Characterization of reclaimed soils in southwestern Indiana after surface mining for coal, part II

Abstract

The study is the second part of an earlier paper to document some physical soil properties and morphological characteristics of soils reclaimed after surface mining for coal in southwestern Indiana. All sites except Daviess 001 were reclaimed using scraper placement. Daviess 001 used shovel-truck -placement during reclamation. All the soils were fine-silty Alfisols before they were disturbed for mining. The reclaimed soils classify as either fine-silty or loamy Udarents. Four of the undisturbed soils had fragipans and aquic or oxyaquic conditions, which are indicated, in their classification. All reclaimed soils were reclaimed using prime farmland rules and regulations developed by the State Regulatory Authority as set forth in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-87). Both the bulk density and soil strength indicate that these reclaimed soils are shallower to a root restrictive soil layer than the premined soils. Gravimetric water content and bulk density explains 73 percent of the variation in soil strength. The restrictive layers in these reclaimed soils reduce the available water capacity to the extent that crop yields are reduced as compared to the premined soils. The reclamation of the soils in this study ranged from 6 to 17 years before present. These soils have been in cropland or hayland during this period of time.