Reclamation of Anthracite Coal Refuse Using Treated Municipal Wastewater and Sludge,

摘要

The study determined the feasibility of using municipal sewage effluent and liquid digested sludge to facilitate the revegetation of anthracite mining refuse. Four boxes, 4 x 32 x 4feet deep,were filled with anthracite coal refuse from a mining operation. The refuse was planted with eight species of trees,and seeded with eight species of both grasses and legumes. The boxes were then treated with sewage effluent and liquid digested sludge. Weekly percolate samples were collected at the 6inch and 42inch refuse depths with tension lysimeters. Treatments were applied for 19weeks. Most tree species showed a significant response to treatment. The application of sludge appears to be necessary for successful establishment of a dense ground cover. Maximum grass and legume dry matter productions and percent areal covers were observed. Chemical analyses of the grasses revealed an increase in the content of nitrogen,phosphorus and calcium with each increase in fertilizer value of treatment. Application of treated domestic sewage increased the pH of the coal refuse at each level of treatment. Results indicate that revegetation of anthracite coal refuse is possible through the application of treated municipal wastewater.