Effect of Coal Mining Waste and Its Mixtures with Sewage Sludge and Mineral Wool on Selected Properties of Degraded Anthropogenic Soil

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of coal mining waste and its mixtures with municipal sewage sludge and waste rock wool from cover crops on the formation of selected properties of degraded anthropogenic soil. Under the conditions of a pot experiment, coal mining waste and its mixtures with 2.5 and 5% sewage sludge and mixtures supplemented with 1% addition of waste rockwool from cover crops were introduced (in a ratio of 1:1) into the degraded anthropogenic soil. White mustard was grown on the substrates in the first year and maize in the second year. The pH, EC, and sorption properties were determined in soil samples taken before of the plants and after their harvest. The results showed that the addition of coal mining waste and its mixtures with municipal sewage sludge and waste rock wool improved the soil pH and sorption properties. The management of coal mining waste and waste optimising its properties for the production of fertilizing agents can be an effective strategy within a circular economy, which at the same time will increase the efficiency of the management of degraded and poor-quality soils.

Keywords

• soil
• sewage sludge
• ph
• sorption properties
• circular economy
• rockwool
• coal mining waste