Iron and Manganese Biogeochemistry in Forested Coal Mine Spoil

摘要: Abandoned mine lands continue to serve as non-point sources of acid and metal contamination water bodies long after mining operations have ended. Although soils formed from abandoned spoil can support forest vegetation, observed throughout the Appalachian coal basin, effects vegetation on cycling in these regions remain poorly characterized. Iron (Fe) manganese (Mn) biogeochemistry were examined at a former where deciduous trees grow deposited nearly century ago. Forest growing effectively removed dissolved Mn pore water; however, mineral weathering reaction front below rooting zone resulted high quantities leached Mn. was taken up relatively low by but more readily mobilized organic carbon produced surface soil. Dissolved Fe front, suggesting that iron oxyhydroxide precipitation retains within system. These results indicate continues produce contamination, accumulate mitigate its leaching shallow soils, potentially also decreasing deeper reducing infiltration. Vegetation had less impact mobility, which retained oxides following oxidative weathering.