Dynamics of plant species during phytostabilisation of copper mine tailings and pyrite soils, Western Uganda

Jamilu Edrisa Ssenku,Ingvar Backeus,Hannington Oryem-Origa,Mohammad Ntale,Kari Lehtila

doi:10.7243/2050-1323-3-4

Abstract

Introduction: Destruction of vegetation resources emanating from deposition of mine wastes is a serious environmental problem. Conventional plant species restoration methodologies are costly and fe ...

Highlights

Destruction of vegetation resources emanating from deposition of mine wastes is a serious environmental problem
This range is characterized as extremely acid [57] and not suitable for plant growth due to increased metal toxicities such as magnesium or manganese and reduced population of nitrogen fixing bacteria [49]. The occurrence of such low pH values most especially in pyrite soils from the low polluted pyrite trail site (LPPTS) and highly polluted pyrite trail site (HPPTS) was possibly due to existence of unweathered pyrite materials, which usually contain a lot of pyritic sulphur in excess of their neutralizers
The physico-chemical characteristics of the pyrite soils and copper tailings were exceptionally harsh limiting the reestablishment of numerous plant species in areas where they were found

Summary

Introduction

Destruction of vegetation resources emanating from deposition of mine wastes is a serious environmental problem. Sound and cost effective means of controlling these negative consequences would in most cases involve reestablishment of plant communities that provide cover and help to phytostabilise the wastes Enormous volumes of both pyrite materials and copper tailings to the tune of 1.13 and 15 million metric tonnes were respectively generated from 1956 to 1982. The tailings dams and the cobaltiferous stockpile have remained devoid of vegetation since suspension of mining activities in 1982 leading to wide dispersal of pyrite materials laden with heavy metals into gardens and surrounding aquifers at Kilembe and into QECA to form the largely bare pyrite trail These deleterious effects of copper mining activities on vegetation in Kilembe and QECA are still a major environmental concern in the area due to their persistence over years

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