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M. Rehor & V. Ondracek 2010. Application of modern, non traditional restoration methods on brown coal localities
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Optimum dosing ranges between 100 – 300 t.ha -1 , for further application the dose 200
t.ha -1 can be recommended. The mixtures A-F were tested for the presence of risk trace
elements, all samples comply with the valid legislation of the Czech Republic. The experiment
proved substantial improvement of the sterile coal claystones properties and the method is, with
respect to great production of stabilizer, very prospective. Before its practical use other tests in
larger areas will be necessary.
6. Experimental Application of Power Plant Ash in Brezno Dump
Application of power plant ash from the Tusimice power plant was tested in the
experimental areas of the Brezno dump. It concerns the external dump of the Libous. mine.
Experimental areas were found on the yellow overburden clays from the Libous mine. Some
other details are stated by (Rehor 2004).
These rocks are homogeneous, strongly viscid and cast. With respect to extremely
unfavourable physical properties and water regime they are not suitable for reclamation use.
Their hydrophysical soil properties do not change even after longer period of depositing on the
surface of the dump. They create permanently strained soil structure with unfavourable
infiltration capabilities.
The target of the experiment was to improve grain composition of the upper horizon of
the tested areas. Power plant ash in the amount 200 t.ha -1 was put on three areas with the
acreage 1 ha and embedded with cultivator to the top horizon. Then the grain composition of the
former yellow clays and the generated mixture was detected. The results of the grain analyses
are stated in the table No. 4. Apart from that the sample with the applied ash was tested for the
presence of risky trace elements. It has been confirmed that it complies with the valid legislation
of the Czech Republic.
The results show significant improvement of the grain compositions of the mineral after
the application of power plant ash. While former yellow clay can be ranked, from the grain size
point of view, to the clay category, the mixture with power plant ash can be ranked as a clayey
soil. But equal embedding of ash into clay is an issue. Gross description of samples however
showed that ash creates rather single isolated clumps.
Despite of these issues the method is prospective, further research will focus on
preparing optimum methodology of embedding power plant ash into the upper horizon of the
reclaimed localities.
7. Discussion
The shareholding company Severoceské doly, a.s. Chomutov is today the largest mining
company in the Czech Republic. Big volumes of stripped rocks and the extent of areas
designated for reclamation require the application of new, efficient reclamation methods.
The application of fertilizable minerals remains the basic methods of technical
reclamation proving its success at the localities of Strimice, Radovesice and the inner dump of
the Bílina mine. But the first attained results of the research prove that some new progressive
methods can become a significant complement of this method. Application of power plant
stabilizer into extremely acid phyto-toxic minerals in Bílina Mines could be a prospective
method where some non-traditional erosion control measures applied well. In the Nástup
Tusimice Mines areas of interest, in case of resolving the issue of homogenation, the application
of power plant ash into the heavy grain clays can be significant. Thanks to great morphological
and geological variety of non-reclaimed areas of the Severoceské doly, a.s. there is enough
space for filling the areas left for natural succession the target of which is the protection of
unique ecosystems developing in the dumps.
Forest Landscapes and Global Change-New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology
Working Group International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.)
2010, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.