Bluejoint Is an Effective Bio‐Barrier Species on Mine Covers

Covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBE) are used to prevent acid mine drainage from mine wastes in the short term. However, the long‐term efficiency of CCBE can be affected by trees because their roots may reduce the ability of covers to limit oxygen migration and also physically damage the CCBE. Two plant species that are native to boreal Canada, bluejoint ( Calamagrostis canadensis ) and sheep laurel ( Kalmia angustifolia) , were selected as bio‐barrier species (BBS) to test if they reduce the growth and root system architecture of trees established on mine covers (balsam poplar [ Populus balsamifera ], willow [ Salix spp], and black spruce [ Picea mariana ]). The experiment was established in 2008 on a mine tailings impoundment located in northwestern Quebec, Canada. Trees were measured for height, diameter, and biomass. Coarse roots were excavated from the plots and digitized in three dimensions. Compared with the control (no BBS), bluejoint strongly decreased tree height and diameter increment, biomass, maximum root depth and radial extension, total root length and volume, and number of second‐ and third‐order tree roots. Height and diameter increment, biomass, maximum root depth and volume, and number of second‐order roots of balsam poplar increased with sheep laurel compared with control conditions, whereas willow showed no response to this treatment. Most characteristics of black spruce (except root‐to‐shoot ratio and number of second‐order roots) improved in the presence of sheep laurel compared with the control. Thus, bluejoint was a more efficient BBS than sheep laurel. Bio‐barriers comprised of bluejoint can be used as a countermeasure for controlling tree invasion of CCBE. Core Ideas Ecological approach to improve the long‐term efficiency of mine covers. Prevention of environmental contamination with acid mine drainage. Bio‐intrusion barriers made of native species. A solution to control tree invasion on mining covers.