Establishment and Growth of Experimental Grass Species Mixtures on Coal Mine Sites Reclaimed with Municipal Biosolids

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 requires that coal mine sites in the United States be reclaimed to establish vegetative cover that is diverse, native, and capable of plant succession. However, there is a question as to whether vegetation established on coal mine sites reclaimed with biosolids is diverse and capable of plant succession. The influx of nutrients with the addition of biosolids leads to long-term dominance by early-successional species, most notably grasses, and consequently, a low establishment of woody and volunteer species. Additionally, many grass species commonly planted in reclamation have aggressive growth habits that lead to their dominance in coal mine plant communities. The establishment and growth of selected grass mixes was evaluated to determine whether alternative grass mixes would be less competitive with woody and volunteer species as compared to commonly used grass mixes. Percent vegetative cover, species richness, and the survival of direct-seeded woody species were assessed for each treatment grass mixture. It was found that Poa compressa and a mixture of P. compressa, Panicum virgatum, and Trifolium repens provided adequate coverage while still allowing the highest species richness and survival of woody species. Use of these species mixtures in coal mine reclamation with biosolids in the eastern United States would likely lead to establishment of a more species-rich plant community with a greater woody species component while still providing erosion control and site protection.     

The mild hydrothermal synthesis of hydrogrossular from coal ash

In this study, an attempt was made to synthesize hydrogrossular, a group of garnet minerals, under hydrothermal conditions at temperatures below 180°C, using coal ash, which is the solid waste from thermal power plants, as a starting material. A single phase corresponding to hydrogrossular was found at around 120°C, and the hydrogrossular coexisted with 11-Å tobermorite above 140°C. The hydrogrossular phase decreased with increasing reaction temperature, while that of 11-Å tobermorite increased concurrently. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogrossular obtained from the hydrothermal synthesis was characterized by X-ray diffraction thermogravimetry/differential thermal, analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Received: September 4, 2000 / Accepted: March 7, 2001     

粉煤灰改性吸附材料的研究

本文阐述了粉煤灰的主要化学成份、结构、物理性质，指出粉煤灰改性的物质基础，并结合笔者的研究情况，分析了改性粉煤灰处理废水和废气的机理，介绍了其在处理废水和废气的研究与应用情况，提出了应用改性粉煤灰处理废水和废气中存在的问题及今后研究的重点。     

浅谈综放开采煤层自燃火灾及其防治

综放开采作为一种特殊的采煤方法 ,其煤层自燃也有其自身的特点。笔者分析总结了综放开采煤层自燃的特点 ,以及各地点发生自燃火灾的相对难易程度 ,并从综放开采工艺和其他治理措施两个方面提出综放开采煤层自燃火灾预防和治理的方法和建议 ,指出改进综放开采工艺是预防煤层自燃火灾发生最为经济、有效的措施     

煤与瓦斯突出预测研究动态及展望

笔者总结了以突出敏感性指标预测为基础的接触式煤与瓦斯突出预测技术的发展现状 ;阐述了瓦斯地质理论研究进展情况 ;对统计学方法、计算机模拟、模糊数学、灰色系统理论、神经网络技术、专家系统、分形理论、流变与突变理论等数学物理理论在煤与瓦斯突出预测领域中的应用情况作了系统的描述 ;对GIS技术、无线电波透视探测技术及以地震波为主的弹性波技术为煤与瓦斯突出预测技术的发展前景作了必要的分析。     

锚杆支护控制底臌

在对煤巷底臌机理进行研究的基础上 ,采用锚杆支护系统设计方法 ,提出了利用锚杆支护控制煤巷底臌的理论和一套科学有效的技术措施。试验表明 ,该项技术工艺简单 ,先进合理且安全可靠性高 ,是控制煤巷底臌的有效途径。     

一种新型快速密闭装置的研究及应用

介绍了快速密闭装置的化学组成、性能、特点及其作用 ,在实际矿井中进行了对自然发火巷道的封闭和模拟火灾的封闭应用试验 ,研究了快速密闭的贮存稳定性。结果表明 ,该快速密闭装置贮存稳定性好 ,使用该装置建立密闭墙 ,轻便快捷、密闭性优良。试验研究的结果为快速密闭在煤矿井下的推广及应用 ,提供了可靠的依据     

Application of encapsulation (pH-sensitive polymer and phosphate buffer macrocapsules): a novel approach to remediation of acidic ground water

Macrocapsules, composed of a pH-sensitive polymer and phosphate buffer, offer a novel remediation alternative for acidic ground waters. To test their potential effectiveness, laboratory experiments were carried out followed by a field trial within a coal pile runoff (CPR) acidic contaminant plume. Results of traditional limestone and macrocapsule treatments were compared in both laboratory and field experiments. Macrocapsules were more effective than limestone as a passive treatment for raising pH in well water from 2.5 to 6 in both laboratory and field experiments. The limestone treatments had limited impact on pH, only increasing pH as high as 3.3, and armoring by iron was evident in the field trial. Aluminum, iron and sulfate concentrations remained relatively constant throughout the experiments, but phosphate increased (0.15-32 mg/L), indicating macrocapsule release. This research confirmed that macrocapsules may be an effective alternative to limestone to treat highly acidic ground water.     

Mercury emission from coal-fired power plants in Poland

The paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding sources of mercury emission in Poland. Due to the large quantities of coal burned at present, as well as taking into account existing reserves, coal remains the main energy source of energy in Poland. The data on coal consumption in Poland in the past, at present and in the future are discussed in the paper. Information on the content of mercury in Polish coals is presented.Coal combustion processes for electricity and heat production are the main source of anthropogenic mercury emission in Poland. It is expected that the current emissions will decrease in the future due to implementation of efficient control measures. These measures for emission reduction are described in the paper. Results of estimated mercury emission from coal-fired power station situated in the Upper Silesia Region, Poland are investigated. A relationship between mercury emission to the air and the mercury content in the consumed coal in power station equipped with the electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) is discussed.     

An examination of antecedents to coal miners' hearing protection behaviors: a test of the theory of planned behavior

PROBLEM: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's [NIOSH] National Occupational Research Agenda (DHHS Publication No. 96-115) reports that approximately 50% of miners will experience hearing loss by age 50, compared to only 9% of the general population. The present investigation examines three antecedents believed to be associated with miner's use of hearing protection. METHOD: A posttest-delayed-posttest-control group field research design was employed to assess antecedents toward wearing hearing protection. RESULTS: Following the initial posttest, miners' attitudes and subjective norms were antecedents to intentions to wear hearing protection devices. Also, intentions toward wearing hearing protection predicted hearing protection behaviors. Approximately six weeks later, miners' attitudes and perceived behavioral control were each significant predictors of intentions to wear hearing protection and again, intentions were positively associated with hearing protection behaviors. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Our results indicate that appeals to normative influences may be the most effective antecedent to employ when persuading coal miners to wear hearing protection. However, messages designed to impact attitudes and perceived behavioral control were also effective.