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Soil Reclamation of Abandoned Mine Lands by Revegetation in Northwestern Part of Transylvania: A 40-Year Retrospective Study

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  • Mihai Buta

    (Department of Soil Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Gheorghe Blaga

    (Department of Soil Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Laura Paulette

    (Department of Soil Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Ioan Păcurar

    (Department of Soil Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Sanda Roșca

    (Department of Geology, “Babeș-Bolyai” University, Mihail Kogălniceanu 1, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Orsolya Borsai

    (Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Florina Grecu

    (Department of Land Measurements, Management, Mechanization, University of Craiova, Libertăţii 19, 200421 Craiova, Romania)

  • Pauliuc Ecaterina Sînziana

    (Department of Soil Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Cornel Negrușier

    (Department of Soil Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

Mining activities for mineral resources over the years have resulted in major soil damage. Due the removal process of desired mineral materials, soil textures have been destroyed, various nutrient cycles have been disturbed, and microbial communities have been altered, affecting vegetation and leading to the destruction of wide areas of land in many countries. Therefore, soil restoration of abandoned mining lands became a very important part of sustainable development strategies and also prescribed by law in several countries. The main aims of this study were to develop an ecological land restoration strategy to the degraded lands due former kaolin, quartz sand, and iron mining located in Aghireșu and Căpușu Mare in Cluj County, in the Northwestern part of Transylvania from Romania and monitor soil quality changes over 40 years. To assess the effectiveness of soil reclamation of mine lands, 30 soil profiles were examined and 450 soil samples were collected from three depths (0–20 cm, 20–50 cm, and 50–80 cm) and subjected to physical and chemical analyses, and compared for their sustainable and beneficial use. All the proposed plant covers (natural grassland, pasture cover, black locust, Norway spruce, and scots pine) significantly improved the overall soil quality with the increasing years of reclamation following various patterns. Pasture cover most significantly enhanced the soil’s microbial activity, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content followed by natural grassland. The results of this study show that considerable changes in soil quality was reached by revegetation of these abandoned mine lands restoring their ecological integrity and self-sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Mihai Buta & Gheorghe Blaga & Laura Paulette & Ioan Păcurar & Sanda Roșca & Orsolya Borsai & Florina Grecu & Pauliuc Ecaterina Sînziana & Cornel Negrușier, 2019. "Soil Reclamation of Abandoned Mine Lands by Revegetation in Northwestern Part of Transylvania: A 40-Year Retrospective Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:12:p:3393-:d:241387
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    1. Paula Godinho Ribeiro & Gabriel Caixeta Martins & Markus Gastauer & Ediu Carlos da Silva Junior & Diogo Corrêa Santos & Cecílio Frois Caldeira Júnior & Rosane Barbosa Lopes Cavalcante & Douglas Silva , 2022. "Spectral and Soil Quality Index for Monitoring Environmental Rehabilitation and Soil Carbon Stock in an Amazonian Sandstone Mine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Frederick Gyasi Damptey & Klaus Birkhofer & Paul Kofi Nsiah & Enrique G. de la Riva, 2020. "Soil Properties and Biomass Attributes in a Former Gravel Mine Area after Two Decades of Forest Restoration," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Thobeka Pearl Makhathini & Joseph Kapuku Bwapwa & Sphesihle Mtsweni, 2023. "Various Options for Mining and Metallurgical Waste in the Circular Economy: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    4. Yao Kohou Donatien Guéablé & Youssef Bezrhoud & Haitam Moulay & Lhoussaine Moughli & Mohamed Hafidi & Mohamed El Gharouss & Khalil El Mejahed, 2021. "New Approach for Mining Site Reclamation Using Alternative Substrate Based on Phosphate Industry By-Product and Sludge Mixture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-14, September.
    5. Jesús D. Peco & Pablo Higueras & Juan A. Campos & José M. Esbrí & Marta M. Moreno & Fabienne Battaglia-Brunet & Luisa M. Sandalio, 2021. "Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation by Plant Remediation Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-27, June.

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