Evaluation of Reclamation Soil Quality in Coal Mining Subsidence Area Based on CA-CDA-PCA-MF

Shiliang Liu, Yusheng Zheng, Xueqiang Lv (), Bochao An, Zhichao Huo, Fangru Guo, Chen Chao and Deqiang Mao
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Shiliang Liu: School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Yusheng Zheng: School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Xueqiang Lv: Shandong Ding’an Testing Co., Ltd., Jinan 250032, China
Bochao An: Shandong Ding’an Testing Co., Ltd., Jinan 250032, China
Zhichao Huo: Shandong Ding’an Testing Co., Ltd., Jinan 250032, China
Fangru Guo: Shandong Ding’an Testing Co., Ltd., Jinan 250032, China
Chen Chao: School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Deqiang Mao: School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: Soil reclamation is essential for restoring the ecological environment in coal mining subsidence areas, with reclaimed soil quality serving as a key indicator of success. Traditional evaluation methods often rely on subjective judgment, leading to potential biases. This study proposes an approach combining cluster analysis (CA), correlation degree analysis (CDA), principal component analysis (PCA), and membership function (MF) to evaluate soil reclamation quality in the Ezhuang subsidence area, Shandong Province, China. A minimum dataset (MDS) was established, including seven indicators: exchangeable magnesium, total nitrogen, available copper, available manganese, zinc, free iron, and available silicon. Soil quality indices (SQIs) were calculated using membership functions, revealing moderate soil quality across the reclamation area, with significant spatial variations. The northeastern section exhibited relatively good soil quality, while the northwestern and southeastern sections were poorer. Key factors influencing soil quality included variations in organic matter, exchangeable magnesium, and available copper. The accuracy of the CA-CDA-PCA-MF method was validated, with a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of 0.877 and a coefficient of deviation (CV) of 0.053, demonstrating its reliability. This method provides a robust tool for evaluating and improving soil restoration in mining areas, with potential applications in similar reclamation projects.

Keywords: reclaimed soil; soil indicators; minimal dataset; soil quality index; soil quality evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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