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- Title
Evolution of Chemical Characteristics of Technosols in an Afforested Coal Mine Dump over a 20-year Period.
- Authors
Rivas‐Pérez, Ivana M.; Fernández‐Sanjurjo, María J.; Núñez‐Delgado, Avelino; Monterroso, Carmen; Macías, Felipe; Álvarez‐Rodríguez, Esperanza
- Abstract
Coal mining in areas containing pyritic materials frequently leads to a remarkable impact on the environment because of sulphide oxidation. We studied the evolution of chemical characteristics of Technosols derived from sterile materials, in a lignite mine located in As Pontes (northwest Spain), over a 20-year period. Three plots, which had different management practices, were selected. The mine spoil was deposited randomly in two of the plots (CSP with low S concentration and CSA with high S concentration), while it was selectively managed in the other one (P206). Twenty years after the first sampling, CSA continued to show the highest acidity (pHwater 3∙7-3∙9), whereas the lowest acidity was that of P206 (pHwater 5∙0). Regarding the surface layer, C increased 1∙1% in P206, 0∙3% in CSP and 0∙2% in CSA. Nitrogen increased 1% in P206. The C/N ratio increased in all plots. Phosphorus, Ca, Mg, K and effective cation exchange capacity decreased in 2002 and experienced a slight increase in 2012. Exchangeable Al and Al saturation increased in CSP and P206 and decreased in CSA. Electric conductivity levels of Ca, Mg, Na, Al and SO42− concentrations decreased in the soil solution in all plots during the 20-year period. Twenty years after the first monitoring, the plots that were built based on selective management of the mine spoil showed lower acidity and acidity-derived consequences. These facts confirm the necessity of an appropriate selection of sterile materials, avoiding the placement of pyrite-rich spoils on the surface or near-surface zones, which is essential to facilitate proper restoration of this kind of dumping areas. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Subjects
PYRITES; IRON ores; IRON sulfides; SULFIDE minerals; MAGISTRAL
- Publication
Land Degradation & Development, 2016, Vol 27, Issue 6, p1640
- ISSN
1085-3278
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/ldr.2472