Adequate supply and availability of nitrogen (N) is a major factor hindering successful revegetation of reclaimed surface mines. Because topsoils are often unrecoverable, “topsoil substitutes”, made up of overburden materials devoid of N, are often used on reclaimed surfaces. Four replications of seven surface treatments were applied to 12 m² plots of 2:1 sandstone:siltstone material on a reclaimed coal surface mine in Wise Co., VA: 1) fertilizer (168 kg/ha N, 147 kg/ha P, and 139 kg/ha K), 2) limed (7.8 Mg/ha), fertilized topsoil (30 cm deep), 3) 112 Mg/ha sawdust + fertilizer + 336 kg/ha slow-release N, and 4-7) lime-treated municipal sewage sludge at rates of 22, 56, 112, and 224 Mg/ha. Nitrogen availability after 40 mo (as determined by aerobic and anaerobic incubations) in sawdust- and sludge-amended soils was two to 20 times higher than in fertilized and topsoil-amended soils. Moisture holding capacity was nearly twice as high in sawdust-amended soils as in all other treatments. Soil nitrate (NO₃⁻) levels (0-20 cm layer) in excess of 75 μg/g were detected in the 112 and 224 Mg/ha sludge plots 28 mo after application. Stem volumes of three-year-old pitch X loblolly pines (<i>Pinus rigida</i> X <i>taeda</i>) were four times larger in soils amended with sawdust + slow-release N and were twice as large in soils amended with 22 and 56 Mg/ha sludge compared to fertilized-only seedlings. Increased seedling mortality was observed in the 112 and 224 Mg/ha sludge treatments, possibly due to high soluble salt levels and/or manganese deficiencies. The availability of N from sawdust + slow-release N or sludge (≤ 56 Mg/ha) is better than that of inorganic fertilizer for sustained tree growth. These amendments are recommended for reclamation to the extent that they are economically available. / M.S.

This study presents a comprehensive physically based stochastic dynamic optimization model to assist planners in making decisions concerning mine soil depths and soil mixture ratios required to achieve successful revegetation of mined lands at different probability levels of success, subject to an uncertain weather regime. A perennial grass growth model was modified and validated for predicting vegetation growth in reclaimed mine soils. The plant growth model is based on continuous relationships between plant growth, air temperature, day length, leaf area, photoperiod and plant-soil-moisture stresses. A plant available soil moisture model was adopted to estimate daily soil moisture for mine soils. A general probability model was developed to estimate the probability of successful revegetation in a 5-year bond release period. The probability model considers five possible bond release criteria ir1 mine soil reclamation planning. A stochastic dynamic optimization model (SDOM) was developed to find the optimum combination of soil depth and soil mixture ratios that met the successful vegetation standard under non-irrigated conditions with weather as the only random element of the system. The SDOM was applied for Wise County, Virginia, and the model found that 2:1 sandstone/siltstone soil mixture required the minimum soil depth to achieve successful revegetation. These results were also supported by field data. The developed model allows the planners to better manage lands drastically disturbed by surface mining. / Ph. D.

This thesis presents the history of conservation and reclamation of the natural resources of the United States in the areas of soil conservation, forestry and grazing, wildlife and scenic beauty, minerals, and water power.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, a cost benefit analysis was done to determine the best possible methods for postmining reclamation. A comparison was made between a conventional method with additional organic material added to the soil and a Backgrounding method where cattle are reared on the land. The best method, according to the financial model that was built, was the method of Backgrounding cattle on the rehabilitated land. The main reason for this outcome may be due to the fact that the meat that is produced is a high value product. It might not be practically applicable to mines at this stage, but the calculation provides an insight into the possibilities that reclaimed mine land holds for the agricultural industry.

