Minesoil Properties of 15 Abandoned Mine Land Sites in West Virginia

Abstract

Abstract The characteristics of minesoils on abandoned mine land (AML) often dictate which plant species will invade and establish from nearby undisturbed areas. This study measured physical and chemical minesoil properties on 15 AML sites in northern West Virginia and matched these properties to vegetation cover. Fifteen sites ranging in age from 13 to 35 yr old were selected from three surface‐mined coal beds (Pittsburgh, Freeport, and Kittanning). On each site, three 1 m‐deep pits were dug and minesoil samples were extracted from two horizons, and vegetation was sampled in three 100‐m2 plots near the pits. Minesoils on Freeport sites had more rock fragments and sand than either Pittsburgh or Kittanning sites. No particle‐size changes with depth or age were evident between horizons in any minesoil. Acidity increased and pH decreased with minesoil age on Pittsburgh and Kittanning minesoils due to the oxidation of pyritic materials near the soil surface. A cluster analysis distinguished three minesoil types on these sites. Minesoil type A had low acidity and high CEC. Minesoil type B had high acidity and moderate CEC. Minesoil type C had high rock fragment content, low to moderate acidity, and low CEC. Minesoil type A was completely covered by herbaceous plants and trees, while minesoil types B and C were generally covered by trees. Based on our minesoil analyses and other studies, barren AML sites may not require complete redisturbance for revegetation but may be revegetated by adjacent plant species if surface amendments are applied.

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