Bioremediation of Ex-Mining Soil with the Biocompost in the Incubation Experiments

Abstract

A process called bioremediation can be used to turn abandoned mining sites into useful agricultural land. An alternative to enhancing the quality of the ex-siltstone mining soil so that it can be used again as agricultural land is the application of biocompost fertilizer. This study intends to investigate how biocompost might enhance the ex-siltstone mining soil’s quality in incubation treatments. The composition of biocompost used in this study is ingredient I: (a) cow manure = 50%; (b) chicken manure = 30%; (c) sand = 10%; (d) bacteria (bioactivator) = 10%; ingredient II: ingredient I is mixed with cow manure in a composition ratio of 1 : 2. The ex-mining soils were gathered in the ex-cement mining region of Lhoknga Subdistrict, Aceh Besar District (5.45°N, 95.2°E). Incubation experiments were conducted in incubation pots (approximately 5 kg per pot) that were randomly placed in a greenhouse using a 4 × 4 factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The first factor is the ratio of ex-siltstone mining soil : biocompost, which consists of four levels of comparison: control (ex-mining soil not incubated), 1 : 1 (50 : 50), 1 : 2 (33 : 67), and 1 : 3 (25 : 75). The second factor is the incubation period, which has four levels: 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks with 48 experimental units. Indicators of the impact of biocompost on the physical and chemical quality of ex-siltstone mining soil were examined. The result shows that bioremediation of ex-siltstone mining soil with biocompost application improves the quality of ex-siltstone mining soil by decreasing bulk density and permeability and also increasing porosity, decreasing soil pH from alkaline to neutral, and increasing soil organic C, total N, available P, and total K. The incubation period of ex-siltstone mining soil influences the changes and dynamics of the soil’s chemical properties.

Traditional gold mining in the highlands of Ethiopia: Its effect on soil loss and possible reclamation measures

“…Revegetation of mined sites is also the most widely accepted and useful way to reduce erosion and protect soils against degradation during reclamation (Byizigiro et al, 2020). Mine restoration efforts have focused on N-fixing species of legumes, grasses, herbs, and trees (Sheoran et al, 2010). The plantation of selected native plant species could, therefore, be a sustainable and organic tool for the restoration of post-mined degraded land (Gairola et al, 2023).…”

“…In case of this, A native Stylosanthes guianensis cover crop in the TGM Amazonian Forest, Peru thrived in the degraded post-mined area (Velásquez Ramírez et al, 2021). One of the key factors for the success of post-mined degraded landscape reclamation with phytoremediation technology is, therefore, the use of local indigenous species (Borbón-Palomares et al, 2023;Gairola et al, 2023;Rosa et al, 2023). These indigenous species have well adapted to the soil and climate conditions of the host site and would ensure the greatest chance for remedial success (Prasetyo et al, 2010).…”

“…Metal-tolerant plants can also be effective for acidic and heavy metal-bearing soils (Mendez and Maier, 2008;Sheoran et al, 2010). Phytoremediation of mined tailings requires metal-tolerant plants with minimal accumulation in above-ground organs to minimize the incorporation into local food webs (Mendez and Maier, 2008).…”

“…For instance, followed by stabilization of the topography of the mined landscape and replacement of top soils (Byizigiro et al, 2020), the plantation of selected native plant species could be a sustainable and organic tool for the restoration of post-mined landscapes (Gairola et al, 2023). One of the key factors for the success of post-mined degraded landscapes is, therefore, the use of local indigenous species (Borbón-Palomares et al, 2023;Gairola et al, 2023;Rosa et al, 2023). These indigenous species have well adapted to the soil and climate conditions of the host site and would ensure the greatest chance for remedial success (Prasetyo et al, 2010).…”