RESEARCH SUMMARY 



The paper presents the results of a 5-year study of the soil-water ionic concentrations of copper, iron, 

 and sulfate. Ceramic soil-water samplers were installed in an acid produc'ng overburden waste dump. A 

 portion of the waste material was treated with lime, topsoil, and fertilizer, and was reseeded to a heavy 

 grass stand. Another portion of the waste material was untreated. For this acid mine drainage situation 

 two conclusions are drawn: (1) both the revegetated and untreated areas show decreasing soil-water 

 ionic concentrations of copper, iron, and sulfate; and (2) the revegetation procedures have not changed 

 the soil-water ionic concentrations of copper, iron, and sulfate as compared to no surface treatment. 



The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and 

 convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by 

 the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service to the exclusion of others which may 

 be suitable. 



CONTENTS 



INTRODUCTION 1 



METHODS 1 



RESULTS 2 



Cluster Analysis 2 



Revegetated vs. Untreated Areas, 1 974-1 975 3 



Revegetated vs. Untreated Areas, 1977-79 4 



Untreated 1974-75 vs. Untreated 1977-79 5 



Revegetated 1974-75 vs. Revegetated 1977-79 7 



CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION 7 



PUBLICATIONS CITED 8 



