Retention of nutrients by the different wastes produced by the kaolin mining industry in Cornwall

Summary The chemical composition and leaching loss of applied fertilizers were measured from four waste materials derived from china clay extraction. Two waste materials, overburden and mica, had a higher nitrogen and calcium concentration, and were more efficient than sand wastes for the retention of these elements when applied as fertilizers. The possibility of using overburden and mica wastes as amendments for sand waste reclamation is briefly discussed.