enduring Value Framework for Sustainable Development, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the Equator Principles. In addition financial reporting obligations under International Financial Reporting Standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) have also led to better understanding and improvements with industry closure performance, liability management, and reporting, and provide improved guidance on evaluating and measuring liability. Under these sustainable development principles and financial reporting obligations, mining companies are required to self-regulate their compliance to these obligations for mine closure planning and associated cost estimates across all life cycle phases of their mining projects. Internal processes should be developed within mining companies to better understand their closure liabilities and obligations. The likely closure costs and cost estimating processes should be developed for long-term life of mine (asset) planning and budgeting, financial reporting for corporate balance sheet provisioning purposes, and regulator reporting for environmental bonding and financial assurances. Mining companies need to plan for, prepare, and actually "mine for closure" right from the start of a project. This means that their closure and reclamation liabilities throughout each stage of the mine life cycle phases; exploration, during feasibility studies and mine construction, start-up and operations through to the last day of production and beyond, must be understood, planned for, managed, and controlled. This paper will discuss how these closure liabilities are calculated, how they are utilised internally within an organisation and what must they deliver in terms of improvement, performance, and reputation. Early recognition of closure and reclamation liabilities promotes improved strategies for operations to plan additional mitigation strategies and anticipate progressive closure and rehabilitation activities. Closure planning creates shareholder value if these long-term liabilities can be reduced or eliminated during operations. A well-established closure planning process combined with a closure and reclamation cost estimating process ensures investment, development, and operating decisions made today are made in full recognition of the potential financial impacts for closure in the future.
{"title":"MANAGING AND ESTIMATING CLOSURE AND RECLAMATION LIABILITIES - A PRACTITIONER'S VIEW 1","authors":"M. Slight, H. Lacy","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020122","url":null,"abstract":"With the global mining industry's focus on Sustainable Development, there has been a significant emphasis on mine closure and reclamation performance and reporting through the development of the International Council on Mining Metals (ICMM) Sustainable Development Framework and Principles, the Minerals Council of Australia's (MCA) Enduring Value Framework for Sustainable Development, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the Equator Principles. In addition financial reporting obligations under International Financial Reporting Standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) have also led to better understanding and improvements with industry closure performance, liability management, and reporting, and provide improved guidance on evaluating and measuring liability. Under these sustainable development principles and financial reporting obligations, mining companies are required to self-regulate their compliance to these obligations for mine closure planning and associated cost estimates across all life cycle phases of their mining projects. Internal processes should be developed within mining companies to better understand their closure liabilities and obligations. The likely closure costs and cost estimating processes should be developed for long-term life of mine (asset) planning and budgeting, financial reporting for corporate balance sheet provisioning purposes, and regulator reporting for environmental bonding and financial assurances. Mining companies need to plan for, prepare, and actually \"mine for closure\" right from the start of a project. This means that their closure and reclamation liabilities throughout each stage of the mine life cycle phases; exploration, during feasibility studies and mine construction, start-up and operations through to the last day of production and beyond, must be understood, planned for, managed, and controlled. This paper will discuss how these closure liabilities are calculated, how they are utilised internally within an organisation and what must they deliver in terms of improvement, performance, and reputation. Early recognition of closure and reclamation liabilities promotes improved strategies for operations to plan additional mitigation strategies and anticipate progressive closure and rehabilitation activities. Closure planning creates shareholder value if these long-term liabilities can be reduced or eliminated during operations. A well-established closure planning process combined with a closure and reclamation cost estimating process ensures investment, development, and operating decisions made today are made in full recognition of the potential financial impacts for closure in the future.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"4 1","pages":"122-132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85206337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract. Surface mining transforms landscapes and ecosystem functions through the removal of vegetation and soil. Losses of vegetation correlate with declines, displacement, and transformations of songbird communities. Mine reclamation is a legislative requirement that can influence wildlife communities. The purpose of this study was to examine the avian community responses to mine reclamation practices and, as a proxy, assess the potential benefits and limitations of current reclamation approaches. Avian point counts were carried out at 202 plots on mined and surrounding non-mined areas throughout the Shale Hills Region of Alabama. These mines were reclaimed across a 26 year time-frame and using a variety of reclamation techniques. Six of the thirty-six bird species observed in high enough densities for detailed analysis showed differences of interest between reclaimed and random non-mined sites. Two species showed negative density responses: Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis), Hooded Warblers (Setophaga citrina). Conversely, densities of Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), Pine Warblers (Setophaga pinus), and Prairie Warblers (Setophaga discolor) responded positively to mine reclamation. We found that most mine reclamation in the Shale Hills Region of Alabama tended to shift habitat towards open canopy, edge, and grassland habitats. Though our study area tended to have fairly open forest structures (average basal areas around 13 m 2 /ha and average canopy closures around 50%), species that responded negatively were often associated with older sites with more closed canopies. Reclamation techniques should incorporate diverse canopy vegetation and thick mid-story cover to promote more complex vertical forest structure.
