Can coal tailings be additives to natural soils to improve agroecosystems?

Theme: Environmental Management; Earth Sciences

Description: 

Mining activities produce a massive amount of residual waste, more than 90 % of the removed material. If the composition of the waste material does not represent a potential harm to the environment, it can be used as an additive to improve soil physical and chemical structure for agroecosystems. This project aims to evaluate physical, chemical, and biological (microorganisms) changes over time using column leaching experiments in different blends of natural soils and benign coal tailings.  This project is essential to understanding the feasibility of benign tailings as an amendment for agronomic purposes.

Contact: Assoc Prof Carlos Spier and Dr Amelia Corzo Remigio