Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Theses
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Theses
    • View Item

    Revegetation of coal mine dumps to ameliorate effects of acidic seepage.

    12531_Mikli, Markus 2001.pdf (11.60Mb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Mikli, Markus H.
    Date
    2001
    Supervisor
    Professor John Fox
    Dr John Koch
    Type
    Thesis
    Award
    PhD
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    School
    Department of Environmental Biology
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/213
    Collection
    • Curtin Theses
    Abstract

    Species prescriptions are developed for revegetating abandoned acidic coal overburden seepage sites in the Collie region of Western Australia. The research involved selecting appropriate plant species and determining successful methods of enhancing revegetation. Candidate species were screened for tolerance to acidic overburden materials, local climate conditions and metal toxicity. Methods tested included improving spoil conditions and trialing an alternative method for seeding.Twelve species of native plants were tested for tolerance in two acid overburden materials in pot and field trials. Eucalyptus robusta is the most tolerant, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus cladocalyx are highly tolerant, Eucalyptus rudis and Melaleuca hamulosa demonstrate potential, provided adequate soil moisture is available.An important growth restriction factor in acid soils is the presence of free aluminium ions. A glasshouse trial performed on seven species for tolerance to aluminium toxicity revealed E. robusta as most tolerant and E. camaldulensis and Kunzea ericifolia a highly tolerant. E. rudis and M. hamulosa are moderately tolerant, but E. cladocalyx and Eucalyptus diversicolor are very sensitive to aluminium.Various methods were trialed to increase growth of seedlings transplanted on to acidic overburden sites. Both commercial cow manure and slow-release fertiliser tablets increase growth, whereas commercial potting mix and lime do not. Inoculation of plants with the ectomycorrhiza fungus Pisolithus tinctorius increases the amount of infection in roots but does not enhance plant growth.Supplementary fertilisation is necessary to maintain growth (nitrogen) and restore chlorophyll production (phosphorus) in fast growing eucalypt seedlings planted into typical acidic spoils. Poor levels of nutrient availability in such acidic sites appear to be the primary factor in retarding growth. In the absence of supplementation, foliage reddening is observed in several species.An alternative method of seeding dumps is fascining. Prepared dump surfaces may be covered with capsule-laden branchwood of myrtaceous species. Material of the locally available Kunzea ericifolia is effective in producing many seedlings. Subsequent seedling growth is enhanced with fertiliser and lime addition.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Developing completion criteria for rehabilitation areas on arid and semi-arid mine sites in Western Australia
      Brearley, Darren (2003)
      Continued expansion of the gold and nickel mining industry in Western Australia during recent years has led to disturbance of larger areas and the generation of increasing volumes of waste rock. Mine operators are obligated ...
    • Seedling growth and physiological responses of Perth’s eucalypts to soil-induced stresses
      Farifr, Eiman (2010)
      Perth’s Swan Coastal Sand Plain soils are typically nutrient impoverished, and the native trees of the region are therefore adapted to maximise nutrient uptake. Although the dune systems here are generally not known to ...
    • Ecology of Eucalyptus victrix in grassland in the floodplain of the Fortescue River.
      Florentine, Singarayer K. (1999)
      The WA coolibah tree, Eucalyptus victrix L. Johnson & K. Hill forms an unique and pristine woodland in the Fortescue Valley, in the Pilbara district of Western Australia. Until recently, no research had been done on E. ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.