scholarly journals Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation by Plant Remediation Technologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6555
Author(s):  
Jesús D. Peco ◽  
Pablo Higueras ◽  
Juan A. Campos ◽  
José M. Esbrí ◽  
Marta M. Moreno ◽  
...  

Abandoned mine lands (AMLs), which are considered some of the most dangerous anthropogenic activities in the world, are a source of hazards relating to potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Traditional reclamation techniques, which are expensive, time-consuming and not well accepted by the general public, cannot be used on a large scale. However, plant-based techniques have gained acceptance as an environmentally friendly alternative over the last 20 years. Plants can be used in AMLs for PTE phytoextraction, phytostabilization, and phytovolatilization. We reviewed these phytoremediation techniques, paying particular attention to the selection of appropriate plants in each case. In order to assess the suitability of plants for phytoremediation purposes, the accumulation capacity and tolerance mechanisms of PTEs was described. We also compiled a collection of interesting actual examples of AML phytoremediation. On-site studies have shown positive results in terms of soil quality improvement, reduced PTE bioavailability, and increased biodiversity. However, phytoremediation strategies need to better characterize potential plant candidates in order to improve PTE extraction and to reduce the negative impact on AMLs.

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Zhang ◽  
Shiwen Zhang ◽  
Yajie Huang ◽  
An Xing ◽  
Zhiqing Zhuo ◽  
...  

Connectivity modeling approaches for abandoned mine lands (AML) patches are limited in post-mining landscape restoration, especially where great land use changes might be expected due to large-scale land reclamation. This study presents a novel approach combining AML patch sizes with a proximity index to characterize patch-scaled connectivity for determining the spatial positions of patches with huge sizes and high connectivity. Then this study propose a scenario-based method coupled with landscape-scale metrics for quantifying landscape-scaled connectivity, which aims at exploring the optimal reclamation scheme with the highest connectivity. Using the Mentougou District in Beijing, China, as a case study, this paper confirmed which patches should be reclaimed first to meet the predetermined reclamation numbers; then this paper tested three different reclamation scenarios (i.e., cultivated land-oriented, forest-oriented, and construction land-oriented scenarios) to describe the impact of the different development strategies on landscape connectivity. The research found that the forest-oriented scenario increased connectivity quantitatively, showing an increase in the integral index of connectivity (IIC) and other landscape-scale metrics. Therefore, this paper suggests that future land-use policies should emphasize converting AML into more forest to blend in with the surrounding land-use categories. The findings presented here can contribute to better understanding the quantitative analysis of the connectivity of AML patches at both the patch scale and the landscape scale, thus providing scientific support for AML management in mine-site rehabilitation.


2013 ◽  
pp. 2128-2149
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Dolney

Abandoned mine lands (AMLs) associated with past coal-mining scar Pennsylvania’s landscape with environmental and safety hazards. Reclamation projects eliminate and reduce hazards AMLs pose. Due to the large number of AMLs and limited funds, precedence is given to reclaim the most hazardous sites first. These sites are identified through an assessment process that assigns priorities to AMLs. However, priorities are out-dated and do not accurately reflect the current spatial distribution of land use and census data. This article presents a GIS methodology for the prioritization of AMLs using the process of extrapolation and focal statistics. By incorporating current assessment techniques into GIS with current land use and census data, AML priorities were reassigned to accurately reflect the current spatial landscape. Results indicate that current AML priorities assigned by the state do not accurately reflect current land use and census data and underestimate the safety hazards of many sites, including high priority sites.


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