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Reclamation of Mine-Impacted Land for Ecosystem Recovery

 

 

Nimisha Tripathi

Bio-Environment Division Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research

Raj Shekhar Singh

Bio-Environment Division Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research

Colin D. Hills

Faculty of Engineering and Science University of Greenwich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Preface

 

 

Mining activities significantly impact upon the environment. Across the world, the mining activities generate huge quantities of spoil, promote deforestation and the loss of agricultural production, and the release of contaminants that mean that valuable soil resources are being lost while minerals are being won.

As the effects of the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of valuable land by extractive industries are now being recognized, it is important to show how corrective action can be taken. The introduction of sustainable mining activities does not mean a quantum leap in the technology utilized in mining, but the simple introduction of considered planning and mitigation strategies, that start before mining takes place and extend to after mining has ceased and post-closure activities are being executed.

In this book, the authors have attempted to show how mining impacts on the properties of soil and how soil carbon reserves/soil fertility can be restored when mining has ceased. Restoration involves a coordinated approach that recognizes the importance of key soil properties to enable re-vegetation to take place rapidly and ecosystems to be established in a low cost and sustainable way.

About the authors

 

 

Nimisha Tripathi is an Australian Endeavour Fellow, presently working as a visiting academic at the University of Greenwich, UK. Her broad area of research includes restoration and microbial ecology of damaged terrestrial ecosystems. She has worked as a project leader on the rejuvenation of contaminated mine wastelands; has carried out pioneering work on modified chitosan for soil remediation and carbon sequestration. Dr Nimisha has extensive publications in international peer-reviewed journals and a copyright on a novel method developed for estimation of nitrogen in soil and plant materials. She has won several prestigious awards and prizes, including, the Endeavour Research Award (Gov. of Australia), Young Scientist Award (Gov. of India) and, the Green Scientist Award (Hindustan Times and Dainik Jagran Group). Her bio-data is cited in International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England (2009) and the Marquis ‘Who’s Who in the World’ USA 26th Edition (2009).

Raj Shekhar Singh is Principal Scientist and Associate Professor at CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad. Dr Raj is specialized in restoration ecology and has extensive research experience on restoration of alternate land uses and damaged ecosystems, remediation of contaminated wastelands, environmental impact assessment and management plan. He has, to his credit, publications in more than 150 journals including Nature (London) and books, patents and copyright. Dr. Raj was awarded the UK Commonwealth Fellowship (2012), and had attended the UK House of Parliament to discuss waste recycling (2013) apart from winning several awards and honors for his research contribution, including Whitaker Award (1998), Advisor (Research & Development), Green Earth Citizen, Sweden (2013) and CSIR patent prizes (2006, 2007). His Bio-data was cited in the Dictionary of International Biography Centre, Cambridge, England (1997). Dr Raj has edited more than 10 proceedings and is the advisor and editorial board member of a number of peer-reviewed journals.

Colin D. Hills is Professor of Environment and Materials Engineering at the University of Greenwich. Professor Hills has an extensive research and publishing record on the treatment and valorisation of hazardous wastes and contaminated soils. He has authored national guidance on stabilisation/solidification technology for the Environment Agency, is Academic Lead for the CO2-Chemistry KTN (Utilisation Cluster), is European Contributor to the UN EP Global Environment Outlook (GEO6) for Waste and Chemicals and is a contributor to the EU road map for CO2 mineralisation. Professor Hills has won a number of major awards for his work, including: the Green Chemical Technology Prize (IChemE), National Winner of the Shell Springboard Challenge (2008), winner of the Times Higher Award for his Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology (2008). Professor Hills is Founder Director, Technical Director of Carbon8 Systems Ltd, and a Founder of Carbon8 Aggregates Ltd, sister companies that are pioneering the use of waste CO2 gas for the engineering of waste materials.

