Notice of Retraction: The forming mechanism of soil crust on magnesite mining area

Abstract

Typical soil crust surrounding the magnesite mining area can adversely affect local environment and inhibit the growth of crops. In order to study the forming mechanism of it, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and the adiabatic method were used to analyzed different layers of these typical crusts collected from magnesite mining area in Haicheng City, Liaoning Province. Results showed that the main components in the surface layer, middle layer and bottom layer of crusts were almost similar. Mean weight percentage of hydromagnesite increased from the surface layer to the bottom layer, but that of periclase showed the opposite trend. The chemical equilibriums of these components were also discussed. Furthermore, the compact and reticulate magnesium sulfate hydroxide hydrate, as a cement material with strong bonding capacity, appeared in the middle layer of crust which can intercept downwards migratory materials and become the specific substance in the crust. These indicated that the transformation of different components and the formation of new substances play an Important role in the crust formation. This paper contributes to the study on the forming mechanism of soil crusts and provides theoretical support of removing soil crust on magnesite mining area.