John C. Sencindiver

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MINESOILS ON A MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINE IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

Mountaintop removal is a common surface coal mining procedure and has been practiced in West Virginia for more than 30 years. Recently, as the mines are becoming larger and disturbing hundreds to thousands of ha, questions have arisen concerning the long-term use of those lands, and the quality of post-mining soils and drainage. Therefore, a study was initiated to evaluate the properties of soils on a vast reclaimed mountaintop removal mine in southern West Virginia. Minesoils of four different ages (2, 7, 11, and 23 years) and two different slope classes (nearly level and steep) were sampled. Contiguous native soils also were sampled and compared to minesoils. Samples were analyzed for pH, extractable acidity, exchangeable Al and Mn, extractable P, extractable bases, total C, N, and S. Analysis of the data revealed the minesoils in general to be less acidic than the native soils. Total C and N were higher in the surface horizons of native soils compared to minesoils, but minesoils generally had higher C and N in the lower horizons. The higher C with depth may be due to the presence of carbolithic material. Phosphorus was highest in the 2-year-old minesoil, possibly due to the residual effects of fertilization. Exchangeable Al was generally higher in the native soils than the minesoils. Manganese was highest in the surface of the native soils, but dropped below that of minesoils at lower depths. Extractable acidity was highest in the native soils, and base saturation was lowest in the native soils. It appears from our studies that the minesoils developing on this site have potential productivity as good as or better than native soils and that land uses on native soils can be developed on · these minesoils. Additional

SOIL DEVELOPMENT ON A MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINE IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

Mountaintop surface mining for coal has been practiced in West Virginia for over two decades. Only recently has this practice been increasingly scrutinized by the public and regulatory agencies. Increased attention has focused on the environmental impacts of this mining process. Even after reclamation, citizens and regulators have expressed concerns about soil and water quality and post-mining land use. Therefore, a study was initiated to evaluate the quality of soils developing on a reclaimed mountaintop removal mine in southern West Virginia. Minesoils of four different ages (2, 7, 11, and 23 years) and two different slope classes were described and sampled. The slope classes were nearly level to gently sloping and steep to very steep. Contiguous native soils were also described and sampled. All native soils had cambic (Bw) horizons and were classified as Inceptisols. Two of the minesoil profiles had Bw horizons, but only one (23-year-old) was thick enough to be cambic. The minesoil with the cambic horizon was classified as an Inceptisol, while all other minesoils were Entisols. When compared to native soils, the minesoils had much thinner sola (combined thickness of A, AC, Bw and BC horizons). However, all minesoils except those on the two-year-old site had thicker A horizons than the native soils. Seeding of grasses and legumes and extensive root establishment undoubtedly caused the increased thickness of A horizons on minesoils. Aggregate stability tests showed more waterstable aggregates in native than in minesoils, but aggregation of the minesoils increased with age. Surface horizon bulk density tended to be higher in native soils than in minesoils. However, bulk density with depth was similar for all soils. Minesoil pH tended to be between 5 and 6, while native soil pH was between 4 and 5. Electrical conductivity measurements gave low values ( <2 dS/m) indicating negligible soluble salts in all soils. Additional

Characteristics of Wetland Soils Impacted by Acid Mine Drainage

Abstract A proposed section of Appalachian Corridor H, an interstate highway that begins at I-79 near Weston, WV, and will continue east to I-81 at Strasburg, VA, will pass through an area of the Beaver Creek watershed that was previously mined for the acid-producing Upper Freeport coal. Beaver Creek flows into the Blackwater River after flowing out of Canaan Valley. Partially reclaimed spoils from past mining activities are generating acid mine drainage. Wetlands adjacent to the spoils support plant communities that appear to be naturally treating the drainage. To better understand the chemical and physical functions within the wetlands and to assist the West Virginia Division of Highways in constructing wetlands for mitigating environmental damage, we described the soils of the mine-drainage-impacted wetlands (Narrow Wetland, Iron Pond, and Railroad Grade) and took samples for subsequent laboratory analyses. For comparison, we also described and sampled unimpacted soils in Elder Swamp, which is an adjacent wetland that receives no mine drainage. The impacted wetland soils had thinner organic and mineral horizons and were lower in C and N than unimpacted soils. The electrical conductivity was low for all wetland soils, and pH ranged from 3.2–6.1, with both low and high pH values in impacted and unimpacted soils. These results were reflected in the overall lower quality of vegetation that we noticed in the impacted wetlands.

