Physical and Chemical Properties of Limestone Quarry Technosols Used in the Restoration of Mediterranean Habitats
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Author
Ferrer, Diana
Raya, Irene
Pous, Meri
Gonzàlez, Robert
Marañón-Jiménez, Sara
Alcañiz, Josep Maria
Carabassa, Vicenç
Publication date
2023-09-06ISSN
2073-445X
Abstract
The lack of topsoil is frequently a limiting factor in limestone quarry restoration. This implies that new technosols for maintaining target habitats must be created using mining wastes as the main components. We designed three different technosols using different combinations of mineral materials (mining wastes, excavated soils and topsoil), organic amendment types (compost and digestate) and doses for the restoration of target habitats. Moreover, we monitored the main physicochemical indicators of the quality of the technosols. We observed not only an increase in soil organic carbon and plant nutrients related to the application of any type of organic amendment, but that the digestate mostly increased the soil resistance to erosion by improving soil aggregation even before the emergence of vegetation. Soil-water-retention capacity only improved in technosols built with organic amendments and topsoil. The combination of mining wastes, organic amendments and a superficial horizon of topsoil resulted in the most optimal technosol for the restoration of limestone quarries in the Mediterranean climate.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
631 - Agriculture in general
Pages
15
Publisher
MDPI
Is part of
Land
Citation
Solé, Pau, Diana Ferrer, Irene Raya, Meri Pous, Robert Gonzàlez, Sara Marañón-Jiménez, Josep Maria Alcañiz, and Vicenç Carabassa. 2023. “Physical and Chemical Properties of Limestone Quarry Technosols Used in the Restoration of Mediterranean Habitats.” MDPI. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. September 6. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/9/1730.
Program
Cultius Extensius Sostenibles
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2555]
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