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

Chan Chik-yu. / Thesis submitted in: December 1998. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-152). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.xi / List of Plates --- p.xiii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Fly Ash --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Formation of fly ash --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Physical and chemical properties of fly ash --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Disposal --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Problems Associated with the Reclamation of Fly Ash --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Physical problems --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Nutrient problems --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Toxicity problems --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Biological problems --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Ecological Considerations on Wasteland Reclamation --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Ecological basis --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Problems of ecosystem development and its treatments --- p.11 / Chapter 1.4 --- Obj ectives of the Present Study --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- EDAPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLY ash and vegetation composition on fly ASH LAGOON --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Site description --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Collection of fly ash and soil samples --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Physical analysis --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Chemical analysis --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Vegetation analysis --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Statistical analysis --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Physical properties --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Chemical properties --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Vertical ash profile --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Vegetation survey --- p.48 / Chapter 2.4 --- Conclusions --- p.58 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- GREENHOUSE PLANT SELECTION AND AMELIORATION TRIALS ON LAGOONED FLY ASH --- p.60 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Collection of lagooned fly ash and planting materials --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Plant selection trial --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Amelioration trials --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Plant selection trial --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Amelioration trials --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusions --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- LEACHING OF SOLUBLE SALTS AND BORON FROM LAGOONED FLY ASH --- p.84 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Setup of column --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Leaching regimes --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Growth of ryegrass on leached ashes --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Chemical analysis on ashes --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.89 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.90 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Leaching of soluble salts and B --- p.90 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Plant growth in leached ashes --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusions --- p.105 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON plant growth on pre-leached fly ash --- p.106 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.106 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Collection of materials --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Chemical analysis of planting media --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Plant growth experiment --- p.109 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.110 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.110 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Chemical properties --- p.110 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Plant growth on organic-amended ash --- p.116 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Plant elemental uptake --- p.118 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusions --- p.123 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- GENERAL CONCLUSIONS --- p.125 / References --- p.128

Poon Mei-yan, Pauline. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-118). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Tables --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Plates --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The problem: deficiencies of EIA process --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Necessity of EIA follow-up --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives and scope of the study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.6 --- Thesis outline --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- EIA FOLLOW-UP PRACTICES: TRENDS AND FUNCTIONS / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- EIA follow-up - the conceptual background --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Working definitions of monitoring and auditing --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Types of monitoring --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Types of auditing --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3 --- Trends of EIA follow-up practice --- p.11 / Chapter 2.4 --- Functions of EIA follow-up --- p.13 / Chapter 2.5 --- Role of EIA follow-up in EIA --- p.16 / Chapter 2.6 --- Ingredients of an effective EIA follow-up system --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Independence of the monitoring and audit team --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Proactive project management --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Clearly defined EIA follow-up programme --- p.19 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- Well-designed monitoring scheme --- p.20 / Chapter 2.6.5 --- Good information flow and feedback mechanism --- p.21 / Chapter 2.7 --- EIA follow-up practice in some countries --- p.21 / Chapter 2.8 --- EIA follow-up practice in Hong Kong --- p.22 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Necessity of EIA follow-up in Hong Kong --- p.22 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Characteristics of EIA follow-up in Hong Kong --- p.23 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- How EM&A is implemented in Hong Kong? --- p.23 / Chapter 2.9 --- Conclusion --- p.27 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2 --- Selection of the study area --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3 --- The Pak Skek Kok reclamation project --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4 --- The EM&A programme --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5 --- Methods of assessing the EM&A programme --- p.44 / Chapter 3.6 --- Use of the monitoring data --- p.47 / Chapter 3.7 --- Limitations of the study --- p.50 / Chapter 3.8 --- Conclusion --- p.51 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF THE PROJECT / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2 --- Impact audit --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Noise impacts --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Dust impacts --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3 --- Compliance audit --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Daytime noise level --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Evening noise level --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- 24hr-average TSP level --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- 24hr-average RSP level --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- 1hr-average TSP level --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4 --- Implementation audit --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Implementation of noise mitigation measures --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Implementation of dust mitigation measures --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Effectiveness of dust mitigation measures --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.83 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- EVALUATION OF THE EM&A PROGRAMME / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2 --- Fulfillment of the stated objectives of the EM&A programme --- p.85 / Chapter 5.3 --- Effectiveness of the EM&A programme --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Independence of the monitoring and audit team --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Proactive project management --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Clearly defined EIA follow-up programme --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Well-designed monitoring scheme --- p.94 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Good information flow and feedback mechanism --- p.100 / Chapter 5.4 --- Recommendations for improving EM&A in Hong Kong --- p.101 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.103 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.104 / Chapter 6.2 --- Discussion of findings --- p.106 / Chapter 6.3 --- Suggestions for further studies --- p.109 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.113

