Use of green waste compost for the rehabilitation of fly ash parks: the example of the former thermal power plant of Pont-sur-Sambre (Nord)

Abstract

With the progressive closing of thermal power stations in France, lot of fly ash dump (coal) should be rehabilitated. The revegetation of these places is necessary to have a good landscape integration and to protect soil against erosion. In this context, EDF (French Electric Company) wanted to install experimental plots on one of its fly ash dump in Pont-sur-Sambre (North of France). The fly ash dump has been described by floristic summaries. The selection of herbaceous species and the choice of a green waste compost have been determined due to the scientific literature and the ecological knowledge of the place. Theses choices have been confirmed by laboratory experimentations. At last, experimental plots have been disposed on the dump area. By this way a fast installation and growth of the vegetation has been observed on the plots. Thus, the use of green waste compost can be a good issue to obtain a good landscape integration and a sufficient protection against erosion (ash losses with the wind or the rain-water).