Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/12
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this research program has been (a) the mining professional industry involved in mineral sands and sand & gravel mining in the mid-Atlantic region, (b) disturbed land rehabilitation scientists, and (c) mining and environmental regulators. A fourth target audience for outreach related efforts has been (d) local agricultural producers in the mining affected areas and their Extension agents. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project site in Dinwiddie County has been used for several mining reclamation field trips by the mining industry and for an Extension biosolids training workshop. Three MS students have worked on the research project and two post-docs have been trained over the project period reported. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Via scientific journal and proceedings publications as cited in this report and our annual reports. Also via numerous mining industry, landowner, regulator and Extension training workshops that have either visited the field research site in Dinwiddie County or have been present at meetings where our long term mine soil reconstruction protocols have been reviewed. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
For Objectives 1 and 2: Long-term results (2005 to 2012) have proven that reconstructed mine soils will consistently exceed local county 5-year average yields for all crops grown to date (corn, wheat and soybeans) but are typically 15 to 20% lower than adjacent prime farmlands under identical management. However, in 2012, for the first time, soybean yields on the reconstructed mine soils were higher than the adjacent prime farmlands and much higher than the 5-year county average. One important outcome of this research program (in 2010) was the fact that the company was able to gain approval for a "topsoil variance" from the state regulatory authority whereby carefully recombined tailings+slimes are coupled with lime, fertilizer and organic amendments (when available) to build a topsoil (A horizon) layer in situ rather than via conventional topsoil salvage, storage and replacement. For Objective 3: Long term studies of soil organic matter accumulation and aggregation as described by Wick et al. in publications from this and previous years indicate that organic matter is very slow to accumulate in these mine soils and that aggregation is driven largely by mineral (Fe-oxide) interactions rather than organic matter as expected. However, significant long-term effects of biosolids applications on long-term organic aggregate bound N and P were observerd. For Objective 4: Data and findings from this research program are currently being used by ICOMANTH and other groups for improving soil classification proposals for disturbed soils. A full detailed discussion of the overall methods and results of this multi-year project is provided at the end of this under the category of "other products", research data, etc.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wick, A.F., W.L. Daniels, Z.W. Orndorff, and M.M. Alley. 2013. Organic matter accumulation post-mineral sands mining. Soil Use Manage. DOI: 10.1111/sum.12058.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Howard, J.L., B.R. Dubay, and W.L. Daniels. 2013. Artifact weathering, anthropogenic microparticles and lead contamination in urban soils at former demolition sites, Detroit, Michigan. Environ. Pollut. 179: 1-12.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Howard J.L., B.R. Dubay, S.P. McElmurry, J. Clemence, and W.L. Daniels. 2013. Comparison of sequential extraction and bioaccessibility analyses of lead using urban soils and reference materials. Water Soil Air Pollut. 224 (10). DOI: 10.1007/s11270-013-1678-y.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Daniels, W.L., and Z.W. Orndorff. 2013. Indicators of reclamation success for mineral sands mining in the USA. p. 226-23. In: Z. Agioutantis (ed.) Proc. 6th Ind. Conf. Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry. 30 Jun - 3 Jul 2013. Milos Conf. Center. Milos Island, Greece.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Whitacre, S.D., N.T. Basta, C.J. Everett, K. Minca, and W.L. Daniels. 2013. Identification of toxic agents and potential exposure routes to Appalachian coal mining communities. p. 229 - 243 In: J.R. Craynon (ed.), Proc., Environmental Considerations in Energy Production, April 14-18, 2013, Charleston, WV. Soc. Mining Met. & Explor., Englewood, CO. www.smenet.org.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Daniels, W.L., Z.W. Orndorff, M.J. Eick and C.E. Zipper. 2013. Predicting TDS release from Appalachian mine spoils.p. 275 285. In: J.R. Craynon (ed.), Environmental Considerations in Energy Production, April 14-18, 2013, Charleston, WV. Soc. Mining Met. & Explor., Englewood, CO. www.smenet.org.