Utilization of recycled solid waste as ecological reclamation materials based on plant growth experiments and soil quality analysis

During the highway construction,a large number of spoil areas will be generated while a large amount of waste slag and soil could not be rationally utilized.Besides,the vegetation recovery is slow in the spoil areas due to the soil depletion.Aiming at recycling the solid waste,the sieved engineering waste slag with local red clay and corn straw biochar was supplied to solve the problem of insufficient nutrients in engineering waste slag and soil.In addition,planting experiments of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.)and Amorpha fruticosa L.combined with physical and chemical experiments were carried out to prove the feasibility of the novel improved substrate for the reclamation of spoil areas.The results show that the substrate's improvement effect is mainly affected by the soil to slag ratio and the biochar content.The improvement effect of soil matrix in highway spoil area decreases with the increase of the waste slag content,especially when the soil-slag ratio is less than 3,and the promotion of plants is limited.On the contrary,the improvement effect is proportional to the biochar content(3%-8%).But it is noted that the Cu and Pb in the soil will exceed the clean limit corresponding to the Nemero soil pollution index level when the biochar content is 8%.Therefore,it is recommended that the soil-slag ratio should be≥3,and the biochar content should reach 3%-5%.This research provides experimental basis and technical support for utilizing solid waste resources in the reclamation of highway spoil areas.

Characteristics of Crack Growth in High Performance Concrete Subjected to Fire

An experimental investigation was conducted to identify the characteristics of crack growth in high performance concrete (HPC) subjected to fire, including two parts of work, i.e. crack growth resistance determinations and cracking observations, using concrete of three strength grades 40 MPa, 70 MPa, and 110 MPa. The crack growth resistance curves (R-curves ) of HPC subjected to high temperatures were determined using notched three-point bend beam specimens of 100 mm×100 mm×300mm. The R-curve (crack growth resistance curve) flattening shows that the crack growth resistance has been significantly reduced by elevated temperature. Concrete with a higher strength grade has a steeper R-curve, with a higher fracture toughness but a shorter critical crack growth. The shorter critical crack growth means that concrete of a higher strength grade has a more brittle behavior. The concrete cracking observations reveal that the consequences of rapid heating are quite different from those of slow heating. For slow heating at a rate of 0.5℃/min, HPC suffered no obvious cracking below 600℃ even if it had a high moisture content. Explosive spalling is an extreme case of the internal cracking driven mainly by vapor pressure. All these results confirmed the vapor pressure mechanism for spading behavior which should be more significant for denser concrete. The crack growth ranges obtained from the R-curve determination results are in good agreement with those measured in the concrete cracking observations.

Heavy metal concentrations in redeveloping soil of mine spoil under plantations of certain native woody species in dry tropical environment, India

Total concentration of heavy metals(Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Mn and Zn) was estimated in the redeveloping soil of mine spoil under 5 yr old plantations of four woody species namely: Albizia lebbeck, Albizia procera, Tectona grandis and Dendrocalamus strictus. The data recorded in the present study were compared with other unplanted coal mine spoil colliery, which was around to the study site and adjoining area of dry tropical forest. Among all the heavy metals, the maximum concentration was found for Fe and minimum for Cd. However, among all four species, total concentrations of these heavy metals were recorded maximally in the plantation plots of T. grandis except for Fe, while minimally in A. lebbeck except for Zn, whereas, the maximum concentration of Fe and Zn was in the plantation plots of D. strictus and A. procera. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences due to species for all the heavy metals except Cu. Among four species, A. lebbeck, A. procera and D. strictus showed more efficient for reducing heavy metal concentrations whereas T. grandis was not more effective to reduce heavy metal concentrations in redeveloping soil of mine spoil.

Quantitative human risk analysis of 2015 Shenzhen dump failure considering influence of urbanization

With the rapid development of urbanization, a large amount of construction spoil was stockpiled around cities and formed extensive dumps. Construction spoil is one of the main construction and demolition(C&D) waste and municipal solid waste(MSW). Once the construction spoil dump becomes unstable, it will bring great risks to the surrounding residents. A catastrophic dump failure occurred on 20 December 2015 in Guangming New Strict, Shenzhen, China. Approximately 2.51×10^(6) m^(3) of construction waste slid out from the dumpsite, destroying 33 houses and causing total 77 casualties. This paper attempts to analyze the failure probability of the construction spoil dump using Monte Carlo simulation considering the spatial variability of soil properties, and to quantify the dynamic human risk considering the increasing urbanization. Influence of urbanization on the human element at risk is analyzed by referring to multi-temporal remote sensing images. A quantitative human risk assessment model is employed to determine the landslide human risk referring an assessment criteria curve between frequency of number fatalities and number of fatalities(F-N curve). It is found that the societal risk at daytime was 0.078, 0.088, and 1.432 in 2002, 2014, and 2015, respectively. Meanwhile, the societal risk at night was 0.034, 0.037, and 0.611 in 2002, 2014, and 2015, respectively. The quantitative method was benchmarked by the other landfill failure. It implies that the human risk increased with the development of urbanization and its value at daytime was approximately twice as much as at night. The new approach for the human risk assessment provides guidance for modern MSW landfills and highlights the obvious influence of urbanization on the human risk in other areas.