Acknowledgements

 

 

The authors wish to acknowledge the invaluable help received from a number of established researchers on mine-impacted lands at the Bio-Environment Division of Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad. Completion of this book would not have been possible without their encouragement. The Director, CIMFR, Dhanbad, India, is gratefully acknowledged as is Prof. J.S. Singh, Emeritus Professor, BHU, Varanasi, for their unselfish support. Of particular note are the contributions made by Dr C.S. Jha, Scientist, NRSC, Hyderabad, Prof. A.S. Raghubanshi, BHU, Varanasi, Dr S.C. Garkoti, Associate Professor, JNU, New Delhi and Dr S.K. Chaulya, Scientist, CIMFR, Dhanbad.

The authors would also like to thank the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, for research funding support on the rejuvenation of contaminated mine wastelands and the Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Rural Development and Employment, for also providing financial support on a number of research initiatives in this important area of environmental impact management.

Finally, we are indebted to our family members who have provided unselfish support during the writing of this book. Dr Raj S. Singh wishes to express much gratitude to his late father, and Dr Nimisha Tripathi to her late grandfather for his inspiration throughout this endeavour.

1
Introduction

1.1 Background and purpose

Since Palaeolithic times (ca. 450 000 years ago), mining has been an integral part of the human existence (Hartman, 1987). Mining is fundamental to technological development and there is evidence of subsurface mining dating back to 15 000 BC (Kennedy, 1990).

Throughout the world, the most common form of mineral extraction is surface or open-pit mining. Minerals with a low stripping ratio generate large amounts of overburden or spoil, which are discarded on adjacent land surface.

The discarded overburden is disposed of in surface dumps, which significantly impact upon both flora and fauna. Spoil dumps occupy large areas of productive land and contaminate surface and subsurface water resources, upon impacting ecological pools and biological processes (Tripathi et al., 2012). The loss of key components of an ecosystem directly results in land degradation.

Surface mining disrupts the environment by disturbing the landscape, despoiling agricultural land and through deforestation. The consequence of mining is a loss of plant biomass and land productivity. The environmental impacts caused by mining, based on Richards (2002), are:

  • Ecosystem disturbance and degradation
  • Habitat destruction
  • Adverse chemical impacts (from improperly treated wastes); and
  • Loss of soil-bound carbon (to the atmosphere)

The management of mine spoil/degraded land is a major issue throughout the world. The ecological and environmental impacts of mining warrant a corrective action supported by appropriate post-closure management strategies. By managing environmental impacts, the long-term viability of mining operations can be secured.

The practice of ecological restoration of disturbed and degraded land is a primary action in ecosystem recovery. This is achieved by ensuring a nutrient cycling is re-established, which in turn fosters increasing biodiversity.

The introduction of a progressive post-mining plan, which considers the ecological condition of the land (to be mined) and the suitability of native plants for reclamation activities is an important step as this:

  • Minimizes the overall impact of mining at a site
  • Ensures an appropriate post-mining closure design is implemented
  • Reduces overall cost
  • Enhances environmental protection and restoration of soil-based carbon
  • Reduces the time frame for completing the reclamation strategy

Post-closure reclamation actions can be implemented immediately after the cessation of mining and should utilize the best available technology options available.

Thus, by using appropriate management strategies, such as mulches and organic matter-based additions, re-vegetation can be effectively carried out post mine closure. Reclamation will re-establish the soil carbon reserve lost during mining that is essential for the correct functioning of vegetation. The reintroduction of soil organic matter is achieved via the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere into root mass and leaf litter. The growth of biomass reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, and therefore mitigates the effects of climate change.

This work provides a comprehensive description of impacts arising from land degradation caused by mining activities. It provides insight into the technical aspects of the restoration and reclamation of mining-impacted land and the reintroduction of soil-based carbon reserves that are so important to the re-establishment of self-sustaining ecosystems. Key ecological concepts are explored, and the major ecological pools and biological processes functioning in disturbed or degraded ecosystems are presented.

The successful repair of degraded land and reintroduction of a sustainable ecosystem requires a multidisciplinary approach, and this is reflected in the content of this book. All the stages of land reclamation from the initial policy decisions to management and outcomes are presented. As such, this work will provide key insights to undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, mine managers, policymakers and professionals dealing with contaminated mine land reclamation and management issues.