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our prime farmland soil reconstruction experiment, managed cooperatively with Iluka Resources Inc. in Dinwiddie County Virginia since 2004, was maintained for its eighth complete growing season in 2011/2012. The experiment compares mine soils reconstructed directly from limed and N-P-K fertilized mineral sands tailing+slimes (Control) against plots receiving 15 cm of topsoil return (Topsoil) vs. two treatments receiving lime stabilized biosolids (at 78 Mg/ha) managed in either continuous tillage (CT) or minimum tillage (NT). All treatments are replicated four times and are also compared to an identically managed set of replicate plots on adjacent prime farmland (Orangeburg series). Following a drought limited 2011 cropping season (with corn) the experiment was cropped to winter wheat/soybeans in 2012. Wheat yields taken in June of 2012 were well above county (Dinwiddie) levels, but no obvious treatment effects were apparent. This continues to confirm our combined multi-year results (2005 to 2011) that reconstructed mine soils will consistently exceed local county 5-year average yields for all crops grown to date (corn, wheat and soybeans) but are typically 20% lower than adjacent prime farmlands under similar management. Results also continue to confirm the viability of organic amended topsoil substitutes vs. topsoil return strategies for this mining environment. In a related and parallel project, we continue to monitor the potential for conversion of dredge sediments into productive agricultural soils at our cooperative research site at Shirley Plantation (Weanack Land LLP) in Charles City County. Long term research plots and monitoring for ten years indicate that while upland soils derived from fresh water dredge sediments from the Potomac River have the capability to equal or exceed native Pamunkey series soils, saline dredge materials from locations in New Jersey and Virginia will take many years to be converted into productive systems. Detailed monitoring of saline/sodic soil transformations through 2011 indicated that bulk EC and Na saturation decreased to acceptable levels in the upper 30 cm of saline source dredge materials within three years following placement and that distinct Bg horizons form over that same period. In 2012, we continued to document and report on the effects of rapid sulfide oxidation in marine sediments placed into experimental upland monitoring cells that did not respond to conventional liming as expected. After two years of lime addition and revegetation with and salt tolerant vegetation, we were finally able to establish persistent vegetation on these plots in 2012. Our overall soil and water quality analyses indicate that the conventional acid base accounting technique that we utilized to predict lime demand in these materials significantly under-predicted the actual multi-year lime demand due to the presence of sand sized carbonate shell fragments in the materials that appeared reactive in the lab test, but not in the field. PARTICIPANTS: Iluka Resources Inc. supported our work on prime farmland reclamation. Weanack Land LLLP supported our work on dredge spoil conversion to agriculture and management. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This is the first cooperative research program to directly address prime farmland restoration following mining for any mineral resource in the region east of the mid-eastern coal basin. Our combined research results and outreach programs have significantly altered the overall mined land reclamation approach employed by Iluka Resources Inc. on over 2000 acres of land (50% prime farmland) to date and will eventually set soil reconstruction prescriptions for over 5000 acres of disturbed mined lands in Virginia and North Carolina. One important outcome of this research program (in 2010) was the fact that the company was able to gain approval for a "topsoil variance" from the state regulatory authority whereby carefully recombined tailings+slimes are coupled with lime, fertilizer and organic amendments (when available) to build a topsoil (A horizon) layer in situ rather than via conventional topsoil salvage, storage and replacement. Once implemented, this will result in much higher mining royalty streams to landowners, higher local mineral severance tax revenues and improved profitability and long-term stability for the mining company. In November, 2012, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) accepted a new permit renewal for dredge spoil based upon our screening guidance as described in last year's report. These dredge quality screening criteria are intended for use and application statewide in the determination of whether or not dredge sediments may be safely placed into upland environments for conversion to agricultural soils with limited/minimal risks of surface or ground water contamination. To our knowledge, this is the first such screening protocol accepted by a state agency in the USA for this purpose.
Publications
- Kostyanovskiy, K., G. Evanylo, K. Lasley, W. Daniels, and C. Shang. 2012. Leaching potential and forms of phosphorus in deep row applied biosolids underlying hybrid poplar. Ecological Engineering 37:1765-1771.
