Reclamation of the Thomaston mine site has begun early this summer. WMPI prepared four new plots at the site demonstrating 0, 60, 166, and 332 Dry Tons Per Acre (DTPA) of biosolids. With plots having more biosolids and what appears to be a better quality of soil than the Repplier site, the Thomaston site's hybrid poplar trees should grow very well. The purpose of this experiment is to determine how much biosolids is needed to optimize tree growth. The stecklings (cuttings from mature trees) were planted in late May and early June 2007. DEP also planted some evergreen and oak trees in one of the plots to see how they would grow compared to the hybrid poplars. So far the alternate tree species are not as successful as the hybrid poplars. To test the soil water, two lysimeters were installed in each plot. The soil water will be tested to see if the nutrients from the biosolids are migrating out of the root zone. Sampling of the lysimeters will be done later this summer. |
