Decomposition and soil biota after reclamation of coal mine spoils in an arid region

Summary We compared soil biota and buried wheat straw decomposition on sites subject to topsoiling plus straw mulch reclamation procedures 1–4 years prior to our study and on an unmined site. Rates of straw decomposition were highest on the unmined site. Decomposition rates were higher on the 1- and 2-year-old sites than on the 3- and 4-year-old reclaimed spoil. Microarthropod population densities and number of taxa were greater from decomposing straw on the unmined site and lowest from straw on the 1- and 2-year-old areas. Soil bacteria, fungi, and protozoan populations on buried straw on the oldest reclaimed sites were generally equal to those on the unmined area. Nematode populations on buried straw in the unmined site and 1- and 2-year-old reclaimed sites were similar. Populations of denitrifying bacteria were larger on recently reclaimed sites than on 3- and 4-year-old sites. Decomposition and nitrogen mineralization varied as a function of the diversity and abundance of soil microarthropods. Soil microfauna can serve as an index of soil development in a disturbed arid soil.     

Weathering of sulphide minerals and trace element speciation in tailings of various ages in the Guanajuato mining district, Mexico

We studied the behavior of the trace elements (TE) As, Cu, Pb and Zn associated with sulphide minerals in tailings of different age at the Guanajuato mining district, Mexico. The objective was to determine the dominant fractions into which the TE move as tailings age and to identify how much time is needed until the dominant metal fractions approach equilibrium. We collected 21 samples from the surface of mine waste deposits of different ages (0, 2 , 4, 16, 70, 75, and 100 years), and measured their aqua regia extractable contents of As, Cu, Pb and Zn. We also applied a sequential extraction procedure to quantify water soluble TE as well as TE associated with carbonates, iron oxides, sulphides and the residual fraction. The mineralogy was analysed by X-ray diffraction, and selected samples were studied on polished specimens through a stereoscopic microscope. The TE in samples extracted with aqua regia ranged between 10 and 168 mg kg^− 1 for As, 12 to 194 mg kg^− 1 for Cu, 31 to 308 mg kg^− 1 for Pb, and 122 to 1129 mg kg^− 1 for Zn, and varied in a wide range within each age group of tailings. Water soluble Cu, Pb and Zn contents were below detection limits in almost all samples, which was attributed to the alkaline pH (7.17 to 8.61) in the tailings. Water extractable As was detected only in tailings older than 16 years, and concentrations ranged between 0.06 and 7.58 mg kg^− 1. The proportion of TE associated with sulphides decreased in the tailings as they age, while the proportion of TE associated with iron oxides increased with time of exposure to the atmosphere, approximating equilibrium after 60 years for As, Cu and Zn, and after 40 years for Pb. Observations of polished specimens suggests that oxidation proceeds until coatings of secondary minerals cover and protect sulphide mineral grains from further weathering. First order rate equations were adjusted to the proportions of TE associated with either sulphides or iron oxides. Assuming that the TE in sulphide fractions correspond to arsenopyrite (FeAsS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), galena (PbS) and sphalerite (ZnS), the relative oxidation rate of sulphides followed the order: PbS > ZnS > FeAsS ≈ CuFeS₂, while the relative affinity of the elements with iron oxides followed the sequence Cu ≈ Zn > As > Pb.     

金属尾矿砂的改良和植被重建研究进展

针对金属尾矿砂的理化性状以及所带来的环境影响进行了简要介绍和评述,着重从改良的角度论述了我国治理修复金属矿区尾矿砂的研究进展、存在的问题和将来的发展方向。     

桥山林区矿山植被保护与恢复技术的探讨

通过对桥山林区矿山范围内生态环境破坏现状和相同生态区位废旧矿山植被恢复情况进行调查分析,提出了黄陵矿区矿山植被保护与恢复技术措施,为保护当地生态环境提供技术支撑。     

重庆市矿山环境治理现状及保护对策

重庆市经历几十年的矿产资源开发,严重的矿山环境问题和诱发日益频繁的次生地质灾害,已经影响到区域社会和经济的发展。该文概述了重庆市矿山环境治理现状及存在的主要问题,探讨了矿山地质环境治理的对策和建议,并提出具体防治措施。     

基于WEB的DW技术在福建名木古树智能管理系统中的设计与实现

采用WEB与数据仓库技术,从系统设计原则与设计目标、系统总体结构、系统部署、数据仓库设计与系统功能等方面,设计与实现了福建名木古树智能管理系统。该系统建立了一个B/S架构的服务器数据仓库,将数据挖掘与OLAP思想相结合,为不同层次的管理者提供智能决策信息。     