- Howard J., C. Clawson, and W. Daniels. 2012. A comparison of mineralogical techniques and potassium adsorption isotherm analysis for relative dating and correlation of Late Quaternary soil chronosequences. Geoderma 179-180: 81-95.
- Phillips R., A. Wick, M. Liebig, M. West, and W. Daniels. 2012. Biogenic emissions of CO2 and N2O at multiple depths increase exponentially during a simulated soil thaw for a northern prairie Mollisol. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 45:14-22.
- Daniels, W., C. Stilson and C. Zimmerman. 2012. Development of Effective Rehabilitation Protocols for Mineral Sands Mining in Virginia, USA. p. 97 - 103 In: D. Mulligan et. Al. (Eds.), Proceedings, Life-of Mine, 2012. Maximizing Rehabilitation Outcomes. July 10-12, Brisbane, Australia. http://www.ausimm.com.au/publications/publication.aspxID=15259.
- Haus, N.W. 2011. Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Materials in Upland Environments. M.S. Thesis, Virginia Tech, 111 p.
- Nash, W.L. 2012. Long-Term Effects of Rock Type, Weathering and Amendments on Southwest Virginia Mine Soils. M.S. Thesis, Virginia Tech, 245 p.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our prime farmland soil reconstruction experiment, managed cooperatively with Iluka Resources Inc. in Dinwiddie County Virginia since 2004, was maintained for its seventh complete growing season in 2010/2011. The experiment compares mine soils reconstructed directly from limed and N-P-K fertilized mineral sands tailing+slimes (Control) against plots receiving 15 cm of topsoil return (Topsoil) vs. two treatments receiving lime stabilized biosolids (at 78 Mg/ha) managed in either continuous tillage (CT) or minimum tillage (NT). All treatments are replicated four times and are also compared to an identically managed set of replicate plots on adjacent prime farmland (Orangeburg series). Following a relatively successful 2010 cropping season (with wheat/soybeans) the experiment was cropped to corn in 2011. Corn yields were highly variable throughout the experiment, with some individual plots varying from 2500 to 9000 kg/ha. It appears that these low yielding areas were concave or somewhat compact areas that retained water following a wet period that immediately followed post-planting N applications. This very wet period was then followed by protracted drought later in the summer during the critical grain filling period. While we have not completed statistical analyses, no obvious treatment effects were apparent in 2011. The nearby unmined control plots consistently yielded in excess of 11,000 kg/ha, however, with little spatial variability. This points out the fact that despite seven years of tillage management (including periodic no-till subsoil ripping) that (A) the reconstructed mine soils do not infiltrate and retain water as well as their natural unmined counterparts and (B) their lateral variability is much greater. Regardless, combined 5-year results (2005 to 2010) continue to indicate that these reconstructed mine soils exceed local county 5-year average yields for all crops grown to date (corn, wheat and soybeans) but are typically 20% lower than adjacent prime farmlands under similar management. Cotton yields in 2009 were approximately 35% lower than county average yields. In a related and parallel project, we continue to monitor the potential for conversion of dredge sediments into productive agricultural soils at our cooperative research site at Shirley Plantation (Weanack Land LLP) in Charles City County. Long term research plots and monitoring for ten years indicate that while upland soils derived from fresh water dredge sediments from the Potomac River have the capability to equal or exceed native Pamunkey series soils, saline dredge materials from locations in New Jersey and Virginia will take many years to be converted into productive systems. In 2011, we documented and reported on the effects of rapid sulfide oxidation in marine sediments placed into experimental upland monitoring cells that did not respond to conventional liming as expected. PARTICIPANTS: Iluka Resources Inc. particpated in the field experiments on prime farmland restoration. Weanack Land LLLP and Shirley Plantation LLC participated in the dredge spoil management research program. TARGET AUDIENCES: Mining companies, consultants, regulators and local landowners. Dredge materials management firms, consultants, regulators and local landowners. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This is the first cooperative research program to directly address prime farmland restoration following mining for any mineral resource in the region east of the mid-eastern coal basin. Our combined research results and outreach programs have significantly altered the overall mined land reclamation approach employed by Iluka Resources Inc. on over 2000 acres of land (50% prime farmland) to date and will eventually set soil reconstruction prescriptions for over 5000 acres of disturbed mined lands in Virginia and North Carolina. One important outcome of this research program in 2010 was the fact that the company was able to gain approval for a "topsoil variance" from the state regulatory authority whereby carefully recombined tailings+slimes are coupled with lime, fertilizer and organic amendments (when available) to build a topsoil (A horizon) layer in situ rather than via conventional topsoil salvage, storage and replacement. Once implemented, this will result in much higher mining royalty streams to landowners, higher local mineral severance tax revenues and improved profitability and long-term stability for the mining company. In 2011, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) accepted our proposed dredge spoil quality screening criteria for use and application statewide in the determination of whether or not dredge sediments may be safely placed into upland environments for conversion to agricultural soils with limited/minimal risks of surface or ground water contamination. To our knowledge, this is the first such screening protocol accepted by a state agency in the USA for this purpose.
