HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Related articles in JEQ Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (8) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brown, S. Articles by Compton, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brown, S. Articles by Compton, H. Agricola Articles by Brown, S. Articles by Compton, H. Related Collections Bioremediation and Biodegradation Ecological Risk Assessment Ecosystem Restoration Heavy Metals

Ecosystem Function in Alluvial Tailings after Biosolids and Lime Addition

^a College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
^b USEPA Environmental Response Team, Edison, NJ 08837
^c Lockheed Martin, Edison, NJ 08837

^* Corresponding author (slb{at}u.washington.edu)

Received for publication January 9, 2004. Municipal biosolids and agricultural limestone were incorporated into the surface of alluvial highly acidic, metal-contaminated mine tailings in Leadville, CO, in 1998. Amended sites were seeded and a plant cover was subsequently established. A range of chemical and biological parameters were measured over time to determine if treatment was sufficient to restore ecosystem function. An uncontaminated upstream control (UUC), a contaminated vegetated area (CVA), and soils collected from the tailings deposits before amendment addition were used for comparison. Standard soil extracts showed decreases in extractable Pb, Zn, and Cd in the amended soils. Increased CO₂ evolution, reduced N₂O, and elevated NO₃^– in the amended tailings indicated an active microbial community. Levels of CO₂ and NO₃^– were elevated in comparison with the CVA and UUC. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and earthworm (Eisenia foetida) survival and metal uptake values were similar in amended tailings to a laboratory control soil. Ryegrass and worms in unamended tailings died. Field plant diversity was lower in amended areas than in CVA or UUC, with a higher percentage of the vegetative cover consisting of grasses. Small mammal analysis showed a low potential for elevated body Cd and Pb in the amended tailings. A re-entrainment study using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) showed no danger for resuspended amended tailings, as survival of fish was similar to the laboratory control. Data suggest that ecosystem function has been restored to the amended tailings, but that these systems are not yet in equilibrium.

Abbreviations: CVA, contaminated vegetated area • UUC, uncontaminated upstream control

Related articles in JEQ:

This Issue in Journal of Environmental Quality

JEQ 2005 34: 1-6. [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Svendson, C. Henry, and S. Brown Revegetation of High Zinc and Lead Tailings with Municipal Biosolids and Lime: Greenhouse Study J. Environ. Qual., November 1, 2007; 36(6): 1609 - 1617. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S.L. Brown, H. Compton, and N.T. Basta Field Test of In Situ Soil Amendments at the Tar Creek National Priorities List Superfund Site J. Environ. Qual., October 16, 2007; 36(6): 1627 - 1634. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. O'Connor, H. A. Elliott, N. T. Basta, R. K. Bastian, G. M. Pierzynski, R. C. Sims, and J. E. Smith Jr. Sustainable Land Application: An Overview J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2005; 34(1): 7 - 17. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]