安太堡煤矿区不同复垦年限和复垦模式土壤氮矿化及硝化特征

为揭示煤矿复垦区土壤氮素内循环中的矿化及硝化特征,探索不同复垦模式与不同复垦年限下复垦土壤的氮素转化效率,采集山西安太堡露天煤矿中复垦3年、9年、21年苜蓿地及3年荞麦地表层（0~20 cm）土壤,并以3年自然恢复和未复垦新排土为对照,采用间歇淋洗好气培养法与恒温培养法研究各采样地土壤矿化与硝化过程,利用一级反应动力学模型与Logistic方程对有机氮素的矿化与硝化数据进行拟合。结果表明,3年苜蓿地的矿化速率最高,21年苜蓿地的矿化速率最低,且土壤氮素快速矿化主要在培养前7 d,之后逐渐平缓,并在28 d趋于稳定。经一级动力学方程拟合可知,氮矿化势（N_o）的变化范围为89.28~124.51 mg·kg^-1,21年苜蓿地 > 3年自然恢复地 > 3年苜蓿地 > 3年荞麦地 > 未复垦新排土 > 9年苜蓿地;矿化速率常数（k）的变化范围为0.022 6~0.051 9,3年苜蓿地 > 9年苜蓿地 > 未复垦新排土 > 3年自然恢复地 > 3年荞麦地 > 21年苜蓿地。氮矿化势与土壤有机质含量显著正相关（r=0.91）。复垦区各土壤随培养时间的延长硝态氮含量大致为"S"型曲线且可分为3个阶段：前期阶段（0~5 d）-上升阶段（5~14 d）-稳定阶段（14~28 d）;Logistic方程拟合结果显示：复垦年限显著影响硝化高峰出现的时间（不同复垦年限苜蓿地最大相差6.85 d）,21年苜蓿地硝化过程剧烈而短促,3年自然恢复地的硝化过程缓慢而漫长;耕地较草地有更大的硝化速率与更长的硝化时间。长期的种植苜蓿复垦显著提高了土壤的氮库容量,矿化过程更为平稳。     

Carbon sequestration by forests and soils on mined land in the Midwestern and Appalachian coalfields of the U.S.

Carbon (C) accreditation of forest development projects is one approach for sequestering atmospheric CO₂, under the provisions of the Kyoto protocol. The C sequestration potential of reforested mined land is not well known. The purpose of this work was to estimate and compare the ecosystem C content in forests established on surface, coal-mined and non-mined land. We used existing tree, litter, and soil C data for fourteen mined and eight adjacent, non-mined forests in the Midwestern and Appalachian coalfields to determine the C sequestration potential of mined land reclaimed prior to the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977). We developed statistically significant and biologically reasonable models for ecosystem C across the spectrum of site quality and stand age. On average, the highest amount of ecosystem C on mined land was sequestered in pine stands (148 Mg ha⁻¹), followed by hardwood (130 Mg ha⁻¹) and mixed stands (118 Mg ha⁻¹). Non-mined hardwood stands sequestered 210 Mg C ha⁻¹, which was about 62% higher than the average of all mined stands. Our mined land response surface models of C sequestration as a function of site quality and age explained 59, 39, and 36% of the variation of ecosystem C in mixed, pine, and hardwood stands, respectively. In pine and mixed stands, ecosystem C increased exponentially with the increase of site quality, but decreased with age. In mined hardwood stands, ecosystem C increased asymptotically with age, but it was not affected by site quality. At rotation age (60 yr), ecosystem C in mined hardwood stands was less on high quality sites, but similar for low quality sites compared to non-mined hardwood stands. The overall results indicated that the higher the original forest site quality, the less likely C sequestration potential was restored, and the greater the disparity between pre- and post-mining C sequestration stocks.     

Effects of heavy metals from mining and industry on some rivers in Poland: An already exploded chemical time bomb?

Upper Silesia has rich deposits of hard coal and substantial deposits of zinc, lead and iron ores. the watersheds of two rivers cut right through the zinc and lead ore mining region and most of the tailing drainage water is contaminated with heavy metals. in total, about 807 tyr-1 of zinc, 67t yr-1 of lead and 17 tyr-1 of cadmium are discharged with the drainage and process waste water. in the Upper Silesia many industrial plants also discharge waste water contaminated with heavy metals. the Bukowno Complex is the most important regional source of heavy metals and the Biala Przemsza River is the main receiver of waste waters from this complex. Measured data at a cross-section of this river are given. It is shown by a simplified calculation that lead and zinc are transported downstream to the Vistula River and later to the Baltic Sea, or are deposited in the river bed. It is shown that there are many other possible sources of heavy metals. Atmospheric deposition of metals on the surface leads to surface runoff, accumulation in plants, and subsequently discharge with animal or human excreta. Contaminated sediments will continue to pollute the overflowing river water, perhaps for centuries. Mobilization of heavy metals and factors affecting that process are discussed in relation to providing safe drinking water now and in the future. It is emphasized that the drinking water quality is already threatened.     

皖南土壤和烟叶中矿质元素含量与烟叶焦甜香特色风格的关系

对皖南焦甜香感强度不同的12个烤烟样品中10种矿质元素及其植烟土壤中10种矿质元素的含量进行了测定和分析。结果表明:皖南大部分植烟土壤速效P含量适中,速效K含量较高,不同焦甜香感烤烟的植烟土壤中矿质元素的含量没有明显的差异。与优质烤烟相比,皖南不同焦甜香感强度的烟叶中Mn、Cu和Zn含量适中,K、Ca、Fe和Mg含量偏低。在烟叶所含的10种矿质元素中,在C3F等级烟叶焦甜香感"中"的烟叶中Ca、Cu、Fe和Zn含量显著低于焦甜香感"中-"的烟叶。因此,土壤和烟叶中矿质元素的含量对烟叶焦甜香感强度的影响较小,并不是引起烟叶焦甜香感强度差异的主要原因。