Publications
- Kostyanovsky, K.I., G.K. Evanylo, K.K. Lasley, C. Shang, B.F. Sukkariyah, and W.L. Daniels. 2011. Transformations of nitrogen and carbon in entrenched biosolids at a reclaimed mineral sands mining site. J. Environ. Qual. 40:67-75
- Orndorff, Z.W., W. L. Daniels, K.R. Meredith, M.M. Alley, and A.F. Wick. 2011. Effects of prime farmland soil reconstruction methods on post-mining productivity of mineral sands mine soils in Virginia. p. 504-518. In: R. Barnhisel (ed.), Proc. Am. Soc. Min. Reclam., Bismarck, ND. 12-16 Jun. 2010. ASMR, Lexington, KY. http://www.asmr.us/
- Orndorff, Z.W., W. L. Daniels, K.R. Meredith and A.F. Wick. 2011. Returning heavy mineral sands mines to productive agricultural use. p. 24-29 In: J. Skousen (ed.), Reclamation Matters. Am. Soc. Min. Reclam., Lexington, KY. http://www.asmr.us/
- Wick, A.F., W.L. Daniels, and C.H. Carter III. 2011. Soil development and vegetation establishment on amended saline dredged materials. p. 710-733. In: R. Barnhisel (ed.), Proc. Am. Soc. Min. Reclam., Bismarck, ND. 12-16 Jun. 2010. ASMR, Lexington, KY. http://www.asmr.us/
- Wick, A.F., W.L. Daniels, Z.W. Orndorff, and C.H. Carter III. 2011. Upland placement and management of acid-forming dredge materials. p. 734-750. In: R. Barnhisel (ed.), Proc. Am. Soc. Min. Reclam., Bismarck, ND. 12-16 Jun. 2010. ASMR, Lexington, KY. http://www.asmr.us/
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our prime farmland soil reconstruction experiment, managed cooperatively with Iluka Resources Inc. in Dinwiddie County Virginia since 2004, was maintained for its sixth complete growing season in 2009/2010. The experiment compares mine soils reconstructed directly from limed and N-P-K fertilized mineral sands tailing+slimes (Control) against plots receiving 15 cm of topsoil return (Topsoil) vs two treatments receiving lime stabilized biosolids (at 78 Mg/ha) managed in either continuous tillage (CT) or minimum tillage (NT). All treatments are replicated four times and are also compared to an identically managed set of replicate plots on adjacent prime farmland (Orangeburg series). Following a successful 2009 cotton planting that was the first "cash crop" grown on this experiment, we established winter wheat in October of 2009 and followed that with double-crop soybeans in June of 2010. Wheat yields did not vary by treatment in 2010 and were 2,620 kg/ha, which was approximately 30% lower than the previous wheat crop in 2006 due to very wet winter and spring weather coupled with differential settlement of the reclaimed mining pit surface which led to soil wetness and harvest limitations. Fall of 2010 soybean yields were not available at the time of this report. Regardless, combined 5-year results continue to indicate that these reconstructed mine soils exceed local county 5-year average yields for all crops grown to date (corn, wheat and soybeans) but are typically 20 percent lower than adjacent prime farmlands under similar management. Cotton yields in 2009 were approximately 35 percent lower than county average yields. In the summer of 2010 we carefully surveyed all local depressions in the research area (10 ha) due to mining fill settlement and brought in similar mine tailings+slime fill to remediate those poorly drained depressions. