Authors: W. Lee Daniels, Associate Professor, and Barry Stewart and Dennis Dove, Graduate Research Assistants, Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech
Publication Number 460-131, June 1996
Table 2. Proposed Refuse Classification/Revegetation Criteria*
| Potential Acidity by Acid-Base Accounting (ABA) | Lime Recommendation | Amendments and Seeding Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 T/a net acid | Lime to ABA need | Direct seed with heavy P, straw mulch, and organic** amendments if possible. Use refuse seed mixture. |
| 10-25 T/Ac net acid | Lime to ABA, split if necessary | Direct seed with heavy P, straw mulch, and organic** amendment (required). Use refuse seed mixture. |
| 25-50 T/Ac net acid | Add lime (ABA need) at refuse-soil contact | Topsoil cover with 6 to 18 inches of final depth. Use conventional lime, fertilizer, and seed. |
| 25-50 T/Ac net acid*** | Without lime at soil contact | Topsoil cover with 24 inches or greater final depth. Use conventional lime, fertilizer, seed. |
| > 50 T/Ac net acid | Add lime (ABA need) at refuse-soil contact | 18-24 inches of final topsoil depth. Use conventional lime, fertilizer, seed. |
* These recommendations do not take sideslope seeps and springs into account. Such seeps are usually acidic; affected areas will need to be spot treated.
** Organic amendment consisting of stabilized sewage sludge, papermill sludge, composted wood chips or similar material with C:N ratio <30 at a rate of at least 35 dry tons per acre, incorporated with a chisel plow.
*** On flat and gently sloping surfaces, lime and organic amendments may be applied in several treatments. Splitting lime applications, so as to allow it to react with the acidic refuse prior to seed application, may allow direct seeding on materials of up to 50 tons per acre net ABA acidity. This can occur only on near-level to moderately sloped areas.