Soil quality trends across successive stages of post-coal mining reclamation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2025.123.7581

Keywords:

land reclamation, PCA, post-coal mining, soil quality index

Abstract

Soil Quality Index (SQI) assessment is a crucial parameter for evaluating the effectiveness of land reclamation objectives. This research aimed to analyze trends in soil quality changes across various stages of post-coal mining reclamation. This research was conducted in June 2024 at sites with varying soil ages at PT Inti Bara Perdana and in natural forest areas. This research employed descriptive-exploratory methods and involved open-field surveys. Sampling was conducted using purposive sampling at locations representative of the conditions at each site. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to identify key indicators and determine the SQI. The results demonstrated that post-mining land reclamation significantly improved the physical, chemical, and biological quality of the soil. While the reclaimed soil quality has not yet fully reached the level of natural forest soil, the reclamation process exhibits strong potential for ecosystem recovery. SQI analysis revealed an increasing trend in soil quality as the reclamation age advanced. Linear variable analysis indicated a positive correlation between reclamation age and SQI development. Reclaimed areas aged 7 and 11 years exhibited SQI values exceeding 0.5, signifying successful reclamation and ecological sustainability.

References

Ahirwal, J., Maiti, S.K. and Singh, A.K. 2017. Changes in ecosystem carbon pool and soil CO2 flux following post-mine reclamation in dry tropical environment, India. Science of The Total Environment 583:153-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.043

Aimrun, W., Amin, M.S.M. and Eltaib, S.M. 2004. Effective porosity of paddy soils as an estimation of its saturated hydraulic conductivity. Geoderma 121(3-4):197-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2003.11.010

Amri, F., Hindersah, R., Kurnani, B., Sunardi, Cahyandito, M. and Nursyamsi, D. 2020. Physical and chemical natures of post artisanal gold mine area at Kebunlado Village of Riau Province. Indonesian Mining Journal 23(1):9-19. https://doi.org/10.30556/imj.vol23.no1.2020.1062

Anas, I. 1989. Soil Biology in Practice. Department of Education and Culture Directorate General of Higher Education Inter-University Center for Biotechnology Bogor Agricultural Institute (in Indonesian).

Bandyopadhyay, S. and Maiti, S.K. 2021. Application of statistical and machine learning approach for prediction of soil quality index formulated to evaluate trajectory of ecosystem recovery in coal mine degraded land. Ecological Engineering 170:106351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106351

Bargawa, W.S., Putra, A. and Nurcholis, M. 2019. Analysis of erosion using hydroseeding on post coal mining in Melak site. International Journal of GEOMATE 17(63):371-377. https://doi.org/10.21660/2019.63.48290

Beretta, A.N., Silbermann, A.V., Paladino, L., Torres, D., Bassahun, D., Musselli, R. and García-Lamohte, A. 2014. Soil texture analyses using a hydrometer: modification of the Bouyoucos method. Ciencia e Investigación Agraria 41(2):25-26. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-16202014000200013

Brundrett, M., Bougher, N., Grove, T. and Malajozuk. 1996. Working with mycorrhizas in forestry and agriculture. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Buta, M., Blaga, G., Paulette, L., Pacurar, I., Ro?ca, S., Borsai, O., Grecu, F., Sinziana, P.E. and Negru?ier, C. 2019. Soil reclamation of abandoned mine lands by revegetation in northwestern part of Transylvania: a 40-year retrospective study. Sustainability 11(12):3393. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123393

Canovas, C.R., Caro-Moreno, D., Jimenez-Cantizano, F.A., Macias, F. and Perez-Lopez, R. 2019. Assessing the quality of potentially reclaimed mine soils: Environmental implications for the construction of a nearby water reservoir. Chemosphere 216:19-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.018

Chodak, M., Sroka, K., Wos, B. and Pietrzykowski, M. 2022. Chemical and microbial properties of post-mining and post-fire soils afforested with different tree species. Applied Soil Ecology 171:104321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2021.104321

Damptey, F.G., Birkhofer, K., Nsiah, P.K. and de la Riva, E.G. 2020. Soil properties and biomass attributes in a former gravel mine area after two decades of forest restoration. Land 9(6):209. https://doi.org/10.3390/land9060209

Dong, J., Meng, L., Bian, Z. and Fang, A. 2019. Investigating the characteristics, evolution and restoration modes of mining area ecosystems. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 28(5):3539-3549. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/97390

Ezeokoli, O.T., Bezuidenhout, C.C., Maboeta, M.S., Khasa, D.P. and Adeleke, R.A. 2020. Structural and functional differentiation of bacterial communities in post-coal mining reclamation soils of South Africa: bioindicators of soil ecosystem restoration. Scientific Reports 10(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58576-5

Faithfull, N.T. 2002. Methods in Agricultural Chemical Analysis: A Practical Handbook. CABI Publishing, Bristol, eISBN : 978-0-85199-789-6, 266 pages.