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include local farmers, agricultural merchants, and Extension personnel in the areas near the two research locations in Dinwiddie/Sussex and Charles City County. Research and monitoring results are reported to state regulatory agencies including the Virginia Dept. of Mines Minerals and Energy and the Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality. The research results are also disseminated to national and international technical audiences at meetings of the American Society for Mining and Reclamation and various dredge spoil management meetings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This is the first cooperative research program to directly address prime farmland restoration following mining for any mineral resource in the region east of the mid-eastern coal basin. Our combined research results and outreach programs have significantly altered the overall mined land reclamation approach employed by Iluka Resources Inc. on over 2000 acres of land (50% prime farmland) to date and will eventually set soil reconstruction prescriptions for over 5000 acres of disturbed mined lands in Virginia and North Carolina. One important outcome of this research program in 2010 was the fact that the company was able to gain approval for a "topsoil variance" from the state regulatory authority whereby carefully recombined tailings+slimes are coupled with lime, fertilizer and organic amendments (when available) to build a topsoil (A horizon) layer in situ rather than via conventional topsoil salvage, storage and replacement. Once implemented, this will result in much higher mining royalty streams to landowners, higher local mineral severance tax revenues and improved profitability and long-term stability for the mining company. In a related and parallel project, we continue to monitor the potential for conversion of dredge sediments into productive agricultural soils at our cooperative research site at Shirley Plantation (Weanack Land LLP) in Charles City County. Long term research plots and monitoring for ten years indicate that while upland soils derived from fresh water dredge sediments from the Potomac River have the capability to equal or exceed native Pamunkey series soils, saline dredge materials from locations in New Jersey and Virginia will take many years to be converted into productive systems. We have also noted that up to 2/3 of the sediments available for upland placement and beneficial reuse projects may be strongly limited by their sulfide content and associated potential acidity.
Publications
- Kukier, U., R.L. Chaney, J.A. Ryan, W. L. Daniels, R H. Dowdy, and T.C. Granato. 2010. Phytoavailability of Cadmium in Long-Term Biosolids-Amended Soils. J. Env. Qual. 39: 519-530.
- Lasley, K.K., G.K. Evanylo, K.I. Kostyanovsky, C. Shang, M.J. Eick, and W. L. Daniels. 2010. Chemistry and Transport of Metals from Entrenched Biosolids at a Reclaimed Mineral Sands Mining Site. J. Env. Qual. 39: 1467-1477.
- Wick, A.F., W.L. Daniels, W.L. Nash and J.A. Burger. 2010. Soil Aggregate, Organic Matter and Microbial Dynamics Under Different Amendments After 27 Years of Mine Soil Development. p. 1364-1386 In: R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.), Proc. 2010 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Pittsburgh, PA, June 5 - 11, 2010. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. http://www.asmr.us.
