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Title: Use of amendments to restore ecosystem function to metal mining impacted sites; Tools to evaluate efficacy

Author
item BROWN, SALLY - University Of Washington
item Chaney, Rufus

Submitted to: Current Pollution Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2016
Publication Date: 3/29/2016
Citation: Brown, S.L., Chaney, R.L. 2016. Use of amendments to restore ecosystem function to metal mining impacted sites; Tools to evaluate efficacy. Current Pollution Reports. 2:91-102. doi: 10.1007/s40726-016-0029-1.

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript reviews the history of development of methods for remediation and revegetation of disturbed and metal contaminated soils over the last several decades. It also reviews methods to assess the likelihood that soil amendments may achieve revegetation. With the tools described in this manuscript contaminated sites may be readily remediated. This review will be of use to land managers.

Technical Abstract: There is a long history of using residuals based soil amendments for restoration of disturbed sites. More recently, this approach has been tested for use on metal contaminated mining sites. For these sites, amendment mixtures are targeted to reduce metal availability in situ as well as restore ecosystem functions to the disturbed areas. Combinations of mixtures, typically consisting of a material with high metal binding capacity (cyclonic ashes, municipal biosolids, or other materials rich in Fe, Al or Mn oxides), material to adjust soil pH (sugar beet lime, cement kiln dust, dolomitic limestone), and an organic residual to provide soil structure and nutrients (composts, animal manures, municipal biosolids) have been tested in multiple lab and field trials on metal contaminated sites. Sufficient rates of appropriate amendment mixtures have successfully reduced metal availability and restored ecosystem function to a number of sites. Methods to evaluate success of amendments including extractions to measure changes in metal availability, microbial function and diversity, phytoavailability of metals, and earthworm and small mammal assays are described. Additional measures of ecosystem function including tests of soil fertility and ecosystem function are described. Finally, measures of the value of this approach for restoring ecosystems are detailed. As in situ use of amendments for restoration of metal contaminated sites becomes increasingly accepted, the expected level of ecosystem function at these sites is likely to increase. Use of appropriate tools to measure both the level and value of that function is critical to expand use of this approach.