ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Comprehensive Evaluation of Soil Quality:
a Case Study from a Semi-Arid Area Experiencing
Coal Mine Related Subsidence in China
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1
College of Geographical Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China
2
College of Resource & Environmental, Baotou Teachers´ College, Baotou 014030, China
3
Faculty of Geographical, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100000, China
Submission date: 2020-10-15
Final revision date: 2020-12-27
Acceptance date: 2021-01-20
Online publication date: 2021-08-30
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Corresponding author
Ruiping Zhou
College of Geographical Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(5):4531-4544
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ABSTRACT
Soil quality strongly influences the growth of vegetation and other environmental factors. While
generating economic value, mining activities also damage soil and vegetation. Ecological restoration of
areas subjected to mining activities has become a major cost borne by government agencies and mining
enterprises. Restoration depends on comprehensive assessment of soil and environmental quality.
This study addressed impacts of subsidence occurring around the Bulianta Coal Mine of the Shenfu
coalfield in China. Using non-subsiding areas as a control, the research compared soil quality parameters
defined by the Integrated Fertility Index (IFI) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI) frequently used
in environmental monitoring and remediation. The results showed that subsided areas exhibited greater
soil bulk density (SBD) and pH values relative to soils from areas not experiencing subsidence. Soils
from subsided areas contained lower available nitrogen (AN), available potassium (AK), organic matter
(SOM) relative to soils from non-subsidence areas. Different soil layers also exhibited considerable
variation in available phosphorus (AP), AK, and SOM that attained significance at the P<0.05 level.
Soils from subsided areas showed lower concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn than that measured from
non-subsidence areas. The heavy metal content of non-subsided soils varied considerably with the depth
of soil layer analyzed. Lead was the most abundant species of heavy metal detected in the soil of the
mining area, and Cd showed the greatest potential risk of soil pollution in the mining area. The soil
fertility index in the study area depended on subsidence, which showed some degree of spatial continuity.
The subsided area showed poor soil quality and the entire area categorized as a slight potential ecological risk. This research supports management and ecological restoration of the mining area and may serve as
a reference for similarly impacted areas around the world.