Examples of geomorphic reclamation on mined lands in Spain by using the GeoFluv method

Comunicación oral presentada en EGU General Assembly 2015.This paper describes seven examples of geomorphic reclamation on mined lands of Spain, as solutions for complex environmental problems, by using the GeoFluv method through the Natural Regrade software (Carlson). Of these seven examples, four of them have been partially or totally constructed. Each of them has its own particularities and contributions, becoming innovative geomorphic solutions to existing environmental (ecological, social and economic) problems. The Quebraderos de la Serrana example (Toledo province) allowed a local company to get permission for slate quarrying in a highly ecologically vulnerable area; before that, the permission for extracting rocks had been rejected with a conventional reclamation approach. The Somolinos case is, to this date, the most complete geomorphic reclamation in Spain, and the first one in Europe to have been built by using the GeoFluv method. This restoration has healed a degraded area of about six hectares at the outskirts of the Somolinos hamlet, in a valuable rural landscape of the Guadalajara province. The Arlanza example (Leon province) shows a design which proposes to restore the hydrological connectivity of a coal mine dump which blocked a valley. The Machorro and María Jose examples (Guadalajara province) are allowing kaolin mining to be compatible with the preservation of protected areas at the edge of the Upper Tagus Natural Park (UTNP), in highly vulnerable conditions for water erosion. The Campredó case (Tarragona province) shows an agreement between a mining company, the academia, and the Catalonian Agency ofWater, to combine a high standard of geomorphic reclamation with solving problems caused by flooding downstream of a clay mining area. Finally, the Nuria example is also located at the UTNP area; the goals here are to stabilize a large landslide in a waste dump and to minimize the risk of occurrence of flash floods from mining ponds. Additional information on these examples and about the state of art of the Geomorphic Reclamation practice in Spain can be found at http://www.restauraciongeomorfologica.es.Peer reviewe

Reconstrucción geomorfológica en la restauración minera de la cantera: Los Quebraderos de la Serrana de Toledo

En este artículo se describen los aspectos fundamentales de un Plan de Restauración. Se explican las actuaciones realizadas en el caso concreto de la cantera los Quebraderos de la Serrana (Noez, Toledo). Primero se realiza una reconstrucción geomorfológica, para después proponer un diseño de explotación y restauración que compatibiliza la obtención de aglomerado asfáltico, con la conservación del águila imperial. Al final de este artículo se llega concluye que deberían realizarse este tipo de actuaciones frente a la mera corrección 32 del impacto visual

Geomorphic reclamation for reestablishment of landform stability at a watershed scale in mined sites: The Alto Tajo Natural Park, Spain

This research describes a geomorphic-based process of mining reclamation carried out at the El Machorro mine (at the edge of the Alto Tajo Natural Park, East Central Spain) and its monitoring for five years (2012–2017). The GeoFluv™ method implemented by the Natural Regrade software has been used to design small watersheds as a mining reclamation topographical solution. The procedure included: (i) finding a suitable reference area with stable landforms and acquiring inputs from them; (ii) designing two first-order stream watersheds; (iii) building the planned landscape; and (iv) monitoring the hydrological and erosive – sedimentary response of the reclaimed watersheds. This process is in itself a contribution to global advancement of reclamation best practices, because there are very few geomorphic-based mining reclamation examples, and even fewer that include their multi-annual monitoring. Sediment yields were obtained comparing Digital Elevation Models (DEM) acquired by Total Station (TS), Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), differential Global Positioning System (GPS) and topographic reconstructions (interpretations). An H-flume with turbidity and water pressure sensors allowed quantifying runoff and suspended sediment. Sediment yield progressively decreased with time attaining a current low value (4.02 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Water discharge and suspended sediment concentration have also decreased with time. Initially, high sediment yield values were obtained. They are interpreted as being triggered by grading errors that deviated from the design, so that runoff adjusted construction irregularities during that period by erosion and sedimentation. After those adjustments, the reclamation surface became more reflective of the design and the resulting surface remained very ‘stable’. The deduction is that the geomorphic-based reclamation has re-established an approximate steady-state or dynamic equilibrium, where hydrological and erosive – sedimentary functionality operate now at rates comparable to the surrounding natural land. Although further research is required to confirm long-term stability, geomorphic reclamation appears as an efficient mining reclamation alternative solution to the traditional approach of gradient terraces and downdrains, which require frequent and costly maintenance, in the highly erodible setting of the Alto Tajo Natural Park surroundings, as well as in most open pit mines.This study was funded by: (i) Research Project CGL2010-21754-C02-01 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Economy); (ii) the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Castile – La Mancha through its so-called “Fondos Verdes” (Green Funding); (iii) the research contract 249/2015 between Caobar and UCM; (iv) the Ecological Restoration Network REMEDINAL-3 of the Madrid Community (S2013/MAE-2719); (v) the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) for Ph.D. Grant JAE-Predoc to Ignacio Zapico.Peer reviewe

Reconstrucción geomorfológica en la restauración minera de la cantera Los Quebraderos de la Serrana de Toledo

En este artículo se describen los aspectos fundamentales de un Plan de Restauración. Se explican las actuaciones realizadas en el caso concreto de la cantera los Quebraderos de la Serrana (Noez, Toledo). Primero se realiza una reconstrucción geomorfológica, para después proponer un diseño de explotación y restauración que compatibiliza la obtención de aglomerado asfáltico, con la conservación del águila imperial. Al final de este artículo se llega concluye que deberían realizarse este tipo de actuaciones frente a la mera corrección del impacto visual.Peer reviewe

Geomorphologic and Habitats Reconstruction at the Reclamation Plan of the "Los Quebraderos de la Serrana Quarry" (Toledo)

Comunicación presentada en: VI Congreso Nacional de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental: Responsabilidad, Vigilancia, Eficacia (VI CONEIA), Albacete, abril 2011.Este trabajo forma parte del Estudio de Impacto Ambiental y del Plan de Restauración de la cantera "Los Quebraderos de la Serrana", situada en el término municipal de Noez (Toledo), desarrollados en el marco de un contrato de investigación entre la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y la empresa Construcciones Lozoya. Además, este trabajo representa una contribución a los proyectos de investigación REMEDINAL 2 (S2009AMB-1 783) y Mejora de la eficiencia ecológica y económica de las restauraciones mineras mediante reconstrucciones geomorfológicas que favorecen el control hidrológico (CGL201 0-21754-C02-01), este último financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.Peer reviewe