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STRIP MINE RECLAMATION WITH MUNICIPAL SLUDGE
Citation:
Sopper, W. AND E. Seaker. STRIP MINE RECLAMATION WITH MUNICIPAL SLUDGE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-84/035.
Description:
Stabilized municipal sludge was used on three 4-ha demonstration plots of acidic stripmined land. Liquid digested, dewatered, and sludges were used at variable rates to supply and maintain nutrients for vegetating the plots with a grass-legume mixture. All rates resulted in a lush growth that covered the spoil and persisted for 5 years. No deterioration in vegetative yield or quality was observed or measured. Although trace metal concentration in vegetation increased there was no phytotoxicity discerned. Brief, temporary NO3N increases in soil water resulted from higher applications, but in general the sludge applications had no significant adverse effect on groundwater quality.