Abstract
A study was carried out to evaluate the absorption of potentially toxic elements from mining Technosols by three types of vegetable plants (broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and onion (Allium cepa)), the different parts of which are intended for human and farm animal consumption (leaves, roots, edible parts). The preliminary results obtained highlight the importance of the design of the mining Technosols used for agricultural purposes, obtained from soils and sediments of mining origin and amended with residues of high calcium carbonate concentrations (limestone filler and construction and demolition wastes). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, and the total metal(loid)s concentration (As, Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) of the soil, rhizosphere, aqueous leachates and plant samples was monitored, the translocation and bioconcentration factors (TF and BCF, respectively) being calculated. The characterization of the soils included a mobilization study in media simulating different environmental conditions that can affect these soils and predicting the differences in behavior of each Technosol. The results obtained showed that the levels of potentially toxic elements present in the cultivated species are within the range of values mentioned in the literature when they were cultivated in soils with calcareous amendments. However, when the plants were grown in contaminated soils, the potentially toxic elements levels varied greatly according to the species, being higher in onions than in lettuce. Experiments with the use of lime filler or construction and demolition wastes for soil remediation result in crops that, in principle, do not present health risks and are similar in development to those grown on non-contaminated soil.
Highlights
Certain areas of the Mediterranean region, that were dedicated to mining in the past, today support agricultural activities of different degrees of intensity
The study developed with three different plant species cultivated for human consumption in one uncontaminated soil and different Technosols allows the following conclusions: (1) The soils studied present limiting factors that prevent the normal development of crops and which are related to their pH and the salts and carbonates they contain
(2) The potentially toxic elements (PTEs) levels found in the plant species studied are within the range of values mentioned in the literature when cultivated in recovered soils
Summary
Certain areas of the Mediterranean region, that were dedicated to mining in the past, today support agricultural activities of different degrees of intensity. The traceability of PTEs, to protect both human health and whole ecosystems, is one of the pressing tasks of researchers in the multidisciplinary field of risk analysis (RA) Another important aspect is to check the efficiency of Technosols, ensuring that they meet the objective of mining soil restoration, avoiding the mobility of PTEs and providing a substrate compatible with the development of crops that will not induce the transfer of PTEs to the trophic chain (Garau et al, 2021). This work presents only preliminary results and focuses on the importance of the design of the mining Technosols suitable for agricultural purposes, since the experiments carried out were numerous, and the results are still in study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
