Spatial distribution and concentration of sulfur in relation to vegetation cover and soil properties on a reclaimed sulfur mine site (Southern Poland)

Abstract

This work aims to assess the spatial distribution and concentration of sulfur in the topsoil layer and to determine the relationships between sulfur concentration, soil pH, soil electrical conductivity, and plant cover at the reforested site of the former sulfur mine (Southern Poland). Soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm (topsoil) from a total of 86 sampling points in a regular square grid with sides of 150 m. Plant cover was assayed in circular plots with an area of 100 m, divided into a woody plant layer and herbaceous plant layer. Soil properties such as particle size distribution, pH in KCl and HO, soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N), and total sulfur (S) were determined. The degree of soil contamination with sulfur was assessed based on the guidelines of the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG), Poland. The results indicate that remediation and application of lime were not fully effective in spatial variation, because 33 points with sulfur contamination above 500 mg kg were observed. These spots occurred irregularly in the topsoil horizons. This high sulfur concentration in the soil did not result in severe acidification (below 4.5) in all cases, most likely due to neutralization from the application of high doses of flotation lime. High vegetative cover occurred at some points with high soil sulfur concentrations, with two points having S concentration above 40,000 mg kg and tree cover about 60%. Numerous points with high soil EC above 1500 μS cm as well as limited vegetation and high soil sulfur concentrations, however, indicate that the reclamation to forest is still not completely successful.

Progresses in restoration of post-mining landscape in Africa

“…Groundwater pollution due to AMD and seepage from mine waste disposal are the most common environmental concerns (Sracek et al 2010;Likus-Cieślik et al 2017). AMD is produced when sulphide-bearing material is exposed to oxygen and water (Ashton et al 2001;Sheoran and Sheoran 2006) and releases acid, sulphate and metals.…”

Reclaimed Area Land Cover Mapping Using Sentinel-2 Imagery and LiDAR Point Clouds

“…This indicates an ongoing process of vegetation development, as an effect of the reclamation treatment for this area. Frasch's method of sulfur exploitation caused geochemical, ground, and hydrology transformations [51,52].…”

“…The areas after sulfur mining are characterized by difficult conditions for reclamation and vegetation growth. In this case, especially for the Jeziórko sulfur mine, where the area was strongly chemically transformed because of the method of exploitation (underground melting, borehole method, and Frasch method), it is a very difficult area for the adaptation of vegetation ( Figure 2) [51][52][53][54].…”

“…Remote Sens. 2020, 12, 261 5 of 20 60 kg ha-1 K2O), and grass sowing [52]. The next step of reclamation was area afforestation, mainly with one-year-old Scots pine seedlings (Pinus sylvestris L.) and an admixture of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and boreal oak (Quercus rubra L.) [51].…”

“…The Frasch method was connected with a high geological and, in particular, chemical transformation of the land. The reclamation process (from 1993 to 2010) to forestry (about 216 ha) included removing the mine infrastructure (such as mine wells, pipelines, and access roads), improvements to hydrographic conditions and landscaping, pH neutralization of sulfurous and excessively acidic soils by liming (average 400-500 Mg ha-1 of sludge), fertilization (70 kg ha-1 P 2 O 5 , 60 kg ha-1 K 2 O), and grass sowing [52]. The next step of reclamation was area afforestation, mainly with one-year-old Scots pine seedlings (Pinus sylvestris L.) and an admixture of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and boreal oak (Quercus rubra L.) [51].…”