Collaborative Project Investigates Long-term Topsoil Stockpiling and Mine Site Reclamation
May 5, 2022
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The Maier, Rasmussen, and Babst-Kostecka laboratories in the University of Arizona’s Department of Environmental Science have recently collaborated on a new project examining soil materials that may potentially be used to cover mine waste to promote revegetation and management of dust.
The newfound project is investigating common soil physical, chemical, and biological properties that are found to aid in plant growth. The goal of the project is to understand how the construction of a man-made topsoil stockpile has altered soil properties with depth and storage time.
UA SRC trainee and Environmental Science graduate student, Jessica Ledesma, will analyze how the material has changed in soil microbial DNA biomass, plant available nutrients, and physical soil structure to further understand the impact of stockpiling on soil quality.
This project will potentially provide insight to mining companies for best topsoil stockpile management to effectively reclaim lands impacted by mine waste and destruction. This research project displays the exciting ways in which science and industry are intersecting to create environmental solutions in southern Arizona.