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Neutral and slightly alkaline arable soils from the vicinity of the former and the biggest metallurgical plant in southeastern Europe were analyzed for the status of the water soluble pool of heavy metals in 1–20% w/w biochar (BC)-amended contaminated soils. Heavy metal solubility was monitored over a 6-month period. The metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ba) exhibited significant relationships between each other and exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) in surface waters for domestic and drinking purposes. In most of the investigated sites and BC treatments, metal concentrations decreased with time due to the transfer to more resistant soil pools. Cation exchange capacity, exchangeable Ca and pH increased after BC application, while electrical conductivity decreased. BC amendment led to the prevalence of humic acids (HAs) over fulvic acids (FAs) and increased the fraction of refractory organic carbon. The share of metal–organic complexes increased for the metals Zn, Cd, Mn and Ba in the BC-amended soils, and the share of free Me2+ species decreased. This trend was especially pronounced in the soils with the lowest pH of 6.4–6.9. In addition to improving soil physicochemical and ecochemical properties, biochar application contributed to metal species in solutions that were less mobile and bioavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In small settlements, collectors for the sludge produced during water treatment processes are small-sized and located in the vicinity of drinking water storage reservoirs or in coastal areas. Sludge removal is not economical. Besides, the relief depressions formed after sludge disposal are required to be reclaimed. In ore mining regions, where the main settlements of the Urals are located, sludge produced in water treatment has high contents of heavy metals typical of ore mining provinces. Consequently, places of sludge accumulation are potential sources of water pollution. The article discusses the possibility to mix sludge with slaked lime and local overburden with the help of special equipment. So far water treatment sludge in the region has been used to reclaim the surface of solid waste landfills by creating anaerobic conditions for waste decomposition. When placed inside the embankment dams as an independent object, sludge needs to be improved for the increase of its bearing capacity and the ability to bind heavy metals. The article aims at the substantiation of the composition and properties of the reclamation material made of the water treatment sludge mixed with local overburden and slaked lime (technosoil). For this reason the paper describes the composition of the sludge in a sludge collector, the composition and properties of the overburden rocks as a component of the mixtures with water treatment sludge, the composition and properties of the mixtures of water treatment sludge with overburden rocks and Ca(OH)2 as a component dewatering sludge and neutralizing toxicants. Furthermore, the research work provides the technology created for the optimal processing of the water treatment sludge in the process of the reclamation of a sludge collector. The research results and the experience obtained in reclamation of disturbed lands in the region have confirmed the possible use of technosoil for the reclamation of small-capacity sludge collectors. The analysis of the chemical composition and physical and mechanical properties of the mixtures under study has shown that the most economical and environmentally sound reclamation material is a mixture of water treatment sludge, loose overburden dump soils and Ca(OH)2 in a ratio of 60 : 30 : 10 %.

The wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry was applied to determine Na, Mg, Al, P, S, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Pb concentrations in the needles of dwarfish spruce Picea canadensis conica and the blue prickly spruce Picea pungens glauca, as well in technogenic soil of Irkutsk city, in which these spruce species grow. All measurements were performed in vacuum using WDXRF spectrometer S8 TIGER produced by Bruker AXS, Germany. The calculated values of instrumental limit of detection (ILD) ranged from 0.5 for Ni to 67 mg/kg for Al for soil certified reference materials (CRMs) such as OOKO151 (light chestnut soil) and from 0.2 for Cu and Ni to 18–24 mg/kg for Na for the plant CRMs such as LB‐1 (birch leaf) and EC‐1 (Canadian waterweed). The repeatability is satisfactory. The values of relative standard deviations (RSDs) do not exceed 15% for soils and available plant material. With calculated T‐statistics, it was found that the WDXRF data do not contain systematic errors. The values of relative discrepancy for WDXRF, total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry, and