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Tailing from mining activities affects soil fertility resulting in poor soil conditions that are challenging for plants to grow. Plants can interact with rhizosphere bacteria to enhance their growth in harsh environments. Rhizospheric bacteria possess numerous mechanisms that promote plant growth and induced resistance to various abiotic stress. This study aims to determine the diversity of rhizobacteria and their potential as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) agents. Bacterial communities from rhizosphere soil samples from kaolin mining sites in Perawas, Tanjung Pandan district, Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Island, Indonesia were analyzed using Next Generation Sequencing based on the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, while culturable bacteria were isolated from samples and screened for PGP activity. The results showed that the rhizosphere bacterial community was mostly dominated by Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteria, and Verrumicrobiota. There were 15 bacteria isolated from the sample and RKB-5 bacterial isolate had the potential to be PGP agent. The RKB-5 bacterial isolate was identified as Burkholderia cenocepacia based on its 16S rRNA sequence. The bacterial isolate produced IAA, utilized ACC, dissolved phosphate up to 209,5 mg/L, and formed a high potassium solubilizer index value of 5.00. Therefore, the B. cenocepacia RKB-5 has potential application as the PGPR to support plants growth by obtaining nutrients in ex-mining lands with poor soil conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As our crowded and warming world continues moving away from fossil fuels such as coal, we are increasingly attempting to transform the landscapes damaged by mining into beneficial, appealing and valuable new uses. The post-mining transformation involves many dilemmas, often arouses land use conflicts and can reproduce environmental injustices. In the background of conflicts are diverging preferences for post-mining land uses from the perspective of various stakeholders. This paper examines key issues and dilemmas in post-mining transformation, including terminological inconsistencies, technical reclamation versus natural succession, heritage preservation choices, authenticity concerns, and success criteria issues. The underlying question we ask is: What is the future use of the coal energy landscape; that is, what should or could come next? To address this question, we provide a comprehensive literature review and an analysis of a sample of 28 case studies of good practice projects of reclamation or regeneration (i. e., recycling) coal mining landscapes from the Czech Republic. This study is distinctive in its comprehensive scope, analyzing a diverse range of recycling projects from surface mining landscapes to urban post-mining brownfields, with extensive analysis and findings. While the criteria of transparency and legitimacy of projects are essential for applying the principles of just transition, the criteria of efficiency and sustainability prove to be key measures of success according to which differences between projects appear in the longer term. The efficiency and sustainability are significantly associated with the multifunctionality of recycled landscapes and places and seasonality of their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effectiveness of regulations governing reclamation obligations by Mining Business License (IUP) and Special Mining Business License (IUPK) holders in the context of post-mining environmental restoration. Despite the existence of various regulations, there are still legal loopholes and overlapping regulations that hinder effective reclamation implementation. This research uses a normative juridical approach by analyzing existing legal norms, as well as a conceptual approach to explore legal concepts related to reclamation and corporate social responsibility. The results show that many companies do not fulfill their reclamation obligations due to weak law enforcement, lack of quantity and quality of supervision, and unclear regulations. In addition, community participation in the reclamation process is minimal. To address these issues, the study recommends a series of reforms, including increasing the number and quality of mine inspectors, implementing technology in supervision, and stricter and more consistent enforcement of legal sanctions. The development of realistic reclamation plans and community participation in the reclamation process are also a key focus. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive reforms in regulations and law enforcement mechanisms to ensure IUP and IUPK holders' compliance with reclamation obligations, which in turn will support environmental restoration and the welfare of affected communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining, an activity that dates to the earliest stages of human civilization, has played a vital role in fulfilling human requirements for an extended period of time. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that this particular activity accounts for a significant proportion, ranging from 4% to 7% of the overall world greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions mostly consist of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxides, which are released because of fuel burning, on-site energy generation, and many other sources. The mining industry, as a constituent of industrial process and product use (IPPU) sector in Thailand, makes a substantial contribution to these emissions. Thailand is now engaged in the implementation of carbon sequestration strategies, specifically focusing on the reclamation and replanting of post-mining zones. This initiative aims to tackle the various issues associated with small-scale operations within the country's mining sector. The objective of this study is to analyse the carbon sequestration potential of Thailand's mining area through the utilization of satellite pictures obtained from LANDSAT 8 OLI and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. This study assesses the present carbon storage capacity, establishes the appropriate carbon pricing, and investigates the potential for reforestation in mining areas inside the nation. Based on the findings, it is evident that the northern region of Thailand has the most substantial potential for carbon sequestration, mostly due to the presence of vegetated land. Furthermore, it is projected that the overall carbon sequestration capacity in Thailand will amount to 14.68 MtCO2e in 2023 and 28.02 MtCO2e in 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration is moving towards a more mechanistic approach that emphasizes restoration of ecosystem services. Trait-based approaches provide links between species identity and ecosystem functions and have been suggested as a promising way to formally integrate ecosystem services in the design of restoration programs. While practitioners have been routinely using informal knowledge on plant traits in their practices, these approaches are underutilized as operationalization remains challenging. The goal of this paper is to provide guidance for applied scientists and restoration practitioners looking to apply a trait-based approach to restore forest ecosystems. We present a five-step framework: (1) selection of services to be restored, (2) trait selection, (3) data acquisition, (4) analytical planning, and (5) empirical testing and monitoring. We use three Canadian case studies to illustrate the applicability of our framework and the variety of ways trait-based approaches can inform restoration practices: (1) restoration of urban woodlots after an insect outbreak, (2) restoration of a smelter-damaged landscape surrounding an urban area, and (3) reclamation of remote upland forests after oil- and gas-related disturbances. We describe the major mechanisms and traits that determine vegetation effects on ecosystem services of importance in each case study. We then discuss data availability, methodological constraints, comparability issues, analytical methods, and the importance of empirical testing and monitoring to ensure realistic prediction of service restoration. By outlining issues and offering practical information, we aim to contribute to a more robust use of traits in ecological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reclamation of waste rock piles (WRPs) is complex, requiring adaptation of existing mine site reclamation techniques. An alternative approach has been developed for waste rock piles reclamation which involves installing finer materials on the top of waste rock piles. These finer layers (flow control layers—FCLs) redirect water flowing inside the pile toward its slope and limits water infiltration into reactive waste rocks. In the context of sustainable development, a mixture material made with sludge and slag can be used as an FCL in the reclamation of a waste rock pile. To assess the effectiveness of this material, a physical model was used and instrumented with sensors for monitoring volumetric water content and suction and equipped with the following components: (1) a rain simulator; and (2) drains that allow the recovery of water that infiltrates through the system. The physical model was tested with various cover layer thicknesses, inclinations, and