1.2 Key concepts and definitions

A number of key concepts and definitions are presented which underpin the understanding of ecological restoration. A number of these are as follows:

Biogeochemical cyclesThe pathway by which a chemical substance moves through both biotic (biosphere) and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere) components of Earth.
Carbon sequestrationThis is the process of naturally or artificially storing carbon dioxide for a longer-term out of the atmosphere, where it contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Carbon sinkA natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores carbon-containing chemical compounds (e.g. CO2) for an indefinite period.
DecompositionConversion or decay of chemically unstable material to simpler forms by the natural action of air, water, light and microorganisms.
DisturbanceThe major cause of long-term changes in the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Disturbance may be natural, involving fire, wind, disease, insect outbreaks and landslides, or anthropogenic from human impacts (e.g. clear cutting, deforestation, habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species).
EcologyA branch of biology dealing with the interactions among organisms and their abiotic environment: the study of ‘the structure and function of nature, which includes the living world’ (Odum, 1959). In terms of disturbance, ecology encompasses the study of interrelationships between biotic and abiotic components of the existing disturbed ecosystems.
EcosystemA biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. Ecosystems are characterized as complex systems with abiotic and biotic processes interacting between the various components. In simple terms, Odum’s ecosystem is the fundamental unit of ecology.
Ecological processesThe key processes regulating the ecological system (ecosystem) – nutrient processing, productivity, decomposition, nutrient turnover, hydrological flux.
Ecological restorationThe practice of renewing and returning a degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystems to its original (prior to disturbance) condition.
Ecosystem developmentThe development of pools and processes of an ecosystem culminating in a stabilized ecosystem. Ecosystem development is the part of ecological succession. The concepts of ecosystem development are often based on assumptions and extrapolations with respect to structural–functional interactions in the initial stage of ecosystem development.
Ecosystem productivityIn ecology, productivity refers to the rate of generation of biomass in an ecosystem.
Endemic (or native) plantsThe plant species indigenous and unique to a specific geographic region over a given period of time.
Exotic plantsThe plant species living outside its native distributional range, which has arrived there either by deliberate or accidental human activity.
Functional componentsThe components of ecosystem having specific roles in regulating the functioning (e.g. biogeochemical processes, disturbance regimes) of an ecosystem but governed by the structural components. Four functional components of an ecosystem include:
  • Abiotic factors
  • Producers
  • Consumers
  • Decomposers
Odum (1959) termed the three ‘functional kingdoms of nature’ for latter three living components.
Greenhouse effectThe phenomenon by which the sun’s thermal radiation is trapped by the gases (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour) of a planetary surface and is re-radiated back from the planet causing atmospheric heating.
Greenhouse emissionThe emission of gases, for example, chlorofluorocarbon, carbon dioxide, perfluorocarbon, sulphur hexafluoride, that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation.
Habitat alterationThe process making changes to the environment that adversely affects ecosystem function. However, the effects are not permanent (Dodd and Smith, 2003).
Habitat destructionThe process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the existing species. In this process, the regional ecosystem is completely eliminated resulting into the total removal of its former biological function and loss of biodiversity (Dodd and Smith, 2003). Habitat destruction is the primary cause of species extinction worldwide.
Habitat fragmentationA secondary affect of habitat destruction, which occurs when the remaining species populations after habitat destruction are isolated due to destroyed linkages between habitat patches after disturbance.
Land disturbanceChanges of land use and land forms, soil moisture regulation, loss of biodiversity, loss of soil organic matter pool and altered nutrient cycling.
Land degradationAs defined by the UN Environment Programme, land degradation is ‘a long-term loss of ecosystem functions and services, caused by disturbances from which the system cannot recover unaided’ (Dent, 2007).
Land reclamationThe act of returning a land to a former, better state. In terms of a wasteland, land reclamation refers to the conversion of wasteland into useful land.
Land rehabilitationThe act of returning a damaged land to some degree of its former state.
LitterFallen leaves and other decaying organic matter that make up the top layer of a terrestrial ecosystem.
Mine spoil/overburdenMiner’s definition: Any loose or consolidated material lying over a mineral deposit of ore or coal.
Civil engineer or soil scientist definition: loose soil, sand, or gravel lying above the bedrock.
Natural disturbance regimeThis is a concept that describes the pattern of disturbances that shape an ecosystem over a long timescale. It describes a spatial disturbance pattern, a frequency and intensity of disturbances, and a resulting ecological pattern over space and time. These disturbances do not include the anthropogenic disturbances.
ResilienceThe capacity of an ecosystem to respond to a disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly.
Standing biomassThe total dried biomass of the living organisms present in a given environment.
Soil amendmentsSoil amendments are the materials added to soil to improve the quality of soil, especially its ability to provide nutrients to plants. They also act as the soil conditioners.
Soil microbesMicroorganisms for which the soil is the natural habitat. Examples include bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae and protozoa.
Stripping ratioThe unit amount of overburden that needs to be removed to access/extract a similar unit of coal, mineral/metal ore.
Structural componentsThe structural components of an ecosystem are constituted by living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components.
Living components: populations of organisms (species diversity) and the living resources they use.
Nonliving components: nonliving resources (e.g. space) and the nonliving physical characteristics of habitats (e.g. temperature, humidity, habitat complexity).
SuccessionThe process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time.
Sustainable developmentDevelopment that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development promotes the idea that social, environmental and economic progresses are all attainable within the limits of earth’s natural resources.

