Temperature Characteristics of Spontaneous Coal Combustion Waste Piles in Relation to Vegetation Pattern

Based on the pilot studies and survey of 280 coal waste piles belonging to Yangquan Coal Industry (Group) Limited in Yangquan, Shanxi province, the temperature characteristics and vegetation distribution of spontaneous coal combustion waste piles were studied. The results showed an irregular distribution of high and low temperatures. With the fire area overlapping, the vertical temperature increased from outside to inside, the highest temperature occurring at about 7m from the burning surface, from where the temperature began to decline. The temperature variation showed an obvious diurnal and seasonal pattern although deep variation but this was not significant. Where the soil conductivity of coal waste pile was low, the temperature reduced sharply from the highest point. As high temperature is the leading factor determining the distribution of coal waste pile plants, it determines scope of plant distribution and the species. The vegetation in the study site consisted mostly of hollow-rooted plants with high temperature and drought-resistance. Fifteen families and 21 species were found growing on the coal waste piles. After covering them, 22 families and 48 species of naturally invasive plants emerged. These results can provide important information for the choice of high temperature tolerant plants and plant regionalization. Key words: Spontaneous combustion of coal waste piles, Temperature characteristics, Vegetation patter