ABSTRACT
The terrestrial carbon cycle represents the third largest carbon pool, after the oceanic pool and fossil reserves. In fact all fossil reserves originated from photosynthesis, the process that drives the short-term carbon cycle. In the short-term cycle, a majority of the carbon that is fixed during photosynthesis is used as an energy source by animals and returned to the atmosphere as CO2. Restoration of mined soils or residuals from mining can be accomplished using a range of restoration practices. Associated costs and time to reach optimal function will vary based on the type of site and restoration practice. Much of the work on soil carbon sequestration on disturbed lands has focused on the quantity of carbon stored on the lands themselves without a consideration for the carbon impacts of the restoration process. However, it is important to understand that different restoration techniques can have a significant impact on the carbon balance of the project as a whole.