1.3 Supporting information

The mitigation of environmental impacts from mining activities is a complex subject. In order for the reader to access more information on particular aspects of mine restoration, a number of information sources are given below in Tables 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. These include the addresses of organizations involved in mine restoration in India and elsewhere, useful websites and a list of NGOs involved with restoration activities (Tables 1.4 and 1.5).

Table 1.1 List of relevant organizations.

India
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad
Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI), Dehradun
Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun
Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur
Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur
International
International Affiliation of Land Reclamationists (IALR): an umbrella organization, which encompasses restoration groups in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada and China:
  • The British Land Reclamation Society
  • American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation
  • Mineral Council of Australia
  • Canadian Land Reclamation Association (Association Canadienne de Rehabilitation des Sites Degrades)
  • China Land Reclamation Society
UK Environment Agency (EA)
American Society of Mining and Reclamation (ASMR), Virginia
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Switzerland
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland
Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC), New York
National Association of State Land Reclamationists (NASLR), New York
Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), New York
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Geneva
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris
Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Pennsylvania
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Switzerland

Table 1.2 List of NGOs involved in eco-restoration.

NGOActivities
India
Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning, PondicherryWildlife conservation, ecological restoration, natural resource management and capacity building
Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Anand (Gujarat)Ecological restoration and conservation of land and water resources in ecologically fragile, degraded and marginalized regions of the country through collective efforts of village communities
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), DelhiAs a think tank for environment–development issues, poor planning, climate shifts, devastating India’s Sundarbans, policy changes and better implementation of the already existing policies
Dasholi Gram Swarajya Mandal, Gopeshwar, ChamoliForest conservation and eco-regeneration; use of forest products for self-employment
Green Future Foundation, Pune, MaharashtraEnvironmental protection, energy and ecological conservation and pollution control
Rajasthan Environment Preservation Society, JaipurPollution control, afforestation, ecological and environmental preservation
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), DelhiPolicy-related work in the energy sector, increased biomass production, conversion of waste into useful products and mitigating the harmful environmental impacts of several economic activities
United Kingdom
British Land Reclamation SocietyReclamation, rehabilitation and restoration of contaminated, derelict and abandoned mine and industrial land
Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments (CL: AIRE)Regeneration of contaminated land for sustainable remediation
Flora localeConservation and enhancement of native wild plant populations and plant communities in the context of ecological restoration and creative conservation
The Land TrustThe transformation of land unsuitable for development into high-quality public open space (such as country parks, wetlands, community woodlands and ecology parks)
GroundworkEnvironmental regeneration, prevention of underuse of land and exploring appropriate use of land
Waste WatchSustainability, environmental protection/restoration, well-being
United States
The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)Promoting ecological restoration and conservation
World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, IowaSolving scientific and technical problems related to soil and water conservation
Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS)Foster the science and art of natural resource conservation
Air and Waste Management Association, PennsylvaniaEnvironmental management, critical environmental decision-making
Denmark
COWILand restoration, environmental impact assessment
The Netherlands
International Institute of Land Reclamation and Improvement (ILRI)Sustainable use of land and water resources, especially in developing countries
International Association
International Erosion Control Association
  • Region one: North America, South America and Europe
  • Region two: Australasia, Asia and Africa
Erosion and by-product–sediment control

