Improvement of mine environment by Eucalyptus plantation

The contents of soil nutrient elements (N, P, K, Fe, Mn), toxic and harmful elements (Cr, Hg, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd) and their influenceing factors in sequentially aged eucalyptus (2-7years) were analysed in the vicinity of mine that have affected the surrounding ecological environment in Guangdong province to estimate the changes of elements in soil and plants with aging. The results showed that soil organic carbon content and total Nitrogen in soil increased with the aging of Eucalyptus plantations and reached maximum at 4 years of age, and thereafter decreased. Other elements' contents decreased with aging, which declined most in 2-4 year old Eucalyptus and then the decline slowed down with aging. In areas affected by mining pollution, poisionous and harmful elements were ovbiously less in soil with eucalyptus plantations. Thus it demonstrates that planting eucalyptus can improve ecological environment with effect.