---
title: Soil Amendments
description: "## Summary Soil amendments -- including biosolids and CFB combustion ash -- are used to improve soil conditions on reclaimed mine lands. This page covers the two main categories of amendments used in AML reclamation: biosolids (treated sewage sludge) for…"
url: "https://aml-connect.org/aml-knowledge-base/soil-amendments/"
updated: "2026-03-13"
category: "AML Reclamation & AMD Treatment / AML Reclamation / Land Reclamation"
---

# Soil Amendments

## Summary

Soil amendments -- including biosolids and CFB combustion ash -- are used to improve soil conditions on reclaimed mine lands. This page covers the two main categories of amendments used in AML reclamation: biosolids (treated sewage sludge) for nutrient enrichment and vegetation establishment, and coal combustion ash for pH adjustment and AMD abatement.

---

[Coproducts and Beneficial Use at Mine Sites](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/bmr/Coproducts_Beneficial_Use_of%20Wastes_for_Mine_Sites.htm)

## Biosolids

[PA DEP Links for Biosolids](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/biosolids/biosolids.htm)

[Biosolids](http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/) - EPA

[Mine Reclamation - Water quality research on mined lands reclaimed using biosolids](http://environmentalsoils.cas.psu.edu/scootack2.html)

[USING BIOSOLIDS FOR RECLAMATION/REMEDIATION OF DISTURBED SOILS](http://faculty.washington.edu/clh/whitepapers/biosolidswhite.pdf) By: Sally Brown and Chuck Henry University of Washington

[Agronomy Fact Sheets Environmental Soil Issues](http://www.agronomy.psu.edu/extension/esi.html) Department of Crop and Soil Sciences - Cooperative Extension

[Acid Mine Drainage: Innovative Treatment Technologies](http://clu-in.org/download/remed/costello_amd.pdf) Prepared by Christine Costello, National Network of Environmental Management Studies Fellow for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  See section on Biosolids

## CFB Combustion Ash

[Fossil Fuels Combustion](http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/fossil/index.htm) page on EPA website.  Contains many links.

[COAL ASH AND DREDGE SEDIMENT IN MINE RECLAMATION](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/eps/docs/cab200149b1126000/fldr200149d1642109/fldr20034e9504502c/doc2003btb3623021/4800-FS-DEP3077.pdf)    PA DEP fact Sheet

[Water Quality Effects of Beneficial CCBs Use at Coal Mines](http://www.mcrcc.osmre.gov/PDF/Forums/CCB2/4a.pdf) Paul F. Ziemkiewicz and D.C. Black, National Mine Land Reclamation Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia

[The Use of FBC Flyash for Alkaline Addition at Surface Coal Mines](http://www.flyash.info/2001/mining1/49schue.pdf)  Joe Schueck et al

[Beneficial Use of Coal Ash in Anthracite and Bituminous Mine Reclamation and Mine Drainage Pollution Abatement in Pennsylvania](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/SUBJECT/ADVCOUN/MINREC/Mrab_2002/00A84_rev.HTM) by  Barry E. Scheetz, Pennsylvania State University; Michael J. Menghini, Roger J. Hornberger, Thomas D. Owen, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - District Mining Operations;  Joseph Schueck, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Mining and Reclamation

[U.S. EPA Site Visit Report Coal Combustion Waste Minefill Management Practices - Pennsylvania](http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/fossil/sites/pa-visit.pdf) - Draft Final March 19, 2003

[GUIDELINES AVAILABLE FOR THE USE OF COAL ASH](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/polycomm/update/05-08-98/05089811.htm) PA DEP Update

[Coal Ash Generators Given Statewide Certification For Beneficial Use](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/polycomm/update/03-05-99/up030614.htm)  PA - DEP UPDATE MARCH 5, 1999

Brief overview of [beneficial uses of combustion ash](http://www.netl.doe.gov/coalpower/environment/ccb/states/pennsylvania.html) and legal authority to use it

[PENNSYLVANIA'S REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF COAL COMBUSTION ASH AT COAL MINING OPERATIONS](http://www.mcrcc.osmre.gov/PDF/Forums/CCB/3-3.pdf) by Nevin Strock Chief Surface Mine Permit Section Bureau of Mining and Reclamation Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

[Coal Fly Ash Report](http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/es/reports/Fly%20Ash%20Report%202004.doc) by the [Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee](http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/index.htm)

[Minefill Practices for Power Plant Wastes](http://www.catf.us/publications/reports/Minefill_Practices.pdf) by Charles H. Norris, Geo-Hydro, Inc. 

---

## Related Pages

- [CFB Reactor Power Plants](/docs/circulating-fluidized-bed-cfb-reactor-power-plants) -- Source of combustion ash
- [Coal Refuse Piles](/docs/coal-refuse-piles) -- Sites requiring amendment
- [Remining](/docs/remining) -- Often combined with amendment and revegetation

## Source and Last Reviewed

Source: AMR Clearinghouse (amrclearinghouse.org). Migrated to AML-Connect. Last Reviewed: 2026-03-13.

**Tags:** amd, practitioner, planning