atomic emission spectrometry with arc discharge (d.c. arc‐AES) results do not exceed 30% for studied elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of sowing cereal-legume mixtures and application of mineral fertilizers on technozem created after the liquidation of the tailing dump of the Dzhida Tungsten-Molybdenum Works (Republic of Buryatia) on the change of trace element concentrations in plants and formation of sod limiting the spread of pollutants and reducing environmental risks was assessed. The content of total and mobile forms of some trace elements in the upper loamy sand layer of technozem was higher than in the background soil, exceeded the median background for the soils of Transbaikalia and in some cases the maximum permissible concentrations, and was characterized as moderately hazardous by the coefficient of total contamination (Zc = 18.8); the lower loamy layer was nonhazardous (Zc = 4). It was revealed that the application of fertilizers reduced the concentration of trace elements and their accumulation coefficients in plants. According to the intensity of biological uptake, most of the elements in the aboveground phytomass belonged to the group of medium capture; in the underground phytomass, to the group of medium and intense uptake, which indicates its phytostabilization role. Bioproductivity of cereal–legume mixtures in the control was low. Fertilizer application increased the bioproductivity of the mixtures year to the moderate level on the second year and to the high level on the third year; the dense sod layer fixing the surface and contributing to the increase in the soil organic matter content in comparison with its initial amount was formed on the fourth year. The results of this study can be applied in remediation works on overburden dumps with the creation of technozems for phytostabilization and initiation of organic matter accumulation in these soils by sowing high-yielding perennial herbs and applying mineral fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article substantiates the possibility of obtaining composite materials with improved functional properties to strengthen the subgrade, containing technogenic soil stabilized by an additive based on a gelling polymer. The introduction of technogenic soils into composites will not only reduce the consumption of expensive materials, but also solve a complex of acute environmental problems. Composite materials can be used in the construction of structural layers of road pavements, foundations of buildings and structures, sites for various purposes, for the prevention and elimination of defects in the foundations of engineering structures during their construction, reconstruction and repair, including in permafrost areas. Stabilized technogenic soils are more durable, frost-resistant and waterproof, which makes them applicable for creating impervious curtains in hydraulic structures and sealing storage facilities for hazardous substances. The cryogenic effect on a composite material allows one to vary its properties within a wide range and modify its macroporous structure. Studying the process of structure formation of the resulting organic-inorganic materials, consisting of macromolecules of high-molecular substances and inorganic inclusions that have undergone cryogenic treatment, will make it possible to specifically regulate their performance characteristics. The best values of strength characteristics were obtained for samples with a stabilizing additive concentration of 100 g/l. The resulting composite materials are hydrophobic, frost-resistant, characterized by a compressive strength of 2.3–6.5 MPa and a thermal conductivity of 0.19–0.20 W/(m·K). Data from differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry and IR spectroscopy revealed that the binding of mineral particles by a stabilizing additive occurs due to the formation of organomineral complexes with the participation of clay minerals and the restructuring of hydration shells. SEM data indicate that crystallinity zones formed due to hydrogen bonds of hydroxyl groups of neighboring polymer chains can participate in the formation of the composite structure. An increase in the number of cryogenic treatment cycles promotes additional structuring and strengthening of the polymer phase due to the formation of additional nodes of the supramolecular network, ordering of crystallinity zones and the appearance of compacted areas in the structure. Computed X-ray tomography revealed an increase in the density of the composite upon drying, which helps to increase its strength characteristics. The structure of the sample is characterized by heterogeneity of the pore space, which is characterized by the presence of both fine-porous and large-porous regions, which determines its thermophysical properties.

