The main objectives of this study were to determine the biogeochemical chan
ges taking place in wetlands constructed on coal mine spoil, and to determi
ne the rate at which these constructed wetlands would develop the ecologica
l characteristics of natural wetlands. In 1992 a multicell wetland was cons
tructed. The cells were lined with two coal mine spoil types and one topsoi
l. In 1993, the cells were planted with cattail (Typha latifolia), maidenca
ne (Panicum hemitomon), pickerelweed (Pontederia lanceolota), and soft stem
bulrush (Scirpus validus). Pickerelweed spread most rapidly followed by ma
idencane and bulrush. Cattail did not establish uniformly but spread in an
irregular manner. There was no difference in plant establishment between th
e topsoil or the two mine spoils. The pH of the most acidic spoil increased
by more than one unit after flooding. Organic matter content fluctuated in
all three substrates from year to year. The concentration of the nutrient
and metal elements increased after flooding. Extractable Al, Fe, and Mn inc
reased more than other elements. The data presented here indicate that, exc
ept for organic matter accumulation, these constructed wetlands have taken
on the botanical and biogeochemical characteristics of natural wetlands wit
hin 3-4 years. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.