Publication: The efficient applications of native flora for phytorestoration of mine tailings: a pan-global survey
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Mine tailings are the discarded materials resulting from mining processes after minerals have been extracted. They consist of leftover mineral fragments, excavated land masses, and disrupted ecosystems. The uncontrolled handling or discharge of tailings from abandoned mine lands (AMLs) poses a threat to the surrounding environment. Numerous untreated mine tailings have been abandoned globally, necessitating immediate reclamation and restoration efforts. The limited feasibility of conventional reclamation methods, such as cost and acceptability, presents challenges in reclaiming tailings around AMLs. This study focuses on phytorestoration as a sustainable method for treating mine tailings. Phytorestoration utilizes existing native plants on the mine sites while applying advanced principles of environmental biotechnology. These approaches can remediate toxic elements and simultaneously improve soil quality. The current study provides a global overview of phytorestoration methods, emphasizing the specifics of mine tailings and the research on native plant species to enhance restoration ecosystem services. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.
Description
Keywords
Abandoned mine sites, Autochthonous plant species, Land reclamation, Metals/metalloids, Mining residues