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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #277774
Title: Age chronosequence and landscape effects on the quality characteristics of reclaimed coal mine soils under forest and pasture based system in Mississippi

Author
item Adeli, Ardeshir
item LAND, DAVID - Mississippi State University
item Brooks, John
item McLaughlin, Michael
item Read, John
item MCGREW, N - North America Coal Cooperation
item Willers, Jeffrey

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2012
Publication Date: 6/9/2012
Citation: Adeli, A., Land, D.J., Brooks, J.P., McLaughlin, M.R., Read, J.J., McGrew, N.R., Willers, J.L. 2012. Age chronosequence and landscape effects on the quality characteristics of reclaimed coal mine soils under forest and pasture based system in Mississippi [abstract]. National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. http://www.asmr.us/Meetings/2012/CD%20Version%20Papers/0003-Adeli-MS-2.pdf.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Surface coal mining leads to reclamation which uses materials favorable to plant growth; however, these materials may initially be low in organic C. It is important to study the soil organic C sequestration potential of reclaimed mine soils under different land use and management systems. Few studies have undertaken the potential of reclaimed mine soils for soil organic C sequestration by comparing them with the undisturbed soil under cold temperate or dry climatic conditions. However, the soil quality indicators of reclaimed mine soils in southeastern United States, having a subtropical climatic condition with high precipitation, have not been investigated. This preliminary study was undertaken at a surface lignite mine in Mississippi. Our objective was to evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological changes of the soil through an age chronosequence of reclaimed mine soils. A chronosequence of 0, 2, 5 and 10-year-old reclaimed sites corresponding to reclamation since 2011, 2009, 2005 and 2000, respectively, were chosen for the study. Soil samples for 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths were obtained in 2011 from all designated reclaimed mine sites under both pasture and forest based systems. In each reclaimed mine site, soil samples were taken at the peak, shoulder and toe of the hillslope to also evaluate the effects of landscape on soil profile development. Soil survey or profile description was evaluated in a 1-m deep soil profile at each reclaimed site. Different soil quality indicators including pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, soil carbon, and nitrogen mineralization, soil organic C associated with the soil aggregate fractions, total C and N, biomass C, and available P were measured. Detailed information will be presented and discussed.