precipitation rates. Investigation results showed that the water infiltration across the system was very low, leading to the conclusion that the sludge and slug mixture performed well as a flow control layer in the reclamation of waste rock piles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction, demolition, and renovation industries are among the largest contributors to global carbon emissions and waste. With decreased landfill capacities, increased waste diversion targets, resource shortages, and the recognition that material waste is critical to climate change, diverting demolition waste is now a significant priority in waste management. Deconstructing a structure and reusing its building components can significantly reduce the environmental burdens imposed. However, to optimize the reuse of building materials and components for their environmental, societal, and economical benefits, the reclamation procedure must be undertaken in a more rational and robust manner. There are currently gaps in frameworks and tools that involve the assessment of reusable building components in demolition projects. This paper develops a reclamation framework to assess the viability of recovering and reusing building components. The framework first describes a process for conducting a technical audit and uses an assessment tool to suggest a level of deconstruction based on the physical parameters of the building circumstances. The framework complements this initial outcome by then assessing additional comprehensive parameters, such as the cost, the heritage value, and the available timeframe to arrive at a suggested outcome of actions, which can range from complete demolition and basic material recovery to deliberately removing salvageable items. The framework is then applied to an older, detached office building as a conceptual case study for demonstration. The recommended level of deconstruction appears appropriate based on the visual assessment of the structure. The result of this paper promotes the circular economy and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by presenting a notably more insightful and guided approach to capturing deconstruction waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1980s, the robust economic growth of China has prompted extensive land reclamation projects along its coastline, notably affecting local hydrodynamics and resulting in ecological repercussions. Using a nearshore finite volume ocean model, we constructed a hydrodynamic model for Shacheng Bay, a southeastern coastal region with a winding and narrow entrance. We examined the hydrodynamic changes and mangrove dynamics over the past 36 years and the relationship between hydrodynamic alterations and mangrove degradation. Simulation results reveal that extensive reclamation projects between 1984 and 2000 weakened the current in Shacheng Bay, leading to decreased water exchange capacity and a significant reduction in mangrove area from 0.3 to 0.06 km2. During this period, over 37% of mangrove degradation was ascribed to time-changing hydrodynamic variables without the direct influence of land reclamation. The results also highlight the changes in local hydrodynamics and water exchange patterns that adversely influenced mangrove growth. From 2000 to 2020, there were minimal coastline changes in Shacheng Bay, demonstrating reduced land reclamation activities. This stopped the further weakening trend of the currents, with a slight increase during ebb tides, while the residual current continued to weaken due to the decreasing tidal prism and water exchange capacity. The mangrove area partially recovered during this period, expanding from 0.06 to 0.11 km2, predominantly in new areas instead of where mangroves disappeared from 1984 to 2000. This work underlines the intricate relationship between land reclamation, hydrodynamics, and mangrove ecosystems, underscoring the need for sustainable coastal development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional ecological reclamation measurements and assessments for the grassland areas damaged by open-pit mining often fall short in revealing the dynamics of plant communities affected by environmental filters during reconstruction, making reclamation efforts crucial. The trait-based community framework has been widely applied due to its great potential to predict the restoration process and provide insight into its mechanisms, but how the traits and environmental factors interact to form communities over time is still uncertain. Therefore, to make this process clear, we used the trait-based community framework, defining target species, non-target species, and common grass species, examining how the mix seed sowing and environment (two surface-covering materials applied to mine dump) affect re-vegetation composition, diversity, and functional traits in 14 years. Four treatments were tested: bio-fence surface-covering materials + sowing (BFS), plant-barrier surface-covering materials + sowing (PBS), sowing without any surface-covering materials (SOW), and a control without seeding and covering (CK). Natural grassland sites were regarded as reference (REF). Our findings indicated that the mix seed sowing and the interaction of surface-covering and time were primarily driving the dynamics of the plant community, affecting composition, the value of diversity, coverage, numbers, richness, and functional traits, such as the community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional diversity (FD), which increased and approached the sites REF. There were significant differences between the treatments and CK for the most traits. Although several results in the treatments approached the REF, significant differences still remained in the last observation year. With the sowing and surface-covering treatment, the re-built communities became more resource-acquisitive in terms of the CWM traits; even the value of the specific leaf area (SLA) exceed the REF after 14 years reclamation. We found those communities were dominated by target species that had a higher traits value than the non-target species, while the CK treatment became more resource-conservative over time due to non-target species dominating. The CWM in treatments tended toward reference levels for specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and root dry matter content (RDMC), but not for seed mass (SM), thereby indicating that the above- and below-ground productivity of restored sites gradually overcame abiotic (surface-covering) and biotic (sowing) filters and approached target values. The functional diversity (FD) generally increased, with higher multivariate functional dispersion in the treatments containing more target species, suggesting that re-built communities achieve more resistance to invasion and disturbance over time. Hence, the trajectory of species and communities changing highlights the effectiveness of a trait-based approach in identifying better reclamation treatments and candidate species and provides a positive outlook for future re-vegetation community succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fly ash does not contain organic matter to initiate soil-forming processes and the proper development of plant cover. Therefore, in the reclamation of fly ash landfills, an integrated approach is required, including the introduction of exogenous organic matter into the top layer of ash. This study assessed changes in the content and quality of organic matter in soils developing on a reclaimed fly ash landfill. This study included reclaimed areas without the introduction of EOM (RV_1—the direct introduction of plants) and with the introduction of EOM (RV_2—surface humus and RV_3—sewage sludge). In samples taken 15 years after reclamation, the contents of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), the fractional composition of organic matter, the susceptibility of organic matter to oxidation, and soil carbon management indices (carbon pool index (CPI), C lability (L), lability index (LI), and carbon management index (CMI)) were determined. The study results showed that the use of EOM in the reclamation of the ash dump significantly increased the content and improved the quality parameters of organic matter and thus influenced the initiation of the process of organic matter accumulation. In RV_1 soil, the accumulation of carbon resources was only found in the topsoil. An increase in carbon resources in the 15–40 cm layer was only noted in the variants in which EOM was introduced (RV_2 and RV_3). Carbon management indices showed that organic matter transformations covered only the top layers of these soils and were closely related to the EOM inflow. The interdependence of the CPI and L was most beneficial in the soil reclaimed with sewage sludge. In the soil of this reclaiming variant, the CMI had a value above 100, which indicates the initiation of the soil-forming process. Significant differences between the assessed reclamation variants were confirmed by means of PCA based on organic matter quality indicators. The organic matter content and quality indicators were the most favorable in the soil of variant RV_3. The obtained results confirmed that the introduction of EOM into the top layer of fly ash has a beneficial effect on the accumulation and quality indicators of organic matter and thus on the development of the soil-forming process in Technosols developing