The use of coal gangue as a planting substrate in arid mining areas

作者：Lu Yuanbo, Song ChunWu, Cheng Yan, Zhengzhong Jin, Yajuan Li, Lai Chengyun, Danhua Wang · 发表于：Global Ecology and Conservation · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03328 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Waste Management and Environmental Impact、Mining and Industrial Processes、Geology and Environmental Impact Studies

Coal gangue, which is the primary solid waste generated during coal production and washing processes, poses significant risks to the ecological environment and social safety. This study investigated the effective use of this material as a novel component in planting substrates to improve the physicochemical characteristics of arid sandstone soil in mining areas. The goal was to use this modified substrate for the restoration of vegetation, which at the same time would allow an effective utilization of coal gangue and its removal from mining areas. Using an L16 (4^3) orthogonal experimental design, systematically investigated the effects of three factors, i.e., coal gangue, a water-retaining agent, and bentonite, applied at various levels on soil nutrient characteristics and plant growth indicators in order to optimize the formula for the planting substrate. The addition of 1500 g of coal gangue significantly increased the contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available nitrogen, and available potassium in the substrate ( p < 0.05). This enhancement promoted the growth of Kochia prostrata . With the addition of 0.4 % water-retaining agent, the available nitrogen content in the substrate increased significantly ( p < 0.05). However, conditions were more favorable for seed germination and plant survival when this agent was not added. Moreover, the addition of 4 % bentonite resulted in a significant increase in the height of Kochia prostra...