Predicting release and aquatic effects of total dissolved solids from Appalachian USA coal mines

Appalachian USA coal mines have been implicated as major stressors to aquatic life in headwater streams via discharge of total dissolved solids(TDS).This paper summarizes column leaching studies of spoils(n>50)and refuse and TDS effects on local water quality and biotic response.The initial pH of most materials is near-neutral.Initial specific conductance(SC)values range from 500-1,000 to >3,000 μs/cm,but 2/3 of materials drop below 500 ls/cm after several pore volumes of leaching.Studies of mining-influenced streams have found altered aquatic life,relative to natural conditions with no mining influence,at SC ranging from-200 to-700 ls/cm with depressed aquatic life consistently associated with elevated TDS;mechanisms causing such effects are under investigation.We suggest that active mine operations should be modified to place high TDS producing materials in ways that reduce contact with percolating drainage waters.

Comparative Study of 3D-SPGR vs 2D-SE T1WI after Enhancement in the Brain

The utility of three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in steady state (3D-SPGR) imaging in the cerebral diseases was evaluated and 3D-SPGR after enhancement in depicting contrast enhancement of all lesions and 2D-SE T1WI comparatively analyzed. 117 patients were subjected to MRI by a GE 1. 5T MR system. After performance of axial T1WI and T2WI in all patients, MR A (3D-MOTSA) images were acquired in 6 cases (8 lesions) of aneurysms. After enhancement , 3D-SPGR images were obtained in all the remaining patients. Quality parameters (SNR, C and CNR) were calculated on enhanced 2D-SE T1WI and 3D-SPGR images. And a four-point scale was used to measure the signal intensity of the main lesions on both sequences, then statistical analysis of the average score was performed with 't' test. Except for aneurysms, 2D-SE T1WI detected 134 lesions and 3D-SPGR disclosed 147 lesions. It was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the two average scores as determined by the 't' test (t=l. 894, P>0. 05). The enhancement degree of the main lesion was equivalent on 3D-SPGR and 2D-SE T1WI. Quality parameters (SNR, C and CNR) on 2D-SE T1WI were much larger than that of 3D-SPGR, increasing by an average of 57 %, 20 % and 97 % respectively. 3D-SPGR imaging with MPR could clearly depict vascularity related to neoplasms in 20 cases and demonstrate shifted, deformed and blocked vessels involved by tumors. Six cases of large aneurysms (8 lesions) were visualized more clearly on 3D-SPGR than MRA (3D-MOTSA): 3D-SPGR could display aneurysm necks and differentiate thrombosed portion from the patent lumen, and disclose relationship of aneurysm to surrounding structures. It was concluded that enhanced 3D-SPGR played an important role in the depiction of the cerebral lesions and was superior to 2D-SE T1WI in many aspects.

Effect of Wood Compost on Extreme Soil Characteristics in the Lusatian Lignite Region

Open-cast lignite mining operations result in a loss of soil quality. Soils associated with coal mining are usually characterised by poor physical and chemical parameters. Low pH and heavy metal toxicity are of the main concerns. The lignite and pyrite content of the dump materials of the Lusatian open-cast mining district in Eastern Germany resulted in high acidification potential and low organic matter content of soils. These extreme conditions require considerable amounts of alkaline materials like compost to enable revegetation. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different application rates of wood compost on soil physico-chemical properties in two representative soil substrates (tertiary and quaternary) and on some plant growth parameters. Soil in each site was mixed with wood compost and sown with a grass mixture. The data of both studied soils showed an improvement in physical properties such as water holding capacity and bulk density in soil ameliorated with compost. Most soil chemical properties were increased significantly with the increase of compost application rates, particularly organic matter content, total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity. Compared to the control treatment in each site, the treated soil with compost showed a significant increase in grass biomass (fresh and dry matter yield). The results of these experiments revealed that addition of wood compost had significant positive effects on the soil physical and chemical properties, which affected the response of plant growth and can facilitate the revegetation of substrates contaminated with coal spoil.

