Project Number: WVA00382
CRIS Number: 0169969
CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MINESOILS
Investigators: Sencindiver, J. C., Skousen, J. G.
Performing Department: Plant & Soil Sciences -- 1825
Start Date: 10/27/1995
Termination Date: 09/30/2001
Reporting period: 10/27/1995 to 09/30/2001
Termination Report:
This study evaluated soil development and quality on different aged mined lands. Four different ages (2, 7, 11, and 23 years) of minesoils along with three contiguous native soils on a reclaimed mountaintop removal mine in Logan County, West Virginia were described and sampled. In addition, two ages of minesoils and contiguous native soils at two other sites, one in Boone County (8- and 17-year-old minesoils) and one in Fayette County (16 and 30-year-old minesoils), were evaluated. Standard analyses of physical and chemical properties were conducted for all described horizons. Microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), and microbial respiration (MR) were determined for all surface horizons. Some of the data also were used to test a productivity index for Appalachian minesoils. Physical analyses of these soils documented that minesoils are developing with age, indicated by increasing A horizon and solum thicknesses, and increased aggregate stability with time. Chemical analyses showed higher N with minesoil age. Minesoils had higher bases, pH, and base saturation than native soils, but native soils had higher carbon, nitrogen, aluminum, and manganese. The MBC, MBN, PMN, and MR analyses indicated that microbial activity stabilizes and organic matter accumulation and stabilization increases with minesoil age, and properties of older minesoils approach those of the native soils. Current accepted soil classification names gave little information on the unique properties of the minesoils in this study, but three proposed modifications to Soil Taxonomy revealed more useful knowledge. The calculated productivity index showed the minesoils as a group to be less productive than native soils, but the older minesoils were similar to the native soils. In a companion study, soil development and forest productivity were evaluated on a 30-year-old minesoil in Preston County, WV. The surface mine had been planted with white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and the other half had been left to natural revegetation. Minesoils on both halves of the mine experienced rapid development during the 30-year period. All minesoil profiles had well-developed Bw horizons and were classified as Inceptisols. Minesoil development was better on the naturally revegetated site possibly due to differences in ground cover. Forest productivity, including volunteer species, was much better on the planted site than on the naturally vegetated site.
Publications:
Gorman, J., J. Skousen, J. Sencindiver, and P. Ziemkiewicz. 2001. Forest productivity and minesoil development under a white pine plantation versus natural vegetation after 30 years. p. 103-111. In Proc., Annual National Meeting of the Amer. Soc. for Surface Mining and Reclam. 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY.
Stephens, K.M., A.J. Sexstone, J.C. Sencindiver, J.G. Skousen, and K.A. Thomas. 2001. Microbial indicators of minesoil quality in southern West Virginia. p. 317-325. In Proc., Annual National Meeting of the Amer. Soc. for Surface Mining and Reclam. 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY.
Thomas, K.A. 2001. Characterization and quality of soils developing on a mountaintop removal coal mine. M.S. Thesis. West Virginia University. 145 p.
Thomas, K.A., J.C. Sencindiver, J.G. Skousen, and J.M. Gorman. 2001. Chemical properties of minesoils on a mountaintop removal mine in southern West Virginia. p. 448-456. In Proc., Annual National Meeting of the Amer. Soc. for Surface Mining and Reclam. 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY.
Impact:
Specific information on minesoil quality and rate of development will assist in the evaluation of the environmental impact of coal mining. In addition, the information will help define future potential land uses of the minesoils.