Long-term ecological behaviour of abandoned uranium mill tailings : 2. growth patterns of indigenous vegetation on terrestrial and semi-aquatic areas
Date
1984-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Environment Canada, Atomic Energy Control Board, Energy, Mines & Resources Canada
Abstract
Semi-aquatic and terrestrial areas on abandoned or inactive uranium mill
tailings in Ontario were studied in order to identify the growth characteristics of the
naturally invading species dominating these areas. Semi-aquatic areas of tailings sites
have been invaded by cattails. These species formed wetland communities which varied in
size, but all were essentially monocultures of Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia, or of the
hybrids T. glauca. Sedges, Scripus cyperinus (wool-grass) and Phragmites australis (reedgrass),
were found in transition zones between the cattail stand and the dry section of the
tailings site. The expansion of the cattail stands appeared to be controlled by the
hydrological conditions on the site, rather than the chemical characteristics of the tailings.
Description
Keywords
abandoned uranium mill tailings, indigenous vegetation, growth characteristics, semi-aquatic areas, terrestrial area, cattails, cattail stands