Restoration of Ecosystems Destroyed by the Fly Ash Dump Using Different Plant Species

• Main Authors: Florica Morariu, Smaranda Mâșu, Benoni Lixandru, Dumitru Popescu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Agroprint Timisoara 2013-10-01
• Series: Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies
• Subjects: fly ash dumps stabilization; invasive plant; leguminous species; toxic metals
• Online Access: http://spasb.ro/index.php/spasb/article/view/175

The leguminous plants was studied at experimental variants on fly ash dump: sown species of Onobrichys viciifolia and invasive colonies of Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and yellow sweet (Melilotus officinalis). Six experimental variants were studied in three replicates each: untreated fly ash, fly ash amended with unmodified/modified volcanic rock and fly ash treated with unmodified/modified volcanic rock (indigenous volcanic tuff) mixed with organic fertilizer, anaerobically stabilized municipal sludge type. The characteristics of topsoil was assessed in toxic metals Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni content and the characteristics of plants was assessed in terms: height, shoot and roots dry weight, root and shoot ratio, root length density, the aspect plant and competitive ability of this species to dominate in sown habitat. Invasive plants (Lotus corniculatus) and Melilotus officinalis have colonized up to 38 - 43 % and max 5 % respectively, treated experimental variants fly ash with organic fertilizer mixed with unmodified/modified volcanic tuff. The proposed strategy with sown leguminous species led to improved conditions for installation of more and resistant invasive species. Furthermore ecological restoration is increasing with effective fly ash dump stabilization.