Reclamation of bentonite mined lands in the northern great plains

Schuman, G. E.; DePuit, E. J.; Smith, J. A.; King, L. A.

doi:10.1007/bf01875050

Cited by 2 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Bentonite extraction is carried out by shallow open‐pit mining that leads to loss of sagebrush and other vegetation. Individual bentonite mines are only a few hectares in size, but disturbance can become expansive as clay extraction moves relatively quickly along clay deposits (Schuman et al , ). In addition, mining support activities (e.g., exploration drilling, construction and maintenance of roads, haul trucking) increase disturbance and fragment habitat around mines.…”

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confidence: 99%

Greater sage‐grouse response to bentonite mining

Pratt

Beck

2019

J Wildl Manag

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The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) has undergone range contraction and population decline because of anthropogenic land surface disturbances; yet, there is little information on the effects of mining on sage-grouse populations. In the Bighorn Basin of Montana and Wyoming, USA, bentonite mining is a growing source of surface disturbance that contributes to loss of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitat. We evaluated the response of sage-grouse to active and reclaimed bentonite mining, relative to nesting, brood-rearing, adult breeding, and adult winter habitat, through resource selection and habitat-specific mortality risk analyses, based on female sage-grouse (n ¼ 321) monitored with telemetry from 2011-2015. A greater proportion of our monitored sample was exposed to mining disturbance during winter (65%) than during other seasons (range ¼ 25%-34%). We observed avoidance of all mining disturbance for selection of nesting habitat (n ¼ 378 nests), adult breeding habitat (n ¼ 1,978 locations), and adult winter habitat (n ¼ 1,365 locations). Evidence was inconclusive for avoidance of mining for brood-rearing habitat (n ¼ 754 locations). We also observed increased adult breeding season mortality risk (n ¼ 62 mortality events; n ¼ 285 female sage-grouse) associated with active mining disturbance but observed no effect on nest success (n ¼ 207 mortality events; n ¼ 378 nests). Evidence was inconclusive for increased mortality risk associated with broods (n ¼ 48 mortality events; n ¼ 157 broods) and adults during winter (n ¼ 31 mortality events; n ¼ 220 female sage-grouse). Stakeholders in the Bighorn Basin should be flexible and proactive to minimize the negative effects of bentonite mining on sage-grouse habitat use and demographic rates. Stakeholders should prioritize the conservation of winter habitats because of the influence on a greater proportion of the population and because of the lower regulatory priority given to winter habitat and they should strive to perfect mining reclamation to return disturbed sites back to pre-disturbance conditions to minimize long-term effects of the mines on sage-grouse. Ó 2019 The Wildlife Society.

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confidence: 99%

Greater sage‐grouse response to bentonite mining

Pratt

Beck

2019

J Wildl Manag

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“…Two other bunchgrasses, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and tall wheatgrass (A. elongatum), contributed to vegetation cover on the spoils treated with the MgCl 2 Brine. In contrast it has been suggested (Smith et al 1985) that sod-forming grasses are generally better suited than bunchgrasses for revegetation of bentonite spoils. Perennial forbs, chiefly forage kochia (Kochia prostrata) accounted for the majority of the v In 1987 and 1989, the mean percent canopy cover of vegetation growing on the MgCl 2 brine treated plots was 39.3% and 46.0%, respectively (Dollhopf et al, 1990).…”

Section: Canopy Covermentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Chemical and physical attributes of bentonitic spoils coupled with the semi-arid climate of the region, make vegetation establishment difficult (Schuman et al, 2000). Topsoil salvage and replacement are now required for active mining operations to aid in reclamation, but large landscapes of abandoned spoils can be characterized as barren or very sparsely vegetated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These spoils cover many thousands of hectares in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Natural vegetation colonization of these areas has been very slow over the past 60 years, and attempts to reclaim spoils without coversoils or amendments have been relatively unsuccessful Bauman 1981, andSchuman et al 1985). Several investigations using cover soil and spoil amendments to aid revegetation of abandoned bentonitic spoils are well described by Schuman and others (2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These wood-based amendments increase infiltration and storage of water, and aid in leaching of salts, but also increase the sodicity of the amended zone. Additions of gypsum or calcium chloride together with infiltration enhancing wood wastes are thought to be necessary to ensure long-term revegetation success (Schuman et al 2000). The primary Bureau of Land Management goal for the reclamation of these areas is to build soil and prevent sedimentation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Effects of Amendments on Vegetation Performance at a Bentonite Minesite After 25 Years

Neuman¹,

Blicker²,

Goering³

et al. 2006

JASMR

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Abstract. In the 1980s a series of experimental plots, 15 treatments with 3 fertilizer rates nested within each treatment and replicated three times, were constructed on abandoned bentonite mine spoils near Belle Fourche, South Dakota, USA. Treatments varied from physical manipulations to additions of chemical and biological amendments. Plots were seeded with mixes of plant species. In 2005, a qualitative assessment of the vegetation status of the experimental reclamation plots was conducted and the following treatments were selected as supporting the "best vegetation": 1) manure at 112 Mg/ha + H 2 SO 4 at 20 Mg/ha; 2) gypsum at 6.7 Mg/ha + CaCl 2 at 17.2 Mg/ha; and 3) 1.20 Mg/ha of MgCl 2 Brine. Quantitatively, mean vegetation cover values for each treatment were not significantly different among the three selected treatments. Mean canopy cover values were 21.1% for spoils treated with gypsum and CaCl 2 , 24.4% for spoils treated with H 2 SO 4 and manure, and 27.3% for spoils amended with a brine of MgCl 2 . These cover values were markedly lower than those measured in previous years. Community composition did vary significantly (P < 0.05) among the treatments. Few of the seeded species were found growing on the experimental plots; other species have colonized the plots, but they contributed little to vegetation cover or biomass. Levels of soil pH across all treatment and depths were very similar (6.78 to 8.04), while electrical conductivity (EC) of spoils (top 20 cm) treated with H 2 SO 4 and manure was markedly reduced compared to either the control samples or soils collected from other treated plots. The EC and SAR values for MgCl 2 brine-treated spoils have not changed since they were last measured in 1989. Incorporated manure was clearly visible in the soils profile. However, much of the manure had not decomposed since it was added to the spoils 25 years ago. Roots were abundant to a depth of 45 cm. Depth of the amended zone in the gypsum and CaCl 2 plot was clearly defined at 45 cm, and copious roots were found in the soil profile to this depth.

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Reclamation of bentonite mined lands in the northern great plains

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

Greater sage‐grouse response to bentonite mining

Greater sage‐grouse response to bentonite mining

Assessment of Effects of Amendments on Vegetation Performance at a Bentonite Minesite After 25 Years

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