Abstract
Reclamation practices in the oil sands region of Alberta involve the reconstruction of soil profiles using a combination of salvaged mineral substrates and organic-matter-rich surface materials, including peat–mineral mix (PM) and forest floor – mineral mix (FFM). The successful re-establishment of vegetation on reclaimed sites is for a large part dependent on the nutrients these materials can provide. Hence, the overall objective of this study was to compare carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) release rates from PM and FFM materials used to cap reconstructed sandy soils. A 325 d laboratory incubation was conducted to measure these rates. The two materials released comparable amounts of N on a per kilogram of soil basis (111–118 mg N kg−1). However, when results were normalized based on each material’s organic C content, N release was six times greater for FFM than for PM, in accordance with results of previous studies. In addition, overall C mineralization and P release rates were over one order...
Highlights
Organic matter plays a central role in the functioning of the overall soil ecosystem; as such, it is often used as a proxy for soil quality in soils undergoing reclamation (Frouz et al 2009; Turcotte et al 2009)
The mineral subsoil materials were capped with coversoil (10, 20, or 30 cm) consisting of either PPM or forest floor – mineral mix (FFM)
Extractable ammonium concentrations were slightly greater for FFM than for peat– mineral mix (PM), whereas extractable nitrate concentrations were five times higher for PM than for FFM
Summary
Organic matter plays a central role in the functioning of the overall soil ecosystem; as such, it is often used as a proxy for soil quality in soils undergoing reclamation (Frouz et al 2009; Turcotte et al 2009). More so than their finer-textured counterparts, depend on organic matter to store nutrients and retain water, sustain a healthy biota and support plant growth. Monitoring how organic matter evolves and releases nutrients in reconstructed soils is key to understanding if, and how quickly, sustainable processes and functions can be restored in these soils (Quideau et al 2013b; Macdonald et al 2015). In upland forest ecosystems of the Alberta oil sands region, clay- to loam-textured parent materials derived from morainal and glaciolacustrine deposits support the genesis of Gray Luvisols, whereas coarser-textured parent material (sandy loam to sand) leads to the formation of Eutric and Dystric Brunisols (Natural Regions Committee 2006). As oil sands mining extends north, it has become increasingly important to understand how to efficiently reconstruct these coarse-textured soils, as they will constitute a significant portion of the final reclaimed landscape
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