on a reclaimed fly ash landfill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to topical issues of ensuring measures for restoration of agricultural land. The article notes that in recent years there has been a further deterioration in the quality of agricultural land. It is emphasized that the aggravation of the crisis phenomena regarding the current state of land is largely due to the hostilities in the country. The article analyses new types of soil degradation that have become widespread as a result of Russian military aggression. The article focuses on the fact that agricultural land is subject to the greatest degradation compared to other categories of land. It is established that there are preliminary and basic legal measures for land restoration. It is substantiated that preliminary land restoration measures include: application of mineral fertilisers, bio-fertilisers; washing of saline soils, their irrigation; planting of trees, sowing of herbaceous plants. Attention is paid to the introduction of crop rotation, which is an important measure for restoring agricultural land. The article also examines the responsibilities of land owners and users in the field of land restoration. Based on the results of the analysis of legislation, it is proved that the main organisational and legal measures for the restoration of agricultural land are as follows: reclamation of disturbed lands, conservation of degraded, low-productive and technogenically polluted lands, and land reclamation of lands with disturbed water regime. It is stated that the implementation of the above measures has received proper legal support. The author highlights the considerations that today land restoration measures are being implemented, which have not received proper legal support. The author examines the peculiarities of implementation of bioremediation (divided into two types: biostimulation and bioaugmentation), phytoremediation based on the use of properties of certain plant species, and de toxification of contaminated land. The author makes proposals for improving land legislation by legislating such land restoration measures as bioremediation, phytoremediation, land detoxificatio n and environmental requirements for their implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring reclaimed landfills is essential for ensuring their stability and monitoring the regularity of facility settlement. Insufficient recognition of the magnitude and directions of these changes can lead to serious damage to the body of the landfill (landslides, sinkholes) and, consequently, threaten the environment and the life and health of people near landfills. This study focuses on using UAV photogrammetry to monitor geometric changes in reclaimed landfills. This approach highlights the advantages of UAVs in expanding the monitoring and providing precise information critical for decision-making in the reclamation process. This study presents the result of annual photogrammetry measurements at the Słabomierz–Krzyżówka reclaimed landfill, located in the central part of Poland. The Multiscale Model to Model Cloud Comparison (M3C2) algorithm was used to determine deformation at the landfill. The results were simultaneously compared with the landfill's reference (angular–linear) measurements. The mean vertical displacement error determined by the photogrammetric method was ±2.3 cm. The results showed that, with an appropriate measurement methodology, it is possible to decide on changes in geometry reliably. The collected 3D data also gives the possibility to improve the decision-making process related to repairing damage or determining the reclamation direction of the landfill, as well as preparing further development plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cobalt-containing products of an enterprise were selected as the object of this study. The separation effect of Cyanex 272 on Zn and Co was studied through a pilot test. The results showed that Cyanex 272 had a high extraction rate for Zn at pH 3–3.4, up to 99.8%. The extracted Zn2+ was enriched in the organic phase, and the Zn2+ in the organic phase was extracted back into the aqueous phase in the stripping stage by adding strong acid. Addition amounts of strong acid of 50 g·L−1, 80 g·L−1, and 100 g·L−1 were set. The results showed that the addition amounts of 80 g·L−1 and 100 g·L−1 could significantly reduce the pH of the back-extraction solution and effectively enrich Zn2+ in the solution. There was a large amount of Zn2+ in the back-extraction solution, which could be used twice to prepare zinc carbonate products through neutralization and precipitation. By comparing the extraction effect, economic cost, and resource loss under different strong acid addition amounts, it was found that the 80 g·L−1 strong acid addition amount was more suitable for the actual production process. This study provides data support and practical evidence for the selection of industrial extraction process parameters for Zn2+ separation in actual cobalt products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land reclamations often demand large quantities of fill materials. However, many countries commonly engaged in land reclamation are facing an escalating scarcity of natural fill sources. To address this issue, this study proposes a sustainable land reclamation approach that involves dredged marine sediments as fill materials. The dredged marine sediments are improved by a combined method that incorporates the use of horizontal drains with vacuum preloading for preliminary soil treatment and vertical drains with vacuum preloading for further improvement. A field trial has been designed and conducted to verify the performance of the proposed preliminary treatment of marine sediment slurry using prefabricated horizontal drains (PHDs) and vacuum preloading under a "membrane-free" condition. Field measurements, including settlement, pore pressure, effective earth pressure, vacuum pressure, water content, and undrained shear strength, were systematically recorded during the field trial period. After a four-month treatment, the average water content of the filled soil was slightly below 50%, which is one-third of the initial water content. Owing to the combined effect of the vacuum preloading and drying process, a crust layer with the undrained shear strength of 40 kPa was formed on the top of the treated soil. Below the crust layer, the average undrained shear strength of the treated marine deposits was approximately 32 kPa. Overall, the notable effect of using PHDs and the "membrane-free" vacuum preloading method to rapidly consolidate marine deposits slurry has been successfully demonstrated with field monitoring under the site trial condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal changes in China, notably in the Zhoushan Islands, have primarily been driven by coastal reclamation since the establishment of New China. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the Zhoushan Archipelago shoreline spanning four decades, employing remote sensing, aerial photographs, and shoreline data since 1984, along with GIS (Geographic Information System) technology. We assessed shoreline changes using the shoreline change index and shoreline artificialization index, as well as examined the influence of the Yangtze River's suspended sediment and impoldering activities on Zhoushan's shoreline. Furthermore, the correlation between local economic development and shoreline development was explored. The results revealed the following key findings: (1) From 1984 to 2018, the Zhoushan Archipelago shoreline decreased by 7.05 km. Temporally, the shoreline change index was −0.08%, with the most significant reduction occurring between 2008 and 2018. Spatially, differences among island groups were not pronounced. (2) The shoreline diversity index consistently increased, indicating greater diversity and complexity in shoreline use over the four decades. (3) The shoreline artificiality index steadily rose, particularly after 2000. It was highest in the south, followed by the center, and lowest in the north. (4) The intensity index of coastal land use continuously increased, with the southern island group having a higher index compared to the Zhoushan Islands. (5) The Yangtze River contributed significantly to sand inflow, influencing shoreline changes and beach shaping in Zhejiang. However, reclamation projects were identified as the primary and direct factor. (6) A positive correlation existed between Zhoushan City's economic development and the intensity of coastal land use. This study emphasized the need for improving the control over reclamation projects and the better management of coastal protection and use. These measures could optimize resource allocation and establish a more scientific and rational coastal zone pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal bore dynamics in estuarine environments are influenced by both natural hydrological changes and human activities, such as coastal reclamation. This study focuses on the Qiantang River estuary, assessing the impacts of runoff variations and reclamation on tidal bores over the past five decades. By employing statistical and time-frequency methods, including the Mann–Kendall test, ordered clustering, and wavelet analysis, the relationships between tidal bore height, river discharge, and reclamation activities are examined. The