Phytostabilization of Mine Tailings in Arid and Semiarid Environments—An Emerging Remediation Technology

By M. Mendez, R. Maier. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007

972 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Objective Unreclaimed mine tailings sites are a worldwide problem, with thousands of unvegetated, exposed tailings piles presenting a source of contamination for nearby communities. Tailings disposal sites in arid and semiarid environments are especially subject to eolian dispersion and water erosion. Phytostabilization, the use of plants for in situ stabilization of tailings and metal contaminants, is a feasible alternative to costly remediation practices. In this review we emphasize considerations for phytostabilization of mine tailings in arid and semiarid environments, as well as issues impeding its long-term success. Data sources We reviewed literature addressing mine closures and revegetation of mine tailings, along with publications evaluating plant ecology, microbial ecology, and soil properties of mine tailings. Data extraction Data were extracted from peer-reviewed articles and books identified in Web of Science and Agricola databases, and publications available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the United Nations Environment Programme. Data synthesis Harsh climatic conditions in arid and semiarid environments along with the innate properties of mine tailings require specific considerations. Plants suitable for phytostabilization must be native, be drought-, salt-, and metal-tolerant, and should limit shoot metal accumulation. Factors for evaluating metal accumulation and toxicity issues are presented. Also reviewed are aspects of implementing phytostabilization, including plant growth stage, amendments, irrigation, and evaluation. Conclusions Phytostabilization of mine tailings is a promising remedial technology but requires further research to identify factors affecting its long-term success by expanding knowledge of suitable plant species and mine tailings chemistry in ongoing field trials.

Subfields: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Plant Science, Pollution

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/5f7ec556e1f017cc7edefafacbbe04650d312dc6

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In Plant Science

1. K. Shukla
2. Nanthi S. Bolan
3. Nand K. Singh
4. Shivesh Sharma

In Pollution

1. K. Shukla
2. A. Sarmah
3. Nand K. Singh
4. Shivesh Sharma

Citations in the corpus

• Sand and Dust Storms: Impact Mitigation (2017, background): “Stabilizing such dust-emitting surfaces can be achieved over the longer term by promoting the establishment of a vegetative cover, typically with plants that are native to the area as well as drought-, salt-, and metal-tolerant [95].”
• Bioremediation: Developments, Current Practices and Perspectives (2010, background): “UGT1A1) class of enzymes) [47] and glutathione addition reactions occur on reactive centers of the xenobiotic.”
• Re-thinking complex orebodies: Consequences for the future world supply of copper (2019, background): “These mines will consume more energy (Norgate et al., 2007), water (Norgate and Lovel, 2004), generate more waste (Mudd, 2009), and produce more deleterious elements, such as arsenic (Schwartz et al., 2017).”
• Using biochar for remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants (2013, methodology): “Physical/chemical remediation, bioremediation, and integrated remediation were used to manage contaminated soils (Mullainathan et al. 2007; Lee et al. 2008; Mendez and Maier 2008).”