Assessment of Waste Derived Amendments for the in Situ Stabilization of Acid Soils from a Pyrite Mine
摘要
Soils from abandoned mines located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, present extreme acidity and high total metals and metalloids concentrations. These conditions inhibit plant growth, even after constructive remedial actions, due to the remaining potential for acid mine drainage. Sustainable rehabilitation for these soils encompasses the previous in situ stabilization, to mitigate the effects of acidity and contamination, further providing the essential nutrients for plants and microbial activity. A 30 days-laboratory incubation experiment was conducted, with soil from the Aljustrel’s mine area, to understand how waste-derived amendments, alone or in combination, can be used to improve their properties. Biochar from forestry residuals and municipal solid waste compost (64 g kg⁻¹ for both, equivalent to 100 t ha⁻¹), and ground oyster shell powder (11.5 g kg⁻¹) were used. The mine soil was very acid (pH = 3.5), and biochar application, even at 5-times the selected application dose, only increased soil pH to 4.6. Oyster shell powder was more effective, increasing soil pH to circa neutral values. The compost was also able to, individually, increase soil pH above 5.0, while also increasing soil organic matter (OM), as well as nutrients (total N, extractable P and K). The reduction on bioavailable Cu, Pb and Zn was accomplished by the application of compost and oyster shell powder, alone or in combination, while biochar application was very effective to increase soil OM content. A combination of these waste-derived amendments would be effective for the in situ stabilization of this type of mine affected soil.