A preliminary assessment of soil sulphur contamination and vegetations the vicinity of former boreholes on the afforested post-mine site Jeziórko

The work aims to assess soil sulfur contamination degree indicating various reclamation efficiencies within microhabitats formed in the “Jeziorko” inoperative boreholes of former sulfur-mining areas which have been reclaimed to forest. Three plot categories have been initially determined in post-mining areas: category D – degraded, i.e. ineffectively reclaimed and unsuccessfully afforested plots, pine stands category (P), and birch stands (B), successfully afforestated. Afterwards, four circular plots were defined within each of the determined categories (4 replications, i.e. a total of 12 plots). For each plot, cover-abundance (according to the Braun-Blanquet scale) and dominant herbaceous vegetation species, tree species and stand density were determined. Height (Ht) and diameter at breast height (DBH) measurements were taken, and a vitality assessment was completed according to the IUFRO classification. Soil samples were collected at each plot from the plots in 5 points at two different depths (0–5 cm and 5–40 cm) and laboratory analysis were prepared. Soil  properties such as texture, pH, electrical  conductivity (EC), hydrolytic acidity (Hh), the contents of soil organic carbon SOC, total nitrogen TN, total sulfur TS, and exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+) were determined. Soils from the D plot category were characterised by high sulfur contamination, excess salinity (EC), and strong acidity in top soil. These parameters indicated the completed neutralization had not been performed effectively at certain sites. Pine (P) and birch (B) stands categories showed good growth rates and soil parameters indicating the reclamation treatments  had been completed successfully.The work aims to assess the degree of soil sulphur contamination of the various abandoned reclamation efficiencies, within the microhabitats formed in the “Jeziórko” inoperative boreholes of former sulphur-mining areas. These areas have been reclaimed to the forest. Three plot categories were initially determined in the post-mining areas: category D – degraded, i.e. ineffectively reclaimed and unsuccessfully afforested plots, with low cover-abundance or complete lack of vegetation, pine stands category, category (P) - birch stands and category (B)- successfully afforested. Afterwards, four circular plots were defined within each of the determined categories (4 replications, i.e. a total of 12 plots). For each plot, cover-abundance (according to the Braun-Blanquet scale) and dominant herbaceous vegetation species, tree species and stand density were determined. Height (Ht) and diameter at breast height (DBH) measurements were taken, and a vitality assessment was completed, according to the IUFRO classification. Soil samples were collected at each plot, in 5 points, at two different depths (0–5 cm and 5–40 cm). Finally, laboratory analysis was undertaken. Soil properties such as texture, pH, electrical  conductivity (EC), hydrolytic acidity (Hh), the contents of soil organic carbon SOC, total nitrogen TN, total sulphur TS, and exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+) were determined. Soils from the D plot category were characterised by high sulphur contamination, excess salinity (EC) and strong acidity in top soil. These parameters indicated that completed neutralization was not performed effectively at certain sites. Pine (P) and birch (B) stands categories showed good growth rates and soil parameters, indicating that the reclamation treatments were completed successfully

Comprehensive Study of Reclaimed Soil, Plant, and Water Chemistry Relationships in Highly S-Contaminated Post Sulfur Mine Site Jeziórko (Southern Poland)

The aim of the work was a comprehensive study of the soils (pH, EC, SOC, NT, ST), surface waters (pH, EC, Ca2+ Mg2+, Na+, NO3−, SO42−, Cl−, HCO3−), and reactions of trees and herbaceous plants in the restored forest ecosystem of a former sulfur mine. Common birch and Scots pine growth reaction, vitality (according to IUFRO standards- International Union of Forest Research Organizations), nutrient supply (Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, K), and Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth chemical composition (Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, K) were assayed. The chemistry dynamics (pH, EC, DOC, NT, Ca, Mg, and S at the beginning and end of the experiment) of soil leaching and the sulfur load leached from the sulfur-contaminated soil substrates were evaluated. The remediation effects of birch and pine litter were assayed in an experiment under controlled conditions. It was found that reclamation was effective in the majority of the post-mining site; however, hotspots with sulfur contamination reaching even 45,000 mg kg−1, pH < 2.0 and electrical conductivity (EC) of 6500 µS cm−1 were reported. Surface waters typically displayed elevated concentrations of sulfate ions (average 935.13 mg L−1), calcium ions (up to 434 mg L−1), and high EC (average 1797 µS cm−1), which was related both to sulfur contamination and the sludge lime that was used in neutralization. Calamagrostis epigejos was found to be a species that adapted well to the conditions of elevated soil salinity and sulfur concentration. It was observed that the application of organic matter had a significant beneficial impact on the chemistry of soil solutions, but did not show a remediation effect by increased sulfur leaching in a short-term study

The Influence of Sedimentation Ponds of the Former Soda “Solvay” Plant in Krakow on the Chemistry of the Wilga River

This paper explores how the chemistry of the Wilga River is affected by the sedimentation ponds at the former Soda “Solvay” Plant in Krakow. Despite the revitalization of the sedimentation ponds about 30 years ago, the chemistry of the samples was characterized by high EC (from 845 to 3000 µS cm−1), high concentration of Cl− (up to 800 mg L−1), Ca (up to 270 mg L−1), and SO42− (up to 115 mg L−1), and a high value for Na (up to 270 mg L−1) was noted—surface water quality standards were exceeded. The effect of high mineralization by those elements, generated in wastewater during soda waste production, were noted to have seasonal and vertical variability. We concluded that, despite the industrial shutdown and revitalization processes, the drainage of industrial water can have serious and long-term negative effects on quality of water and the Wilga River ecosystem. The Wilga River is one of the most important examples of important environmental problems in urban areas

Assessment of tree vitality, biomass and morphology of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) root systems growing on reclaimed landfill waste after zinc and lead flotation

The stability of introduced stands depends not only on aboveground but also on the belowground biomass. Results from reclaimed sites often indicate good growth of the aboveground part of stands, but data on the development of root systems are still lacking. Our aim was to assess the vitality of trees, their biomass and the morphology of the root systems of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) introduced on reclaimed landfill waste after zinc and lead flotation in Bukowno (southern Poland). The landfill site was reclaimed 20 years ago and reclamation treatments involved isolation and covering with mineral substrate layers (110–150 cm thickness) which formed a technogenic soil profile. Four research plots (10 m × 10 m) were set up in pure pine stands where soil profiles consisted entirely of flotation waste. Trees on the plots were assayed according to the Kraft and IUFRO classification system. In total, 15 trees of average growth parameters and bio-sociological position (I and II Kraft class) were selected for biomass and root system analyses and the root systems were excavated, washed, measured, weighed and photographed