Gordon, S., Xu, X. and Wang, Y. 2023. Remote sensing-based revegetation assessment at post-closure mine sites in Canada. Sustainability 15(14):11287. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411287

Gueable, Y.K.D., Jemo, M., Soulaimani, A., Hafidi, M., El Gharous, M. and El Mejahed, K. 2024. Sustainable strategy for rehabilitating phosphate mining sites and valorisation of phosphate industry by-products and sludge using pistachio tree (Pistacia atlantica), false pepper (Schinus molle), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) trees. Science of The Total Environment 937:173485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173485

Heiskanen, J. 1992. Comparison of three methods for determining the particle density of soil with liquid pycnometers. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 23(7-8):841-846. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103629209368633

Hu, J., Zhu, S., Yang, K., Ren, Y., Zhang, Z., Tang, M., Han, F. and Zhen, Q. 2024. Effects of different reclaimed mine land use patterns on the soil properties and water infiltration of opencast coal mines in the northern Loess Plateau, China. Catena 243:108193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2024.108193

Iskandar, I., Suryaningtyas, D.T., Baskoro, D.P.T., Budi, S.W., Gozali, I., Saridi, S., Masyhuri, M. and Dultz, S. 2022. The regulatory role of mine soil properties in the growth of revegetation plants in the post-mine landscape of East Kalimantan. Ecological Indicators 139:108877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108877

Joniec, J., Oleszczuk, P., Jezierska-Tys, S. and Kwiatkowska, E. 2019. Effect of reclamation treatments on microbial activity and phytotoxicity of soil degraded by the sulphur mining industry. Environmental Pollution 252:1429-1438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.066

Kowalska, A., Kucbel, M. and Grobelak, A. 2021. Potential and mechanisms for stable c storage in the post-mining soils under long-term study in mitigation of climate change. Energies 14(22):7613. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227613

Lestariningsih, I.D., Widianto, and Hairiah, K. 2013. Assessing soil compaction with two different methods of soil bulk density measurement in oil palm plantation soil. Procedia Environmental Sciences 17:172-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2013.02.026

Liu, S., Li, F., Zhang, Q., Li, Z., Tian, C., Qiao, Y., Du, K., Cheng, H., Chen, G. and Li, X. 2023. Soil quality improvement with increasing reclamation years in the Yellow River Delta. Agronomy 13(10):2576. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102576

McLean, E.O. 1982. Soil pH and Lime Requirement. In: Page, A.L. (ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2. ASA and SSSA, Madison WI, pp. 199-224.

Morash, J., Pamuru, S.T., Lea-Cox, J.D., Ristvey, A.G., Davis, A.P. and Aydilek, A.H. 2024. Using organic amendments in disturbed soil to enhance soil organic matter, nutrient content and turfgrass establishment. Science of The Total Environment 945:174033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174033

Mukhopadhyay, S., Masto, R.E., Yadav, A., George, J., Ram, L.C. and Shukla, S. P. 2016. Soil quality index for evaluation of reclaimed coal mine spoil. Science of The Total Environment 542:540-550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.035

Munoz-Cerro, E., Garcia-Duro, J., Martinez-Ruiz, C. and Lopez-Marcos, D. 2023. Soil amelioration induced by nurse shrubs in coal mines reclaimed to pastures and their synergistic effects with grazing. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 350:108483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2023.108483

Murtinah, V. and Komara, L.L. 2021. Soil physical properties development in post-coal mining rehabilitation area in East Kutai District, East Kalimantan Indonesia. Proceedings of the Joint Symposium on Tropical Studies (JSTS-19) 11:397-402. https://doi.org/10.2991/absr.k.210408.065

Nijp, J.J., Metselaar, K., Limpens, J., Gooren, H.P.A. and van der Zee, S.E.A.T.M. 2017. A modification of the constant-head permeameter to measure saturated hydraulic conductivity of highly permeable media. MethodsX 4:134-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2017.02.002

Noviyanto, A., Purwanto, P., Minardi, S. and Supriyadi, S. 2017. The assessment of soil quality of various age of land reclamation after coal mining: a chronosequence study. Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management 5(1):1009-1018. https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2017.051.1009

Ofoe, R., Thomas, R.H., Asiedu, S.K., Wang-Pruski, G., Fofana, B. and Abbey, L. 2023. Aluminum in plant: Benefits, toxicity and tolerance mechanisms. Frontiers in Plant Science 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1085998

Olsen, S.R., Sommers, L.E. and Page, A.L. 1982. Methods of Soil Analysis. Agronomy Monograph 9, 2nd edition. ASA and ASSA, Madison WI.

