Long-term changes in soil salinity as influenced by subsoil thickness in a reclaimed coal mine in east-central Alberta

OlatuyiS., O.; LeskiwL., A.

doi:10.4141/cjss-2014-039

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Surface macroporosity would ensure that snowmelt infiltrates the soil surface (Granger et al, 1984) such that shrink‐swell could occur. Reduction in bulk density can also result from tillage (Brady & Weil, 2010), freeze–thaw cycles (Donkor et al, 2002), and plant root growth (Bateman & Chanasyk, 2001; Olatuyi & Leskiw, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Residual effects of pipeline construction on agricultural soils of the Canadian prairie

Whitson¹

2023

Land Degrad Dev

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The return to equivalent capability was evaluated on a >1000 km oil and gas pipeline corridor on the western Canadian prairies. Resource constraints limited this first phase of sampling to soils more likely damaged by disturbance. Three pipelines were selected to span a 55‐year period of construction. Data were collected from four transects established within each of six randomly chosen quarter sections (each 65 hectares) that included reference sites. Laboratory analysis provided data for organic carbon, pH, calcium carbonate equivalent, sodicity, salinity, and particle size distribution. Field procedures were used to obtain data for topsoil thickness, bulk density, aggregate size distribution, and carbonate distribution. The Canadian Land Suitability Rating System was employed to evaluate and compare the land capability (LSRS rating) of three pipelines to that of adjacent reference capability. Pipeline‐reference differences were detected in the topsoil for soil organic carbon (83% of reference), calcium carbonate equivalent (62% higher), and pH (0.4 units higher), and in the subsoil for bulk density (2% higher) and electrical conductivity (a fivefold increase). Carbonates were observed more frequently on the pipelines than on references. Soil organic carbon increased and electrical conductivity decreased with time since construction. The mode of land capability was class 4 on the corridor and class 3 on references. Residual effects remained. Neither soil conservation and reclamation practices, nor natural recovery had yet achieved equivalent capability for the target soil group, representing 17% of the extent of the corridor.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reduction in bulk density can also result from tillage (Brady & Weil, 2010), freeze-thaw cycles (Donkor et al, 2002), and plant root growth (Bateman & Chanasyk, 2001;Olatuyi & Leskiw, 2014).…”

Section: Compactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Residual effects of pipeline construction on agricultural soils of the Canadian prairie

Whitson¹

2023

Land Degrad Dev

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“…3). This was because salt was subjected to strong downward leaching in reconstructed topsoil, which would clearly facilitate plant growth (Olatuyi and Leskiw, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Acid Mine Drainage Sludge As Soil Substitute For The Reclamation of Mine Solid Wastes

Chi¹,

Lin²,

Zhuang³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The reclamation of mine waste deposits is imperative but often hindered by the scarcity of natural topsoil. Studies have used various materials to reconstruct topsoil but mainly in coal mines, with scant information for metalliferous mines. Acid mine drainage sludge (AMDS), as a mass-produced waste in metalliferous mines, is a potential topsoil substitute because of its capacity to buffer acidification and support plant growth. In this study, a pot experiment with three plant species was conducted to evaluate the environmental safety and sustainable fertility of AMDS with the amelioration of fertilizers. Results showed that all the plants could survive in the AMDS even without fertilizers. The contents of heavy metal(loid)s were high but remained stable over the experimental period. Improving the AMDS with fertilizers enhanced its nutrient supply by increasing macronutrient contents and activities of soil enzymes, leading to significant increases in plant biomass. The AMDS also sustained its nutrient status throughout the experiment. Nevertheless, the extremely low NH4+-N and bioavailable phosphorus contents made these nutrients hardly accessible to plants, owing to the composting of the organic manure and the low richness and diversity of the bacterial community in the AMDS. Present results suggest that AMDS can be used as a viable and safe substitute for natural soil in reclaiming mine solid wastes but also needs proper improvement, especially for enhancing the microbial richness and diversity.

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“…If AMD issues are present, this will usually increase the salt load, particularly in marine-influenced sedimentary coal measures (Williams, 1995). Alternatively, saline leachates may be associated with sodic spoil, indicated by a high Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP), and poor hydraulic conductivity (Olatuyi and Leskiw, 2014;Raine and Loch, 2003).…”

Section: List Of Tablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting salt generation from coal mine spoil heaps in a semi-arid climate, Central Queensland, Australia

Hilton¹

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Coal spoil constitutes a highly heterogeneous mining waste material that varies greatly in particle size, hydraulic conductivity, and mineral solubility. It is difficult to fully prevent water entry into spoil heaps, and the salt-leaching of mine spoil into mine pits and other final voids is almost inevitable. In geochemical and water balance modelling, the rate of salt generation from spoil is generally assumed to be constant and based upon the total intrinsic salt content.However, in theory the rate of salt generation from spoil will decrease over time due to an initial flushing of soluble salts followed by mineral weathering, until a quasi-steady state equilibrium is reached. The factors which influence the rate of salt release from spoil have not yet been investigated in detail, making it difficult to predict, for example, the salt contribution from spoil to final voids. This research aims to quantify and characterise changes in salt concentration over time for leachates from spoils of different compositions.Spoil samples were selected from the Burton, Moorvale, and Oaky Creek mines in the Bowen Basin of Central Queensland, Australia to represent dominant but different types of lithology (mineralogy and texture). The case study area has a semi-arid climate, and the geological age of local sedimentary coal seam measures is commonly Late Permian to Tertiary. Spoil samples varied from matrix-dominated ('soil-like') to framework-dominated ('rock-like'). Based on a series of short-term characterisation tests, including degradation tests, patterns were established to assign the spoil samples into groups in a spoil salinity classification system. Small-scale free-draining funnel leaching was carried out using mixed, and controlled particle size fractions to assess the effect of particle size as a proxy for a range of void spaces inside spoil heaps.Changes in spoil composition, degradation, and hydrology were measured, as well as leachate salt concentration and geochemistry. Additionally, upscaled leaching experiments on 1-1.5 tonnes spoil samples in 1 m 3 medium-scale containers ('mesocosms') were conducted to simulate the moisture regimes of the upper, middle and lower zones of a full-scale spoil heap.Typical soil-like and rock-like spoil samples were leached over a 15-month period in the mesocosms.Spoil physical degradation was identified as a key factor influencing the rate of salt release. Spoil groups were described as having a rapid, episodic, or slow degradation rate. A rapid degradation rate was associated with matrix-only or matrix-supported spoil, while frameworksupported and framework-only spoils were generally showed episodic or slow degradation.Publications during candidature e.g. peer-reviewed conference paper, conference abstracts, unpublished conference abstracts (oral) 1 co-authored publication, as cited below.

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Long-term changes in soil salinity as influenced by subsoil thickness in a reclaimed coal mine in east-central Alberta

Cited by 9 publications

References 21 publications

Residual effects of pipeline construction on agricultural soils of the Canadian prairie

Residual effects of pipeline construction on agricultural soils of the Canadian prairie

Evaluation of Acid Mine Drainage Sludge As Soil Substitute For The Reclamation of Mine Solid Wastes

Predicting salt generation from coal mine spoil heaps in a semi-arid climate, Central Queensland, Australia

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