Phytostabilization of massive mine wastes with native phytogenetic resources: potential for sustainable use and conservation of the native flora in north-central Chile

Abstract

has left an important legacy of inadequately abandoned tailing storage facilities (TSFs) in the north-central area of Chile, and they may pose environmental risks. The Chilean government has recently established new regulations governing the closure of TSFs, and these regulations favor the use of environmentally sustainable technologies. Among these technologies is phytostabilization, which can use native plant species that may also have economic and/or subsistence value. Phytostabilization programs based on sustainably maintained native species could also contribute to the conservation of both local fl ora and regional ecosystems in north-central Chile. The main objective of this study was to use the Coquimbo Region as a case study area to look for added economic value from native plant species that have spontaneously colonized abandoned TSFs and to look for other species that, given their ecological characteristics, may be established on post-operational TSFs by phytostabilization. A review of technical, scientifi c and ethnobotanic literature on traditional uses and recently discovered uses of selected plant species was performed. The results showed that 68 spontaneously colonizing phytostabilization species have at least one known use, while 420 species with potential for use in phytostabilization (28% of the regional native fl ora) have various uses. Ornamentation, cattle forage, mellipherous, medicine, crafts and phytochemicals are the main uses identifi ed for the local native fl ora. Most of the identifi ed species are endemic to Chile (69%). These species are therefore a very valuable phytogenetic resource that can be used in the rehabilitation of massive mine wastes. This unique resource could be lost if these species are not identifi ed and studied in the near future.

Three years of phytostabilisation experiment of bare acidic soil extremely contaminated by copper smelting using plant biodiversity of metal-rich soils in tropical Africa (Katanga, DR Congo)

“…Phytostabilization studies of metal contaminated soils are highly documented from Europe, Northern America and from Australia (Winterhalder, 1996;Kiikkilä, 2003;Li, 2006;Vangronsveld et al, 2009;Orchard et al, 2009). In contrast, little studies and projects on the phytostabilisation of contaminated soils by heavy metals are performed in tropical Africa.…”

Accumulation of antimony and other potentially toxic elements in plants around a former antimony mine located in the Ribes Valley (Eastern Pyrenees)

“…Plants that spontaneously grow on mine spoils are potential sources of germplasm for phytoremediation purposes (Bech et al, 2002). In this context different mining areas have already been screened for useful plant species (Orchard et al, 2009). However little is known on the tolerance and accumulation of Sb in plants growing on polluted areas, especially in the Western Mediterranean zone.…”

Prospecting for hyperaccumulators of trace elements: a review

“…Plants that naturally occur in anthropogenically contaminated soils are potential hyperaccumulators and can be studied for phytoremediation purposes (Bech et al, 2002). Many areas with developed mining and industrial activities have already been screened for hyperaccumulating species (Orchard et al, 2009). For example, Xue et al (2004) have found a new Mn-hyperaccumulator Phytolacca acinosa in the vicinity of manganese-ore mine, which is located in the city of Xiangtan, China.…”