- Daniels W.L., A.F. Wick, N.W. Haus, G.R. Whittecar and C.H. Carter. 2009. Criteria for beneficial utilization of dredge sediments in Virginia, USA. 6 p. In: Z. Agioutantis (Ed.), Proc., 3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Sept. 6 to 10, Athens, Greece. http://heliotopos.conferences.gr/amireg2009.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our prime farmland soil reconstruction experiment which has been managed cooperatively with Iluka Rescources Inc. in Dinwiddie County Virginia since 2004 was maintained for its fifth complete growing season in 2009. Following a successful 2008 double-crop of winter wheat and soybeans, the experiment was planted to cotton in 2009. This represents the first time that a significant "cash crop" has been grown in the mid-Atlantic USA on reconstructed mineral sands mine soils. Preliminary results indicate that cotton yields across all treatments exceeded local county 5-year average yields, but were still 30 to 40 percent lower than nearby prime farmland soils. Combined 5-year results also indicate that these reconstructed mine soils exceed local county 5-year average yields for all crops grown to date (corn, wheat and soybeans) but are typically 20 percent lower than nearby highest quality prime farmlands. In 2009, we completed a detailed sampling program to determine soil organic matter and aggregate stability in a range of mine soil ages and rconstruction treatment regimes and we conducted detailed field pit studies to determine net effects of ripping, P-fertilization and liming applications on subsoil physical and chemical properties. Results were relayed to over 200 local landowners and farmers at two field days in 2009. Iluka resources was awarded the 2009 National Mined Land Reclamation Award by the Interstate Mining Compact Commission. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary target audiences for this work are (A) the local landowners and farmers whose 5000+ acres of prime farmlands will be disturbed by mineral sands mining over the next decade. Additional important audiences include (B) the local Virginia and North Carolina mining and water quality regulatory communities and (C) the mined land reclamation scientific community, specifically the American Society for Mining and Reclamation and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This is the first cooperative research program to directly address prime farmland restoration following mining for any mineral resource in the region east of the mid-eastern coal basin. Our combined research results and outreach programs have significantly altered the overall mined land reclamation approach employed by Iluka Resources Inc. on over 2000 acres of land (50 percent prime farmland) to date and will eventually set soil reconstruction prescriptions for over 5000 acres of disturbed mined lands in Virginia and North Carolina. One important outcome of this research program in 2009 was the fact that the company was able to request a "topsoil variance" from the state regulatory authority whereby carefully recombined tailings+slimes are coupled with lime, fertilizer and organic amendments (when available) to build a topsoil (A horizon) layer in situ rather than via conventional topsoil salvage, storage and replacement. Once implemented, this will result in much higher mining royalty streams to landowners, higher local mineral severance tax revenues and improved profitability and long-term stability for the mining company.
Publications
- Schroeder, P.D., Daniels, W.L., and Alley, M.M. (2010) Chemical and Physical Properties of Reconstructed Mineral Sands Mine Soils in Southeastern Virginia. Soil Science, In Press.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the fall of 2004, we installed a prime farmland soil reconstruction experiment at the Iluka Mineral Sands mining site in Dinwiddie/Sussex/Greenville Counties, Virginia where up to 3000 ha of prime farmland will be disturbed over the next decade. The experiment was installed on an area of recently dewatered mining tailings (sand) and slimes (silt+clay) that had been regraded. The four primary treatments (Control: Lime and N-P-K fertilizer only; Topsoil: 15 cm topsoil return over limed and P-fertilized tailings; Biosolids CT: 75 Mg/ha lime stabilized biosolids with conventional tillage; Biosolids NT: lime stabilized biosolids with minimum/no-tillage) were applied over an area that had been deep-ripped to approximately 50 cm with a bulldozer mounted 3-shank ripper. Lime and N-P-K were applied to the Control and Topsoil treatments in the fall of 2004 and the spring of 2005, but not to the treatments receiving biosolids due to their inherently high lime/N/P content. Subsequent N-P-K applications each year are based upon soil test, the crop employed and other management factors. However, efforts are made to equalize relative soil pH and fertility across treatments where possible. Each treatment is replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. The large (0.5 ha) plots are managed by a local farmer with conventional agricultural equipment. In 2005, the row crop experiment was managed in corn (Zea Mays), and over the winter, spring and summer of 2005/2006 the experiment was cropped to winter wheat (Triticum vulgare) followed