Table 1.3 List of abbreviations.

CCarbon
CO2Carbon dioxide
CECCation exchange capacity
CILCoal India Ltd
CPCBCentral Pollution Control Board
EAEnvironmental assessment
EMPEnvironmental management plan
EUEuropean Union
GDPGross domestic product
GHGGreenhouse gas
HZLHindustan Zinc Ltd
IEAInternational Energy Agency
IPCCIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IUCNInternational Union for Conservation of Nature
MSWMunicipal solid wastes
NPKNitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
NPPNet primary productivity
NNitrogen
OECDOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OMOrganic matter
OSMOffice of Surface Mining
PPPPublic–Private Partnership
R&RResettlement and rehabilitation
SERSociety for Ecological Restoration
SOCSoil organic carbon
SOMSoil organic matter
SAILSteel Authority of India Ltd
SMCRASurface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
UNEPUnited Nations Environment Program
UNESCOUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
WASCOBWater and sediment control basin
WHCWater-holding capacity
WEOWorld Energy Outlook
WTEWaste-to-energy

Table 1.4 List of key reference sources (website links).

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2013/05/09/400-ppm-carbon-dioxide-in-the-atmosphere-reaches-prehistoric-levels/
http://envfor.nic.in
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2002/12/2456.shtml
http://moef.nic.in/downloads/home/home-SoE-Report-2009.pdf
http://www.cseindia.org/programme/industry/mining/political_minerals_mapdescription.htm
http://www.nrsc.gov.in/pdf/P2P_JAN11.pdf
http://scclmines.com/scclnew/careers/docs/Notification012015.pdf
http://scclmines.com/downloads/exploration.pdf
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-land-acquisition-law-comes-into-force/articleshow/28204302.cms
http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/2003/07/an-overview-of-the-global-waste-to-energy-industry.html
http://www.cci.in/pdfs/surveys-reports/Mineral-and-Mining-Industry-in-India.pdf
http://www.cseindia.org/node/386
http://www.eldoradochemical.com/fertiliz1.htm
http://www.globalrestorationnetwork.org/restoration/methods-techniques/
http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2000/coalindia2002.pdf
http://www.moef.gov.in
http://envfor.nic.in
http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/aug/15waste.htm

Table 1.5 List of units used.

BnBillion
cmCentimetre
GtGigatonnes
gGram
haHectare
kgKilogram
kmKilometre
MgMillion gram
MhaMillion hectare
MpaMegapascal
MtMillion tonnes
MTMetric tonnes
PgPeta gram
PpmParts per million
teTonne
TgTeragram
μmMicrometre

1.4 Structure/layout of the book

To address the impact of surface mining on terrestrial ecosystem and its management, the authors have used India as the prime model while discussing the general reclamation practices and underlying policies worldwide.

The book is organized in seven chapters to cover the ecological principles of land restoration, adequate management of degraded mine lands and the consequent environmental and societal benefits. Included is a synthesis of the authors experience for more than 20 years of research on mine-degraded lands and their environmental impact and subsequent reclamation.