{"title":"BIRD SPECIES’ REPONSES TO POST MINE RECLAMATION IN ALABAMA – A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS","authors":"Richard R. Borthwick, Yong Wang","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Surface mining transforms landscapes and ecosystem functions through the removal of vegetation and soil. Losses of vegetation correlate with declines, displacement, and transformations of songbird communities. Mine reclamation is a legislative requirement that can influence wildlife communities. The purpose of this study was to examine the avian community responses to mine reclamation practices and, as a proxy, assess the potential benefits and limitations of current reclamation approaches. Avian point counts were carried out at 202 plots on mined and surrounding non-mined areas throughout the Shale Hills Region of Alabama. These mines were reclaimed across a 26 year time-frame and using a variety of reclamation techniques. Six of the thirty-six bird species observed in high enough densities for detailed analysis showed differences of interest between reclaimed and random non-mined sites. Two species showed negative density responses: Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis), Hooded Warblers (Setophaga citrina). Conversely, densities of Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), Pine Warblers (Setophaga pinus), and Prairie Warblers (Setophaga discolor) responded positively to mine reclamation. We found that most mine reclamation in the Shale Hills Region of Alabama tended to shift habitat towards open canopy, edge, and grassland habitats. Though our study area tended to have fairly open forest structures (average basal areas around 13 m 2 /ha and average canopy closures around 50%), species that responded negatively were often associated with older sites with more closed canopies. Reclamation techniques should incorporate diverse canopy vegetation and thick mid-story cover to promote more complex vertical forest structure.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"1 1","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74190138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract: Created by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the seven state regulatory authorities in Appalachia, the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) re-establishes healthy, productive forest habitat on active mines, abandoned mine lands, and mines that were previously reclaimed to non-forested post-mining land uses in the eastern coal fields. Green Forests Work (GFW) is a nonprofit organization formed out of ARRI as an economic development plan for Appalachia, styled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s to restore forest ecosystem services on mine-scarred lands and to create jobs in the process. From 2009 to 2015, ARRI and GFW have partnered with state and federal agencies, watershed groups, coal operators, conservation groups, environmental organizations, faith-based groups, and numerous universities, colleges, and high schools to coordinate 217 tree planting projects/events on surface mines throughout Appalachia. This work has resulted in the planting of more than 1.59 million trees on 2,602 acres of previously reclaimed mine sites where reforestation was not attempted or where the results were undesirable. ARRI’s and GFW’s role in these endeavors is to facilitate communication, provide technical assistance, and to match funding sources with suitable mined land and volunteer groups. The volunteer tree planting events facilitated by ARRI and GFW engaged 645 partner organizations and 11,701 volunteers and natural resource professionals, who contributed approximately 80,017 volunteer hours. Among the volunteers, a total of 6,225 were 24 years old or under, supporting the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior’s Engaging the Next Generation Youth Initiative and the spirit of volunteerism across the United States.