by soybeans (Glycine max). In 2007, the experiment was cropped to corn. The crops were managed intensively with respect to soil testing, fertilization, weed control and irrigation practices. However, non-conventional or experimental practices were not employed to ensure that our management systems would be similar to those used by local farmers. The field plots are harvested with a combine equipped with a continuous yield monitor linked to a GPS system to document both overall yields and spatial variability. Overall crop yields on the reclaimed mined land treatments in 2005, 2006 and 2007 equaled or exceeded long-term county averages for most crops and treatments, but were significantly lower than the external prime farmland control site. In 2008, the experiment was cropped to winter wheat followed by soybeans. Winter wheat yields in June of 2008 were approximately 150% of the 5-year Dinwiddie County average, and yields on the two biosolids treatments were equal to the undisturbed off-site prime farmland control. Soybeans were harvested in November, but results are not available at this time. A parallel experiment evaluating similar treatment effects on forage production has also been monitored from 2005 to 2008. Our findings and results were disseminated to local landowners, farmers, local government officials, and regulators at two on-site field days in October of 2008. Results were disseminated to the international scientific community in June of 2008 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation in Richmond, Virginia. PARTICIPANTS: Chris Teutsch, Associate Professor at the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont AREC is also participating in this project. Dr. Teutsch manages the forage production experiments associated with this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this research effort include the mineral sands mining industry (principally Iluka Resources Inc.), other sand and gravel mining operators, mining and environmental regulators, local government officials, and local landowners, particularly farmers. Our results are relayed to these target audiences through annual research and outreach field days and through presentations at regional environmental policy and research meetings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This is the first replicated full-scale experiment on prime farmland restoration following mineral sands mining ever attempted. To date, we have produced the following outcomes and impacts. 1. We have proven that mine soils can be reconstructed in this environment that will equal or exceed local county crop yields. 2. We have isolated and documented the critical role that appropriate tillage/ripping, liming and heavy P-fertilization play in the overall soil reconstruction process for these mined lands. 3. Protocols developed by this research program are being applied on over 750 ha of lands mined to date in Dinwiddie and Sussex counties. 4. Our results indicate that salvage and re-application of native topsoil layers may not improve overall long-term row crop productivity relative to direct manipulation and treatment of the tailings/slimes mixtures generated by the mining backfill process. This finding has the potential to (A) significantly decrease cost of mining and thereby increase profit margins for the mining company and (B) signiciantly increase landowner royalty return and overall mineral production rates due to the high content of recoverable heavy minerals in the topsoil resource.
Publications
- Haering, K.C., W.L. Daniels and G.K. Evanylo. 2008. Soybean phytotoxicity from land-applied biosolids. J. Residual Sci. & Technology, 5(1): 1-12.
- Meredith, K.R., W.L. Daniels, Z.W. Orndorff, M.M. Alley and C.D. Teutsch. 2008. The influence of soil reconstruction techniques on mineral sands mine soils in Virginia. p. 700-719 In:R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.), Proc., 2008 National Meeting, Amer. Soc. Mining & Rec., June 14-19, 2008, Richmond, VA,. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.
- Teutsch, C.D., W.L. Daniels, Z.W. Orndorff, M.M. Alley, K.R. Meredith and W.M. Tilson. 2008. Impact of soil reconstruction method on yield nutritive value and botanical composition of a mixed grass-legume stand. p. 1267-1282 In:R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.), Proc., 2008 National Meeting, Amer. Soc. Mining & Rec., June 14-19, 2008, Richmond, VA,. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.
- Teutsch, C.D., W.L. Daniels, Z.W. Orndorff, M.M. Alley, K.R. Meredith and W.M. Tilson. 2008. Impact of soil reconstruction method on nitrate accumulation in forages grown for livestock feed. p. 1283-1294. In:R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.), Proc., 2008 National Meeting, Amer. Soc. Mining & Rec., June 14-19, 2008, Richmond, VA,. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.
- Zimmerman, C. Stilson, C., and W.L. Daniels. 2008. Reclamation of mineral sands mines and topsoil replacment study. p. 1429-1444 In:R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.), Proc., 2008 National Meeting, Amer. Soc. Mining & Rec., June 14-19, 2008, Richmond, VA,. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.
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