Chemistry of Sulfur-Contaminated Soil Substrate from a Former Frasch Extraction Method Sulfur Mine Leachate with Various Forms of Litter in a Controlled Experiment

Abstract

The impact of tree litter on soil chemistry leachate and sulfurous substrates of mine soils from former Jeziórko sulfur mine was investigated. Composites were used: soil substrate (less contaminated at mean 5090 mg kg−1 S or high contaminated at 42,500 mg kg−1 S) + birch or pine litter and control substrate (no litter). The composites were rinsed with distilled water over 12 weeks. In the obtained leachate, pH, EC, dissolved organic carbon, N, Ca, Mg, Al, and S were determined. Physicochemical parameters of the substrates and their basal respiration rate were determined. Rinsing and litter application lowered sulfur concentration in high contamination substrates. Pine litter application decreased EC and increased pH of the low-contaminated substrate. The substrate pH remained at low phytotoxic level (i.e., below 3.0), resulting in the low biological activity of the composites. Birch litter application increased leaching of N and Mg, indicating the possibility of an intensification of soil-forming processes in contaminated sites.