{"title":"THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL REFORESTATION INITIATIVE AND GREEN FORESTS WORK: BRINGING BACK THE FOREST ON SURFACE COAL MINES IN APPALACHIA","authors":"H. Angel, C. Barton, Michael T. French, P. Angel","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020091","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Created by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the seven state regulatory authorities in Appalachia, the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) re-establishes healthy, productive forest habitat on active mines, abandoned mine lands, and mines that were previously reclaimed to non-forested post-mining land uses in the eastern coal fields. Green Forests Work (GFW) is a nonprofit organization formed out of ARRI as an economic development plan for Appalachia, styled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s to restore forest ecosystem services on mine-scarred lands and to create jobs in the process. From 2009 to 2015, ARRI and GFW have partnered with state and federal agencies, watershed groups, coal operators, conservation groups, environmental organizations, faith-based groups, and numerous universities, colleges, and high schools to coordinate 217 tree planting projects/events on surface mines throughout Appalachia. This work has resulted in the planting of more than 1.59 million trees on 2,602 acres of previously reclaimed mine sites where reforestation was not attempted or where the results were undesirable. ARRI’s and GFW’s role in these endeavors is to facilitate communication, provide technical assistance, and to match funding sources with suitable mined land and volunteer groups. The volunteer tree planting events facilitated by ARRI and GFW engaged 645 partner organizations and 11,701 volunteers and natural resource professionals, who contributed approximately 80,017 volunteer hours. Among the volunteers, a total of 6,225 were 24 years old or under, supporting the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior’s Engaging the Next Generation Youth Initiative and the spirit of volunteerism across the United States.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"65 1","pages":"91-101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74244947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Coal is an important source of energy for electricity and is used in making steel and various other products. West Virginia is the largest coal producing state within the Appalachian region. Surface mining of coal drastically disturbs ecologically diverse forests and the reforestation of these areas after mining is an important first step to helping restore their ecosystem functions. After mining, operators are often left with brown and gray sandstone to use as topsoil substitutes. Brown sandstone has been more weathered and has physical and chemical properties that are better for tree growth (lower pH, higher percent fines, and higher available nutrients) than gray sandstone. Two study sites were established on former mine sites in West Virginia to assess the effects of brown and gray sandstone, with and without mulch treatments, on tree establishment. Tree growth data for tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.) and northern red oak (Q. rubra L.), and for soil samples (analyzed for pH, EC, percent fines, and extractable nutrients) have been collected annually for the last 10 years. The pH of brown sandstone was 5.2 to 5.4, gray sandstone was 6.5 to 6.8, and mulch treatments were 7.0. Percent fines ranged from 42 to 60% on all treatments. The mulch treatment had high levels of Ca (197 cmolc/kg). The height growth of each tree species on both mine sites was compared to the growth of trees growing on clear-cut areas at the Fernow Forest, WV. In addition, an estimated site index prior to disturbance was calculated and used to predict tree growth rates based on NRCS soil survey data. Tree heights (25 to 175 cm) on gray sandstone were significantly lower than height on brown sandstone (197 to 544 cm) for all three species. Trees on mulched plots were up to 229 cm taller than trees on un-mulched plots. Tulip poplar height on the brown treatment (544 cm) was greater than on a clear-cut area with a site index 62 at 10 years (503 cm). Tree heights on average were 50% lower on mined sites compared to heights calculated from pre-mining site indices.
