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Characterization of Reclaimed Mined Land With and Without Topsoil¹

ABSTRACT

Research was conducted on two field plots to ascertain whether topsoil restoration is necessary hydrologically and physically in mined land reclamation. Plot 1 was reclaimed with mixed B- and C-horizon material, and Plot 2 with the same material as Plot 1 but with 0.2 m of topsoil added on the surface. The mixed B and C materials were restored with a shiftable conveyor belt and the stockpiled topsoil was spread by earth scrapers. Both field plots were divided into 25 subplots. The hydrological and physical characterization was limited to the top 0.2 m of the soil. The result showed that nontopsoil had an average bulk density of 1.5 Mg m^–3 which is about 15% higher than that of the topsoil plot. The hydraulic conductivity, macroporosity, and drainage rate of topsoil materials were higher, but the sorptivity and infiltration rate of the two plots were not significantly different. Since this research was limited to 0.2 m of surface soil, it did not provide enough information to decide whether topsoil replacement is necessary or whether B and C material is an adequate rooting medium. The study did demonstrate a simple technique for detailed characterization of the physical and hydrological properties of reclaimed mined land.

Key Words: hydrologic soil properties • mined land reclamation • soil compaction

¹ Contribution of Dep. of Forestry and Dep. of Plant and Soil Sci. Southern Illinois Univ. at Carbondale (SIUC), IL 62901.

² Associate Professor, Graduate Research Assistant, Student, and Professor, respectively, Dep. of Forestry, SIUC, IL 62901. The senior author is now with the Dep. of Plant and Soil Sci., SIUC. The second author is now a cartographer with the Defense Mapping Agency, Dep. of Defense, St. Louis, MO. The third author is now a Software Manager, Academic Computer Service, Miami Univ., Oxford, OH 45056.

Received for publication February 23, 1984.

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