The aim of this study was to support the use of waste materials formed from a mixture of technogenic soils for growing plants through adding vermicompost leachates. The effect on the growth of underground and above-ground biomass was evaluated on plants of the bush variety of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Three different types of biodegradable waste (apple pomace, matolin, and horse manure) were used in the experiments, from which individual vermicomposts were subsequently produced. The effect of the addition of vermicompost leachates to the soil was manifested in all the statistically evaluated parameters of the bush tomato plants. It was found that the highest values were achieved for the root weight (+2.91 g; p < 0.01) and for the stem (+1.92 g, p < 0.01). The lowest values were observed in the control plants without application of the vermicompost leachates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to support the use of waste materials formed from a mixture of technogenic soils for growing plants through adding vermicompost leachates. The effect on the growth of underground and above-ground biomass was evaluated on plants of the bush variety of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Three different types of biodegradable waste (apple pomace, matolin, and horse manure) were used in the experiments, from which individual vermicomposts were subsequently produced. The effect of the addition of vermicompost leachates to the soil was manifested in all the statistically evaluated parameters of the bush tomato plants. It was found that the highest values were achieved for the root weight (+2.91 g; p < 0.01) and for the stem (+1.92 g, p < 0.01). The lowest values were observed in the control plants without application of the vermicompost leachates.

Coal waste disposal areas demand proper rehabilitation activities because several environmental impacts are related to them, such as acid mine drainage, loss of biohabitats, water pollution, and soil degradation. The most common strategy is to cover them with an impermeable layer followed by a new soil layer as soon as possible, while maximizing plant growth and avoiding water and wind erosion. This study examines the possibility of transforming coal waste itself into a substrate for plant growth, namely technosol, assuming its own use for progressive rehabilitation and revegetation of waste deposits. The coal waste is amended with other residues in an integrated waste management approach: rice husk ash, steel slag, and sewage sludge to adjust physical structure, pH, and nutrient availability, respectively. The raw material composition, fertility, metals bioavailability, plant growth, and nutrients in plant tissue are analyzed after successive growth of lopsided oats (Avena strigosa) and maize (Zea mays). The results show that coal waste allows a fertile plant substrate after being amended in accordance to experimental conditions. The soil metal concentration is found to fall within the limits of natural variation for soils in the study area and nutrients in plant tissue are found to be consistent with lopsided oats and maize standards. The proposed waste mixture results in a technosol capable of adequately promoting plant growth, that is, it is a potential resource to accelerate revegetation and natural succession in coal waste disposal areas.

In the studied region, vast land areas are influenced by construction and operation of large linear facilities, such as oil-gas pipelines, power lines, motor roads and railways. In the areas along and inside the construction right-of-way zones, considerable changes occur in landscapes, microclimate conditions, hydrological features of water bo­dies, and geological engineering characteristics of the rocks. Furthermore, anthropogenic soil materials are produced. In our study, such materials are termed ‘man-made / technogenic soils’, which means the soil material displaced during stripping operations in the areas allocated for construction of linear objects, and the soil material resulting from coal mining and quarrying. The above-mentioned changes in the geological environment lead to intensive exogenous geodynamic processes (EGP) taking place during construction and in the first years of the object operation. In areas where such objects are located near and in residential areas, the EGP impact is observed in the zones that have been previously not at all influenced or only slightly affected by EGP. In our comprehensive study aimed at the assessment of the scale of the regional landslide and mudflow processes, the physical and chemical properties of technogenic soils were determined, their mineral and chemical composition was analyzed, and the levels of chemical contamination of the studied soils were estimated. The research results can be used in engineering-geological, construction, hydrometeorological surveys, as well as forecasting the development of EGP and their impact on the territory adjacent to the large linear objects.

The paper presents the results of a three-year trial (2011-2013) on the variability of the yield of dry overhead biomass of the seeding grassland depending on the application of N fertilizer.Three grass-leguminous mixtures and one grass mixture has been researched (total of ten species of grass and leguminose) in the process of the biological phase of the reclamation of the technogenic soil, the type of Deposol. The research has been conducted on the Deposol at internal disposal area for overburden from Raskovac open pit in Stanari coal mine(Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina).The seeded grasslands stand for the significant driving force of pedogenetic processes in new soil reclamation. There are four treatments of doses of N fertilizers in application (N1 144, N2114, N3100 and N4130kg/ha). N fertilizer is used in basic and supplemented grassland nutrition. The application of N fertilizer in the seeded grassland has shown significant variation of dry biomass. The results have varied by years, different compositions and particular cuttings. In 2011 the N effect was lower in the first than in the second cutting. In 2012 and 2013 the N effect was better in the first cutting. The highest effect of N fertilizer is found with the TDS-3 mixture in every research year ( x 1 kg N = 36.32 kg in 2011, x 1 kg N = 97.67 kg in 2012 and x 1 kg N = 115.93 kg of biomass in 2013). The highest effect of 1 kg N on the biomass yield is calculated at TDS mixture at N3 treatment in the first cutting in 2013 (190.12). The lowest effect of 1 kg N on the biomass yield is calculated at the TDS-1 composition at treatment N3 in the first cutting in 2011 (10.00). The better effect is achieved with the smaller dose of N fertilizer. This is the starting point in any future standardization of fertilizers when fertilizing the seeded grasslands in the process of Deposol reclamation.

