Mineland Reclamation using Office Waste Paper De-Inking Residue

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

View/Download File

Persistent link to this item

Statistics
View Statistics

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Title

Mineland Reclamation using Office Waste Paper De-Inking Residue

Published Date

1994-03

Publisher

University of Minnesota Duluth

Type

Technical Report

Abstract

Pulp facilities which recycle office waste paper generate a large amount of waste by-products in the process of producing high-grade pulp. The paper-like residue, called de-inking residue, was evaluated for use in the restoration of vegetation on coarse taconite tailings in NE Minnesota. The mineland reclamation rules specify that a 90 percent vegetative cover shall be established on tailings after three growing seasons, however this level of cover on coarse tailings has not been consistently achieved in Minnesota using standard restoration practices. Research plots were established in 1992 at Eveleth Mines arranged in a randomized block design with three replications using five levels of de-inking residue, five levels of fertilization and two plant mixes. A total of twenty-five treatment combinations were assigned to 2.5m- by- 4.0m plots and lysimeters were installed to monitor changes in sub-surface water quality. Coarse tailings were evaluated to determine the effects of de-inking residue on their chemical properties. Vegetative cover was measured in July and September in 1992 and 1993 and nutrient levels were determined in plant samples. Fertilization and de-inking residue amendments had significant effects on the vegetative cover of both introduced and native plant species. De-inking residue had a minimal impact on the chemical properties of coarse tailings at rates up to 80 dry ton/acre and on sub-surface water quality at a depth of four feet. Vegetative cover for introduced species increased from no cover, to 49 percent the first growing season, to 90 percent at the end of the second growing season on tailings fertilized at the highest level and amended with residue at 10 ton/acre. At the same fertilizer and de-inking residue rate, vegetative cover for native plants increased from no cover to 7 percent the first growing season, to 69 percent at the end of the second growing season. Alfalfa had lower levels of boron, magnesium, and manganese on residue amended plots in 1992 and 1993. Bluestem had higher levels of calcium and zinc, but lower levels of magnesium and manganese on residue amended. plots. Cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc in alfalfa and bluestem did not accumulate to toxic levels. Deinking residue appears to have benefited vegetative growth after two growing seasons using deinking residue applied at 10 dry ton/acre with fertilizer applied at 160 lb/acre of nitrogen and 359 lb/acre of phosphorus.

Description

Revised 10/03/94; Subaccount No. 543845; This report is the Final Report for Phase III of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance funded project "Evaluation of Uses of De-inking Residue." Phase III of this project was previously entitled "Mineland Reclamation." Prepared for: Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, 1350 Energy Lane, St. Paul, MN 55108

Related to

Replaces

License

Funding information

University of Minnesota Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute, 5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811-1442

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

Previously Published Citation

Other identifiers

Suggested citation

McCarthy, Barbara J; Monson Geerts, Stephen D; Johnson, Kurt W; Malterer, Thomas J; Maly, Craig C. (1994). Mineland Reclamation using Office Waste Paper De-Inking Residue. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/188437.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.