| Abstract: | Slurry (coal refuse), which contains pyritic materials, produces sulfuric acid when wetted and oxidized. The acidity, together with droughtiness and high surface temperatures, create a complex problem for revegetation. Four grasses, orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), redtop (Agrostis alba L.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.), were planted on an acid slurry site at Captain Mine, Arch of Illinois Inc., Perry County, IL, USA, to evaluate the effects of soil amendments. Organic material from composted garbage (0, 112, 224 and 336 Mg ha-1), limestone (0, 45, 90 and 135 Mg ha-1) and a mixture of organic material and limestone (56/22.5, 112/45 and 168/67.5 Mg ha-1) were incorporated into the slurry. All the grasses established successfully and persisted best on treatments involving the addition of limestone. Tall fescue and reed canarygrass were the grasses best suited for the revegetation of the acid slurry impoundments. The grasses did not accumulate heavy metals to levels considered potentially toxic to livestock. The application of limestone with or without organic material appears to be a possible alternative method for revegetating acid slurry without the addition of a soil cover. |
