Abstract
Abstract Changes in humic matter of overburden and replaced topsoils receiving four different treatment combinations of fertilizer and an organic amendment were investigated on reclaimed surface mine spoil in southeastern Montana. Nine years after revegetation, the maximum increases of organic matter and humic acid content, respectively, were 53% and 23% on overburden soils and 14% and 16% on replaced topsoils. The C:N ratio increased in the overburden soil from 11.0 to 13.5 with treatments; in the topsoil the C:N ratio changes were variable. C:N ratios of 9–11 were characteristic of humic acids, with no consistent relation to treatments. The increases in the soil organic matter, humic matter, and total soil nitrogen content were greater than the amounts of C and N added as amendments, probably because of the increased plant litter availability and retention in soil and possible nitrogen input by dinitrogen fixation.
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