Chapter 6 - Mine tailings phytoremediation in arid and semiarid environments

Abstract

Chile is one of the major copper producers in the world, which entails a high economic benefit for the country. However, it has generated environmental impacts of several kinds, wherein the largest ones correspond to mine tailings. Mine tailings occupying large areas of soil and cause severe environmental impacts, either because of its toxicity and concentration or due to its interaction with environmental factors such as oxygen and water.