Dereliction of land by mining activities within the broad range of dereliction caused by other industrial and human activities was examined. Special attention was paid to impacts, mitigation, and costs thereof. Mine reclamation was examined in detail with special reference to professional interpretations. Mine reclamation bonding was studied with reference to environmental management planning so as to contribute to a forthcoming regulation concerning exactly these matters by providing a detailed listing of mining operations to be geared toward mine reclamation in Turkey&rsquo / s conditions and by providing key concepts in the inception of a draft regulation concerning mine reclamation as part of the EU accession program.

During oil-sands mining all vegetation cover, soil, overburden and oil-sand is removed, leaving pits several kilometres wide and hundreds of metres deep. These pits are reclaimed by a variety of treatments using mineral soil or a mixed peat and mineral soil as the capping layer and planted with trees with natural colonisation from adjacent sites. A number of reclamation treatments covering different age classes were compared with a range of natural forest ecotypes to identify the age at which the treatments become similar to a natural site with respect to vegetation composition and key soil attributes relevant to nutrient cycling. Ecosystem function was estimated from plant community composition, litter decomposition, development of an organic layer and bio-available nutrients. Key response variables including moisture, pH, C:N ratios, bio-available nutrients and ground-cover were analysed by non-metric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis to discover which reclamation treatments were moving towards or merging with natural forest ecotypes and at what age this occurs. On reclaimed sites, bio-available nutrients including nitrate generally were above the natural range of variability but ammonium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and manganese were generally very low and limiting to ecosystem development. Plant diversity was similar to natural sites from 5 years to 30 years after reclamation, but declined as reclaimed sites approached canopy closure. Grass and forb leaf litters decomposed faster than aspen or pine in the first year, but decomposition on one reclamation treatment fell below the natural range of variability. Development of an organic layer appeared to be facilitated by the presence of shrubs, while forbs correlated negatively with first-year decomposition of aspen litter. The better restoration amendments for tailings sands involved repeated fertilisation of peat: mineral mixtures in the early years of plant establishment, these became similar to a target ecotype at about 25 years. Good results were also shown by subsoil laid over non-saline overburden and fertilised once, these became similar to a target ecotype at about 15 years. Other treatments receiving a single application of fertiliser remain entrenched in the early reclamation phase for up to 25 years.

During oil-sands mining all vegetation cover, soil, overburden and oil-sand is removed, leaving pits several kilometres wide and hundreds of metres deep. These pits are reclaimed by a variety of treatments using mineral soil or a mixed peat and mineral soil as the capping layer and planted with trees with natural colonisation from adjacent sites. A number of reclamation treatments covering different age classes were compared with a range of natural forest ecotypes to identify the age at which the treatments become similar to a natural site with respect to vegetation composition and key soil attributes relevant to nutrient cycling. Ecosystem function was estimated from plant community composition, litter decomposition, development of an organic layer and bio-available nutrients. Key response variables including moisture, pH, C:N ratios, bio-available nutrients and ground-cover were analysed by non-metric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis to discover which reclamation treatments were moving towards or merging with natural forest ecotypes and at what age this occurs. On reclaimed sites, bio-available nutrients including nitrate generally were above the natural range of variability but ammonium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and manganese were generally very low and limiting to ecosystem development. Plant diversity was similar to natural sites from 5 years to 30 years after reclamation, but declined as reclaimed sites approached canopy closure. Grass and forb leaf litters decomposed faster than aspen or pine in the first year, but decomposition on one reclamation treatment fell below the natural range of variability. Development of an organic layer appeared to be facilitated by the presence of shrubs, while forbs correlated negatively with first-year decomposition of aspen litter. The better restoration amendments for tailings sands involved repeated fertilisation of peat: mineral mixtures in the early years of plant establishment, these became similar to a target ecotype at about 25 years. Good results were also shown by subsoil laid over non-saline overburden and fertilised once, these became similar to a target ecotype at about 15 years. Other treatments receiving a single application of fertiliser remain entrenched in the early reclamation phase for up to 25 years. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

The thesis consists of several parts. The first one presents basic characteristics of the Usti Region emphasizing its weaknesses and strengths. Interregional and nationwide comparison is used for some indicators. The second part is devoted to mining as the industrial activity so typical for the Usti Region. Here, milestones of the region's mining history and the current operation of mining companies in the region are described, and major mining sites listed and briefly presented. The third part deals with explanation of the term of "restoration, existence of various forms of restoration, their financing or basic documents for them, and importance of post-mining revitalisation in the territory. The final part is devoted to application of revitalisation in the Usti Region. The objective of the thesis is to identify the overall economic cost for restoring the territory affected by mining in its maximum variant - complete exploitation of all the soft coal deposits occurring in the Usti Region territory.