{"title":"HEIGHT OF THREE HARDWOOD SPECIES GROWING ON MINE SITES RECLAIMED USING THE FORESTRY RECLAMATION APPROACH COMPARED TO NATURAL CONDITIONS 1","authors":"Kara Dallaire, J. Skousen, J. Schuler","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020020","url":null,"abstract":"Coal is an important source of energy for electricity and is used in making steel and various other products. West Virginia is the largest coal producing state within the Appalachian region. Surface mining of coal drastically disturbs ecologically diverse forests and the reforestation of these areas after mining is an important first step to helping restore their ecosystem functions. After mining, operators are often left with brown and gray sandstone to use as topsoil substitutes. Brown sandstone has been more weathered and has physical and chemical properties that are better for tree growth (lower pH, higher percent fines, and higher available nutrients) than gray sandstone. Two study sites were established on former mine sites in West Virginia to assess the effects of brown and gray sandstone, with and without mulch treatments, on tree establishment. Tree growth data for tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.) and northern red oak (Q. rubra L.), and for soil samples (analyzed for pH, EC, percent fines, and extractable nutrients) have been collected annually for the last 10 years. The pH of brown sandstone was 5.2 to 5.4, gray sandstone was 6.5 to 6.8, and mulch treatments were 7.0. Percent fines ranged from 42 to 60% on all treatments. The mulch treatment had high levels of Ca (197 cmolc/kg). The height growth of each tree species on both mine sites was compared to the growth of trees growing on clear-cut areas at the Fernow Forest, WV. In addition, an estimated site index prior to disturbance was calculated and used to predict tree growth rates based on NRCS soil survey data. Tree heights (25 to 175 cm) on gray sandstone were significantly lower than height on brown sandstone (197 to 544 cm) for all three species. Trees on mulched plots were up to 229 cm taller than trees on un-mulched plots. Tulip poplar height on the brown treatment (544 cm) was greater than on a clear-cut area with a site index 62 at 10 years (503 cm). Tree heights on average were 50% lower on mined sites compared to heights calculated from pre-mining site indices.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"37 12-13 1","pages":"20-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77864294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oxygen has been considered the main driver of the weathering processes in mining wastes, omitting the role of microbes. Among many approaches to control oxygen access to the wastes, in situ treatment of the mineral surface has been tried since the late eighties. Various materials including NPR (Natural Phosphate Rock) were added with the expectation of finding an iron-phosphate coating. Irregular and inconsistent results were obtained when the effluents were evaluated according to NPR stoichiometry; however, the lower dosages showed some improvements in the effluents. Since the results did not consistently produce iron phosphate, any positive effects on effluents were considered accidental and the approach abandoned. We suspected microbes at work based on basic ecological considerations. Hence 1991, we began experimenting on tailings and waste rock with additions of NPR, postulating that if chemo-lithotrophic microbes on the mineral surface accelerate oxidation, then heterotrophic (oxygen-consuming) microbes would reduce oxidation. Samples from tailings plots where NPR was tilled into the surface were tested for pore-water quality after eight years. Effluents from waste rock exposed outdoors in drums were monitored for 2.7 years. Repeatedly, the one-time addition of NPR produced effluents with elevated pH and low metal acidity. Later, microscopic investigations of the rocks found an organic layer on the mineral surfaces. Investigations by scientists in 6 different universities confirmed the presence of a biofilm as the cause of the reduced acid generation. In 2013, heterotrophs were identified and quantified as they covered the surface of German lignite, following a bioleach testing protocol starting at pH around 1. These findings conclusively showed that the development of heterotrophic biofilms and improved effluents from sulfidic mine wastes are a consequence of adding waste NPR. We conclude that sufficient evidence has been gathered to prove that the geo- microbial control or in situ control of sulfide oxidation is a viable concept. It needs to be pursued to control or curtail acid mine drainage now and in the future. In this paper, we document the evolving ecological thought process over 23 years of research, which lead step by step toward understanding of the effects of NPR on the reduction of sulfide oxidation.
