Stochastic dynamic optimization approach for revegetation of reclaimed mine soils under uncertain weather regime

This study presents a comprehensive physically based stochastic dynamic optimization model to assist planners in making decisions concerning mine soil depths and soil mixture ratios required to achieve successful revegetation of mined lands at different probability levels of success, subject to an uncertain weather regime. A perennial grass growth model was modified and validated for predicting vegetation growth in reclaimed mine soils. The plant growth model is based on continuous relationships between plant growth, air temperature, day length, leaf area, photoperiod and plant-soil-moisture stresses. A plant available soil moisture model was adopted to estimate daily soil moisture for mine soils. A general probability model was developed to estimate the probability of successful revegetation in a 5-year bond release period. The probability model considers five possible bond release criteria ir1 mine soil reclamation planning. A stochastic dynamic optimization model (SDOM) was developed to find the optimum combination of soil depth and soil mixture ratios that met the successful vegetation standard under non-irrigated conditions with weather as the only random element of the system. The SDOM was applied for Wise County, Virginia, and the model found that 2:1 sandstone/siltstone soil mixture required the minimum soil depth to achieve successful revegetation. These results were also supported by field data. The developed model allows the planners to better manage lands drastically disturbed by surface mining.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agricultural Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Agricultural Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Mustafa, Golam

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Dillaha, Theo A. III

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Daniels, W. Lee
• Sarin, Subhash C.
• Mostaghimi, Saied
• Parker, John C.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54394

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/54394