Bioprospection of indigenous flora grown in copper mining tailing area for phytoremediation of metals

Abstract

The study evaluated plants with phytoremediation potential that occur spontaneously in an area of copper mining tailings in Southern of Brazil. Eleven plant species were investigated for heavy metal concentrations in its biomass. All species showed copper concentrations greater than 100 mg kg−1, and seven species highlighted for copper concentrations between 321 and 586 mg kg−1 and these species showed Cr concentrations between 25 and 440 mg kg−1. The species S. viarum Dunal and B. trimera Less were highlighted showing the highest concentrations of Cr (586 mg kg−1) and Cu (440 mg kg−1), respectively. Seven species showed Pb phytoextraction potential and four species showed Cu phytostabilization potential. It was concluded that the investigated species are adapted to low nutritional conditions and showed tolerance to heavy metals, mainly Cu, Pb and Cr in its biomass.