Effects of Stockpiling on Topsoil Biogeochemistry for Semiarid Mine Reclamation.

ABSTRACT: Stockpiling and storage of topsoil for use in reclamation and revegetation are common practices for many mining operations. However, stockpiling can lead to significant changes in topsoil physical and biogeochemical properties that may be detrimental to reclamation. The objective of this research was to assess the effect of long-term stockpiling on soil biogeochemical properties in a semiarid region. We hypothesized that soil properties would change systematically with depth reflecting a shift to anaerobic conditions and resulting in a general decrease in soil health. To address this hypothesis, boreholes > 20-m deep were drilled into a 14-year-old topsoil stockpile at a copper mine in Arizona and samples collected every ~ 75 cm. Samples were analyzed for soil DNA biomass, texture, general

SUBMITTER: Ledesma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11787246 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature