Organic Materials as Soil Amendments in Reclamation: A Review of the Literature

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Land Resources Network Ltd.

• A review of pertinent literature was conducted to examine the effect of various organic materials when used as amendments to disturbed soil. The review was designed to be a reference document for government and industry staff involved in soil conservation and management of disturbed land. A literature base was established through extensive computer database and library searches and a survey of Alberta companies and government services was conducted to obtain information focusing on the use of organic amendments occurring in Alberta. Little of the literature dealt with the use of organic amendments specifically for land reclamation conditions similar to those found in Alberta. Organic amendments reviewed included animal manures, crop residues, peat, wood waste, sewage sludge, municipal yard waste, humates, vermicomposts and spent mushroom compost. The effect of these organic amendments on soil chemistry, soil physics and soil biology was examined. Organic amendment application, costs, longevity of effects, and use in reclamation were also examined. Benefits and drawbacks for each of the amendments was discussed. Adding organic amendments to soil quickly raises the level of soil organic matter, often resulting in improved biological, chemical and physical properties of the soil. Benefits of a single application of an amendment are not permanent. However, improved soil conditions provide a more favourable environment for plant establishment, critical for the buildup and maintenance of adequate soil organic matter contents. Growing plants provide a continual supply of organic matter inputs to soil. Organic amendments do not take the place of normal topsoil salvage, storage and replacement. An organic amendment may be required when topsoil degradation has occurred or on an old disturbance where no topsoil was salvaged. Type of organic amendment used depends on the purpose of the amendment, cost and availability, and location and future use of the reclamation site.

• Date created

  1993

• Subjects / Keywords

  • RRTAC
  • Literature Review
  • RRTAC 93-4
  • Oil Sands
  • Tar Sands
  • Tar sands
  • Oil sands
  • Alberta
  • Amendments
  • Canada, Alberta, Fort McMurray

• Type of Item

  Report

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3TQ5RH3Q

• License

  This material is provided under educational reproduction permissions included in Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development's Copyright and Disclosure Statement, see terms at http://www.environment.alberta.ca/copyright.html. This Statement requires the following identification: \"The source of the materials is Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/. The use of these materials by the end user is done without any affiliation with or endorsement by the Government of Alberta. Reliance upon the end user's use of these materials is at the risk of the end user.