From the Proceedings of the 1977 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 15-16, 1977, Las Vegas, Nevada / Extensive disturbances are expected during the remainder of this century due to strip mining in the semi-arid West. Reclamation and revegetation of these disturbed areas is a slow process, primarily due to dry and harsh climatic conditions. Erosion and sediment losses are high. Monitoring of the soil erosion process is a crucial step in planning for a long lasting and stable rehabilitation of these disturbed areas. Erosion plots have been laid out to collect data for the Universal Soil Loss Equation for estimating soil loss from recontoured coal mine spoils. Effectiveness of different cultural and mechanical treatments for erosion control is also being evaluated. Since large-scale coal mining operation has just begun on the Black Mesa, preliminary data could be very effective and useful in Watershed Management planning.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Remote sensing and vegetation indices were evaluated for its usefulness to monitor the success of the rehabilitation programme of the decommissioned tailings storage facility (TSF1) of the Navachab Gold Mine, Karibib, Namibia. The study aimed to objectively illustrate the rehabilitation progression from tailings (baseline) to soil (capping) and vegetation (planted as well as natural). Baseline data sets of 2004 and 2005 were compared with imagery of 2009, 2010 and 2011. All the images were subjected to panchromatic sharpening using the subtractive resolution merge (SRM) method before georegistration. As no recent accurate topographical maps were available of the study area, the May 2010 image was used as a reference image. All other images were georegistered to this image. A number of vegetation indices (VIs) were evaluated. The results showed that the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the transformed vegetation index (TVI) provided the most promising results. Although the difference vegetation index (DVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) distinguished the vegetation, rock, and soil classes, it was not as successful as the other VIs in classifying the rain water pond. TVI and NDVI were further evaluated for their efficacy in detecting changes. This was done by generating a series of change images and by qualitatively comparing them to false colour images of the same period. Both the NDVI and TVI delivered good results, but it was found that the TVI is more successful when water is present in the images. The research concludes that change analyses based on the TVI is an effective method for monitoring mine rehabilitation programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Afstandswaarneming en plantegroei-indekse is ge-evalueer vir die gebruikswaarde daarvan om sukses van die rehabilitasieprogram vir die geslote slykdam of tailings storage facility (TSF1) van die Navachab Goudmyn, Karibib, Namibië vas te stel. Die studie se doelwit was om die progressie in die rehabilitasie van slyk (basislyn) na grond (dekmateriaal) en plantegroei (aangeplant en natuurlik) te illustreer. Basislyndatastelle 2004 en 2005 is vergelyk met 2009, 2010, en 2011 beelde. Al die beelde is panchromaties verskerp deur die subtractive resolution merge (RSM) metode voor georegistrasie uit te voer. Aangesien geen onlangse, akkurate topografiese kaarte van die studiegebied beskikbaar was nie, is die beeld vir Mei 2010 as ‘n verwysingsbeeld gebruik. Al die ander beelde is op die laasgenoemde beeld gegeoregistreer. Die resultate het gewys dat die normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) en die transformed vegetation index (TVI) die mees belowende resultate lewer. Al het die difference vegetation index (DVI) en enhanced vegetation index (EVI) goed onderskei tussen plantegroeiklasse en grond- en gesteentesklasse was dit nie so suksesvol met die klassifikasie van die reënwaterpoel nie. TVI en NDVI is verder geëvalueer vir effektiwiteit om verandering waar te neem. Dit is gedoen deur ‘n reeks van veranderingsbeelde te skep en dit dan kwalitatief met die valskleur-beelde vir dieselfde tydperk te vergelyk. Beide die NDVI en TVI het goeie resultate gelewer, maar die TVI was meer suksesvol om beelde met water te klassifiseer. Die navorsing lei tot die gevolgtrekking dat veranderingsanalises met die TVI ‘n effektiewe metode vir die monitoring van rehabilitasie programme is.

The aim of the thesis was to analyze soil microbial communities of three ecologically different locations, about 25 years old, forestry reclaimed dumps in the Republic of Poland, namely dumps of brown coal mine Bełchatów and sand mines Piaseczno and Szczakowa. I evaluated the degree of dependence of structure and composition of these communities on various substrate grain sizes and the influence of the dominant tree species. These were stands of birch (Betula pendula), pine (Pinus silvestris), oak (Quercus robur) and alder (Alnus glutinosa). Analysis of soil microbial communities was made by evaluating specific phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) of microorganisms. It is the most appropriate way to implement the relatively rapid analysis of large numbers of samples, since PLFA are easily extractable and act as biomarkers indicating the presence of a number of different microorganisms (fungi, G- and G + bacteria, Actinobacteria, etc.) and thus allowing a qualitative and quantitative assessment of whole microbial communities. PLFA analysis enables to detect a total concentration of PLFA only in living soil microbial biomass. I analyzed 66 soil samples, 33 from an Oe layer and 33 from an A layer, every in three replications, i.e. three replications were collected at each location below each tree...