results indicate that increased freshwater discharge reduces bore intensity over short timescales of 0.3 to 1.2 years, while decreased runoff amplifies it. Over longer periods of 4.1 to 8.3 years, a positive correlation emerges, with changes in runoff preceding variations in tidal bore height. Coastal reclamation, particularly the narrowing of channels, has significantly reduced the bore height at Yanguan, especially in the years following the 2000s. Additionally, the long-term interactions of other factors influencing tidal bores are explored. These findings reveal a delayed estuarine response to human modifications, highlighting the necessity of long-term monitoring and adaptive management strategies to mitigate these impacts. The study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of natural and human factors, offering guidance for future estuarine management and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The French Flemish Coastal Plain, which extends from Denmark to France, is characterised by a topography close to sea level and protected by a system of coastal dunes. Quaternary sediments, comprised of marine, estuarine and continental deposits, accumulated by infilling and then prograding above a network of incised valleys. This study focusses on the Holocene infill of the Denna palaeoestuary, south‐west to Dunkerque. Surface geophysics (electrical conductivity and ground‐penetrating radar) and vibrocore data are used to reconstruct the landscape evolution during the last stages of sedimentation. The conductivity map highlights the last network of tidal channels, ditches and dikes of the eastern side of the palaeoestuary. Over the upper 4 m of the infill, the ground‐penetrating radar profiles show two superimposed units. The bottom unit is composed of meandering channel bars and the top unit of flat strata intersected by sparse channels, mostly infilled in place. The sediment analysis of the vibrocores shows a predominantly sandy filling of marine to estuarine origin, evidenced by sponge spicules and a fauna of bivalves and foraminifera adapted to brackish settings. The uppermost deposit exhibits an oxidation profile which marks the groundwater zone transition. Clayey sediments are also present, infilling the uppermost channels and ditches dug during reclamation, in increasing proportions towards the axis of the estuarine palaeovalley. The tidal signature of sedimentary dynamics is evidenced by heterolithic facies in some channel fills and tidal rhythmites infilling scour depressions linked to dike breaching. The abrupt decrease in channel dynamics across the unit boundary, although sedimentation remained sandy in the upper unit, coincides with the development of embankment of the estuarine border and is tentatively interpreted as a result of reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine rock dumps belong to the category of landscape technogenic neoplasms and represent a complex of anthropogenically transformed natural components. Rock dumps cause some damage to the environment due to the withdrawal of agricultural land from use, emissions of gorenje products, dust particles, flushing of pollutants, soil salinization, erosion of slopes. The main optimal measure to reduce the impact of rock dumps on the environment for Donbass is the biological reclamation of their surface. It is based on mandatory continuous environmental monitoring, which represents a set of observations of the current state and forecasting of further changes in: the state of atmospheric air, surface waters, radiation conditions, soil conditions, flora, fauna and public health in the territory of a landscape technogenic neoplasm and adjacent areas. The use of the principles of environmental monitoring will help to stabilize the landscape technogenic neoplasm as an ecosystem and contribute to the sustainable development of Donbass as an industrial region. The work carried out monitoring of the state of the green spaces of the rock dump sh. 5/6 named after. Dimitrov, located within the city of Donetsk, DPR. An inventory of green spaces and the landscaping object itself was carried out, an assessment of the effectiveness of reclamation measures was carried out, the average degree of disturbance of vegetation cover on the rock dump was determined. The results of studies of the state of the stand of a rock dump using a visual assessment scale are presented. A visual assessment of the following diagnostic signs of OCD was carried out: crown density, the presence of dead branches on the trunk and the degree of damage to the leaves by toxicants, pathogens and insects (the average area of necrosis, chlorosis and overeating).

The analysis of the practice for regulating the use of dumps of soils and subsoils in the Russian Federation is carried out. It is shown that the existing regulations do not meet modern requirements for the protection and rational use of dumps of soils and subsoils. The absence of a unified recycling approach has been revealed. In some regulatory documents, dumps of soils and subsoils are considered as material for the reclamation of disturbed lands, in others – as industrial waste. Disagreement with the practice of classifying all dumps of soils and subsoils as waste of hazard classes 3–5 and subject to export to special polygons is justified. Disposal of such waste materials is administratively or criminally punishable. This approach to the material of soil excavation causes great harm to both the economy and the environment as a whole. It is proposed to change the practice of irrational use of soil and subsoil dump material and make appropriate changes to regulatory documents. One of such changes may be the introduction of the gradation “environmentally safe waste” into the documents on the definition of the hazard class of waste, with the prescription for the use of soil and subsoil dumps belonging to this category without restrictions on use in the national economy. It is proposed to clarify the magnitude of the soil thickness (soil layer) of 5 m, including the maximum depth of occurrence of fertile soil layer and potentially fertile layer. This value corresponds to the accepted stratigraphic rule on the general regularity of the structure of the sedimentary shell of the Earth. According to this point of view, soils are underlain by subsurface geological rocks, which does not imply the presence of intermediate geological layers between soils and subsurface.

Barite is one of the critically important minerals in several industries, including the fuel and energy, nuclear, and medical sectors. For decades, its extraction did not require any complex techniques; however, with the depletion of rich barite-bearing veins around the world, the circumstances have changed. While the demand for barite is growing widely, it is necessary to optimize and improve the existing methods for benefication of barite and barite-containing ores, and create new approaches to extracting this mineral, as well as develop technogenic barite deposits accumulated in large quantities during the previous ore production. Dumps and tailings often demonstrate high barite content, while new mining technologies make its extraction cost-efficient. Russian and foreign papers of the last 14 years provide data on the current state of primary and technogenic deposits, areas of barite use and the approaches employed for its benefication. Considering the expansion of the range of barite applications, the growing need for the mineral in the oil and gas industry and the difficulties in developing new barite deposits in Russia, the importance of new approaches to the enrichment of ore tailings in polymetallic deposits is revealed.

Reclamation of coal waste dumps through the establishment of a stable soil and vegetation cover on their surface contributes to the restoration of ecological systems. Therefore, studying the properties of soils in technogenic landscapes is of current importance. The problem of biological reclamation was studied in the Kizel Coal Basin area. The effectiveness of reclamation was evaluated on several sulfide coal waste dumps. The reclamation methods, as well as the period of soil-vegetation cover formation, varied. Agrochemical properties of the dump soils were studied using unified methods. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was calculated based on Sentinel-2 and Landsat 7,8 images. To assess biological activity, phytotesting was used. The lithostrats ranged from slightly acidic to neutral (рН–Н2О = 6.1–6.8); the embryonic soil showed a slightly alkaline reaction (7.9). The embryonic soil, due to the presence of coal particles, had the highest organic matter content (12–7.7%). Depending on the "age" of the soil, the amount of organic matter in the lithostrats varied: for the 7-year-old lithostrat, it ranged from 2.4 to 8.9%, while for the 4-year-old lithostrat, it was less than 1%. The absorption capacity of the lithostrats was similar to that of the background soil. The dump soils were characterized by low levels of nutrients (NPK), with the 4-year-old lithostrat having the lowest N content. The dump soils demonstrated favorable conditions for plant growth, as evidenced by the height and biomass of cress and oats. The calculated NDVI for all dumps ranged from 0.4 to 0.6, indicating the presence of a stable vegetation cover. The implemented reclamation measures proved to be effective.