Characterization of Soil Developing in Reclaimed Upper Freeport Coal Surface Mines

Abstract A new highway, called Appalachian Corridor H, will pass through the Beaver Creek watershed in Tucker County, WV. Some of this area has been affected by surface mining of Upper Freeport Coal. The resulting mined lands are currently producing acid mine drainage and have the potential to produce more if disturbed. To document soil development and the effect that disturbance of these mined lands might have on water quality, we evaluated the properties of the soils that will potentially be affected by highway construction. Six sampling sites were located on mine soils and on adjacent undisturbed soils. After describing soil profiles, we sampled each horizon for laboratory analyses. We analyzed the soil samples for pH, electrical conductivity , carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and acid-base account. Other soil properties like texture, water holding capacity, acidity, cation exchange capacity, and elemental concentrations (Al, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe) were determined but not reported herein. Most of the mine soils had weakly developed B horizons and were classified as either entisols or inceptisols. The pH values ranged from 3.2–4.8. Electrical conductivity and total nitrogen were low. Total sulfur was generally low, ranging from 0.1% to 0.17%. However, one mine soil had sulfur values >1% in the lowest horizon. We sampled two overburden rock cores and analyzed them for acid-base account characteristics. These data support the mine soil data, which indicate that acid materials occur in this region and may produce additional acid if unweathered rocks and mine soils are exposed to the atmosphere during road construction. Recommendations for reclamation of the disturbed materials will be developed.

USING MINESOIL AND OVERBURDEN ANALYSES TO LOCATE A HIGHWAY IN WEST VIRGINIA 1

Appalachian Corridor H will pass through Beaver Creek watershed in Tucker County, West Virginia. Some of this area has been affected by surface mining of Upper Freeport Coal. The resulting mined lands are currently producing acid mine drainage, and have the potential to produce more if disturbed. In order to document soil development and to predict impacts of disturbance on water quality, a study was initiated to evaluate properties of the minesoils that may be affected by highway construction. Six sampling sites were located on both minesoils and native soils, and both will be disturbed during road construction. Soil profiles were described and horizons were sampled for laboratory analysis. Analyses of pH; total carbon and sulfur; and acid-base accounting were completed for the soils. The pH values ranged from 3.2 to 5.0. Total sulfur was generally low, ranging from 0.01% to 0.64%. Several rock cores drilled along two proposed routes by a private firm were sampled and analyzed by acid-base accounting procedures. The cores indicated generally acidic rock units in this region and the potential of producing additional acidity if unweathered rocks and minesoils are exposed to the atmosphere. The minesoil and core data have been used to assist the West Virginia Division of Highways in locating the corridor through the mined areas.

MICROBIAL INDICATORS OF MINESOIL QUALITY IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

As coal mining by mountaintop removal has become more prominent in southern West Virginia, questions have arisen about its effect on soil and water quality. Reclaimed mined lands normally have drastically different soil properties as compared to contiguous native soils, so there is concern about development and productivity of these soils. The destruction of the A horizon where mining occurs results in reclaimed minesoils having low organic matter content and low microbial activity. A study was conducted to evaluate changes in microbial properties of reclaimed minesoils over time. Minesoils on three different sites, Hobet-21, Cannelton, and DalTex, were sampled. Two ages were sampled at the Hobel (8 and 17 years) and Cannelton (16 and 30 years) sites. Four ages (2, 7, 11, and 23 years) were sampled at the Dal-Tex site. Contiguous native soils also were sampled at each site. Soil pits were dug to a depth of 40 cm, and the bulk samples were removed from the A horizons. Texture, pH, bulk density, electrical conductivity, and total C, N, and S were determined for each sample. Also, microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), and microbial respiration (MR) were determined. Microbial properties of rninesoils and native soils were generally within the ranges reported for other forest, agricultural, and reclaimed soils. Ratios of MBC to total C (TC), MBN to total N (TN), PMN to TN and MR to MBC indicate that microbial activity stabilizes and organic matter accumulation and stabilization increases with minesoil age. Therefore, soil quality appears to be improving with time in mine soils from mountaintop removal mining areas. Additional

