CHARACTERISTICS OF COAL BLOOM HORIZONS IN UNDISTURBED FOREST SOILS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY

Weathered coal seams (blooms) commonly occur at depths <150 cm under benches on steep slopes in eastern Kentucky. Since blooms are within the reach of tree roots and are C-rich, they may affect nutrient availability and tree growth. This study was conducted to characterize the properties of blooms, and to examine growth and nutrient uptake by trees grown on blooms in the greenhouse. Samples were collected from eight profiles and properties of blooms were compared with those of overlying A horizons. Root densities were much greater in A horizons, but densities in blooms were greater than predicted for horizons formed at the same depth in colluvium. Yields and nutrient concentrations of yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) grown in the greenhouse on blooms were low, probably due to a shortage of available N. Blooms are of low fertility and apparently do not affect forest composition under natural conditions. -from Authors