Abstract
The wastes of metalliferous mining activities produce a substrate that is generally unfavourable for normal plant establishment and growth. However, metallophytes have evolved to grow in hostile environments that are rich in metals. They possess key properties that commend them for revegetation of mines and metal-contaminated sites. This field survey aimed to identify native metallophytes occurring on minerals wastes and mineralised outcrops in Broken Hill (New South Wales, Australia). Foliar concentrations of minerals were very high compared with non-mineralised soils but within the range expected for plants in such environments. Neither hyperaccumulators nor obligate metallophytes have been found, but they may be present on isolated mineralised outcrops in the wider Broken Hill area; however, a range of facultative metallophytes was identified in this study. These species could be introduced onto mining leases if establishment protocols for such species were developed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.