Abstract

Mining is one of the most important activities that can cause soil degradation. Therefore, in areas where mining activities are conducted, it is important to determine alterations in soil characteristics and to define and implement economically sustainable methods related to soil rehabilitation and soil protection. This study aimed to identify the negative interactions occurring in soil characteristics in coal mining areas and to evaluate potential alternatives for the rehabilitation of soils in abandoned coal mining areas. Thirty six surface soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected, and 3 soil profiles were dug within the coal-mining area in Cankiri province, Turkiye. The soil-test values indicated that the soils have high amounts of iron (>4.5 mg kg-1 Fe) and copper (>0.2 mg kg-1 Cu), but low amounts of zinc (<0.7 mg kg-1 Zn) and manganese (<14 mg kg-1 Mn, except Profile 1), which are essential nutrients for plant growth. The soil reaction (pH) is highly variable and changed between 3.60 in the coal storage area and 7.86 in the outside of the dump site-2. Soils are classified as moderately calcareous in terms of CaCO3 content (avg. 5.03%) and have low amounts of organic matter content (avg. 1.66%). The boron content of the soils is generally above the optimum level (<5 mg kg-1) for plants and classified as extremely high (avg. 5.79 mg kg-1). It is suggested that backfilling, soil replacement and revegetation activities should be carried out to regain the efficiency of the abandoned excavation areas within or near to the dump-site and local storage areas as well as marble wastes applications for soil pH neutralization in the study site.

Keywords: Coal mining, soil quality, soil degradation, soil rehabilitation.

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