No description available.

Coal mining has had profound impacts in the Appalachian region, initiating a need to understand the implications of traditional and current reclamation practices on wildlife. I evaluated wildlife use of reclaimed sites of varying ages and cover types in southwestern Virginia. I compared reclaimed sites to another form of anthropogenic disturbance (clearcut) and relatively undisturbed mature forest. Birds were surveyed during early mornings throughout the breeding season in 2007 and 2008 using the point count method. Amphibians were surveyed using artificial cover, constrained-time night searches, and auditory pond surveys. Microhabitat data were collected at each sampling point and were combined with landscape-level GIS information to relate habitat characteristics and wildlife patterns. I observed 80 bird species using reclaimed areas, clearcuts, and mature forest. Pre-regulation sites (prior to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977) supported the highest number of species overall. Cluster analysis identified 4 bird associations based on habitat characteristics. I developed site-specific, landscape-level, and mixed-scale logistic regression models to identify habitat characteristics that best predicted the presence of 27 species. For 18 species, mixed-scale models performed best, suggesting the importance of a multi-scale approach to habitat analysis. Salamanders were generally not detected on reclaimed areas, possibly due to the lack of soil moisture, leaf litter, and woody debris on young sites. Frogs were present in all water bodies surveyed, suggesting the importance of managing ponds and wetlands on reclaimed sites. Identifying and focusing on important habitat characteristics will help managers enhance post-mining land for wildlife. / Master of Science

Reclamation of surface mined lands is required under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Reforestation of mined lands is challenging due to harsh conditions such as soil compaction, herbaceous competition, and animal browse. We investigated the field performance of black walnut (<i>Juglans nigra</i>), northern red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>), and swamp white oak (<i>Quercus bicolor</i>) planted on two mine reclamation sites and evaluated the interactions of nursery stocktypes (container and bareroot), herbicide application, and tree shelters. Survival averaged 80% across all species and stocktypes after two years. Container stocktype had greater relative height and diameter growth, whereas bareroot had greater total height and diameter growth likely due to initial stocktype differences. Shelter use increased height growth and reduced diameter growth across both stocktypes. Swamp white oak (<i>Q. rubra</i>) had high survival and field performance regardless of silvicultural treatment, whereas the two other species showed strong early regeneration responses to silvicultural treatments. Container seedlings showed promise as an alternative to bareroot seedlings to promote survival and early growth on mine reclamation sites. Future research should be on continued development of container stocktypes to provide an economically feasible mine reclamation option for land managers.

American chestnut was once an abundant species that dominated the Eastern U.S. deciduous forests. Although this species is currently functionally extinct due to the chestnut blight, researchers are working on blight-resistant hybrids in hopes of restoring the species. As one potential vector for chestnut reintroduction and dispersal, the reclamation of mine sites are being considered. Recent research has found that reforestation efforts on these reclaimed mine sites provide productive tree growth while also complying with mine-reclamation laws. Understanding how American chestnut performs physiologically on mine sites will aid in the restoration of this species and reclamation of mine sites. The objective of this study was to determine the effect planting treatments have on survival, physiology, and performance of American chestnut. The response of American chestnuts under planting treatments varying in planting method, slow-release fertilizer, a hydrophilic root polymer (Terra-Sorb), and the addition of native forest soil were examined at three sites: a mine site, a quarry, and a greenhouse. Results from this study suggest that fertilizer, hydrophilic root polymers and soil microorganisms produce varying effects on dissimilar sites. Greatest overall survival was found in greenhouse-grown bare-root seedlings. The introduction of fertilizer to the soil substrate lowered emergence and survival of directly-seeded trees at the mine site and quarry, but increased tree growth at all sites and photosynthetic rate at the quarry. However, use of fertilizer resulted in a more negative water potential at the mine site and higher transpiration rate, potentially increasing moisture stress and demand. Increased seed survival, growth, and water status can be accomplished through the use of Terra-Sorb, but only in direct seeded trees on sites with potentially deficient plant-available water. Native forest soil can increase survival in both direct seeded and bare-root planted trees. However, more research is needed on the benefits of native forest soil, as growth and physiological results conflict. It is recommended that site characterization be performed prior to selection of planting treatments. Results of this study can prove beneficial to reclamation specialists with an interest in using mine site reclamation in conjunction with American chestnut restoration.

