Pedogenesis problems on reclaimed coal mining sites

Abstract

Open-cast coal mining presents a big global issue because of the large areas the mines occupy, which get entirely changed. Their ecosystems lose most of their functions, and a huge amount of fertile soil gets utterly destroyed. Reclamation is a process of returning the functions of the soil after the excavation is finished, most commonly achieved by establishing vegetation, which can sometimes be very difficult. This happens due to the physical, chemical and biological changes that occur on these sites, which are described in this paper. Also, some directions for mitigating these problems are given. Once the vegetation is successfully introduced, natural cycles that were compromised by the mining are established once again, and the process of soil formation begins. Some trends and problems related to pedogenesis research on reclaimed mine sites are presented and discussed, along with presumptions of how the process of soil formation evolves on afforested clayey Technosols of central Europe. The potential future research which would confirm these presumptions is discussed, with the emphasis on the need of research performed on older reclamation sites, as well as sites with similar ecological conditions and different tree species cover.

Studies of post mining soils in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

“…В сравнении с длительностью промышленной добычи полезных ископаемых история изучения последствий этого воздействия на объекты окружающей среды чрезвычайно коротка. В мире данный вопрос как научная проблема был поставлен только во второй половине ХХ века, интенсивность и глубина исследований существенно возросли только к концу века [7,8]. Общее представление о методических подходах, используемых для изучения техногенных ландшафтов, можно получить из анализа 700 публикаций, процитированных в крупнейших базах данных мира за 1990-2018 гг.…”

A Novel Hybrid Fuzzy Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making Model for the Selection of the Most Suitable Land Reclamation Variant at Open-Pit Coal Mines

“…Many closed mines have become forests, agricultural lands, and nature reserves. Technical reclamation is a common approach used in post-mine sites and is even a mandatory practice in some regions due to legislation in many countries [2].…”

“…(1) Is the problem of implementing reclamation solutions in vast areas degraded by coal exploitation evident in Serbia today? (2) How can we define all potential problems and potential solutions, and how can parameters be defined to fully represent the current state of open-pit coal mining? (3) Which model can provide a comprehensive analysis and give positive results in practice?…”

Effect of soil properties on plant growth and diversity at various ages of coal mine reclamation in Indonesia

“…In addition to having a positive impact on the Indonesian economy, the mining sector also harms the environment. Coal mining activities using the open-pit method can decrease the biodiversity of flora and fauna and changes in soil conditions (Sopialena et al 2017;Giam et al 2018;Spasic et al 2021). Reclamation is mandatory based on Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree No.…”

“…During soil and overburden stripping, soil and overburden are separated to conserve the soil quality. The open-pit mining method will cause changes in the three properties of the soil (Spasic et al 2021). The overburden may contaminate the soil from its geochemical content, e.g., the Potential Acid-Forming (PAF) material.…”