FUNCTIONAL AND AESTHETIC REINTEGRATION OF ABANDONED COAL PITS

CIPRIAN NIMAR
ABSTRACT:

Mining pits are the result of the morphological process of rock excavation site with a

reserve of useful mineral substances. Mining pits morphology is particularly spectacular in terms of dimensional and designed landscape being characterized by an inversion of relief. Because of strong visual impact, measures to rehabilitate land affected by mining must seek aesthetic problem with industrial design projects, for a restful ambience.
KEY WORDS: functional reintegration, anthropic landform, coal pit, aesthetics, anthropic landscape.

1. Introduction Mining activity usually results in two kinds of anthropic landforms: one is a positive landform (waste dumps, anthropogenic terraces, etc.) and the other is a negative landform (coal pits, excavation, uncovered land, etc.). The basic principle regarding the rehabilitation of the degraded land is that the negative landforms need to be filled in, while the positive landforms need to be smoothed out. This "leveling the high land and filling the low land" is an important engineering component in the rehabilitation of degraded mining lands (Georgescu M, Dumitrescu I, Biro C.). Land rehabilitation (Rp ) requires extensive research to be based on a recreational landscape development, using landscape architecture techniques (Ap) and industrial design (DI). Landscape architecture has its own ways of working, often turning to vegetable item as "building material" (Bradshaw A.). Rp = f (DI, Ap) (1)

Anthropic landscape can join the functional and aesthetic reorganization simple or complex programs, in terms of: financial resources available, degree of impairment of environmental components and local specificity. Quick solutions are welcome to have low costs, which in turn degraded territorial complexes with valences recreational facilities. Completion of mining activities to date and conversion of degraded environmental areas within require an administrative and engineering measures. Specific technical operation after closure and preservation of mining fields, landscaping is functional rehabilitation and reintegration of former mining field. Is needed to take account of the specific site, the latest techniques and methods in terms of organic conversion and expectations of local community.

Of aesthetically, the created new space should take into account certain psychological principles of landscape perception (fig. 1.1, fig. 1.2). For the perception of landscape, like a performance, it is important the light, the angle of illumination and its intensity and how the background is made the arrangement of the morphological features and vegetation. From the point of view, green areas for recreation or tourism officials to be achieved in a particularly degrading territory, bearing in mind that these activities were not typical of this area before the start of mining activity. As a result, tourism or leisure activities (viewed as desires or needs of human beings to delight the senses), should be concentrated in those areas that have the great potential for scenic beauty and quiet.

Fig. 1.1. Area that directs

Fig. 1.2. Collecting area

Usually the created function of the new made land is perceived locally or regionally. If it is possible that tourism and recreational activity to replace the previous industrial activity, then it can play an important role in the social and economical terms (Law DL.). While it is possible for tourism to supplement local industry, it will rarely play a vital role at the local level. If the territory in which the anthropogenic factor has held industrial activity, is not in terms of potential landscape and harmonious relations with any other tourist resources, when recovered a degraded land, it can be improved by building parks and public gardens, artificial lakes, water parks and botanical gardens (fig. 1..3). Of course, greening and tourism areas represent a complex combination of all kinds of landscape functions.

Solutions for landscape rehabilitation of degraded mining lands

Integrated farming system

Area for construction

Area for green spaces

Growing herbs

Sports arenas and tracks

Recreational facilities: parks and public gardens

Afforestation with trees or shrubs

Water parks

Lakes for fishing

Fig. 1.3. Solutions for rehabilitation of degraded mining lands

2. Landscape patterns of reintegration of coal pits 2.1 Arranging the coal pit for recultivation During operation, the tailings can be transferred from a coal pit operation in other sectors which are closed or inactive. After filling their former careers or planning as tailings dumps inside, they enter a rehabilitation program similar to external waste dumps. Because most of the usable land destroyed as a result of mining activity was previously farmland, it can be recultivated following adequate reclamation procedures. Forest recultivation involves a series of preparatory work as: building works, land preparation work and works to improve soil conditions. Results of experiments showed that the soil improving species (which fix nitrogen) such as acacia, alder and especially sea buckthorn have been successfully used in all cases. They have contributed to substantial improvements and have stimulated growth of other wood species when grown in mixture with them (Lazr M.). For example, in Russia, on silty - clay alkaline deposits with low phosphorus and potassium, good results were obtained from plantation with: sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), black alder

(Alnus glutinosa), alder (Alnus incana) and lupine (Lupinus albus) - a row of two rows of sea

buckthorn species. Also good results were achieved by planting locust tree (Acacia melanoxylon). For soils of wet regions from Germany is successfully used the willow (Salix incana). In Romania, forest recultivation were made in the mining basin of Oltenia, in the mining perimeter of Tismana, Peteana and Roia de Jiu (Red of Jiu) where were used pine species. The mixture is best at the bouquets, which occupy areas of 50-100 m2 or pure bands

alternating between them, 5-10 m wide. Crop density of seedlings will be 5000-6700 per hectare with a range of 0,8-1 m row from 1,25-3 m between rows (Fodor, D.).
Agricultural re-cultivation involves a sequence of processes and draining work, re-fertilization, collection and selection of seeds and is done in two stages (Georgescu, M.): the first stage aims to regenerate soil fertility through crop production as: alfalfa, clover, etc.; the second stage, after 4-5 years, aims the basic agricultural crop production as: wheat, corn, rape, etc. (fig. 2.1) . In Romania, experimental research were made in the mining basin of Oltenia on the outside waste dumps of the Tismana coal pit, being used four types of crops: wheat, corn, potato and alfalfa. Another experimental research were made on the Cicani Balta Unchiaului (The Greybeard Pond) waste dump. Some of the Rovinari mining basins dumps (Cicani and Grla dumps) were used for growing fruit trees and vine. Tree species used, were: apple and plum trees, and vine species used were: Italian Riesling and Merlot.

