Industrial residues in Northern Ontario : A field study of wood ash and sludge for mine site soil rehabilitation and biodiversity in the Sudbury basin

本研究旨在探讨在冶炼作业产生的酸化土壤上使用木灰处理进行土壤修复的可行性。这项研究是在加拿大自然科学和工程委员会、大西洋电力公司和博莱尔学院之间进行的一项试点项目之后进行的。在受控温室环境中，来自大西洋电力公司的木灰被发现对土壤养分和树苗生长具有统计上显著的积极影响。这项研究旨在通过进行实地试验来证实温室研究的结果，以确定木灰对受一个世纪采矿活动影响的土壤的有效性。来自大西洋电力公司的木灰的含氮量也很低。因此，除了证实温室研究的结果外，田间试验的目的将是确定最有效的氮源(例如纸浆污泥、富氮土壤)以及与木灰结合的适当氮素浓度，以最大限度地提高土壤肥力和植物生长，以实现生物多样性。*嘉能可-萨德伯里综合镍业已加入合作伙伴关系，希望木灰可以用于其采矿资产。这一结果可能会为这家跨国矿业公司提供一种廉价且环保的替代石灰和化肥的方法，以减少土壤酸度并改善土壤养分。对于大西洋电力公司，他们将有经验证据支持他们的灰烬在酸化的采矿土地上的功效，以及一个潜在的最终用户(即Glencore Sudbury INO)，这意味着他们不再需要填埋他们的木灰。最后，博莱尔学院的教授和学生将在建立研究方案、数据收集和分析方面提高他们的研究技能。*

The present study is an examination into the viability of using a wood-ash treatment for the purpose of soil remediation on acidified soils resulting from smelting operations. The study follows a pilot project done between the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, Atlantic Power Corporation and Collège Boréal. In a controlled greenhouse setting, wood-ash from Atlantic Power Corporation was found to have statistically significant and positive effects on soil nutrients and tree seedling growth. This study is meant to corroborate the results of the greenhouse research by conducting field trials to determine the effectiveness of the wood-ash on soil affected by a century of mining-related activities. The wood-ash from Atlantic Power also has a low nitrogen content. Therefore, in addition to corroborating the results of the greenhouse study, the purpose of the field trial will be to determine the most effective source of nitrogen (e.g., pulp sludge, N-Rich soil) and the appropriate concentration of nitrogen to be combined with wood-ash to maximize soil fertility and plant growth to achieve biodiversity. **Glencore - Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations has joined the partnership with hopes that the wood-ash could be used on its mining properties. The results could provide the multi-national mining company with an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to liming and fertilising to reduce soil acidity and improve soil nutrients. For Atlantic Power Corporation, they will have empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of their ash on acidified mining land and one potential end-user (i.e., Glencore Sudbury INO) meaning that they no longer need to landfill their wood-ash. Lastly, the professors and students from Collège Boréal will enhance their research skill set with regards to establishing research protocols, data collection and analysis.****