TY - GEN A1 - Rodionov, Andrei A1 - Nii-Annang, Seth A1 - Fischer, Thomas A1 - Gattinger, Andreas A1 - Bens, Oliver A1 - Raab, Thomas A1 - Hüttl, Reinhard F. T1 - Cross-linked polyacrylates in post-mining substrates: persistence and effects on plant growth T2 - Soil Use and Management N2 - Application of hydrophilic polymers composed of cross-linked polyacrylate can improve soil water-holding capacity and accelerate the restoration of post-mining substrates. In this work, we studied the persistence of a polyacrylate polymer incorporated into a soil and its impact on plant nutrients at a reclamation site of former lignite mining in Lusatia (Germany). In contrast to autumn application, the incorporation of the polymer enhanced the sequestration of plant-derived carbon in the soil, which was reflected by a significant increase in the concentration of a lignin marker. Attenuated total reflexion–Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR-FTIR) and total elemental contents in the applied polymer suggested an intensive cation exchange between the polymer framework and the soil-forming substrate. In addition, there was an enrichment of carbonaceous material, which seems to reduce the swelling and thus the water-holding capacity of the cross-linked polyacrylate. Conversely, this process protected the polymer structure from rapid decomposition. Y1 - 2014 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-UBICO/frontdoor/index/index/docId/10676 SN - 1475-2743 VL - 30 IS - 1 SP - 78 EP - 87 ER -