ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Biological Stabilisation of Tailing Pond Coasts
with Use of Mineral and Organic Substances
and Water-Absorbing Geocomposites
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1
Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
2
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
Submission date: 2017-06-23
Final revision date: 2017-10-10
Acceptance date: 2017-10-14
Online publication date: 2018-04-13
Publication date: 2018-05-30
Corresponding author
Piotr Kuc
Department of Agroecosystems and Green Areas Management, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Sq. 24a, 50-363 Wrocław, pl. Grunwaldzki 24 A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2018;27(5):2089-2095
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ABSTRACT
The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of reclamation activities in a tailing pond,
consisting in the application of mineral (rock aggregate) and organic substances (crop willow chips,
swarf) and reclamation plants such as various species of grass and their mixtures with water-absorbing
geocomposites, on the selected physical and biological parameters of the sediment. The experiment was
started on Konrad tailing pond in Iwiny village in Poland. The pond had been filled with post-flotation
sludge from copper ore mining until 1971. Since then, no activities have been conducted there. The mine
tailings with absorbent (geocomposite) were characterised by higher moisture content. Intensified CO2
emissions were also noted, along with a noticeable reduction in the compactness of sediment in comparison
to the values obtained for mine tailings without geocomposites. Various types of additives that were mixed
with tailings in order to improve its disadvantageous physical and biological properties had a noticeable
influence on mine tailings. The best results were obtained after using crop willow chips, which contributed
to improved moisture conditions, reduced compactness, and increased amounts of emitted CO2. Individual
species of reclamation plants or their mixtures had a relatively slight influence on the analysed properties of
the post-flotation sediment. Significant differences were noted only for moisture content of the tails, which
was highest after the introduction of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).