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SOIL RECLAMATION OF ABANDONED MINE LANDS BY REVEGETATION IN NORTHWESTERN PART OF TRANSYLVANIA: A 40-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Buta, M., G. Blaga, L. Paulette, I. Pacurar, S. Rosca, O. Borsai, F. Grecu, P. Ecaterina, et al.
Sustainability 11(12):3393(2019)

Researchers developed an ecological land restoration strategy to restore the ecological integrity of the 2 abandoned and disturbed mine lands in Aghiresu and Capusu Mare, in the Northwestern part of Transylvania. Soil quality changes were monitored over 40 years as a result of land restoration activities by examining 30 soil profiles and 450 soil samples collected from 3 depths (0-20 cm, 20-50 cm, and 50-80 cm). All the proposed plant covers (natural grassland, pasture cover, black locust, Norway spruce, and Scots pine) significantly improved the overall soil quality with the increasing years of reclamation following various patterns. Pasture cover most significantly enhanced the soil's microbial activity, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content, followed by natural grassland. Results revealed that restoration of the vegetation cover on tailing dumps contributes to soil quality improvement through stabilization, pollution control, aesthetic improvement, and soil fertility. This article is Open Access athttps://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/12/3393/htm.



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