Revegetation potential of coal waste piles in Northern China

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the revegetation potential of coal waste piles from a coal mine in Northern China. Poor highly porus structure, loose surface with about 5cm - 10cm weathering materials, more than 80% stones, and high ground temperature were typical characteristics of coal waste piles. The physical and chemical properties of the coal wastes were tested in this study. The result showed the coal waste piles had higher bulk density and lower water holding capacity which was half of loess. Infiltration was very rapid, which ranged from 126.4 mm/h to 434.5 mm/h. The pH values indicated that the coal wastes were neutral or slightly alkaline in most cases. Although coal wastes were generally thought to be poor, the tested results showed that the coal wastes had higher contents of organic matter including coal fragments and nitrogen. Based on the results, the authors thought that the coal waste piles not only had some restrict factors, but also had many suitable conditions for reveg...