Soil quality evaluation for reclamation of the waste dumps of Hequ open-pit coal mine based on a soil management assessment framework

Abstract

Abstract It is imperative to comprehend the influence of reclamation on soil quality (SQ) and function to implement effective soil restoration strategies for a particular area. The primary objective of this study was to develop soil quality indexes (SQIs) to reveal the changes in SQ during the restoration of vegetation in the reclaimed waste dumps of the Hequ open-pit coal mine. The study built an SQI evaluation model for waste dumps based on the soil management assessment framework (SMAF). The total data set (TDS) consisted of nine physicochemical property indicators that were subsequently analyzed. The selection of the minimum data set (MDS) involved the utilization of principal component analysis (PCA) and Norm values. The SQ was comprehensively evaluated for nine indicators, taking into account the non-linear membership function and the improved Nemerow index. The weighted additive method was employed to compute three SQIs, all of which yielded satisfactory outcomes. The findings suggested a noTablele disparity in the SQ between the reclaimed area and the unreclaimed area, yet the overall SQ fell short. The sequence of SQ in various waste dumps was as follows: No.4lower>No.1> No.2> No.3> No.4upper. The non-linear membership function indicated that pH, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), surface moisture content (SMC), and bulk density (BD) were crucial in limiting SQIs in total waste dumps. The crucial limiting SQIs in unreclaimed areas were total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN). This analysis demonstrates its efficacy in formulating strategies for the SQ evaluation and targeted soil reclamation plans of waste dumps.