Minesoils on two surface mines in Monongalia County, West Virginia, were classified using a proposed amendment to Soil Taxonomy. Minesoil properties and interpretations for selected nonagricultural uses were determined for both mine sites. The proposed amendment grouped minesoils into families based on differences in rock fragment lithology, soil reaction (pH), and particle size. The minesoils had a high rock fragment content (33–45%), high bulk density (1.55–1.86 Mg m−3), low porosity (26–38%), low water retention capacity (0.07–0.12 kg kg−1), moderately slow estimated hydraulic conductivity (0.1‐1 µm s−1), an irregular distribution of organic C with depth, and strongly acid pH (4.1‐5.1). Soil factors affecting the nonagricultural use of the mine sites were slow percolation, stoniness, acidity, and droughtiness. Site factors—slope, irregular topography, size of the site, and the presence of highwalls and steep outslopes—were more limiting to development than soil factors. Classification using the proposed amendment to Soil Taxonomy aided in separating minesoils according to differences in management‐related properties and can be useful for general planning purposes.

Mountaintop surface mining for coal has been practiced in West Virginia for over two decades. Only recently has this practice been increasingly scrutinized by the public and regulatory agencies. Increased attention has focused on the environmental impacts of this mining process. Even after reclamation, citizens and regulators have expressed concerns about soil and water quality and post-mining land use. Therefore, a study was initiated to evaluate the quality of soils developing on a reclaimed mountaintop removal mine in southern West Virginia. Minesoils of four different ages (2, 7, 11, and 23 years) and two different slope classes were described and sampled. The slope classes were nearly level to gently sloping and steep to very steep. Contiguous native soils were also described and sampled. All native soils had cambic (Bw) horizons and were classified as Inceptisols. Two of the minesoil profiles had Bw horizons, but only one (23-year-old) was thick enough to be cambic. The minesoil with the cambic horizon was classified as an Inceptisol, while all other minesoils were Entisols. When compared to native soils, the minesoils had much thinner sola (combined thickness of A, AC, Bw and BC horizons). However, all minesoils except those on the two-year-old site had thicker A horizons than the native soils. Seeding of grasses and legumes and extensive root establishment undoubtedly caused the increased thickness of A horizons on minesoils. Aggregate stability tests showed more waterstable aggregates in native than in minesoils, but aggregation of the minesoils increased with age. Surface horizon bulk density tended to be higher in native soils than in minesoils. However, bulk density with depth was similar for all soils. Minesoil pH tended to be between 5 and 6, while native soil pH was between 4 and 5. Electrical conductivity measurements gave low values (<2 dS/m) indicating negligible soluble salts in all soils.

No abstract

During construction disturbance, topsoil is often removed and turfgrasses are established in poor soils. Our study determined the effects of amending subsoil with composted poultry litter on physical and chemical properties that affect turfgrass growth attributes. To simulate typical disturbance conditions, 20 cm of topsoil was removed from a Dormont silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Oxyaquic Hapludalfs) and composted poultry litter was incorporated at 0.1, or 0.2, or 0.4 cm/cm-soil into the exposed subsoil to a depth of 12.7 cm before growing turf. Composted plots were compared to N-fertilized (50 × 10 −4 kg m −2 ) and control plots. Linear increases in total water content, organic matter, pH, and basic cations were observed following compost incorporation. Composted poultry litter increased total water content by 38% and decreased soil bulk density by 42%. Compost applications increased organic matter by 5.8%-6.4%, along with an increase in pH from 6.0-7.4. The cation exchange capacity increased up to 186% in compost-incorporated plots. No differences were observed between fertilized and control plots for all soil properties except for P levels, which increased in fertilized plots. Overall, compost treatments improved soil physical and chemical properties compared to conventionally fertilized and control plots.

In 2000, the State of West Virginia passed legislation requiring commercial forest land as a preferred post-mining land use on surface coal mines, and especially on those sites where mountaintop removal mining is occurring and valley fills are being constructed. Due to West Virginia's mountainous terrain, most future surface mine permits will be impacted by this change in post-mining land use. Therefore, interest has been renewed into studies examining forest productivity and minesoil development on areas planted in trees. Since fresh geologic materials in minesoils undergo rapid pedogenic changes, long-term studies may provide valuable insight into tree growth, plant succession al changes, and soil development over time. In summer of 2000, soil development and forest productivity were evaluated on a 30-year-old (pre-SMCRA) surface mine in northern West Virginia that had been planted with white pine (Pinus strobus L.). The site offered a unique research opportunity in that one-half of the site was planted to white pine, while the other half was left to natural revegetation. Canopy tree species composition, density, basal area, and height, along with species composition and density of woody understory seedlings, were evaluated in the pine plantation and on the naturally revegetated site. On each site, three soil pits were dug, the minesoils were classified, and soil samples were taken from each described horizon to determine physical .and chemical properties. Forest productivity, including productivity of volunteer hardwoods, was much greater on the pine planted site than on the naturally revegetated site. Species composition of woody regeneration in the understory showed that both sites will revert to mixed hardwoods similar to the surrounding forest via natural succession. Minesoils on both sites experienced rapid soil development during the 30-year post-mining period. All six minesoil profiles had well developed Bw horizons and would have been classified as Inceptisols. Minesoil development was better on the naturally revegetated site possibly due to the difference in ground cover type. Additional Key Words: Minesoil Properties, Reforestation, Revegetation, Tree Planting, Introduction Surface coal mining disturbed approximately 1.5 millionha(3.7millionac)between 1930and 1971 in the United States (Paone et al. 1978). In Appalachia, the vast majority of surface mined land was originally forest land Laws were passed in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Ziemkiewicz is Director, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV 26506. Virginia during the late 1930s and 1940s requiring mine operators to register with the state and pay bonds to ensure reclamation after mining. Reclamation prescribed in these early laws directed soil, subsoil, and overburden (the geologic material overlying the coal) be used to refill the excavated area. Backfilling and leveling the land was specified, and then trees and shrubs were to be planted in the regraded areas.Studies of surfaceminerevegetation with trees began in the 1920s and repor...