The potential of Blepharidium guatemalense for nickel agromining in Mexico and Central America

Abstract

Novelty StatementOur research team is a pioneer in the discovery of metal hyperaccumulator plants in Mesoamerica with at least 13 species discovered in the last 2 years. This study is the first to assess the potential of nickel agromining (phytomining) in Mexico (and in all the American continent), using one of the strongest nickel hyperaccumulators reported so far. The promising results of this study are the basis for optimal agricultural management of Blepharidium guatemalense.

Recovery of nickel from strongly acidic bio-ore leachate using a bispicolylamine-based chelating resin

“…This chain has been developed for Ni due to the interest in this metal and because nearly 3% of the Earth's surface is covered by ultramafic (Ni-rich) soils and more than 500 species of Ni hyperaccumulator plant species have been discovered to date. Recent field studies have evaluated the production of phytomined Ni in several regions of the world (Malaysia, Mexico, Austria) with surfaces from 500 m 2 to 1 ha [3][4][5]. Nickel agromining is now a staple Nature-Based Solution and using Odontarrhena chalcidica annual yields up to 150 kgNi/ha have been obtained with optimized agronomic practices [6,7].…”