Properties of Soils of Abandoned Coal Mine Industrial Areas (Primorsky Krai, Russia)

Lipovtsy coal field mine №4 processed north-western reserves of Lipovtsy field in Primorski Krai (Russia). In 1997, the mine was declared unprofitable and was abandoned by natural flooding with no arrangement of mine water discharge and in 2005 it was fully flooded. The main sources of pollution in the studied area are spoil heaps (mine wastes), underspoil filtering waters and mine waters which are being discharged on the surface after finishing of “hydraulic funnel” artificial support. The study of technogenic landscape of abandoned mine industrial area showed that its morphologic form is dominated by spoil heaps. Soils located near mine waste body differ from benchmark soils by chemical properties and size distribution. The influence of active hydrochemical mine and drainage water flows is the reason of the above-mentioned variation in soil properties. Results showed that, there exist a high correlation ratios between chemical composition of mine waters and water extracts from soil: Between the alkalinity of mine waters and electrical conductivity of soil water extracts (r = 0.73), between mine water iron content and pH of soil water extract (r = −0.56), between the solid residue of mine waters and electrical conductivity of soil water extracts (r = 0.72), between the mine waters calcium content and electrical conductivity of soil water extracts (r = −0.75), between the alkalinity of mine waters and silicon dioxide content of soil water extracts (r = 0.61), between the mineralization of mine waters and chrome content of soil water extracts (r = 0.73).

Characterization of Coal Spoil Recovered from Coal Mine Drainage Water

Barapukuria Coal Mine situated in the district Dinajpur. Bangladesh is playing an important role in the economy of this country by the mining of top quality coal. With coal mining, mine waste is also generated called coal spoil. Coal spoil can impose environmental threat if not treated carefully. In contrast, it can also be converted to value added product. In the present work, coal spoils collected from Barapukuria coal mine drainage water were investigated to determine the quality of the samples by physico-chemical analysis (proximate and ultimate analysis) as well as by heating value determination. 50% of carbon was detected in the samples after elemental analysis, with sulfur content less than 0.4%. Calorific value around 9300 btu/lb was obtained for the coal spoil. Moreover, moisture content, ash, volatile matter content and fixed carbon also provided fruitful information regarding the quality and economic prospect of the samples in comparison to the quality of Barapukuria coal.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Technology in Reclamation and Revegetation of Coal Mine Spoils under Various Revegetation Models

Reclamation and revegetation of a coal mine spoils with various revegetation models utilizing the mycorrhizal technology were studied. The models with different combination of plant species were designed to test the hypothesis of speedy revegetation. Root colonization and spore density of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) were lowest in plants seeded directly on slopes of the overburden (coal mine dump). At flat surfaces, the mycorrhizal colonization in plant species was higher than that observed at slopes. In other revegetation models, i.e., tree monoculture, tree monoculture + crop species (agroforestry), and two strata plantations (combination of different plant species), maximum AM colonization was recorded for tree species grown along with crop species. This was followed by two strata plantations and tree monoculture. In two strata plantations three categories of AM associations were recognized: 1) every plant in the combination, possessed high mycorrhizal association, 2) only one plant in the combination possessed high mycorrhizal association, and 3) none of the plants in the combination possessed high mycorrhizal association. Azadirachta indica, Pongamia pinnata, Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia catechu were most effective in catching mycorrhizae, and can be used as the effective tool in rehabilitation of the degraded ecosystems.

Does Sparing the Rod Spoil the Child?

In current society where most parents praise children, a father who claims that frequent criticisms and beatings help make his children suc- cessful, has captured the public＇s attention. Xiao Baiyou, a 47-year-old Hong Kong businessman, explains his parenting approach in his book That＇s Why They Go to Peking University, which has stirred controversy over his parenting methods since its publication release in June.

Leaching Behavior of Trace Elements in Coal Spoils from Yangquan Coal Mine, Northern China

The long-term dumping of coal waste piles has caused serious environmental problems. Release of trace elements（including rare earth elements, REEs） from coal spoils gobs was investigated at Yangquan coal mine, Shanxi Province, China. X-ray diffraction（XRD） was used to analyze the mineral composition of the coal spoils. The minerals of the coal-spoil samples are mainly kaolinite and quartz, with a minor proportion of pyrite. The batch and column tests were employed to simulate the leaching behavior of trace elements from coal spoils. Elements V, Cr, Zn, As, Pb, and Cd are highly enriched in all coal spoils. The coal spoils also have elevated levels of Ga, Ge, Se, Sn, Hf, and Th. The leachate of coal spoils, fried coal spoils and CSFGM（coal spoils fire gas mineral） samples are acidic, with the p H values ranging between 3.0 and 6.6. The released elements with high concentrations（over 100 μg/L） include Fe, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn, while moderately-released elements are Cu, Se, Mo and As. A high content of heavy metals in batch-test leachate with CSFGM indicates an increased mobility of heavy metals in coal spoil combustion byproduct. Within the first hour washing with the electrolyte solution, a rapid rise of common cations, trace elements, and REEs content, as well as a drop of p H value, in effluent was observed. An increased leaching velocity favors the release of trace elements from coal spoils. In addition, the pulse input of precipitation led to more elements to be released than continuous leaching.