The reclamation of waste rock piles (WRPs) is complex, requiring adaptation of existing mine site reclamation techniques. An alternative approach has been developed for waste rock piles reclamation which involves installing finer materials on the top of waste rock piles. These finer layers (flow control layers—FCLs) redirect water flowing inside the pile toward its slope and limits water infiltration into reactive waste rocks. In the context of sustainable development, a mixture material made with sludge and slag can be used as an FCL in the reclamation of a waste rock pile. To assess the effectiveness of this material, a physical model was used and instrumented with sensors for monitoring volumetric water content and suction and equipped with the following components: (1) a rain simulator; and (2) drains that allow the recovery of water that infiltrates through the system. The physical model was tested with various cover layer thicknesses, inclinations, and precipitation rates. Investigation results showed that the water infiltration across the system was very low, leading to the conclusion that the sludge and slug mixture performed well as a flow control layer in the reclamation of waste rock piles.

Bauxite mining, a key aluminum production process, can cause environmental degradation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. Reclamation measures like reforestation and water management can restore balance. Red mud, a by-product of alumina production, can enhance soil fertility and plant growth in post-bauxite mining reclamation areas. Its alkalinity and mineral composition reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, promoting sustainable soil management and addressing environmental challenges. This study aimed to examine the impact of red mud on soil characteristics and the growth of plants in areas during bauxite mining land reclamation. This study was conducted in the post-reclamation area of bauxite mining in West Kalimantan. The experiment involved two treatments: red mud application and a species of revegetation plant. Plant species consist of the plants Embeng, Forest Guana, Johar, and Rambutan. The study used a randomized block design with 24 experimental units. The parameters measured in the study included pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation, while growth parameters included a high percentage of plant growth and percentages of increased stem diameter. The findings showed that adding red mud to the planting hole increased soil pH and base saturation, improved nutrient availability, and enhanced plant growth in the areas post-mining bauxite at PT Antam, UBPB West Kalimantan. The Embeng Plant is highly regarded as a suitable plant species for re-vegetating areas after bauxite mining.

This study explores the formation of actor networks in developing conservation areas, specifically focusing on the Benoa Bay conservation area in Bali from 2014 to 2019. This period marks the beginning and temporary cessation of reclamation development permits in the area, instigated by a Presidential Decree. The study examines how actor networks form through material negotiations, categorizing actors into pros (supporting reclamation) and cons (opposing reclamation). It employs the Actor Network Theory (ANT) framework, particularly the moments concept developed by Callon, to analyze these networks and negotiations. The research is qualitative, using case studies and field data collected through interviews with relevant stakeholders. The primary findings reveal that actors on both sides—pro and con—form networks based on the material narratives they promote. For the pros, the need for tourism space justifies reclamation, while the cons focus on conservation values upheld by the Balinese community. The reclamation issue acts as a moment of problematization, bringing these opposing material narratives into conflict within the conservation area. The study follows ANT’s stages from problematization to mobilization, highlighting how the conflicting material narratives of both pro and con actors interact and influence the network formation. Ultimately, the research illustrates the dynamics of actor networks in the context of reclamation, showing how material negotiations shape these networks and the contestation over spatial production in Benoa Bay networks.

This study aimed to examine the changes in selected soil properties at Lítov spoil heap (Sokolov, Czech Republic) and compare the current situation with the situation described twenty years ago. A total of 110 soil samples were taken at Lítov at the same sites as in 1998. The analyses of basic soil characteristics involved: exchangeable soil pH (pHKCl), organic carbon content (Cox), quality of humic substances (A400/A600), exchangeable acidity (Ea), and two types of aluminium contents in the soil. Changes in all soil characteristics between 1998 and 2018 were statistically evaluated, compared, and visualized using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). We have observed an increase of pHKCl, Cox and a slight improvement in humus quality compared to the results from 1998. The temporal changes of soil characteristics were evident in the whole area, and the influence of reclamation methods was also pronounced. Soil development close to the regional common natural conditions was found in the area where agricultural reclamation measures (i.e., covering with topsoil) were carried out. Furthermore, afforestation - mainly by deciduous trees - supported the improvement of soil characteristics favourable for plant growth. High pyrite content and marshland were identified as the main causes that led to vegetation cover mortality.

In the process of growth and development of forest belts, some of their taxation characteristics and design change. Forest reclamation complexes are subject to homeostasis. Changing the design of shelterbelts leads to crop shortages, loss of profits for agricultural organizations, as well as to the deterioration of the ecology of field soils. A way out of this situation can be found in the application of a system of measures, an important part of which is forestry measures. The aim of the research has been to determine the timing and types of forestry measures aimed at improving the agro-ecological efficiency of protective forest reclamation complexes on agricultural lands of the Krasnodar Territory. Data from the 2019 inventory of protective forest plantations and data obtained by the authors in 2015–2021 in the Kushchevskij and Leningradskij Districts of the Krasnodar Territory have been used. According to the data obtained, graphs of the dependence of stock on the age and height have been constructed for some tree species of field protection forest reclamation complexes. It has been established that in the study area the largest number of areas of shelterbelts have a dense structure – 538.5 ha, and 501.7 ha of them are trees of the III age class. A significant increase in the stock of plantations has been noted at the age of: Robinia pseudoacacia L. – 15 years, Fraxinus excelsior L. – 25 years, Gleditsia triacanthos L. – 10 years, Ulmus pumila L. – 35 years. The equations of the regressional dependence of stock on the age and height for the main tree species have been obtained. These equations can be used to predict the timing of forestry measures in order to maintain the openwork design of forest belts recommended for the region under study.

Abstract The harmful effects of mining waste on human and ecosystem health make reclamation of former mine sites an environmental management priority. However, field-based monitoring of reclamation requires significant investments of time, labor, and money. Remote sensing offers a less expensive alternative to field-based monitoring, but work is still needed to determine which metrics can be reliably estimated using remote sensing techniques. This study uses remote sensing to examine over 20 years of reclamation efforts at Tar Creek Superfund Site and to assess revegetation after site restoration. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we quantify key factors affecting vegetation recovery and stability after reclamation across 123 surface mining waste cleanup locations within Tar Creek. Leveraging long-term imagery from Landsat and high-resolution PlanetScope imagery, we combine time series analysis of vegetation regrowth and landcover change detection for a comprehensive picture of recovery at each site. Across all reclamation sites, the average recovery duration was 3.5 years, and average recovery rate was 0.1 NDVI year−1. After vegetative growth had plateaued, reclaimed sites had an average NDVI of 0.70. All reclamation areas were converted from majority barren landcover to vegetated landcover classes after reclamation, and vegetative stability at reclamation sites was high (70% of reclaimed area saw continuous vegetative cover from 2017 to 2023). These results demonstrate a strong potential for multi-method remote sensing techniques in tracking and explaining vegetation recovery after reclamation and represent a cost-effective approach for real-time monitoring of reclamation progress and outcomes.

