Trace element uptake in plants growing in an acid mine drainage seep treated with crushed limestone

CHED 862

Rebecca Coates, Joshua D. Frizzell, Yolanda Wright, Sandra S. Brake, Mary Ann L. McLean, and Stephen F. Wolf.
Low pH and elevated concentrations of hazardous and non-hazardous trace elements in acid mine drainage (AMD) has significantly impacted the growth and diversity of plant life in the vicinity of the reclaimed Green Valley coal mine site near Terre Haute, IN. Recently, application of crushed limestone has been used to mitigate the impact of the AMD. We have characterized the biogeochemical conditions at the site to evaluate the effect of the limestone application on the uptake of trace elements in the plants. Over 100 point locations from both the limestone-treated and untreated areas within the AMD seep were characterized on the basis of soil pH, nutrient content, and contents of 31 trace elements in both soil and plants. Trace element contents were determined by ICPMS. Results for our complete site characterization will be presented and the effect of the limestone treatment evaluated.