Fig. 2.1. Model of agricultural re-cultivation of a waste dump

2.2 Arranging the coal pit for waste storage

This function is suitable for mining closed, where geological and climatic conditions are appropriate and if is available a large amount of garbage for landfill. The current trend worldwide in terms of mining and controlled storage of household deposits, is that of a single project combines the exploitation of minerals, waste storage and environmental recovery of the land even and rendered the economic circuit. Using sterile material derived from coal operation may be used for daily deposited layer of material over the waste and for the construction of impermeable barrier (permeability than 10-9 m / s). Arrange removals deposit using sterile material, reducing investment costs by reducing or eliminating the necessity of use of building materials from the adjacent land. Simultaneously with filing sealing in areas where storage will take place (active cells) will put in work and leachate collection system. As there is residual waste storage and filling is installed the gas storage wells for the disposal and collection pipelines that carry gas to the combustion plant. By the increasing the thickness of deposited waste (which are regularly covered with a layer of soil), the cleaning wells of the collecting and exhaust leachate system are built up. After submission of household waste can set capture biogas resulting circuits (fig. 2.2). After occupying the projected volume for each storage cell is passed to the third stage, to reinsertion in the economic cycle.

Fig. 2.2. Collection and storage of biogas for use of generation of electricity 2.3 Arranging the coal pit as artificial lakes like water parks and farmland pond-units Excavated areas become artificial lakes with complex functions. Use as artificial lakes requires, besides strict compliance technical requirements for construction slopes, a number of other studies and engineering: Carrying out works to regulate surface water and groundwater; A study of geotechnical and topographic surveys before and after execution of stabilization of human structure;

Execution of engineering works to stabilize and enhance the coal pit (fig. 2.3); Sealing platform and future lake shores; Monitoring the stability and mechanical behavior of the assembly formed by the lake and surrounding morphology; Natural or controlled flooding of coal pits lakes;

Fig. 2.3. Anti-erosion works for a coal pit slope using geotextile The water park can be designed in the place of abandoned coal pits where land surface has undergone impressive. In terms of space, water parks are in the form of artificial lakes and to achieve harmony between natural and created landscapes, buildings for recreation, fun has to be covered by forest or shrubs plantations . To get a very pleasant landscape, plants such as poplars, willows, wicker, grass (turf) or different types of flowers that are suitable for specific climate area, have to be planted along or around the lake (Fig. 2.4).

Fig. 2.4. Lake - type arrangement of a coal pit In a farmland pond-unit, the grass, vegetables and grains (including an animal farm) forms a concentric cycle, encircling the pond. This process is a production cycle, where vegetables and grain are fed to pigs, vegetables and grass are fed to fish and pond silt and the excrement of both pigs and fishes are

used to fertilize the soil. In this way, the land and water ecosystem interact as a compound ecosystem with multiple levels and functions (Wang Y., et all). Currently, structural designs of this type are being applied to coal-mining collapsed areas in Tongshan County, Jiangsu Province, China. 2.4 Arranging the coal pit for scientific research Coal pits are central elements in the landscape created by mining and provide an unusual potential for biodiversity, even higher than that offered by land unaffected. Openings generated by mining industry and active geomorphological processes can be traced easily, is unique scientific attractions. Coal pits may become an integral part of the cultural identity of the mining region , a good example is in Gera Ronneburg where in 2007 it was organized a federal exhibition of landscape design where were exposed remains of cultural heritage, and local mining (photo 2.1). Another coal pit from Saxonia, Brandenburg was used in 2001 for the same purpose.

Photo 2.1. Gera, Ronneburg (Thuringia), Germany Conclusions The mining activity not only destroys the valuable land resources, but also pollutes the environment surrounding the mining area. Reclamation procedures viewed as an economic process, by integrating the use of land after reclamation, can lead to profitable post operations for mining companies and local communities, even if the economic factors were not taken into consideration during the feasibility studies or when the reclamation plan was developed. It is important to note that the cycle of exploitation redevelopment re-use is particularly beneficial to the sustainability of mining operations as well as achieving a balance between development, environmental, social and cultural objectives.

REFERENCES: Bradshaw, A. - Restoration of mined land using natural processes, Ecological Engineering, 1997; Darmer, G., Dietrich, N. - Landscape and surface mining: Ecological guidelines for reclamation, New York, 1992; Fodor, D. - Impactul industriei miniere asupra mediului, Editura Infomin, Deva, 2001; Georgescu, M., Dumitrescu, I., Biro, C. - The rehabilitation of the mining zones in Romania, SWEMP 96, Cagliari, Italy, 1996; Georgescu, M. - Sistematizarea i reutilizarea terenurilor, Litografia Institutului de Mine Petroani, Petroani, 1989; Lazr, M. - Reabilitare ecologic, Editura Universitas, Petroani, 2001; Law, D.L. - Mined land rehabilitation, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company: New York, 1984; Wang, Y., et all - Landscape ecological planning and design of degraded mining land, Land degradation and development, 2001.