Biotic and Abiotic Factors Influencing The Long-Trem Stability of covers on Waste Rock Piles in the Uranium Mining District of Saxony and Thuringia (Germany)

摘要

This report presents the results of basic investigations of root penetration on various partially covered excavation discard material mounds of the Saxonian-Thuringian uranium mining region (Germany) in comparison to root penetration in autochthonous (native) soils. Bioturbation is an essential, unavoidable impact to consider in addition to root penetration. With increasing age, the functionality of each layer of a cover system becomes diminished through the workings of the local flora and fauna. Pedological cover layers can only temporarily maintain their initial positions and technical functionality. Considering actual prevailing biotic and abiotic influences (e.g. site-specific transpiration rates), the planning and installation of cover systems should take into accoutn (within acceptable balances) factors which are able to at least partially compensate for eventual diminishing of technical functionality.