PROPERTIES AND GENESIS OF MINESOILS ON SITES MINED FOR BAKERSTOWN AND UPPER FREEPORT COALS 1

Appalachian Corridor H will pass through Beaver Creek watershed in Tucker County, West Virginia. This is a sensitive area because numerous wetlands and reclaimed mined lands are located in the vicinity of the proposed highway. The West Virginia Division of Highways funded a project to assess the effects of the highway on the watershed. The two major coal beds in the watershed were Bakerstown, a member of the Conemaugh Formation, and Upper Freeport, a member of the Allegheny Formation. Bakerstown was mined and reclaimed in the 1970s, and Upper Freeport was mined and reclaimed in the 1960s. The dominant vegetation on the Bakerstown sites was grasses and legumes with scattered trees, while Upper Freeport sites were uniformly covered with red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.). In order to document the existing conditions prior to the construction of the highway, a study was initiated to evaluate the properties and genesis of minesoils in the watershed. Six minesoil sampling points were located on Bakerstown sites and six were located on Upper Freeport sites. In addition, six sampling points were located on contiguous native soils. Soil profiles were described and horizons were sampled for laboratory physical and chemical analyses. The native soils were well drained to very poorly drained Inceptisols or Ultisols developed in alluvium or colluvium. Three of the six sampling points had fragipans. Minesoils developing on the Bakerstown sites had A horizons ranging from 3 to 16 cm thick. Sola of these soils ranged in thickness from 15 to 49 cm. Five of the six points had sola ranging from 15 to 33 cm thick. Minesoils on the Upper Freeport sites had A horizons that were 4 to 11 cm thick. Five of the six sampling points had sola ranging from 9 to 35 cm thick. One point had an uncommonly thick solum with Bw horizons described to 99 cm. Minesoils on both sites were classified as Entisols and Inceptisols. Although the depth of minesoil sola forming on the Upper Freeport and the Bakerstown sites was similar, fewer horizons were described per profile in Bakerstown minesoils. We attributed this horizonation difference to differences in parent materials. The rock fragments in Bakerstown minesoils were predominantly sandstones, whereas rock fragments in the Upper Freeport minesoils were a mixture of shale and sandstone.

Forest Productivity aud Minesoil Development Under A White Pine Plantation Versus Natural Vegetation After 30 Years

In 2000, the State of West Virginia passed legislation requiring commercial forest land as a preferred post-mining land use on surface coal mines, and especially on those sites where mountaintop removal mining is occurring and valley fills are being constructed. Due to West Virginias mountainous terrain, most future surface mine permits will be impacted by this change in post-mining land use. Therefore, interest has been renewed into studies examining forest productivity and minesoil development on areas planted in trees. Since fresh geologic materials in minesoils undergo rapid pedogenic changes, long-term studies may provide valuable insight into tree growth, plant succession al changes, and soil development over time. In summer of 2000, soil development and forest productivity were evaluated on a 30-year-old (pre-SMCRA) surface mine in northern West Virginia that had been planted with white pine (Pinus strobus L.). The site offered a unique research opportunity in that one-half of the site was planted to white pine, while the other half was left to natural revegetation. Canopy tree species composition, density, basal area, and height, along with species composition and density of woody understory seedlings, were evaluated in the pine plantation and on the naturally revegetated site. On each site, three soil pits were dug, the minesoils were classified, and soil samples were taken from each described horizon to determine physical .and chemical properties. Forest productivity, including productivity of volunteer hardwoods, was much greater on the pine planted site than on the naturally revegetated site. Species composition of woody regeneration in the understory showed that both sites will revert to mixed hardwoods similar to the surrounding forest via natural succession. Minesoils on both sites experienced rapid soil development during the 30-year post-mining period. All six minesoil profiles had well developed Bw horizons and would have been classified as Inceptisols. Minesoil development was better on the naturally revegetated site possibly due to the difference in ground cover type. Additional

PROPERTIES OF FLY ASH USED AS A TOPSOIL SUBSTITUTE IN MINE LAND RECLAMATION

Fly ash, used as a topsoil substitute, may provide a desirable alternative to conventional methods in the reclamation of adverse mine sites such as abandoned mine lands (AML) and coal refuse in the eastern United States. In August 1987, fly ash from three different power plant sources was surface-applied as a topsoil substitute at a rate of 1,200 metric tons/ha on an acidic minesoil representative of AML in northcentral West Virginia. In May 1990 (3 years after reclamation) and June 1999 (12 years after reclamation) both fly ash treated and untreated minesoil plots were sampled and analyzed for selected soil properties. Results indicated substantial differences between minesoil and fly ashes for most of the soil properties examined. Fly ashes had lower bulk density and higher total porosity values than the untreated minesoil. Fly ashes had a higher percentage of mesopores (0.0002-0.0 I mm) and lower percentage of micropores (<0.0002 mm) than untreated minesoil, and as a result, fly ashes had much greater plant available water retention than minesoil. Silty textures and lower saturated hydraulic conductivity values for fly ash indicate that it may be more susceptable to erosion than minesoils: When applied to a pyritic minesoil, alkaline fly ashes with high neutralization potential had more favorable long-term effects on soil properties than the more neutral fly ash. Additional