{"title":"REDUCING SULFIDE OXIDATION IN MINING WASTES BY RECOGNIZING THE GEOMICROBIAL ROLE OF PHOSPHATE MINING WASTES - A long journey 1991-2014 1","authors":"M. Kalin, C. Paulo, W. N. Wheeler","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020102","url":null,"abstract":"Oxygen has been considered the main driver of the weathering processes in mining wastes, omitting the role of microbes. Among many approaches to control oxygen access to the wastes, in situ treatment of the mineral surface has been tried since the late eighties. Various materials including NPR (Natural Phosphate Rock) were added with the expectation of finding an iron-phosphate coating. Irregular and inconsistent results were obtained when the effluents were evaluated according to NPR stoichiometry; however, the lower dosages showed some improvements in the effluents. Since the results did not consistently produce iron phosphate, any positive effects on effluents were considered accidental and the approach abandoned. We suspected microbes at work based on basic ecological considerations. Hence 1991, we began experimenting on tailings and waste rock with additions of NPR, postulating that if chemo-lithotrophic microbes on the mineral surface accelerate oxidation, then heterotrophic (oxygen-consuming) microbes would reduce oxidation. Samples from tailings plots where NPR was tilled into the surface were tested for pore-water quality after eight years. Effluents from waste rock exposed outdoors in drums were monitored for 2.7 years. Repeatedly, the one-time addition of NPR produced effluents with elevated pH and low metal acidity. Later, microscopic investigations of the rocks found an organic layer on the mineral surfaces. Investigations by scientists in 6 different universities confirmed the presence of a biofilm as the cause of the reduced acid generation. In 2013, heterotrophs were identified and quantified as they covered the surface of German lignite, following a bioleach testing protocol starting at pH around 1. These findings conclusively showed that the development of heterotrophic biofilms and improved effluents from sulfidic mine wastes are a consequence of adding waste NPR. We conclude that sufficient evidence has been gathered to prove that the geo- microbial control or in situ control of sulfide oxidation is a viable concept. It needs to be pursued to control or curtail acid mine drainage now and in the future. In this paper, we document the evolving ecological thought process over 23 years of research, which lead step by step toward understanding of the effects of NPR on the reduction of sulfide oxidation.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"3 1","pages":"102-121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82791655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract. Legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 2007 mandates that 25% of transportation fuels must be made from renewable sources by 2022. Two bioenergy crops that have the potential to meet this mandate are switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus). Both species are warm-season perennial grasses and have high biomass production potential under low soil fertility requirements. Biofeedstocks for transportation fuels should be grown on marginal lands rather than prime agricultural land best suited for growing food crops. West Virginia provides an abundance of reclaimed surface mine lands that could be used to produce bioenergy crops. In 2010, two varieties each of switchgrass and Miscanthus were planted in 0.4-ha plots with five replications. This study determined dry matter yields of switchgrass varieties Kanlow and BoMaster and Public and Private varieties of Miscanthus after five growing seasons. All species and varieties were established at Alton, a reclaimed surface mine in central West Virginia. This site was reclaimed in 1985 with 15 cm of soil being placed over mixed overburden. Grass and legume species were planted and soils were initially fertilized and limed according to recommendations. Miscanthus yields after the 5 th year averaged 13.7 Mg ha -1 for Private and 14.4 Mg ha -1 for Public. Switchgrass yields after five years averaged 7.9 Mg ha -1 for Kanlow and 7.3 Mg ha -1 for BoMaster, which is approaching the yields of switchgrass on agricultural soils in the region. With these recorded biomass yields, switchgrass and Miscanthus are able to provide alternative, more sustainable energy sources, whilst providing a more profitable post-mining land opportunity for surface mined land-owners.
摘要美国国会2007年通过的立法规定，到2022年，25%的运输燃料必须由可再生能源制成。两种有潜力满足这一要求的生物能源作物是柳枝稷(Panicum virgatum)和芒草(Miscanthus x giganteus)。这两个物种都是暖季多年生禾本科植物，在低土壤肥力要求下具有很高的生物量生产潜力。运输燃料的生物原料应该种植在边缘土地上，而不是最适合种植粮食作物的主要农业用地。西弗吉尼亚州提供了丰富的可用于生产生物能源作物的开垦地表矿山土地。2010年，在0.4公顷的地块上种植了柳枝稷和芒草两个品种，分五个重复种植。本研究测定了柳枝稷品种Kanlow和BoMaster以及芒草公共品种和私人品种在五个生长季节后的干物质产量。所有的物种和变种都是在Alton建立的，Alton是西弗吉尼亚州中部的一个回收的露天矿山。该场地于1985年填海，在混合覆盖层上放置了15厘米的土壤。种植了禾草和豆科植物，并根据建议对土壤进行了初步施肥和石灰处理。第5年以后，私人种植的芒草平均产量为13.7 Mg ha -1，公共种植的平均产量为14.4 Mg ha -1。5年后，Kanlow的柳枝稷平均产量为7.9毫克公顷-1,BoMaster的产量为7.3毫克公顷-1，接近该地区农业土壤上柳枝稷的产量。有了这些记录的生物质产量，柳枝稷和芒草能够提供替代的、更可持续的能源，同时为地表开采的土地所有者提供更有利可图的开采后土地机会。
