Rehabilitation of Co-disposed Diamond Tailings: Growth Medium Rectification Procedures and Indigenous Grass Establishment

Rensburg, L. van; Maboeta, Mark; Morgenthal, Theunis

doi:10.1023/b:wate.0000022943.27442.2a

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…In South Africa, Van Rensburg and Morgenthal (2004) have tested the effect of uncomposted woodchip waste on vegetation establishment during a platinum tailings rehabilitation with seeds originating from a mixture of grasses. The addition of woodchips enhanced vegetation establishment, during early periods but no significant differences in biomass between treated and untreated plots were evident after 3 months.…”

Section: Phytostabilization Of Mine Tailings In Sub Saharan African Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of microorganisms in rehabilitation of mining sites, focus on Sub Saharan African countries

Bruneel

Mghazli

Sbabou

et al. 2019

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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growth promoting microorganisms 2. Acid mine drainage 2.1 Implication of microorganisms in formation and remediation of acid mine drainage 2.1.1 Implication of microorganisms in formation of acid mine drainage Many metals naturally occur as sulfide ores (e.g. Pb in galena, Cu in chalcopyrite, Zn in sphalerite). Acid mine drainage is generated when sulfide minerals (especially pyrite or pyrrhotite) come into contact with oxygen and water (Hallberg 2010). Although AMD occurs naturally, mining operations like excavation and milling accelerate the process by increasing surface area of exposure of sulfide minerals to water, oxygen and microorganisms (Simate and Ndlovu, 2014). AMD is often characterized by pH values below 4 and sometimes as low as-3, as measured at the Richmond mine in California (Nordstrom et al., 2000). Such low pH facilitates the mobilization of metals and metalloids, increasing their dispersion into the water (Humphries et al., 2017). AMD represents one of the most problematic pollution of water in industrial and post-industrial areas throughout the world (Hallberg, 2010). Numerous works have been done to characterize the autochthonous microbial communities (Bacteria, Archaea, Eucaryota) thriving in these extreme environments (

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Section: Phytostabilization Of Mine Tailings In Sub Saharan African Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of microorganisms in rehabilitation of mining sites, focus on Sub Saharan African countries

Bruneel

Mghazli

Sbabou

et al. 2019

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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“…By initially addressing stressors such as soil physical and chemical properties, tolerant plants may establish, and with time abiotic changes can facilitate establishment of diverse species (Bradshaw ; Bruno et al ). Research in other regions shows adding fine textured soil to coarse mine tailings increases water and nutrient retention and fertilizer provides nutrients (Densmore ; Van Rensburg et al ; Kidd et al ); amendments (topsoil, peat, and sewage) provide nutrients and organic matter, reduce pH and increase cation exchange capacity (Martínez‐Ruiz & Fernández‐Santos ; Mackenzie & Naeth ); salvaged soil ameliorates substrates and contains seed and propagules to accelerate restoration (Hall et al ; Mackenzie & Naeth ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishment of Restoration Trajectories for Upland Tundra Communities on Diamond Mine Wastes in the Canadian Arctic

Naeth

Wilkinson

2014

Restoration Ecology

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Mining in the arctic amplifies restoration challenges due to inherent environmental conditions by removing soil, vegetation, and the propagule bank, adding coarse textured wastes with low water holding capacity and nutrients, and introducing salt and metal contamination. Short-term reclamation focuses on rebuilding soil and providing rapid native plant cover for erosion control, supporting longer term reestablishment of ecological processes for sustainable tundra communities that provide essential wildlife habitat. This study evaluated methods to restore soil and plant communities 5 years after implementation of treatments at a diamond mine in the Canadian arctic. Five substrates including mine waste materials (processed kimberlite, glacial till, gravel, and mixes), four amendments (inorganic fertilizer, salvaged soil, sewage sludge, and water treatment sludge), five native species seed mixes and natural recovery were investigated. Soil and plant response were assessed annually. Soil chemistry was ameliorated with time. Chromium, cobalt, and nickel concentrations in processed kimberlite remained high and potentially toxic to plants. Adding fine textured materials such as glacial till to mine wastes improved nutrient and water retention, which in turn enhanced revegetation. Sewage and inorganic fertilizer increased available nitrogen and phosphorus, plant density and cover. Soil amendment increased species richness. Seeding was essential to establish a vegetation cover. After 5 years, seed mix composition and diversity had no effect on plant community development; soil and plant community properties among treatments changed considerably, providing evidence that restoration in the arctic is dynamic yet slow and success cannot be determined in the short term.

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“…At the pH of 8.94 and EC mean of 1.88 mS/cm the soil was inhibitory to plant growth, since there was no bioavailability of plant nutrients (Van Rensburg et al [12]) and this soil was classified as sodic soil which provides poor structure for plant growth (Kamphorst and Bolt [13]). While the pH of 7.97 and EC of 4.92 mS/cm, the soil promoted plant growth, as indicated by presence of Aristida congesta and the soil was classified as saline soil which provides good structure for plant growth (Kamp orst and Bolt [13]).…”

Section: The Variation Of Ph and Electrical Conductivity Of Mine Tailmentioning

confidence: 99%

An assessment of toxic metals in soda mine tailings and a native grass: a case study of an abandoned Nyala Magnesite mine, Limpopo, South Africa

et al. 2012

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The purpose of the study was to assess the level of toxic metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb, Ni and Zn) in an abandoned Nyala mine tailings dams and in Aristida congesta, a native grass. The mean value of toxic metals in the mine tailings soils 1 were: Mn (498.78 ± 2.42 mg/kg); Ni (114.62 ± 2.64 mg/kg); Cr (81.30 ± 3.03 mg/kg); Co (77.10 ± 0.46 mg/kg); Zn (58.31 ± 0.90 mg/kg); Cu (26.32 ± 0.12 mg/kg); Pb (14.13 ± 0.70 mg/kg) and Cd (10.00 ± 0.00 mg/kg) respectfully. The mean value of toxic metals in the mine tailings soils 2 were: Ni (959.31 ± 9.72 mg/kg); Mn (424.24 ± 0.76 mg/kg); Co (63.44 ± 0.83 mg/kg); Cr (56.52 ± 0.69 mg/kg); Zn (46.26 ± 0.92 mg/kg); Cu (22.03 ± 0.64 mg/kg); Pb (17.57 ± 0.87 mg/kg) and Cd (1.13 ± 0.12 mg/kg). The pH of mine tailings soils 1 was 7.97 ± 0.06 and electrical conductivity was 4.92 ± 0.06 mS/cm. The pH of mine tailings soils 2 was 8.94 ± 0.06 and electrical conductivity was 1.88 ± 0.10 mS/cm. A. congesta, was growing in abundance in mine tailings soils 2 and none in mine tailings soils 1. The reason may be due to cumulative toxic metals and Ni which was eight times more in mine tailings soils 1. A. congesta accumulated the toxic metals (sum of roots, stem and leaves) as follows: Cr (184.55 mg/kg); Mn (104.60 mg/kg); Ni (95.99 mg/kg); Co (18.66 mg/kg); Zn (10.13 mg/kg); Cu (8.93 mg/kg); Pb (4.40 mg/kg) and Cd (0.93 mg/kg). The bioaccumulation coefficient was 2.27 which mean that A. congesta is a hyperaccumulator for Cr. Water Pollution XI 415Thus A. congesta is recommended to rehabilitate the mine tailings and provide a cover against wind and water erosion.

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Rehabilitation of Co-disposed Diamond Tailings: Growth Medium Rectification Procedures and Indigenous Grass Establishment

Cited by 11 publications

References 2 publications

Role of microorganisms in rehabilitation of mining sites, focus on Sub Saharan African countries

Role of microorganisms in rehabilitation of mining sites, focus on Sub Saharan African countries

Establishment of Restoration Trajectories for Upland Tundra Communities on Diamond Mine Wastes in the Canadian Arctic

An assessment of toxic metals in soda mine tailings and a native grass: a case study of an abandoned Nyala Magnesite mine, Limpopo, South Africa

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