The impact of surface applied mulches on selected physical properties of reclaimed mountaintop removal sites

P. W. Conrad, R. J. Sweigard, V. Badaker, D. H. Graves, C. D. Barton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Much of the land reclaimed since enactment of the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act is over-compacted. Excessive compaction in replaced growth media is detrimental to establishment of trees. If trees are to be grown on reclaimed sites, excessive compaction must be alleviated. Dry bulk density and penetration resistance can be used to indicate the level of compaction in replaced growth media. The University of Kentucky has developed reclamation test cells at a surface mine to determine the impact of organic soil supplements on selected soil physical properties of reclaimed sites. The organic soil supplements being evaluated include hardwood bark and straw and manure. Data were collected at the test cells for dry bulk density, maximum penetration depth and penetration resistance. The data show no statistical evidence that applying organic supplements has a major effect on selected soil physical properties in replaced growth media.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)222-236
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Bibliographical note

Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Reclamation
  • Reforestation
  • Replaced growth media
  • Soil compaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Geology
  • Earth-Surface Processes
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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