Microbial and Nutritional Characteristics of Coal Mine Overburden Spoils in Relation to Vegetation Development

Attempt was made to study the distribution of microorganisms in coal mine overburdens of different age series in Gevra Colliery of South-Eastern Coal Fields Ltd., Bilaspur, Madhya Pradesh with a view to assess the time dependent changes in species composition, nutrient status and biological activity. It was noted that with an increase in age of overburden spoils, not only the number of trees, shrubs and herbs increased but their density also. A number of leguminous species in different sites were observed. The populations of all the microorganisms increased sharply with the increase of the age of overburdens. A highly significant positive correlation was obtained between the number of plant species and organic carbon of the spoils. Significant positive correlations were also obtained between the number of organisms and organic carbon and total nitrogen.