Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

It is very difficult to establish and maintain vegetation on acid gob ( the coarse waste materials resulting from washing coal) sites. A study was conducted to determine the effects of varying rates of sewage sludge and/or limestone incorporated to 30 and 60 cm depths on the physical and chemical properties of gob for the establishment of grasses. The experimental site was located at Peabody Coal Company's Will Scarlet mine, Williamson County, Illinois, USA. The incorporation of sewage sludge as an amendment to acidic, low fertility and droughty gob resulted in favorable increases in organic matter, pH and reduced bulk density. The sludge amended gob was higher in heavy metals than the suggested maximum soil levels. Deep incorporation of limestone increased the soil pH sufficiently for good grass establishment and maintenance. The available soil moisture was not appreciably affected by the sludge treatments. After three years of study, the deep incorporation of sewage sludge and/or limestone appears to be a feasible method for vegetating acid gob sites without adding a soil cover.

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The Effects of Deep Incorporation of Sewage Sludge and/or Limestone on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Acid Gob for Revegetation of Grasses

Kyoto Japan

It is very difficult to establish and maintain vegetation on acid gob ( the coarse waste materials resulting from washing coal) sites. A study was conducted to determine the effects of varying rates of sewage sludge and/or limestone incorporated to 30 and 60 cm depths on the physical and chemical properties of gob for the establishment of grasses. The experimental site was located at Peabody Coal Company's Will Scarlet mine, Williamson County, Illinois, USA. The incorporation of sewage sludge as an amendment to acidic, low fertility and droughty gob resulted in favorable increases in organic matter, pH and reduced bulk density. The sludge amended gob was higher in heavy metals than the suggested maximum soil levels. Deep incorporation of limestone increased the soil pH sufficiently for good grass establishment and maintenance. The available soil moisture was not appreciably affected by the sludge treatments. After three years of study, the deep incorporation of sewage sludge and/or limestone appears to be a feasible method for vegetating acid gob sites without adding a soil cover.