Introduction. On the one hand, polluted soils are a source of ecosystem degradation. On the other hand, it is a potential basis for the construction of structures. Construction works are constantly carried out at the sites of oil producing and oil processing enterprises. The construction of new and reconstruction of existing installations is accompanied by the demolition of old facilities up to the extraction of foundations from contaminated.Materials and methods. The assessment of oil-contaminated soils was carried out at existing enterprises of the oil complex during design and survey work to prepare sites for new construction. At the survey stage, the bearing capacity of contaminated soils was investigated using the stamp test method. The individual parameters necessary to assess the construction development of industrial sites without excavating contaminated soils were determined in a soil laboratory using standard methods.Results. The oil-contaminated soils under the sites of the reconstructed enterprises are distinguished by a variety of species composition, geomechanical properties and environmental indicators. Accordingly, the number of ways to eliminate pollution is diverse. The contaminated soils were washed with reagent solutions (flocculant, soda, carbonized water) through a network of drains and wells under pressure. At the same time, the contamination “trapped” in the pores and capillaries of the soil was transferred to a free state, followed by outflow into the drainage, interception of the contaminated liquid and its rise to the surface for subsequent cleaning.Conclusions. Taking into account the importance of the problem, the authors developed and introduced into construction practice a set of technologies that allow for the removal of hydrocarbon-containing pollutants in the territories of reconstructed and liquidated facilities of the oil complex, without extracting soils from recesses.

This case study evaluated the liquefaction risk and application of vibro-compaction for soil improvement in a construction project site on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Abu Dhabi is designated as Zone 0 according to the Uniform Building Code (UBC-97), and we discuss the design criteria for vibro-compaction that were adopted to mitigate the liquefaction risk, the trials conducted to establish the application criteria for vibro-compaction, and the general practices related to vibro-compaction. Specific studies conducted in Abu Dhabi Emirate indicate that the seismicity in the region is low, and the probability of liquefaction is very limited. However, during the pre-project soil investigation phase, the analysis of potential soil liquefaction indicated that certain examined areas have the potential to undergo liquefaction. The liquefaction potential was assessed based on a combination of safety factors obtained for an earthquake with a magnitude Mw = 6 and the corrected cone tip resistance (qc). The acceptability criteria for improved soil are based on cone penetration test (CPT) results. The target qc is accepted as 2.7 MPa and the treatment depth would be a minimum of − 3.5 m. A field trial was conducted to determine the optimal compaction grid spacing that meets the specified acceptance criteria and aligns with the project's design criteria. Based on the trial evaluation, a vibro-compaction grid spacing of 4 × 4 m was appropriate. Consequently, a total of 4125 points at the construction site underwent vibro-compaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on Law no. 3 of 2020 article 140 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining which states that "Every holder of a Mining Business Permit (IUP) and Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) is required to submit a reclamation plan and post-mining plan when applying for a Production Operation IUP or Production Operation IUPK as basis for placing reclamation guarantees. The aim of this research is to calculate the direct and indirect costs required for PT Bukit Asam's reclamation plan. The research method used in this research is using activities in the form of visits and direct observations in the field and also collecting articles as support. Direct costs include recountouring costs, revegetation costs and maintenance costs, which are planned at Rp. 12,889,010,229. Meanwhile for indirect costs, the amount is determined from the indirect cost graph, the plan is Rp. 3,054,695,424, so the total cost of the reclamation plan for the West Banko Pit is Rp. 15,943.,705,653 with an escalation calculation of 5.51%, it becomes IDR 19,758,945,354. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing environmental performance of waste dump facilities in mining complexes is an integral part of long-term production planning. Sustainable long-term production scheduling solutions are desired to mitigate risk and return the environment to a productive post-mining state. A simultaneous stochastic optimisation framework for long-term production scheduling in mining complexes is developed that integrates waste management and progressive reclamation. The waste dump placement schedule is jointly optimised with the extraction sequence, destination policy, and stockpiling decisions in a single stochastic mathematical programming framework. This includes the timing of progressive reclamation activities in parallel with production to enhance waste dump rehabilitation. Uncertainty related to the production of acid rock drainage is quantified by simulating geochemical properties of waste and managing the blending of uncertain waste properties within the optimisation framework. With respect to the framework for simultaneous stochastic optimisation, contextual bandits are explored to improve the metaheuristic solution approach and solve the corresponding large-scale optimisation model. The framework is tested in a multi-mine copper-gold mining complex leading to improved environmental performance. Risk of acid rock drainage is decreased by 52.5% in the waste dump facilities. Reclamation planning activities for meeting environmental requirements are scheduled prior to closure. The solution approach more effectively improves the objective function with contextual bandits leading to a 24% improvement in the study presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction of underground pipelines on cropland impacts the soil ecosystem, resulting in crop yield losses persisting for several years after right‐of‐way (ROW) reclamation. Information on whether higher than recommended fertilizer application rates could improve productivity of reclaimed ROWs is scarce. The objective of this growth room bioassay was to determine the productivity response of a chronosequence of reclaimed ROW soils to differential fertilizer rates. Bulk soil samples were collected from the 0 to 20 cm soil layer on two ROWs of different ages (i.e., time since reclamation, TSR). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial treatment structure with three replications per treatment. The factors were TSR (4 and 10 year plus undisturbed (off‐ROW) sites) and fertilizer application rates (no fertilizer (Check); recommended rate (100%) of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulphur (S); and 150% of the recommended N, P, K, and S rates). The recommended nutrient rates produced 66% lower canola dry matter yield (DMY) and 45% lower wheat DMY in the 4‐year ROW soil relative to the off‐ROW soil. Increasing the rate to 150% of the recommended rate significantly increased canola and wheat DMY in the 4‐year ROW soil to levels similar to those in the off‐ROW soil receiving the recommended rate. Nitrogen uptake by canola and wheat was 30%–45% lower, while P uptake was 40%–55% lower in the ROW soils than in the off‐ROW soil. These results indicate incomplete recovery of the ROW soils within at least the first 4 year following completion of reclamation. However, crop yields were not significantly different between the 10 year ROW and the off‐ROW at 100% fertilizer rate suggesting that productivity had been restored to off‐ROW levels by year 10 following reclamation. Findings from this study will contribute towards the formulation of strategies for improving the productivity of reclaimed ROWs on cropland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the impact of vegetation types and reclamation methods on soil organic carbon and nitrogen in carboniferous spoil heaps is critical for selecting the best vegetation type and reclamation method to improve ecosystem services in a changing climate. This paper presents the relationship between vegetation types (woodland, forbland, and grassland) and reclamation techniques (barren rock, topsoil application, succession, and cultivation) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) in developing soils on carboniferous rocks in coal mine heaps. Soil samples were collected from the litter layer (Oi + Oe) and the A horizons (0–10 cm). The results revealed that vegetation types and reclamation methods significantly affected SOC and TN stocks. Woodland exhibited higher SOC and TN in the Oi + Oe horizons than other vegetation types. Topsoil application and cultivation resulted in the highest SOC and TN stocks in the A horizons (0–10 cm) under woodland and forbland compared to succession on bare carboniferous rock. In grassland, there was no significant difference in SOC stock under topsoil application and cultivation; however, significantly higher TN stock was observed in the 0–10 cm areas with topsoil application compared to succession on bare carboniferous rock. Based on the results, topsoil application is recommended to improve SOC if the mining site is restored using woodland. Conversely, grassland exhibits a similar amount of SOC stock with or without topsoil application. Considering the difficulty of obtaining topsoil, we suggest that grasses are optimal for SOC stock in the studied mining sites, followed by forbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive implementation of the 'Grain for Green' project over the Loess Plateau has improved environmental quality. However, it has resulted in a greater consumption of soil water, and its overall hydrological effects remain highly controversial. Our study utilized a coupled land-atmosphere model to evaluate the effects of vegetation changes resulting from revegetation or reclamation on the hydrology of the Loess Plateau. Revegetation was found to stimulate an increase in precipitation, evapotranspiration, and atmospheric water content. However, the increase in precipitation was insufficient to compensate for soil water loss driven by intensified evapotranspiration, resulting in a decrease in both runoff and soil water content. In contrast to revegetation, reclamation would reduce precipitation, although the reduction was less than the decrease in evapotranspiration. This could lead to an increase in both runoff and soil water content. The results provide an important scientific basis for the hydrological effects of vegetation changes on the Loess Plateau, which is particularly important for guiding current and future revegetation activities toward sustainable ecosystem development and water resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen production is expected to play a major role in the context of the shift towards sustainable energy stipulated in the Fit for 55 package. Green hydrogen and its derivatives have the capacity to act as effective energy storage vectors, while fuel cell-powered vehicles will foster net-zero emission mobility. This study evaluates the potential of green hydrogen production in Power-to-Gas (P2G) systems operated in former mining sites where sand and gravel aggregate has been extracted from lakes and rivers under wet conditions (below the water table). The potential of hydrogen production was assessed for the selected administrative unit in Poland, the West Pomerania province. Attention is given to the legal and organisational aspects of operating mining companies to identify the sites suitable for the installation of floating photovoltaic facilities by 2050. The method relies on the use of GIS tools, which utilise geospatial data to identify potential sites for investments. Basing on the geospatial model and considering technical and organisational constraints, the schedule was developed, showing the potential availability of the site over time. Knowing the surface area of the water reservoir, the installed power of the floating photovoltaic plant, and the production capacity of the power generation facility and electrolysers, the capacity of hydrogen production in the P2G system can be evaluated. It appears that by 2050 it should be feasible to produce green fuel in the P2G system to support a fleet of city buses for two of the largest urban agglomerations in the West Pomerania province. Simulations revealed that with a water coverage ratio increase and the planned growth of green hydrogen generation, it should be feasible to produce fuel for net-zero emission urban mobility systems to power 200 buses by 2030, 550 buses by 2040, and 900 buses by 2050 (for the bus models Maxi (40 seats) and Mega (60 seats)). The results of the research can significantly contribute to the development of projects focused on the production of green hydrogen in a decentralised system. The disclosure of potential and available locations over time can be compared with competitive solutions in terms of spatial planning, environmental and societal impact, and the economics of the undertaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we explore the dynamic interplay of youth agency, spatial justice, and literacy practices across community spaces through micro‐analysis of photographs and interviews of children and youth. Through a lens of spatial reclamation, the study investigates how children and youth disrupt adult‐designed spaces to restory and reclaim narratives, ultimately reshaping the socio‐spatial landscape. Combining the concepts of restorying and spatial justice, we explore the awareness and agency children exhibit when challenging dominant expectations, particularly examining instances of rulebreaking and safety negotiation. Examining two distinct settings—a school playground and a community protest—the study reveals how youth engage in embodied performances that rupture anticipated discourses in place. The findings underscore the multilayered nature of youth rulebreaking as a form of resistance and as a form of leadership, emphasising the potential for transformative socio‐spatial impact as youth reclaim narratives through new co‐constructions of space. Across age groups and geographies, Black and Brown youth and children emerge as leaders in reshaping spaces through their acts of resistance, redefining boundaries, and leading peaceful protests. The article calls for a nuanced understanding of how spatial justice intersects with restorying, urging educators and researchers to reconsider acts of reclamation as literacies across adult‐dictated spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since China's reform and opening up in 1978, the reclamation and abandonment of cropland in Xinjiang have become significant features of the land use change in the arid land of Northwest China. However, the spatiotemporal changes and driving mechanisms of cropland reclamation and abandonment over long time periods are still unclear, but this is crucial in understanding cropland changes in inland arid land, providing important insights for land management and agricultural development. Based on 40 years of remote sensing data on resources and the environment, this study examines the spatiotemporal characteristics of cropland reclamation and abandonment in Xinjiang over four periods since 1980. Additionally, it uses an optimal parameter geographical detector model to quantify the driving factors for each period. The results indicate that cropland reclamation experiences a "slow decrease–rapid increase" trend, forming a "V-shaped" pattern, while abandonment shows a "rapid decrease–slow decrease–slow increase" trend, forming a "U-shaped" pattern. These trends can be divided into three periods: 1980–1990 (unstable growth), 1990–2010 (stable growth), and 2010–2020 (growth with constraints). The movement pattern of cropland reclamation's center of gravity is "slightly southeast–slightly northeast–southwest", whereas the abandonment's center of gravity shifts "northeast–southwest–northeast". Further analysis reveals that the impact of agricultural technological investment and infrastructure on cropland reclamation has increased, while the influence of natural environmental factors has decreased. Although climate and water resources remain key factors in cropland abandonment, the influence of economic and social factors has gradually diminished, and the impact of agricultural mechanization has steadily risen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface coal mining and reclamation have greatly reshaped eastern Kentucky's landscape affecting its socioeconomic, environmental and climatic aspects. This study examined the land-cover changes, trends and patterns in Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry, and Pike counties from 2004 to 2019. Using a random forest classifier, land cover was categorized into seven major classes, i.e., water, barren land, developed land, forest, shrubland, herbaceous, and planted/cultivated, majorly based on Landsat images. The Kappa accuracy ranged from 75 to 89%. The results showed a notable increase in forest area from 5052 sq km to 5305 sq km accompanied by a substantial decrease in barren land from 179 sq km to 91 sq km from 2004 to 2019. These findings demonstrated that reclamation activities positively impacted the forest expansion and reduced the barren land of the study area. Key land-cover transitions included barren land to shrubland/herbaceous, forest to shrubland, and shrubland to forest, indicating vegetation growth from 2004 to 2019. An autocorrelation analysis indicated similar land-cover types clustered together, showing effective forest restoration efforts. As surface coal