##  [Technosol Evaluation for Mine Site Reclamation on the Boreal Shield](/resource/technosol-evaluation-mine-site-reclamation-boreal-shield) 

Organization

[Laurentian University](/organization/laurentian-university)

[Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA)](/organization/canadian-land-reclamation-association-clra)

 

 

Project

[National CLRA Conference Papers](/project/national-clra-conference-papers)

 

Resource Type

[Report](/taxonomy/term/38)

 

 

Author(s)

Renate Vanderhorst

Autumn Watkinson

Shane Hayes

Peter Beckett

Graeme Spiers

 

 

Original Authors

Renate Vanderhorst

Autumn Watkinson

Shane Hayes

Peter Beckett

Graeme Spiers

 

 

Resource Date:

2016

 

Page Length

13

 

 

The application of Technosols manufactured from industrial waste materials for use in  
mine reclamation is of interest due to the lower associated environmental and economic  
costs. Long-term studies of the development of Technosols will provide information on  
how the changing soil conditions will affect plant survival and growth, information critical  
for determination of their utility as a site reclamation material. The ability of Technosols  
to support the growth of vegetation on gold mine sites on the Canadian Shield is being  
examined in order to determine if they provide a viable reclamation option following  
mine closure. Technosols were manufactured from crushed mine rock and woody  
residuals in fixed ratios (60:40 and 20:80) and placed on the surface of mine rock  
lysimeters at 30 cm or 60 cm depths. Soil microclimate data at various depths was  
monitored from late 2012 to 2015 and compared with microclimate data from both more  
traditional reclamation materials, and also from a nearby natural pedon. Technosol  
pore-water chemical composition and physical changes observed over the same period  
are also highlighted in this study.