Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shijie Song, Jing Zuo, Qing Chang, Chenchen Wang, Yi Wang, Ruisi Peng
Summary: The problem of soil heavy metal pollution caused by coal gangue accumulation areas is becoming more serious. In situ plant remediation technology has become a promising method to solve heavy metal soil pollution. This experiment studied the effects of single and compound soil heavy metal pollution on seed germination and seedling growth characteristics of alfalfa and ryegrass, and found that ryegrass is more tolerant than alfalfa in both single and combined pollution.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Abdulmannan Rouhani, Mariusz Z. Z. Gusiatin, Michal Hejcman
Summary: Coal mining activities in the Czech Republic have extensive environmental issues, including the elimination of fauna and flora, impacting the groundwater system, and polluting the soil, air, and water. The country heavily relies on coal as its primary domestic source of energy, ranking 14th in the world for coal production. Surface coal mining procedures in the Czech Republic lead to soil degradation, causing significant changes in soil productivity, characteristics, and texture. The study evaluates the impact of reclamation and coal mining on soil properties and outlines the process of soil formation in reclamation areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yuhan Huang, Yingui Cao, Marcin Pietrzykowski, Wei Zhou, Zhongke Bai
Summary: This study quantifies the spatial distribution pattern and variation of RSBD on reclaimed land in the loess area of China using geostatistical spatial interpolation and multiple regression analysis. Factors such as topography, vegetation cover, soil particle size distribution, and soil erosion were found to affect the spatial variability of the RSBD. The boundary between the sunny slope and shady slope was considered to be key in dividing the RSBD, which was generally distributed in stripes and patches.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengyu Yuan, Fayong Li, Ziqiang Yuan, Guoyu Li, Xinqiang Liang
Summary: This study investigated the microbial distribution patterns and environmental factors influencing soil bacterial community composition in an alpine mining area of the Tianshan Mountain region in China. The study found that soil organic carbon concentration increased along the elevation gradient, with the highest concentration in the mining area, leading to increased microbial abundance and species richness. Some metals accumulated significantly in the tailing area were negatively correlated with microbial community structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hengfeng Liu, Yanjun Wang, Shun Pang, Xinfu Wang, Jianguo He, Jixiong Zhang, Alfonso Rodriguez-Dono
Summary: Longwall caving mining (LCM) can lead to severe environmental problems including ground subsidence and heavy metal pollution in soils. The study found a correlation between surface subsidence law and distribution of heavy metals, offering a new interpretation of LCM's impact. Further analysis identified coal mining-induced subsidence as the main source of heavy metal pollution in soils, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate environmental impact.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Abdulmannan Rouhani, Jeff Skousen, Filip M. G. Tack
Summary: Coal is an important source of energy for the global economy, but coal mining has various environmental impacts including ecosystem losses, landscape alteration, soil destruction, and changes in water quality. Scientists and practitioners have developed strategies to minimize land degradation and soil pollution, but inadequate reclamation work has led to long-lasting soil pollution problems in many mining sites.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgios Charvalas, Alexandra D. Solomou, Kyriakos D. Giannoulis, Elpiniki Skoufogianni, Dimitrios Bartzialis, Christina Emmanouil, Nicholaos G. Danalatos
Summary: This article provides an overview of alternative methods for restoring contaminated soils (phytoremediation), focusing on areas of excessive metallurgical activities in Greece. Two case studies in Northern Greece were selected, one characterized by metal mining and a hot summer Mediterranean climate, and the other involving lignite mining and pollution under subtropical climate.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cong Yao, Zhijie Shen, Yongmin Wang, Nan Mei, Caixia Li, Yajun Liu, Weibin Ma, Cheng Zhang, Dingyong Wang
Summary: This study evaluated the pollution of heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural soil in a coal gangue stacking area in Chongqing, China, and identified their pollution sources. Results showed that the concentration of cadmium (Cd) in the soil exceeded the environmental standards, mainly originating from the leachate of coal gangue. Other HMs were mainly derived from coal gangue leachate, natural and agricultural mixed pollution, as well as traffic pollution.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yajie Wang, Jiefeng Li, Wenjiao Li, Yongfen Wei, Zhiyi Deng, Fusheng Li
Summary: Coal consumption increases consistently, and heavy metal contamination in soils surrounding coal mines has become a severe environmental issue. Investigating the relationship between bacterial communities and potential ecological risks from heavy metals is crucial for understanding the impact of coal production on ecosystem health.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yijing Wang, Guodong Zheng, Yongkang Zhao, Huaizhi Bo, Changchao Li, Junyu Dong, Yan Wang, Shuwan Yan, Fanglong Zhang, Jian Liu
Summary: Soil microbiota is sensitive to environmental changes and their patterns in coal-mining subsidence areas during ecological restoration depend on land-use types, restored times, and soil electrical conductivity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Alexandra D. Solomou, Rafaelia Germani, Nikolaos Proutsos, Michaela Petropoulou, Petros Koutroumpilas, Christos Galanis, Georgios Maroulis, Antonios Kolimenakis
Summary: This study investigates the use of phytoremediation, specifically focusing on Mediterranean plants, to reduce heavy metal concentrations in contaminated soils. Based on a review of 166 research studies, the findings suggest that phytoremediation is a sustainable and affordable option, particularly for developing countries. While non-native plant species may be preferred for their metal tolerance mechanisms, they can also pose risks to local ecosystems and should be carefully considered.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fang Hongxia, Gui Herong, Yu Hao, Li Jun, Wang Meichen, Jiang Yaqi, Wang Chunlei, Chen Chen
Summary: The study found that the concentrations of Cu, As, Zn, and Cd were higher in wasteland, while Cu, As, Mn, and Ni exceeded background values in farmland. The heavy metal contents have reached a slight pollution level, with Cd closely related to agricultural activities, and As-Cr mainly coming from mining activities. Ni primarily came from domestic pollution.
HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Miing-Tiem Yong, Mohammad Babla, Shawan Karan, Utsab Katwal, Soheil Jahandari, Pushpinder Matta, Zhong-Hua Chen, Zhong Tao
Summary: The study evaluates the potential utilization of coal tailings in soil amelioration for improved plant performance, showing that it can be used as a soil conditioner for enhanced productivity of tomato plants.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Baoqing Wang, Yinuo Li, Zhenzhen Tang, Ningning Cai, Nan Zhang, Jianfeng Liu
Summary: The study compared the pollution characteristics and sources of heavy metals in indoor and outdoor PM2.5 in a coal-fired and non-coal-fired area in Qian'an City in January 2016. The results showed that indoor sources were more significant in the coal-fired area, with metal smelting being the main contributor to outdoor PM2.5. The study suggests that central heating and reductions in industrial activities could effectively improve indoor air quality in the rural-urban fringe zone.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mahdi Pouresmaieli, Mohammad Ataei, Pegah Forouzandeh, Paridokht Azizollahi, Matin Mahmoudifard
Summary: Heavy metals contamination is a serious global environmental concern, and soil remediation is crucial for removing these contaminants. Phytoremediation, using plants to remove heavy metals from soil, has been found to be an effective strategy.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)