Abstract

The objectives of this project are to demonstrate the use of organic amendments to enhance the establishment and growth of grass on lead mine tailings and evaluate the effect of those amendments on plant uptake of metals. Two sources of compost and an organic fertilizer derived from municipal sewage treatment plant sludge were incorporated into two types of tailings near Desloge, Missouri, and the replicated plots were planted with grass. Both types of tailings (fine-textured flotation tailings and course-textured gravity separation tailings) contain elevated concentrations of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd). This project will be evaluated for three growing seasons. At the end of the first growing season, vegetative cover and biomass production were quantified, and tailings and vegetation samples were obtained and analyzed. Preliminary results indicate the amendments improved both establishment and growth; differences among amendment types and application rates were significant; and plant uptake of metals was not great enough to impact area wildlife. Additional results of the first growing season will be discussed.

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