Development of pollution-neutralizing properties in very young mine soils

✍ Scribed by F. Gil-Sotres; M. C. Leirós; M. C. Trasar-Cepeda

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 714 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1085-3278
• DOI: 10.1002/ldr.3400030404

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Various properties capable of neutralizing environmental pollution (aggregate stability, buffer capacity and ion adsorption capacity) were determined in spoil from a lignite mine in Galicia (northwest Spain) and in mine soils of four and seven years age developed from this spoil. Buffer capacity and the adsorption of copper, cadmium and phosphate increased markedly with soil age, whereas the dispersion ratios of both macro‐ and micro‐aggregates decreased sharply. These changes are attributed to the known increase in organic matter and extractable iron and aluminium. These components aid interparticle binding and create both exchange sites and specific adsorption sites. The ultimate causes are thought to be the successful establishment of an active field plant cover, the considerable colloid content of the parent material, the management of the mine soils and the climatic conditions of the area, which favour both the accumulation of soil organic matter and the weathering of the parent material.