{"title":"SWITCHGRASS AND MISCANTHUS YIELDS ON RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES FOR BIOENERGY PRODUCTION","authors":"Steffany M. Scagline, J. Skousen, T. Griggs","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020080","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 2007 mandates that 25% of transportation fuels must be made from renewable sources by 2022. Two bioenergy crops that have the potential to meet this mandate are switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus). Both species are warm-season perennial grasses and have high biomass production potential under low soil fertility requirements. Biofeedstocks for transportation fuels should be grown on marginal lands rather than prime agricultural land best suited for growing food crops. West Virginia provides an abundance of reclaimed surface mine lands that could be used to produce bioenergy crops. In 2010, two varieties each of switchgrass and Miscanthus were planted in 0.4-ha plots with five replications. This study determined dry matter yields of switchgrass varieties Kanlow and BoMaster and Public and Private varieties of Miscanthus after five growing seasons. All species and varieties were established at Alton, a reclaimed surface mine in central West Virginia. This site was reclaimed in 1985 with 15 cm of soil being placed over mixed overburden. Grass and legume species were planted and soils were initially fertilized and limed according to recommendations. Miscanthus yields after the 5 th year averaged 13.7 Mg ha -1 for Private and 14.4 Mg ha -1 for Public. Switchgrass yields after five years averaged 7.9 Mg ha -1 for Kanlow and 7.3 Mg ha -1 for BoMaster, which is approaching the yields of switchgrass on agricultural soils in the region. With these recorded biomass yields, switchgrass and Miscanthus are able to provide alternative, more sustainable energy sources, whilst providing a more profitable post-mining land opportunity for surface mined land-owners.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"Suppl 1","pages":"80-90"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73087554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract. This article reviews different techniques for reclaiming quarries in England. They can be used to reclaim abandoned quarries as well as those that are still operating. A number of reclamation techniques have been developed to revert land that has been quarried for minerals to some productive state. The techniques discussed in this paper include rollover slopes, backfilling, benchplanting, and restoration blasting. These techniques are mainly used to prepare quarry landform to support vegetation, ensure safety at site, as well as accommodate different after-uses. A less conventional method of natural recovery or spontaneous succession is also discussed. Whether applied solely or in combination, the use of these techniques has a potential to enhance the environmental qualities of land degraded by quarrying.
{"title":"QUARRY RECLAMATION IN ENGLAND: A REVIEW OF TECHNIQUES","authors":"I. A. Legwaila, Eckart Lange, J. Cripps","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020055","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. This article reviews different techniques for reclaiming quarries in England. They can be used to reclaim abandoned quarries as well as those that are still operating. A number of reclamation techniques have been developed to revert land that has been quarried for minerals to some productive state. The techniques discussed in this paper include rollover slopes, backfilling, benchplanting, and restoration blasting. These techniques are mainly used to prepare quarry landform to support vegetation, ensure safety at site, as well as accommodate different after-uses. A less conventional method of natural recovery or spontaneous succession is also discussed. Whether applied solely or in combination, the use of these techniques has a potential to enhance the environmental qualities of land degraded by quarrying.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"24 1","pages":"55-79"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81883474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract: The rehabilitation of forest and other woody vegetation ecosystems on mineral extraction sites is common place and a major post-mining land use throughout Australia. Owing to the need for government certification (under Australian and State legislation specified completion criteria which are indicative of rehabilitation goals are or have been achieved) there is often referral to and comparison with reference native vegetation sites.
{"title":"USE OF REFERENCE SITES IN THE EVALUATION OF SOME REHABILITATED NATIVE FORESTS ON SURFACE MINES IN AUSTRALIA","authors":"R. Humphries","doi":"10.21000/JASMR15020036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR15020036","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: The rehabilitation of forest and other woody vegetation ecosystems on mineral extraction sites is common place and a major post-mining land use throughout Australia. Owing to the need for government certification (under Australian and State legislation specified completion criteria which are indicative of rehabilitation goals are or have been achieved) there is often referral to and comparison with reference native vegetation sites.","PeriodicalId":17230,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation","volume":"26 1","pages":"36-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78130160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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