Characterization of Reclaimed Soils in Southwestern Indiana after Surface Mining for Coal

Abstract

The study was to document some laboratory soil properties, soil classifications, and selected morphological characteristics of soils reclaimed after surface mining for coal in southwestern Indiana. The reclamation of these soils range from 6 to 17 years. Scraper placement reclaimed all sites except Daviess 001. It used shovel-truck placement during reclamation. Seven of the eight soils sampled for laboratory characterization in southwestern Indiana were reclaimed using prime farmland rules and regulations developed by the State Regulatory Authority as set forth in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-87). Since being reclaimed all the soils have been in cropland or hayland for the last 6 to 17 years. The soils were sampled for laboratory characterization in November 2002. All the soils were fine-silty Alfisols before they were disturbed for mining. The reclaimed soils classify in either fine-silty or loamy Udarents. Five of the undisturbed soils had fragipans. Six of the undisturbed soils had aquic or oxyaquic conditions, which are indicated, in their classification. Selected laboratory data for the reclaimed soils are compared to properties in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Database for the premined soils. Through current reclamation techniques, most the reclaimed soils have similar soil properties to the pre-mined soils. Soil structure and bulk density are two of the properties that will be different than the premined soils.