Skip to main content
Log in

Regional assessment of plant growth problems for colliery spoil reclamation

I. Introduction and site survey

  • Published:
Minerals and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Possibilities for greater variation in landscaping during the reclamation of derelict colliery spoil heaps and the potential of a regional approach to the survey of revegetation problems are introduced. A survey method for assessing plant growth problems is described which incorporates rapid measurement of physical and chemical constraints to plant growth and which uses bioassay trials as an index of plant growth potential. The use of the survey method on 34 closed and disused sites in the Barnsley and South Yorkshire areas of the National Coal Board is outlined and suggestions for the incorporation of such data in recommendations for the reclamation of individual sites are made.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hackett, B. (ed.).Landscape Reclamation Practice. I.P.C. Press, London, 1977, 235 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bradshaw, A. D. and Chadwick, M.J. The Restoration of Land: The Ecology and Reclamation of Derelict and Degraded Land. Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1980. 317 pp.

  3. Down, C. G. and Stocks, J.Environmental Impact of Mining. Applied Science Publishers, London, 1977, 371 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gemmell, R. P.Colonization of Industrial Wasteland. Studies in Biology, 80. Arnold, London, 1977, 75 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Down, C. G. Life-form succession in plant communities on colliery spoil.Environ. Pollut., 5, 1973, 19–22.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chadwick, M. J. Variation in the chemical characteristics of colliery spoil and its relation to vegetation establishment In: Siedlungsverband Ruhrkohlenbezirk, green colliery spoil banks in the Ruhr,Schriftenreihe 33, Essen, 1974, 22–37.

  7. Doubleday, G. P. Soil forming materials: their nature and assessment In: University of Newcastle,Landscape Reclamation, Vol. 1. I.P.C. Press, 1971, 70–83.

  8. Westoll, T. S. Sedimentary rhythms in coal-bearing strata. In: Murchison, M. and Westoll, T. S. (eds.),Coal and Coal Bearing Strata. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh, 1968, 105–23.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Johnson, G. A. L. Lateral variation of marine and deltaic sediments in cyclothermic deposits with particular reference to the Visian and Namurian of Northern England, c.r.4th Int. Cong. Strat. Carb., 2, 1961, 323–30.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Palmer, M. E. Weathering reactions in colliery spoil.Proceedings of the North of England Soils Discussion Group, 6, 1970, 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Pulford, I. D. and Duncan, H. T. Predicting the potential acidity in reclaimed coal mine waste.Surveyor, 145 (4312), 1975, 36–7.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Chadwick, M. J. The cycling of materials in disturbed environments. In: Chadwick, M. J. and Goodman, G. T. (eds),Ecology of Resource Degradation and Renewal, 15th Symposium of the British Ecological Society. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1975, 3–16.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Williams, W. T. Investigations into the nitrogen cycle in colliery spoil. In: Chadwick, M. J. and Goodman, G. T. (eds.),Ecology of Resource Renewal and Degradation, 15th Symposium of the British Ecological Society. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1975, 254–73.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Fitter, A. H. and Bradshaw, A. D. Responses ofLolium perenne andAgrostis tenuis to phosphate and other nutritional factors in the reclamation of colliery shale.J. AppL Ecol., 11, 1974, 597–608.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Richardson, J. A. Physical problems of growing plants in colliery waste. In: Chadwick, M. J. and Goodman, G. T. (eds.),Ecology of Resource Degradation and Renewal, 15th Symposium of the British Ecological Society. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1975, 275–85.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Richardson, J. A. The effect of temperature on the growth of plants on pit heaps.J. Ecol., 46, 1958, 537–46.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Richardson, J. A. and Greenwood, E. F. Soil moisture tension in relation to plant colonisation of pit heaps.Proc. Univ. of Newcastle Philosophical Soc., 1, 1967, 129–36.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Down, C. G. Soil development on colliery waste tips in relation to age. I. Introduction and physical factors.J. Appl. Ecol., 12, 1975, 613–22.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Waters, R. S. Morphological mapping.Geography, 43, 1958, 10–17.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Savigear, R. A. G. Techniques and terminology in the investigation of slope forms.Premier report de la commission pour l'etude des versants. Union Geographique Internationale, 1956, 66–75.

  21. Whyte, R. O. and Sisam, J. W. B. The establishment of vegetation on industrial wasteland.Commonwealth Agric. Bureau Joint Publ. 14, Aberystwyth, 1949.

  22. Hall, I. G. The ecology of disused pit-heaps in England.J. Ecol., 45, 1957, 689–720.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Brierley, J. K. Some preliminary observations on the ecology of pit heaps.J. Ecol., 44, 1956, 383–90.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Richardson, J. A., Shenton, B. K. and Dicker, R. J. Botanical studies of natural and planted vegetation on colliery spoil heaps. In: University of Newcastle,Landscape Reclamation, Vol. 1, I.P.C. Press, 1971, 84–99.

  25. Molyneux, J. K. Some ecological aspects of colliery waste tips around Wigan, South Lancashire.J. Ecol., 51, 1963, 315–21.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Raunkiaer, C.Plant Life Forms. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1937, 104 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Elton, C. S.The Pattern of Animal Communities. Methuen, London, 1966, 432 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Jackson, M. L.Soil Chemical Analysis. Constable, London, 1958, 498 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Vondemfange, W. C. and Warner, D. L. Vertical distribution of sulfur forms in surface coal mine spoils. In:National Coal Association, 3rd Symposium on Surface Mining and Reclamation, Vol. 1, Louisville, Kentucky, 1975, 135–47.

  30. Chadwick, M. J. and Hardiman, K. M. Vegetating colliery spoil. In: Essex, J. and Higgins, P. (eds.),Papers of the Land Reclamation Conference, 5th–7th October 1976, Thurrock Borough Council, 1978, 423–41.

  31. Hesse, P. R.A Textbook of Soil Chemical Analysis. John Murray, London, 1971, 520 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Anslow, B. C. The rate of appearance of leaves in tillers of the graminae.Herb. Abstracts, 36, 1966, 149–55.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Pagan, J. Development and maintenance organisations. In: University of Newcastle,Landscape Reclamation, Vol. 2, I.P.C. Press, 1972, 12–18.

  34. Neckers, J. W. and Walker, C. R. Field test for active sulphides in soil.Soil Sci., 74, 1952, 467–70.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Braun-Blanquet, J.Plant Sociology: the Study of Plant Communities. McGraw-Hill, New York and London, 1932, 438 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kent, M. Regional assessment of plant growth problems for colliery spoil reclamation. Minerals and the Environment 2, 165–176 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02087022

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02087022

Keywords

Navigation