The article deals with effect the use of organic (biohumus) and mineral (biochar) fertilizers based on the products of chicken vital activity on changing the fertility of technogenic sod-podzolic soils exposed to constant and unstable magnetic fields. The germination and growth dynamics of grasses and onions were investigated. The rational rate of introduction of the studied fertilizers into the technogenic soil is determined. Running (RMF) and direct (DMF) magnetic fields were applied in two ways: with fertilizers added and without fertilizers added. It has been established that the effect of preliminary magnetization of technogenic soil has a significant effect on lawn grass germination and the length of onion feathers, which are more than twice the height when exposed to the RMF, as compared with DMF. The effect of RMF on grass germination was also twice as high for DMF, when fertilizers were added. The DMF magnetization and biohumus helps to increase the grass sprout height by 10-20%. Onion sprouts were higher in two cases: DMF and biohumus; RMF and biochar. The influence of the factor of fertilizer type has a significant effect in 30-40% of cases, whilst at a spread rate of more than 5%, significant chemical activity of biochar negatively affects the germination of both grass and onion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water repellency (soil hydrophobicity) is considered a key mechanism for sequestration of organic carbon. Technogenic soils from mine areas containing clays and irregularly distributed lignitic particles are heterogeneous materials exhibiting small-scale spatial variability of water repellency. Non-vegetated and pine-afforested spoils from the area of Maritsa-Iztok lignite coal basin in Bulgaria were studied. The technogenic soils were characterized by severe to extreme hydrophobicity and heavier texture at the pine-vegetated site, as well as extreme acidity (pH 3-4). Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were carried out, in order to study the simultaneous interaction of soil characteristics and properties with the aim to assess their role in the overall data variability in the process of data reduction to several unrelated components. The PCA was based on twelve factors: WDPT, sand, silt and clay contents, hygroscopic moisture, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (total organic carbon TOC, humic organic carbon HOC and fulvic organic carbon, FOC), total nitrogen (N) and mineral nitrogen (MN) and electrical conductivity (EC). Three principle components were identified with eigenvalue > 1, describing 79% of the total variability. There was a significant positive correlation between WDPT and TOC, HOC, FOC, MN and a negative correlation with the % of hygroscopic moisture. The results obtained indicate that TOC comprised mainly of particulate organic carbon (POC) containing coal particles was significantly correlated with the sand fraction, CEC and MN, and was the main driver of soil water repellency in the studied mine soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studied were metal associations and contamination status of hydrophilic and hydrophobic technogenic soils from the area of Maritsa-Iztok coal mine region in Bulgaria. Four sites with contrasting hydrologic and acidic properties were chosen for investigation. At two of the sites following humus and non-humus reclamation under grass vegetation, soils were hydrophilic. At the other two sites (non-vegetated and pine-vegetated), soils were extremly hydrophobic (water drop penetration time WDPT 10802s - 14440s). The Principle Component (PCA) and cluster analyses performed on the hydrophobic technogenic soils revealed that four principle components were distinguished explaining 80.5% of the total variance of the thirteen variables tested. The first component was loaded by Zn, Co, Ni, Mg and % clay content, implying affiliation of the aforementioned metals to overburden clays, the second by WDPT, Cu, Cr, Fe, organic carbon (OC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) implying affiliation of metals to the organic matrix of the coal and ash, the third, by Mn and Fe, and the fourth by Pb related to other anthropogenic sources. For the hydrophilic Technosols only two principle components were distinguished containing 91% of the total variance of the twelve original variables. Most of the heavy metals and Mg loaded the 1st component as well as the cation exchange capacity (CEC), % clay and OC. Manganese and lead loaded the 2nd component and were not related with rest of the metals, which indicates a different source. In some samples of the hydrophobic Technosols the measured contents of Cu and Pb exceeded the national guidelines