Improving Silver Birch (Betula pendula) Growth and Mn Accumulation in Residual Red Gypsum Using Organic Amendments

Abstract

The increasing production of wastes that are landfilled might contribute to sources of potentially toxic elements; this is the case of residual red gypsum tailings, a byproduct of titanium dioxide extraction. Revegetation of such a site is essential, and Mn phytoextraction may render the operations economically profitable. This study aimed to apply phytomanagement techniques for increasing the plant development, tailings revegetation and an optimal Mn phytoextraction using silver birch, the most abundant plant species on this site. To enhance the nutrient availability from the tailings, amendments that reduce the pH, i.e., pine bark chips, Miscanthus straw, white peat, and ericaceous compost, were mixed with residual red gypsum and birches were allowed to grow for 3 months. The pine bark chips and ericaceous compost led to a maximum decrease in pH, allowing the accumulation of up to 1400 mg Mn kg −1 dry matter in the leaves silver birch leaves. However, some nutrient competition was found in the pine bark treatment, which halved biomass production as compared to control. Further amendment addition may be needed to take advantage of the pine bark capabilities as a soil conditioner and Mn solubilizing treatment in residual red gypsum.

A combined approach utilizing UAV 3D imaging methods, in-situ measurements, and laboratory experiments to assess water evaporation and trace element uptake by tree species growing in a red gypsum landfill

“…However, Zn concentrations measured in Betula and Salix genera in the present field experiments were slightly higher than the physiological levels (Kabata-Pendias, 2011), which is consistent with our previous studies (Ciadamidaro et al, 2019;Zapata-Carbonell et al, 2020). Mn was also found to accumulate in Betula species in the present field experiment, which also confirms our previous data (Ciadamidaro et al, 2019;Zapata-Carbonell et al, 2020). In the pot experiment, high Mn content measured in the tree species in particular in B. pendula, could be explained by the conditions of the experiment conducted in growth chamber, favorable for the accumulation of ET.…”

“…However, Zn concentrations measured in Betula and Salix genera in the present field experiments were slightly higher than the physiological levels (Kabata-Pendias, 2011), which is consistent with our previous studies (Ciadamidaro et al, 2019;Zapata-Carbonell et al, 2020). Mn was also found to accumulate in Betula species in the present field experiment, which also confirms our previous data (Ciadamidaro et al, 2019;Zapata-Carbonell et al, 2020).…”

“…In European Union countries, there are overall between 150,000 and 500,000 mine landfills, the majority of which are no longer active (Vaverková, 2019), which raises the question of the management of these landfills. Red gypsum landfills represent an environmental and ecological model of the typology of byproduct storage of Ti-extraction activity (high content of some trace elements (TEs): notably Fe and Mn and low biodiversity) (Edraki et al, 2014;Huang et al, 2012;Zapata-Carbonell et al, 2020). Extraction of Ti from ilmenite using the sulfuric process leads to the production of red gypsum during the neutralization of the company's wastewater with limestone.…”

Young Silver Birch Grows Faster and Allocates Higher Portion of Biomass into Stem Than Norway Spruce, a Case Study from a Post-Disturbance Forest

“…Moreover, quality of birch litter is higher than that of Norway spruce especially in terms of alkaline elements (calcium, magnesium and potassium) concentration [31] and nitrogen [32]. These two aspects, i.e., quantity and quality of foliage litter are more favorable for birch, which is commonly recognized as a soil improving species (e.g., see References [33,34]). In contrast, litter of Norway spruce needles accumulates because it decays more slowly than foliage litter of broadleaved tree species [26,35].…”