Leaching of aluminum from coal spoil by mechanothermal activation

The process of order to recover aluminum investigated. The CS was activating coal spoil （CS） in as a high value product was first characterized by X-ray fluorescence （XRF）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and thermo- gravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry （TGA-DSC） in order to determine the chemical and mineral compositions of the CS. Then a mechanothermal activation method was adopted to increase the aluminum activity in the coal spoil. Over 95% of the aluminum in the CS could be extracted using this activation method. The mechanothermal activation process promoted the destruc- tion of kaolinite structures and hindered the formation of amorphous γ-Al2O3. This resulted in a high aluminum leaching activity in the mechanothermally activated CS.

Sensitivity analysis of parameters and contrasting performance of ground filtering algorithms with UAV photogrammetry-based and LiDAR point clouds

Most ground filtering algorithms are primarily designed for airborne LiDAR point cloud processing and their successful use in identifying ground points from photogrammetric point clouds remains questionable.We compared six ground filtering algorithms implemented in Metashape,ArcGIS,CloudCompare,LAStools,and PDAL.We used UAV photogrammetry-based(acquired under leaf-off conditions)and airborne LiDAR(leaf-on)point clouds of the same area to:(i)compare accuracy of generated DTMs;(ii)evaluate the effect of vegetation density and terrain slope on filtering accuracy;and(iii)assess which algorithm parameters have the greatest effect on the filtering accuracy.Our results show that the performance of filtering algorithms was affected by the point cloud type,terrain slope and vegetation cover.The results were generally better for LiDAR(RMSE 0.13–0.19 m)than for photogrammetric(RMSE 0.19–0.23 m)point clouds.The behavior in varying vegetation and terrain conditions was consistent for LiDAR point clouds.However,when applied on photogrammetric point clouds,the algorithms’behavior was inconsistent,especially in areas of steep slope(except for the Progressive Triangulated Irregular Network in LAStools).Parameters related to the selection of the initial minimum elevation ground points were the most influential in all algorithms and point clouds.

Earthworm community development in soils of a reclaimed steelworks

Long-term studies are essential to learn earthworm community development and soil formation post reclamation.Investigations were undertaken at a former steelworks site at Hallside,near Glasgow,UK,reclaimed in the 1990s using a mixture of colliery spoil and sewage sludge.The site was largely planted for production of short rotation coppice willow(Salix spp.).Earthworm inoculation formed a part of the restoration process.Minimal monitoring occurred in the interim,but some records of earthworm sampling existed in 2000 and 2005.This study focused on monitoring earthworms and soil properties across the site,drawing comparisons with adjacent unspoiled soil.Results showed that after 22 years,a species-rich community of earthworms(n=16)colonized the site,with endogeic Aporrectodea caliginosa being dominant by number and anecic A.longa by mass.Across the site,earthworm community density and biomass were 208 individuals m^(-2) and 71 g m^(-2),respectively.The Shannon diversity index for earthworms was 1.89,with an evenness of 0.68.The sewage sludge increased the soil organic matter,but the stone content of the colliery spoil prevented digging in some locations.Soil chemistry had no negative effect on earthworms,but the compacted substrate did hinder water infiltration.Earthworms colonized the reclaimed site from adjacent areas,and community structure and density below well-drained,scrub-free willow,birch,and grassland were not significantly different(P>0.05)from those of the adjacent unspoiled areas.The results show that the historical earthworm inoculation was unnecessary and badly timed.Future reclamations of similar sites can learn from this investigation.

Spoiled Soil

Plastic pollution of farmland worsens as the use of polyethylene film becomes more popular Each new harvest brings Xiao Fulin,a farmer in Manas County in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,less joy and more frustration.This is on account of the land that Xiao is using becoming increas-

Thousands Ask for Spoiled Milk Money

今年的8月14日美国及加拿大的部分地区发生了大停电现象。结果,人们贮藏于冰箱中的大量食物因此变质。纽约人从网上得知,公用事业公司将赔偿因停电而给人们造成的损失。到头来,并没有此等好事。文章体现了美国 人的幽默,主题句中出现了crying over spoiled milk,令人想起一句著名的英语谚语:It’s no use crying over spilt milk.(覆水难收,哭也无用)。一词之易(spilt→spoiled),全句生辉。翻译却成了难题。能否译成:成千上万的纽约州人在得知公用事业公司并不准备赔偿因本月月初大停电而造成的冰箱食物变质的损失的时候,他们只得摇头兴叹!