for agricultural arable lands. The hydrophobicity of the Technosols seems to be related to the contents of Cu and Cr present in the soil organic matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiyear dynamics of the acid-base parameters and humus characteristics of soddy-podzolic soil affected by main pipeline (MP) construction was studied. Distinctions between the properties of technogenically disturbed soil and soil unaffected by MP construction observed 1, 10, 15, and 30 years after construction have been characterized. The deterioration of physical and chemical properties and clearly displayed features of technogenic degradation of humus have been identified throughout the entire observation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Technogenic soil (technozem) was created on the surface of the former sludge pond of the iron-ore quarry in the course of land rehabilitation. The upper chernozemic layer in the technozem was underlain by sandy or loamy layers. The soil land reclamation constructions were created 20 years ago: the chernozemic 60-cm layer with classical granular fine and medium-size aggregates (1-5mm) was sprinkled on the deep layer of sand. This construction was in agricultural use during the last 20 years. At present, the layers of prismatic coarse peds (>50mm) bounded by flat to rounded vertical faces and columnar, very thick, vertically oriented blocks (>100mm) have been formed at the depths 20-40 and 40-60cm. The water regime of these soils differed from that of the background automorphic natural soils and was characterized by periods of water stagnation at the boundary between the two layers. In the course of 20 years, this type of water regime resulted in the development of a columnar structure in the lower part of the chernozemic layer. The coatings on the ped faces in this part of the profile had an increased content of Fe and Ca ions. There was no differentiation of the carbon of organic substances and carbonates in the soil profile. Field studies of water flows in this soil based on starch label and laboratory experiments on infiltration of salt solutions though the soil columns with determination of breakthrough curves demonstrated the existence of preferential water flows in technozem. Rapid infiltration of water through preferential water paths in chernozemic layer after abundant rainfalls and during the snowmelt season leads to the development of perched water above the textural boundary. This preferential water and matter flows are generated along the faces of the peds and form the perched water layer on the sand. Such kind of water phenomenon with preferential flows and perched water table formation transforms the granular aggregates into columnar blocks by the temporary gleyzation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Green roofs have received much attention in recent years due to their ability to retain rainwater, increase urban diversity, and mitigate climate change in cities. This interdisciplinary study was carried out on three historical green roofs covering bunkers in Wrocław, located in southwestern Poland. It presents the results of a three-year investigation of the water storage of these roofs. The study also presents soil conditions and spontaneous vegetation after their functioning for over 100 years. The soils covering the bunkers are made of sandy, sandy-loam, and loamy-sand deposits. This historical construction ensures good drainage and runoff of rainwater, and is able to absorb torrential rainfall ranging from 100 to 150 mm. It provides suitable conditions for vegetation growth, and forest communities with layers formed there. In their synanthropic flora, species of European deciduous forests dominate, which are characteristic of fresh or moist and eutrophic soils with a neutral reaction. Some invasive species, such as Robinia pseudoacacia, Padus serotina, and Impatiens parviflora, also occur with high abundance. Nowadays, historical green roofs on fortifications, although they have lost their primary military role, are of historical and natural value. These roofs can promote the nonmilitary functions of historical fortifications in order to strengthen the ties between nature and heritage. Protecting and monitoring historical green roofs should be included in the elements of the process of sustainable development and the conservation of these structures in order to mitigate climate change in the outskirts of the city. For this, it is necessary to ensure proper conservational protection, which, in addition to maintaining the original structure, profiles, and layout of the building, should include protection of their natural value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]