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Physical Characteristics of Some Minesoils¹

ABSTRACT

Studies were conducted to evaluate physical properties of spoils resulting from surface-coal mining and reclamation operations in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Bulk density, evapotranspiration, water retention, infiltration, and hydraulic conductivity values were determined at 10 sites randomly located within a 4-ha experimental area. Average bulk density of the surface 0.5-m layer of minesoil was 1,763 kg/m³ while specific surface at most sites averaged 31 m²/g. Microlysimeter data indicated that evapotranspiration (ET) on minesoil could be approximated by class-A pan evaporation or by model results. A large amount of spatial variation was observed in infiltration, water retention and hydraulic conductivity values. In the uppermost 0.75 m of the profile most minesoils on the average retained 35 mm of water, between 10 and 1,500 kPa, compared to 136 mm for the adjoining soils. When water was avaliable ET approached potential, however, hydraulic properties of the minesoil would likely lead to droughty conditions and extended periods of plant stress.

¹ Contribution from the Science & Education Administration, AR, USDA and Dep. of Agronomy. The Pennsylvania State Univ. in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Agric. Exp. Stn., The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA 16802. Journal Paper no. 5450. Supported by the SEA, AR, Interagency Agreement Funds: EPA-IAG-D5-E763.

² Project Scientist, Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc., Milwaukee, WI 53222, formerly Graduate Research Assistant; Soil Scientist, and Associate Professor of Soil Genesis and Morphology, respectively, Northeast Watershed Research Center and Dep. of Agron., University Park, PA 16802.

Received for publication March 28, 1978. Accepted for publication October 17, 1979.

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