Clay Sorbents in the Area of the Most and Sokolov Basins as a Possible Use in Agriculture Reclamations

This paper is devoted to the possibilities of the reclamation use of claystone sorbents of the Most and Sokolov basins. The properties of phytotoxic areas suitable for the application of sorbents, the locality, and parameters of the main clay sorbents of both brown coal basins are briefly summarized in the paper. Clay sorbents are suitable for the reclamation of phytotoxic surfaces contaminated by coal. This paper provides a brief evaluation of the properties of the claystone sorbents of the North Bohemian and Sokolov basins. In the region of the North Bohemian brown coal basin, potential sorbents can be used for the reclamation works.

Permanent Grasslands in an Anthropogenically Burdened Region,and Their Contribution to Sustainable Development

The landscape of the northern part of the Czech Republic (the Chomutov, Most, Teplice and ústí nad Labem districts) has long been burdened by the surface mining of brown coal. Within the reclamation and restoration processes, the anthropogenic formations which were created have been successfully integrated into the surrounding landscape. One of the important regional elements which have been utilized during the regeneration is permanent grasslands (PGL). They are of considerable importance not only for cattle grazing, but also for the preservation of the region’s biodiversity and protection of the soil. The contribution deals with the production and non-production functions of permanent grasslands in the landscape, and their significance within the scope of the permanently sustainable development of an anthropogenically burdened region. Permanent grasslands are part of the agricultural landscape, but their significance is multifunctional, because they not only provide an environment for cattle grazing, but also protect soil, the nutrient cycle and the microclimate, and preserve biodiversity. At the same time, the article analyzes in detail the development of this vegetation in the area of interest-Northern Bohemia. During the period of the greatest mining boom (1967-1990), its rapid decrease-by as much as 4500 ha-was recorded in some areas. Since the year 1990, there has been a significant growth in the most damaged areas. At present, the development of PGLs has stabilized.

Evaluation of the Forest Reclamation of the Anthroposoil Dump at the Bilina Mines Created from Marlstone

When reclaiming the surface of the Radovesická dump in the North Bohemian brown coal basin, the most commonly used marls and marlstones are extracted in the foreland of filled-in territory. The most frequent reclamations are the formation of overgrown and humus anthroposoil. The soil properties of the anthroposoils for forestry purposes and the growth vitality of a broader assortment of woody plants in the age of 12 - 14 years are evaluated. It has been found that the very good growth vitality on these anthroposoils is shown by most of the trees of domestic origin (Populus nigra L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Pinus sylvestris L., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Fraxinus excelsior L., Betula verrucosa Ehrh., Quercus robur L., Tilia cordata Mill.), including some of the tree species introduced (Larix decidua L., Pinus nigra Arn.) and reclamations of atypical atrophic soil horizons did not negatively affect their development.

Microbiotechnological Stimulation of the Root Systems of Woody Plants within the Scope of the Revitalization of Mining Works

In general, the conditions for the growth of vegetation in former mining works are unfavorable, particularly in locations where the rooting process or inadequate functional contact by the root system with underground water, creates vegetative problems. For the process of the revitalization of the disrupted areas to be successful, the correct rooting of woody plants is essential for starting the development of the vegetation, and directing it towards greater biodiversity. The addition of bio alginates, whose basic raw component is selected seaweed, to the soil ensures the stimulation of the root system, thereby significantly increasing the likelihood of the plants surviving. The article monitors, in detail, the effect of the application of these bio alginates, and the subsequent response of the plants in growth patterns.

The Impact of Deforestation on the Quality of Drainage Water in the Zelezna Model Area

The article is focused on the changes in soil characteristics caused by the drainage of agricultural soils in the Czech Republic. The basis of the research was to compare current state with the state before drainage using available historical data. To resolve the subject of the research, two smaller study areas with different soil uses were chosen. The Haklovy Dvory area is an arable land that is intensively used. The other area is used mainly for grazing (extensively) and it is called ?elezná study area. In many cases, historical data regarding the quality of surface water and groundwater (well water) in the two areas is readily available;therefore, the same approach was taken for monitoring the current quality of drainage water. Several chemical indicators were measured in the water: pH, alkalinity-acidity, overall hardness, concentration of selected cations (magnesium, calcium, potassium, ammonia), concentration of bicarbonates, nitrates, nitrites, sulphates, phosphates, chlorides and the electrical conductivity of the water. During the entire course of the monitoring, no serious water pollution was found in ?elezná study area (with the exception of one sample point). In case of the intensively managed Haklovy Dvory study area, a significant pollution in all drainage water samples was confirmed. We can safely formulate a hypothesis that the drainage water quality is related to the type of agriculture procedure practiced on the land. Mainly the intensive type of agriculture, because of the use of fertilizers, has a negative impact on drainage water quality, and subsequently on the quality of surface watercourses.

Sorbent Mineralogy in the Most Basin and Their Utilization for Reclamation Works

The contribution is focused on the relation between sorptive efficiency, mineral structure, and reclamation extraction of clay sorbents originating from the Most Basin. Clay sorbents are an important accessory raw material that occurs on several localities in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, which are briefly described in the first part of the paper. The results from clay sorbents were obtained by mineralogy survey based on a diffract analysis with a D 5000 Siemens X-ray diffractometer. Localities, where zeolites and montmorillonites were found, are the main subjects of the research. The results show that parameters of clay sorbents mined in these localities are suitable for reclamation works. A successful reclamation with the use of bentonites is demonstrated on Strimice dump.

Changes in Physical and Chemical Soil Characteristics as a Result of Subsurface Tile Drainage

This project defined changes in soil properties after construction of subsurface tile drainage. We compared the physical and chemical properties of soil samples taken before construction of drainage and new soil samples taken from identical sites at present. The research was made for Stagnic Cambisols (Dystric) and Haplic Stagnosols. The pH value and saturation of the topsoil sorption complex of both soil types statistically increased and simultaneously the cation exchange capacity (CEC) decreased. In the topsoil of Stagnosols, the effective cation exchange capacity and porosity also decreased, and at the same time the particle density and bulk density increased. Soil organic matter and minimum air capacity increased in the topsoil of Cambisols. Porosity and minimum air capacity increased in both soils in the subsoil. In the Cambisol subsoil, the CEC and bulk density decreased. We can assume that after drainage Stagnosols are susceptible to soil compaction, especially in topsoil.