The number of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in some strip-mine spoil

Wilson, H. A.; Stewart, Gwendolyn

doi:10.33915/agnic.388t

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Actinomycetes were the most affected, a finding consistent with the greater sensitivity of this group to low pH. This was also shown in studies by Wilson and Stewart (1956). The inhibition of microbes in the acid spoil may not be a direct effect of hydrogen ion concentration alone, since high aluminum levels that were present (Table 1) can also reduce numbers of soil bacteria (Zwarin et al 1971).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Natural recovery of microbial populations in mixed overburden surface‐mine spoils of texas

Mott

Zuberer

1991

Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation

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The chemical and physical properties of mixed overburden (spoil) from lignite surface mining operations in the southern United States have been well documented. However, there is little information on the microbiological characteristics of these spoils. To investigate the impact of the mining process on soil microbial populations, we determined the abundance of various microbial groups, including several involved in nitrogen (N) transformations, in variously aged spoils (1-10 years postmining) of east Texas. Numbers of aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in fresh spoil were lower than those in an unmined soil but returned to premining (unmined control) levels within 1.5 years in revegetated spoils. Algal numbers had not reached pre-mining levels within 10 years after mining. Numbers of fungal and algal species were low in more recently disturbed soils. Numbers of N 2 -frxing cyanobacteria were lower in most soils, but free-living N 2 -fixing bacteria were abundant in both fresh and older spoils. Nitrifying bacteria were more abundant in spoil and numbers tended to be greater at the older sites than in the unmined soil. All microbial populations were markedly diminished at an acidic area (pH 2.8-3.0) in the 10-year site. Microbial populations in recently leveled spoil did not decline with depth down to 90 cm. Results from this study suggest a relatively rapid natural restoration of microbial populations in revegetated, mixed overburden although there were indications of declines in species richness in some groups. Bacteria meditating the major transformations of N were present at all stages of the reclamation process.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Natural recovery of microbial populations in mixed overburden surface‐mine spoils of texas

Mott

Zuberer

1991

Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation

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“…MOST PROBABLE NUMBERS (MPN) (33) Microbial activity in a spoil is responsible for the transformation of certain elements from one form to another. Among these changes are sulfur oxidation, ammonification, nitrification, and cellulose decomposition.…”

Section: Chemical Activities Of Spoil Microorganismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonvegetated strip-mine spoil may be considered as being devoid of organic matter. Such spoils were shown, however, to have a microbial population (32,33 ) . Any organic matter added to such spoils would be used as an energy source by the heterotrophic microorganisms present.…”

Section: Carbon Dioxide Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The microbiology of strip-mine spoil.

Wilson¹

1965

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West Virginia-Pennsylvania (WV-Pa): Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Some attempt possibly had been made to reseed the strip-mine spoil as both alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) were present. The pH of the soil was also indicative of this. Pennsylvania: Fayette County. An abandoned area which had become naturally reseeded to Andropogon sp. The iron ore spoil areas were formed sometime between 1822 and 1866. At the time these were sampled they were covered by stands of oak (Quercus sp.) and yellowpoplar (Liriodendron tulipifcra L.) about 30 years old (22). An A, horizon had developed in these spoils. The three areas are designated as Johnson Hollow, Quarry Run, and Cheat. All were in Preston County, West Virginia. Materials and Methods All pH determinations were made electrolytically on a soil (spoil): water 1.5: 1 mixture which had stood for one hour with frequent shaking. The moisture determinations were made by drying the spoil and soil to constant weight at 105-1 10 c C. Further details concerning materials and methods will be described in connection with the experiments discussed or reference will be made to the original publications for the details. Studies on Microorganisms NUMBERS OF BACTERIA, FUNG!, AND ACTINOMYCETES (33) The numbers of microorganisms in spoil are influenced by a number of environmental factors, including pH, energy sources, nitrogen and other elements, moisture, and temperature. Since organic matter in spoil is essentially nil, nitrogen also is limited. Many spoils, particularly in the West Virginia coal region, become highly acid; pH levels between 3.0 and 3.5 are not uncommon. At times, particularly during the summer, the levels of both moisture and temperature are unfavorable for microbial growth, especially at the spoil surface. Methods Xonvegetated (barren), vegetated (reseeded by man or naturally reseeded), and undisturbed (adjacent soil) samples were analyzed. The samples represented the to 4-and 4 to 8-inch depths. All samples were a Complete details are given in:

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“…Strip-mine spoils, like soil, have a microbial population even when they are not vegetated with leafy plants Stewart, 1955, 1956). The vegetated spoils contain larger numbers, and perhaps a wider variety, of microorganisms than nonvegetated spoils (Wilson and Stewart, 1956).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%