Evolution of minesoils at a coal waste pile: A case study from Rosice-Oslavany (Czech Republic)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Mine soil development at abandoned coal waste pile (Kukla-Václav Nosek mine, Oslavany) represents a possibility to study initial stages of pedogenetic process. Seven soil profiles were uncovered by digging pits at the base and on the slopes and top of the waste pile. Several conclusions concerning soil development at waste pile are possible on the basis of soil profiles description and basic chemistry: 1. Intensive humification was the main pedogenetic process in the initial stages of mine soil evolution at the Kukla waste pile. There is no translocation of clay minerals even in the soil profiles evolving for about 60 years; 2. The youngest soil situated on the top of the waste pile has the most stable granular aggregates. The stability of aggregates corresponds to the increased representation of the total organic matter; 3. Humus quality of the present topsoils in the Kukla waste pile is substantially influenced by the biological recultivation.

Changes Induced by Self-Burning in Technosols from a Coal Mine Waste Pile: A Hydropedological Approach

“…Soil pedogenesis influences the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of mine waste piles, and, a few decades after the waste deposition, the pedological differentiation of soil horizons may become noticeable [19]. In particular, the pedological evolution of Technosols from coal waste piles depends on the way soil formation factors transform the original materials [20] and may influence water circulation and pollutants transport in these porous materials. The occurrence of subsequent processes, such as coal waste self-burning, may induce severe changes in the normal soil profile evolution and originate zones with distinct hydropedological features.…”

Soil and Vegetation Development on Coal-Waste Dump in Southern Poland

“…Coal-waste dumps are subject to processes of overgrowth over time, both through natural succession and planned reclamation. The spontaneous succession of vegetation on waste heaps resulting from coal exploitation has long aroused the interest of naturalists around the world [ 7 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], because these are places where plant-succession processes [ 9 , 18 , 23 ] and soil development [ 5 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ] can be observed and monitored from the moment of initiation. The course of succession stages of vegetation on different types of heaps occurs slightly differently in time and space [ 15 , 22 ], which stems from the method of storing burnt material and the size, shape, and age of the heap [ 6 , 9 , 16 , 20 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Soil formation on mining waste heaps is much faster compared to natural soils. In the initial stages of formation, the main pedogenetic process is intensive humification [ 24 ], which is dependent on the diversity and source of organic matter [ 27 , 32 , 33 ]. Poorly developed topsoil can be formed within a dozen or so years of pedogenesis, and on reclaimed heaps even within the space of a few years [ 34 ].…”

Forty Years of Soil Formation in a South Georgia, USA Borrow Pit

“…A bandoned mining and quarrying sites provide good locations to study the early stages of soil formation and have been used in such applications on several occasions (Struthers, 1964;Smith et al, 1971;Hallberg et al, 1978;Thurman and Sencindiver, 1986;Roberts et al, 1988;Chichester and Mauser, 1991;Strain and Evans, 1994;Sencindiver and Ammons, 2000;Thomas et al, 2000;Haering et al, 2004;Bronick and Mokma, 2005;Machulla et al, 2005;Uzarowicz et al, 2008;Ivanov et al, 2009). Most of the studies that have addressed soil genesis in mine spoils have been done in locations that are known for extensive mining operations.…”