The Age and Fertility of Lignite Strip Mine Spoils from the Darco Mine, Harrison County, Texas

<p>Field observation of lignite strip mine spoils from the Darco mine near Marshall, Texas, revealed that gray spoil materials of various ages were devoid of vegetation. Within the same sites, spoil materials which were non-gray supported several conditions of revegetation. Analysis of spoil materials from this mine was undertaken to determine if spoils were differentiated on a chemical basis. Gray materials appear to have greater mineral sources of zinc, iron, and sulfate than non-gray spoils, and greater concentrations of zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium at all sites. Further, older spoils (17 to 31 years of age) have mean pH values below 5.0, a more rapid decline in pH, and greater concentrations of zinc, iron, sulfate, and aluminum. A weathering process which accounts for such differentiation is discussed. Recommendations for further research are made.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Forestry (MF)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forestry

Year dc:date.available

1977

Author dc:creator

• Cook, Reagan

• Forest Sciences
• Other Forestry and Forest Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/14

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1015