Arsenic distribution in mesquite ( Prosopis laevigata ) and huizache ( Acacia farnesiana ) in the Zimapán mining area, México

Abstract

Arsenic concentrations have been determined in mesquite ( Prosopis laevigata ) and huizache ( Acacia farnesiana ) growing on As-rich soils in the semi-arid mining area of Zimapán, México. The elevated As contents in the substrates (up to 32 000 mg/kg) were reflected in the dry weight concentrations of twigs (up to 82.7 mg/kg in mesquite and 225 mg/kg in huizache), and leaves (up to 78.2 mg/kg in mesquite and 67.0 mg/kg in huizache). Arsenic concentrations in twigs and leaves collected in less impacted soils (containing up to 110 mg/kg of As) reached a maximum of 20.8 mg/kg in mesquite twigs and 27.8 mg/kg in mesquite leaves. Differences of several orders of magnitude in surface substrate As concentrations were not reflected in plant As contents. A low proportion of available As in substrates, as well as deep plant roots which may reach less contaminated sediments, explains this behaviour. The pod As concentrations from tailings-affected sites were not significantly different from background samples. Nearly all mesquites and huizaches from the high-As substrates were above standards for foodstuffs. The As concentration in vegetation growing on soils affected by tailings and smelter/slags points to a potential contamination of the food chain, mainly through goats, the most common mammals in the area. Mesquites and huizaches are not hyperaccumulators but are As-tolerant plants and can therefore be considered as an option for a remediation programme to stabilize eroding tailings.

“Microscopic evidences of heavy metals distribution and anatomic alterations in breaching-leaves of Cupressuslindleyigrowing around mining wastes”

“…The control zone was in the normal concentration range for soil for the following elements: Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd (2–300, 1–900, 2–250, and 0.01–2.0 mg kg −1 , respectively) according to Alloway () and As (0.1–40 mg kg −1 ) according to Bowen (), it was therefore considered suitable to be taken for comparison with the other polluted sites. Comparing our data with other studies (Armienta et al, ; Franco‐Hernández et al, ; Morton‐Bermea et al, ; Ruíz and Armienta, 2012; Santos‐Jallath et al, ), it is clear that metal concentrations in the mining waste vary widely, which is associated with mining and smelting operations as well as the type of mineral resources (Bradshaw, ). Based on the results, it can be observed that the soils are a source of contamination that could affect the development of organisms that grow and live on them.…”

“…In general, in Mexico there are few studies that assess the concentration of heavy metals in substrates and plants growing in mining waste (Armienta et al, ; Carrillo‐Gonzalez, ; Carrillo‐González and González‐Chávez, ; Díaz‐Villaseñor, ; Flores‐Tavison et al, ; Franco‐Hernández et al, ; Juárez‐Santillan et al, 2010; Prieto‐García et al, ; Puga et al, ; Ruiz and Armienta, ; Santos‐Jallath et al, ), as well as the identification of heavy metals inside plants tissues. These studies allow to observe the presence of metals, becoming evident the accumulation and translocation to different organs of the plant, using tools as optic and scanning microscopy or energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (Arias et al, ; Günthardt‐Goerg and Vollenweider, ; Meyers et al, ; Tung and Temple, ; Vieira et al, ; Vollenweider and Günthardt‐Goerg, ; Vollenweider et al, b).…”

Fast protocol for extraction of DNA from Prosopis spp leaves (plant adapted to arid environment) without liquid nitrogen

“…In recent years, uses of Prosopis spp in the bioremediation process have been reported. In this regard, Armienta et al (2008) reported that mesquites are not hyperaccumulators, but are in fact As-tolerant plants and can therefore be considered as an option for a remediation program to stabilize eroding tailings. On the other hand, Haque et al (2008) mentioned that mesquite plants have developed a variety of physiological and molecular mechanisms for growth in, and adaptation to, arid zones.…”

Contaminación Ambiental Por Metales Pesados en México: Problemática Y Estrategias De Fitorremediación

“…En México se han realizado inventarios florísticos de plantas que crecen en sitos contaminados por metales pesados (Cuadro III). En el análisis destacan algunas especies como Prosopis leavigata y Acacia farnesiana, las cuales son especies obligadas en lugares contaminados de zonas áridas y semiáridas, capaces de acumular en tallo hasta 87 y 225 mg/kg de arsénico, respectivamente (Armienta et al 2008).…”