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Physical Characteristics of Some Minesoils
Author(s) -
Pedersen T. A.,
Rogowski A. S.,
Pennock R.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400020024x
Subject(s) - hydraulic conductivity , infiltration (hvac) , soil water , evapotranspiration , bulk density , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , land reclamation , geology , geotechnical engineering , materials science , geography , ecology , archaeology , biology , composite material
Studies were conducted to evaluate physical properties of spoils resulting from surface‐coal mining and reclamation operations in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Bulk density, evapotranspiration, water retention, infiltration, and hydraulic conductivity values were determined at 10 sites randomly located within a 4‐ha experimental area. Average bulk density of the surface 0.5‐m layer of minesoil was 1,763 kg/m 3 while specific surface at most sites averaged 31 m 2 /g. Microlysimeter data indicated that evapotranspiration (ET) on minesoil could be approximated by class‐A pan evaporation or by model results. A large amount of spatial variation was observed in infiltration, water retention and hydraulic conductivity values. In the uppermost 0.75 m of the profile most minesoils on the average retained 35 mm of water, between 10 and 1,500 kPa, compared to 136 mm for the adjoining soils. When water was avaliable ET approached potential, however, hydraulic properties of the minesoil would likely lead to droughty conditions and extended periods of plant stress.