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Research fff Our research program originally focused on coal mined land reclamation and associated water quality issues, and has been continuously supported by the Powell River Project since 1979. In addition, we have worked cooperatively with Iluka Resources on mineral sands mining reclamation since 1989. Over the past decade, we have significantly expanded our research base into wetland creation & restoration, acid sulfate soil remediation, roadside revegetation, dredge spoil utilization, manufactured soil production, by-product screening, and an array of related programs based in environmental soil science. Our combined research program employs six to nine scientists, support staff and graduate students. We maintain two support laboratories and two greenhouse facilities at Virginia Tech which offer complete physical and chemical analytical capability for soils, sediments, and mine spoils. We also offer greenhouse experimental and bioassay support. More information on the full suite of our research programs is available through our project specific links. |
Teaching ff W. Lee Daniels teaches undergraduate classes at Virginia Tech in basic soils, geomorphology, soil genesis, wetland soils, and reclamation of drastically disturbed lands. We also teach graduate level courses in advanced hydric soils & wetland mitigation, and in mined land reclamation. These two graduate level classes are offered in both on-campus lecture format and as on-line distance learning classes for off-campus students. Copies of syllabi and selected lecture materials can be found on the Teaching Page. Publications fffffOur program’s publications can be found here, sorted in two formats: (A) author-date and (B) by programmatic area. Most of these publications are available as downloadable PDFs. Those with posting restrictions are available from Sue Brown via Email request. You will also find PDF versions of recent PowerPoint scientific meeting presentations on this page. |
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Outreach fff Our program offers a variety of short-courses taught on a regular basis throughout Virginia. Offerings include basic soils, hydric soils, mitigation site soil reconstruction, acid sulfate soil recognition and remediation, and others as requested. Details on content, schedules, and registration for our short-course offerings can be found on the outreach page. We routinely visit field sites upon request for consultation on revegetation, waste management and water quality problems. Finally, we also advise a range of state and federal agencies on mined land, wetland creation, and highway revegetation issues.
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Cooperating Programs at Virginia Tech ffff Virginia Tech has conducted a wide range of mined land reclamation research programs since the late 1970’s, and we have been fortunate to be part of that collective effort. In particular, we have worked very closely with Dr. Jim Burger’s programs in the Dept. of Forestry and with Dr. Carl Zipper on varied programs funded by the Powell River Project. Within the CSES Dept., we work closely with Dr. Greg Evanylo on compost and biosolids utilization research, and with a number of others cooperators whose links can be found on the right-hand side of this page. |
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Nutrient Management Planning fff Our program has experince in developing and creating Nutrient Management Plans for non-agricultural applications. If you have a need for Nutrient Management Plans please contact us and perhaps we can help. |
