Ecosystem Development on Reclaimed China Clay Wastes II. Nutrient Compartmentation and Nitrogen Mineralization

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Abstract
The accumulation of biomass and nutrients in 3 compartments (plant shoots, roots and surface soil) in developing ecosystems in 2 types of reclaimed china clay waste, sand tips and mica dam walls was measured. Biomass and N accumulated mainly in the root compartment whereas all other elements measured, except for K in mica dam wall soils, accumulated in the soil fraction. The accumulation of nutrients in the shoot and root pools was not due to redistribution of nutrients from the soil pool, as accumulation was demonstrated in all 3 pools. Soil N mineralization tests showed an increase in mineralizable N in the reclaimed waste compared to the raw waste, a significant correlation with age since treatment was demonstrated for sand tip soils. The importance of nutrient and N cycling in recently established ecosystems, such as reclaimed china clay wastes, is emphasized. The relative contributions to N cycling from mineralization and grazing sources are discussed.

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