mining and reclamation significantly influenced the landscapes of the coalfield counties in eastern Kentucky, this study provides a holistic perspective for understanding the repercussions of these transformations, including their effects on humans, society, and environmental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the importance of coastal wetlands as key land resources and the ecological degradation caused by large-scale and multi-stage reclamation, as well as the significant synergistic and superimposed effects of reclamation on wetland degradation in temporal and spatial dimensions, it is vital to conduct in-depth research on the impact mechanisms and cumulative effects of reclamation on wetland degradation. However, the existing methods for evaluating these cumulative effects still have some shortcomings in characterizing the spatiotemporal scale. Consequently, it is urgent to introduce or develop a cumulative effect evaluation method based on remote sensing. Taking the Jiangsu coastal wetland as a typical case study area, the present study constructed a cumulative effect evaluation method based on calculus theory combined with landscape succession modeling and statistical analysis. This method was then used to quantitatively analyze the impacts and cumulative effects of reclamation on wetland degradation in the Jiangsu coastal region from 1980 to 2024. The results show that degradation of the Jiangsu coastal wetlands over the last 45 years covered 2931.54 km2, accounting for 46.92% of the area in 1980. This degradation primarily reflects a shift from natural wetland to constructed wetland. In addition, the reclaimed area of 2119.61 km2 is mainly used for aquaculture and agricultural cultivation. The reclamation rate of Jiangsu showed insignificant fluctuations and significant spatial differences. The reclamation rate of the north counties and cities presented a downward trend, while that of the south counties and cities presented an upward trend. Reclamation has a significant impact on wetland degradation, with a contribution rate of 50.62%. The cumulative effect in the study area reached its maximum value in 2015, except for Nantong City. This study provides a new perspective for quantitatively analyzing the impacts and cumulative effects of coastal wetland reclamation and provides guidance for the effective management and sustainable utilization of coastal wetland resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Stories Of Us" considers the ways that culture, heritage, and rituals come together. This ethnographic study is guided by methodologies of narrative photovoice that speak to the lived experiences of how five 2nd Generation Queer Tamil Canadians living in Toronto/Scarborough reclaim their Tamil culture and heritage as Queer people living in the West. The intersectional marginalization Queer Tamil people face often ostracizes them from both their Tamil community as well as their Queer community. The participants of this study reflected on their identities growing up as well as how they've engaged with community at different stages of their Queer journey, speaking to their experiences reclaiming their cultural identity as Queer people. Based on the lived experiences of the participants, this data-based study looks at the creative ways that Queer Tamils take up space and reclaim their cultural heritage as a politically and historically silenced community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, there has been much debate about how autistic people should be described and labeled. Two main tendencies have emerged in this discussion, usually known as the person-first approach and the identity-first approach. While the former proposes to talk about ‘person(s) with autism’, the latter claims that ‘autistic person’ is more adequate. We first discuss person-first and identity-first approaches along with the reasons that have been offered for embracing one or the other. Then we focus on the consequences that both approaches entail: first, the conception of autism as a condition, along with metaphysical conceptions of self and identity; second, linguistic emancipatory possibilities, such as reclamation. We argue that these two approaches ultimately promote a different stance on autism as a condition and that while the reclamation of ‘autistic’ is more clearly aligned with the identity-first view, the person-first approach is not entirely incompatible with some reclamation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To determine the safe parameters of the recreational zones created in the residual space of the quarry taking into account the physical and mechanical properties of waste rocks in a watered state. Methodology. The Bishop Simplified Method is used to determine the influence of the irrigation level of the residual quarry space on the stability of the embankment from different types of mining rocks when creating a recreational area during reclamation works. Findings. The safe parameters of recreational areas during their construction in the watered residual space of the quarry were established taking into account the physical and mechanical properties of embankments made of sand, loam, and crushed rock by determining the stability of their slopes. The obtained results are necessary for the implementation of project works on the development of technological schemes for the reclamation of the residual spaces of construction materials quarry for the recreational direction of post-mining. Originality. The influence of the height of the rock embankment formation on the stable angle of inclination of the watered slope was established, which allowed determining that with an increase in the aggregates embankment height from 20 to 80 m, the safe angle of the slope will decrease from 46 to 26°. It was determined that the lowest FOS indicator is 0.57 when using sand rocks for an embankment height of 80 m at a water content of 40 %. It was established that with partial flooding of the rock embankment by 45–50 % for sandy, loamy and rocky rocks, there is a significant decrease in the coefficient of the reserve of stability by 1.4– 1.5 times, in contrast to the absence of water or complete flooding, which confirms the negative impact of partial flooding of embankments and reducing the stability of their slopes. Practical value. It was determined that when forming an embankment 20 m high from loamy rocks, the volume of reclamation works will be 1.34 times less compared to sandy rocks, but 1.02 times larger than rocky rocks. When the height of the embankment increases to 80 m, the volume of reclamation works when replacing loam with sand will increase to 1.87 and 1.12 times when using crushed stone. However, taking into account the market value of materials, when using loam, the cost of construction will decrease by 2.5 times compared to sandy rocks and 3.2 times – to crushed stone, with an embankment height of 20 m. When the embankment height increases to 80 m, the cost of materials will increase by 3.5 and 3.8 times when loamy rocks are replaced by sand or crushed stone, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal flats, crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are facing significant alterations due to human activities such as reclamation. In South Korea, over 65% of tidal flats have been reclaimed since the 1970s, resulting in morphological changes and altered sediment transport dynamics. This study investigates sediment transport processes in the artificial Aam tidal channel, created as part of the megacity development project in Incheon, Korea. Using data from Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler and Vector instruments deployed in 2019 and 2021, we analyzed tidal asymmetry, current velocities, shear stress, and suspended sediment concentration. Our results reveal a pronounced tidal asymmetry influencing sediment transport, with ebb-dominant currents near the channel entrance and flood-dominant currents in the interior. We observed significant sediment deposition in the landward section of the channel, driven by tidal mixing asymmetry and rainfall events. These findings highlight the complex interactions between artificial structures and natural sediment dynamics, informing future coastal development and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis procedure for remote sensing imagery for monitoring ground surface objects. The studies on development of an algorithm for identifying mining waste disposal facilities on ground surface are described. The source data were Sentinel-2 and Landsat 5–8 images of the southern area in the Russian Far East. Using Earth Engine platform, the vegetation index is calculated for each pixel using the function of normal distance, and the test area is generated using a standard tool. Pixels were converted to square units using the reduce() method. The proposed procedure is of current interest in monitoring various objects (tailings ponds, surface mines, waste dumps, etc.) at different stages of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]