• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2003

This study was conducted to assess the physiological tolerance of native tree species for successful restoration and revegetation of abandoned coal-mine spoils. Study sites were two coal-mine spoils (Sododong and Ssarijae) in Taebaek, Kangwon Province, Korea. Five individuals of Betula costata and of B. schmidtii were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O$$_2$) content, nitrate reductase (NR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and for carbohydrate concentration in the leaves. Trees in the abandoned coal-mine spoils were influenced by deficiencies expressed by MDA and $H_2O$$_2$ content in the leaves of two species being higher at the coal-mine spoils than in the surrounding forest. Low NR activity indirectly represented nitrogen deficiency in the soil of the coal-mine spoils; an unmanageable SOD activity implied that tolerant functions didn't net against a certain stress of the coal-mine spoils. Decreased glucose and increased starch concentration especially showed the inhibition of the carbohydrate metabolism by inadequate factors. Consequently, low nitrogen content in the real-mine soils might increase damage in trees as a result of inhibiting the expression of tolerance mechanisms against stress. Therefore, trees in coal-mine spoils need ample nitrogen to use as a metabolic energy source in order to prevent damage and increase tolerance against stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.70-79
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• 1996

The Friar Tuck Abandoned Coal Mine site is one of the most complexly disturbed areas in the midwestern United States. The deposits of gob and tailings contain high concentrations of pyrite, whose oxidation contributes to the acidification of soil and water and prevents the growth of vegetation. In an effort to quantitatively evaluate the effects of reclamation techniques, detailed monitoring program was performed. Water samples were collected from surface water, groundwater, and pore water from the unsaturated zone during a period of five years. According to the results, The spoil deposits are a relatively minor source of contamination and gob piles are the source of severe contamination to surface water and groundwater. But, loess and till beneath the gob piles effectively prevent the contaminated water migration from the source. Surface layers of the gob piles and the tailing deposits are less toxic than the interior of the deposits as a consequence of weathering over several decades. Acid mine drainage is in a post-peak stage and acid formation potential is probably situated in the unsaturated zone of refuse.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2002

There are several abandoned coal mines around Donghae mine area in the Taebaek coal field. Two major creeks, Soro and Sanae, are contaminated with the colored precipitates formed from the coal mine drainages. Bed rocks of the study area consist of limestone, shale, and sandstone. Limestone consisted mainly of calcite and dolomite, and shale of quartz, pyropyllite and chlorite, and sandstone of quatz and illite. Coal coal spoil dumps composed mainly of pyrite and chlorite. The oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals leads to acid mine drainage and adds the metal ions in the stream water. The ion concentrations of Fe, Ca, Mg, Al, Si, SO$_{4}$in the stream polluted by AMD are generally higher than those in the unpolluted stream water. High concentrations of Ca and Mg, Al and Si can be resulted from dissolution of carbonate minerals such as calcite, dolomite and aluminosilicates such as chlorite, pyrophyllite. Although the Fe, Al, Si, SO$_{4}$ contents are considerbly high in the acid water released from the mine adits, they become decreased downstream due to dilution of unpolluted water and precipitation of oxide/hydroxide and sulfate minerals on the bottom of stream.