Potential of Biological Materials for Coal Mine Reclamation

Coal is mined for energy production around the world, and while production is declining in developed countries, it remains a common energy source in developing nations. Once the coal mine is exhausted, these large scale disturbances must be reclaimed to provide productive land for communities. This research investigates use of humic materials and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to enhance soil reclamation and plant productivity and add to knowledge of coal mine reclamation that can be applied to legacy, current, and future coal mines globally.


Globally natural and commercial biological products are increasingly being developed and used to improve soil quality. Some biological materials are composed of humic substances, a series of hydrophilic and acidic natural compounds with high molecular weight. Humic substances are of ecological importance as they act as a reservoir of organic carbon for global carbon cycling and can transport metal ions in the environment. They are currently used in agriculture and horticulture to improve soil quality and increase plant growth and crop yields and are considered suitable amendments for metal remediation in soil and water systems. The overall mechanism of humic acids, the primary component of humic substances, on soil remediation and reclamation and plant growth is not well understood. Nano humus is a material important in China and has potential for use in reclamation. The product is applied in the soil, can quickly complex metals in soil, effectively increase soil organic matter content, prevent and control soil borne diseases. Its application to large scale reclamation work is needed. 


Rhizosphere microbial activity is a principal factor determining availability of nutrients to plants and significantly influences plant health and productivity. Mycorrhizae are normally the major organisms for soil-plant interactions and can enhance water and nutrient acquisition. Fungi in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis promote plant uptake of major macro and micro nutrients and of water in the root system and consequently promote overall plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi positively influence soil quality by increasing aggregate stability, slowing organic carbon decomposition, and regulating enzyme activities. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have been studied under controlled conditions, with few field studies conducted. The relative effectiveness of nano humus to arbuscular mycorrhizal is not known.

2021 Alumni Honour Award

M Anne Naeth

Award

Alberta Barley Scholarship

Yihan Zhao

Award

Graduate Student Award

Yihan Zhao

Award

Len Leskiw Graduate Award In Land Reclamation

Yihan Zhao

Award

PhD Recruitment Scholarship

Yihan Zhao

Award

Plant And Soil Relations From An Underground Perspective

Yihan Zhao

Award

Application Timing Optimization Of Lignite Derived Humic Substances For Three Agricultural Plant Species And Soil Fertility

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Carbon Based Materials For Remediation Of Cadmium And Zinc Contaminated Water

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Coal Derived Humic Substances In Coal Mine Reclamation

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Coal Mining Byproduct Highly Effective For Land Reclamation

Yihan Zhao

Interview (Broadcast or Text)

Explore A Lab Tour 4: Cleaning Up Heavy Metals Using Carbon Based Materials

Yihan Zhao

Misc: Video feature

Humic Substances And Cattle Manure Biochar As Soil Amendments In Cadmium Contaminated And Non-Contaminated Soils

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Humic Substances As Soil Amendments In Coal Mine Reclamation

Yihan Zhao

Doctoral Thesis/Dissertation

Lignite Derived Humic Substances And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi As Soil Amendments In Coal Mine Reclamation

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Lignite Derived Humic Substances And Inorganic Fertilizer Are Effective Soil Amendments For Barley In Sandy Soil

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Nano Humus And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi As Biofertilizer To Enhance Barley Production

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Nano Humus And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi As Soil Amendments In Coal Mine Reclamation

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Nano Humus And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi As Soil Amendments In Coal Mine Reclamation

M Anne Naeth, Mohamed Gamal El-Din, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Nano Humus As A Soil Conditioning Amendment In Coal Mine Reclamation

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Nano Humus In Coal Mine Reclamation

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Nano Humus In Coal Mine Reclamation

Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Phytoremediation Of Oil Sands Process Affected Water

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Phytoremediation Of Oil Sands Process Affected Water

Yihan Zhao

Misc: Video

Phytoremediation: The Power Of Plants To Clean Up The Environment

Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Potential Of Nano Humus For Reclamation

M Anne Naeth, Mohamed Gamal El-Din, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Remediation Of Heavy Metals Using A Carbon Based Material

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Conference/Symposium/Workshop Contribution

Synergistic Effects Of Coal Waste Derived Humic Substances And Inorganic Fertilizer As Soil Amendments For Barley In Sandy Soil

M Anne Naeth, Yihan Zhao

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

oal Mining Waste Material More than 90 Percent Effective At Removing Heavy Metal

Yihan Zhao

Interview (Broadcast or Text)