American chestnut was once an abundant species that dominated the Eastern U.S. deciduous forests. Although this species is currently functionally extinct due to the chestnut blight, researchers are working on blight-resistant hybrids in hopes of restoring the species. As one potential vector for chestnut reintroduction and dispersal, the reclamation of mine sites are being considered. Recent research has found that reforestation efforts on these reclaimed mine sites provide productive tree growth while also complying with mine-reclamation laws. Understanding how American chestnut performs physiologically on mine sites will aid in the restoration of this species and reclamation of mine sites. The objective of this study was to determine the effect planting treatments have on survival, physiology, and performance of American chestnut. The response of American chestnuts under planting treatments varying in planting method, slow-release fertilizer, a hydrophilic root polymer (Terra-Sorb), and the addition of native forest soil were examined at three sites: a mine site, a quarry, and a greenhouse. Results from this study suggest that fertilizer, hydrophilic root polymers and soil microorganisms produce varying effects on dissimilar sites. Greatest overall survival was found in greenhouse-grown bare-root seedlings. The introduction of fertilizer to the soil substrate lowered emergence and survival of directly-seeded trees at the mine site and quarry, but increased tree growth at all sites and photosynthetic rate at the quarry. However, use of fertilizer resulted in a more negative water potential at the mine site and higher transpiration rate, potentially increasing moisture stress and demand. Increased seed survival, growth, and water status can be accomplished through the use of Terra-Sorb, but only in direct seeded trees on sites with potentially deficient plant-available water. Native forest soil can increase survival in both direct seeded and bare-root planted trees. However, more research is needed on the benefits of native forest soil, as growth and physiological results conflict. It is recommended that site characterization be performed prior to selection of planting treatments. Results of this study can prove beneficial to reclamation specialists with an interest in using mine site reclamation in conjunction with American chestnut restoration.

Den här studien utgår ifrån två svenska koppargruvor varav den ena, Aitik i Gällivare, är idrift och den andra, Falu gruva, stängde 1992. Studiens syfte är att undersöka förutsättningarna för att använda Falu gruva som modell för den framtida avvecklingen av Aitik, med särskilt avseende på efterbehandling, kulturarvsprocesser och återanvändning. Inom ramen för kulturarvsprocesser och återanvändning beaktas särskilt lärande.Metodansatsen är kvalitativ och den teoretiska utgångspunkten är att en gruva kan ses som ett stort sociotekniskt system bestående av artefakter och sociala komponenter. Genom intervjuer med representanter från Falu gruvas ägare och Aitiks ägare samt från Gällivare kommun genererades data. Data från intervjuerna samt från en mindre dokumentstudieut gjorde studiens resultat. Detta analyserades tematiskt och diskuterades utifrån uppsatsens teoriavsnitt. Resultatet visar att Aitik kan utvecklas vid en framtida avveckling och att Falu gruva i vissa avseenden kan användas som modell för denna process. Bland annat kan Falu gruva användas som modell för Aitik avseende utbildning som en del av återanvändning, där Aitikkan lära av Falu gruva genom att inte göra samma misstag som gjorts där. Resultatet visar emellertid också att samhällena Gällivare och Falun skiljer sig mycket åt, både vad gäller samhällsidentitet och samhällets relation till gruvan. Slutsatsen av den här studien är att aspekter såsom att betrakta artefakter som en resurs; gruvans roll i samhället; samt vem som definierar kulturarv är centrala för att kunna använda Falu gruva som modell för Aitikmed hänsyn till lärande. / This study is about two Swedish copper mines, Aitik in Gällivare which is still in use and theFalun mine, which closed in 1992. The aim of this study is to explore the prerequisites for using the Falun mine as a model for the future closure of the Aitik mine, with regards specifically to mine reclamation, heritagisation and reuse. In particular, the aspect of learning within the heritagisation and reuse framework is discussed. A qualitative research method has been used and the theoretical starting point is that a mine can be seen as a large technological system consisting of artifacts and social components. Data has been collected through interviews with representatives from the Falun mine owners, the Aitik mine owners and from the local government of Gällivare. This data, along with data from a limited document study, made up the results of this study. The results were then analyzed thematically and discussed against the theoretical frameworks used in this study. The results show that Aitik can be developed post-closure and that the Falun mine can, ins ome regards, be used as a model for this development process. Among other aspects, theFalun mine can be used as a model for Aitik for education as a part of reusing the mine, where Aitik can learn from the Falun mine by not making the same mistakes that were made there. However, the results show that the Gällivare and Falun societies are different in terms of identity and in their relations towards the mines. The conclusion of this study is that aspects such as regarding artifacts as resources; the mine’s role in society; and who determines what a cultural heritage is, are all important in order to use the Falun mine as a model for Aitik from an educational perspective.