Owiny, A.A. and Dusengemungu, L. 2024. Mycorrhizae in mine wasteland reclamation. Heliyon 10(13):e33141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33141

Panagos, P., De Rosa, D., Liakos, L., Labouyrie, M., Borrelli, P. and Ballabio, C. 2024. Soil bulk density assessment in Europe. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 36408907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.108907

Ren, Q., Liu, G., Liu, C., Qiang, F. and Ai, N. 2023. Soil quality evaluation and driving factor analysis of Hippophae rhamnoides plantations in coal mine reclamation areas based on different restoration durations. Forests 14(7):1425. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071425

Richiedei, A., Giuliani, M. and Pezzagno, M. 2024. Unveiling the soil beyond definitions: a holistic framework for sub-regional soil quality assessment and spatial planning. Sustainability 16(14):6075. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146075

Saidy, A.R., Priatmadi, B.J., Septiana, M., Ratna, Fachruzi, I., Ifansyah, H., Hayati, A., Mahbub, M. and Haris, A. 2024. Changes in properties of reclaimed-mine soil, plant growth, and metal accumulation in plants with application of coal fly ash and empty fruit bunches of oil palm. Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management 11(3):5767-5778. https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2024.113.5767

Sansupa, C., Purahong, W., Wubet, T., Tiansawat, P., Pathom-Aree, W., Teaumroong, N., Chantawannakul, P., Buscot, F., Elliott, S. and Disayathanoowat, T. 2021. Soil bacterial communities and their associated functions for forest restoration on a limestone mine in northern Thailand. PLoS ONE 16:1-19. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248806

Shetty, R., Vidya, C.S.N., Prakash, N.B., Lux, A. and Vaculík, M. 2021. Aluminum toxicity in plants and its possible mitigation in acid soils by biochar: A review. Science of The Total Environment 765:142744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142744

Silva, S., Baffi, C., Spalla, S., Cassinari, C. and Lodigiani, P. 2010. Method for the determination of CEC and exchangeable bases in calcareous soils. Agrochimica LVI(2):103-114.

Simansky, V., Horák, J. and Bordoloi, S. 2022. Improving the soil physical properties and relationships between soil properties in arable soils of contrasting texture enhancement using biochar substrates: Case study in Slovakia. Geoderma Regional 28:e00443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2021.e00443

Song, W., Li, J., Li, X., Xu, D. and Min, X. 2024. Effects of land reclamation on soil organic carbon and its components in reclaimed coal mining subsidence areas. Science of The Total Environment 908:168523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168523

Stefanis, C., Alexopoulos, A., Voidarou, C., Vavias, S. and Bezirtzoglou, E. 2013. Principal methods for isolation and identification of soil microbial communities. Folia Microbiologica 58(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-012-0179-5

Wang, G., Yan, J., Gao, J. and Wang, C. 2021. Characteristics of physical and chemical properties of soil in different reclamation years of opencast coal mine dump in grassland. E3S Web of Conferences 237:10-13. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202123701015

Wang, S., Guo, J., Yu, Y., Shi, P. and Zhang, H. 2023. Quality evaluation of land reclamation in mining area based on remote sensing. International Journal of Coal Science and Technology 10(1):43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-023-00601-9

Wang, S., Yuan, X., Li, T., Yang, J., Zhao, L., Yuan, D., Guo, Z., Liu, C. and Duan, C. 2024. Changes in soil microbe-mediated carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling during spontaneous succession in abandoned Pb Zn mining areas. Science of The Total Environment 920:171018, PMID:38378054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171018

Wo?, B., Józefowska, A., Chodak, M. and Pietrzykowski, M. 2023. Recovering of soil organic matter and associated C and N pools on regenerated forest ecosystems at different tree species influence on post-fire and reclaimed mine sites. Geoderma Regional 33:e00632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2023.e00632

Wu, Z., Sun, L., Li, Y. and Sun, Q. 2020. Shifts in vegetation-associated microbial community in the reclamation of coal mining subsidence land. Environmental Engineering Science 37(12):838-848. https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2019.0491

Xu, C., Kuang, S., He, L., Wang, C. and Zu, Y. 2023. Effects of changing restoration years on soil nutrient traits and plant community diversity in a phosphate mining area. Forests 14(7):1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071468

Xu, D., Li, X., Chen, J. and Li, J. 2023. Research progress of soil and vegetation restoration technology in open-pit coal mine: a review. Agriculture 13(2):226. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13020226

Zhang, J., Wei, R. and Guo, Q. 2023. Impacts of mining activities on the spatial distribution and source apportionment of soil organic matter in a karst farmland. Science of The Total Environment 882:163627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163627

Zhang, Q., Ma, J., Yang, Y., Luo, Z., Wang, Y. and Chen, F. 2021. Mining subsidence-induced microtopographic effects alter the interaction of soil bacteria in the sandy pasture, China. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9:1-17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.656708

Downloads

Submitted

22-01-2025

Accepted

26-02-2025

Published

01-04-2025

How to Cite

Arifin, Z., Bertham, Y. H., Wiryono, W., & Putranto , A. M. H. (2025). Soil quality trends across successive stages of post-coal mining reclamation. Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management, 12(3), 7581–7589. https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2025.123.7581

Issue

Section

Research Article