Carbon Sequestration in Reclaimed Mine Soils of Ohio
Project # 41903

Primary Performing Organization
Ohio State University

Global warming is thought to be intensified by carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and these emissions are mitigated in part by the terrestrial ecosystem, which absorbs CO₂ as part of natural plant and soil cycles.  This project is aimed at assessing the potential of reclaimed mined soils (RMS) to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC).  Two major considerations are addressed:  (1) development of techniques to quantify carbon take-up by soils, and (2) best treatments to promote carbon accumulation by soils and their associated vegetation.  Using sites mined over the past 50 years, this project will assess how much soil carbon sequestration in RMS can offset fossil fuel CO₂ emissions, provide additional income to land owners through trading carbon credits, and enhance the terrestrial carbon sequestration data base.

Experimental sites will be selected with similar topography, climate, vegetation, and soil type.  At least 50 soil samples from six different treatments will be analyzed to determine the SOC, physical, chemical, and hydrologic properties of the samples.  The mechanisms of SOC sequestration and the rate of sequestration in forest and pasture will be determined.  See map of experimental sites.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Evaluate the capacity of RMS, ranging from 0 to 50 years, to sequester SOC.
• Determine the rate of SOC sequestration and the spatial (vertical and horizontal) and temporal variations of SOC.
• Develop and validate a model for the SOC sequestration rate.
• Identify the mechanisms of SOC sequestration in RMS.
• Assess the potential methods of soil reclamation.
• Determine the relationship between SOC sequestration rates and soil quality as affected by soil structure and hydrologic properties.

Contact:
Project Manager:  Heino Beckert, heino.beckert@netl.doe.gov

Related Papers and Publications:

• Carbon Sequestration in Reclaimed Mine Soils of Ohio Fact Sheet (pdf)