| Growth and Cu Accumulation by Plants Grown on Cu Containing Mine Tailings in Cyprus |
January 2005 |
| Author(s): Johansson, L. (Stockholm Univ., Stockholm, Sweden); C. Xydas; N. Messios; E. Stoltz; M. Greger |
Applied Geochemistry, Vol 20 No 1, p 101-107, Jan 2005
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| Mine: Skouriotissa copper mine, Cypruso |
Waste Type: tailings |
Contaminant(s): copper |
Technology Type: phytoremediation |
| Keywords: Vinassa, chicken fertilizer, accumulation |
| Abstract: A study was conducted to find out the extent to which Pistacia terebinthus, Cistus creticus, Pinus brutia, and/or Bosea cypria could grow and tolerate or even accumulate copper from the mine waste at the Skouriotissa copper mine in the northern part of Cyprus. The mine wastes contain up to 787 mg Cu/kg DW. The researchers also examined whether the addition of chicken fertilizer or Vinassa, a liquid wine waste product containing organic acids and having a low pH, could improve plant growth and/or Cu accumulation. The four species were planted at the mine waste site untreated or modified with the addition of Vinassa or chicken fertilizer. All of the tested species survived and grew on the mine waste site, indicating plant tolerance of the high level of Cu at the site. After three months, shoot length growth was measured and the plants were analyzed for Cu concentration. The pH and Cu concentration of the mine waste mixture in the different treatments was also measured. To find out if plants accumulated Cu to the highest extent in roots or shoot, a greenhouse study was undertaken where the plant species were cultivated for three weeks in Cu-spiked soil. The leaves of C. creticus had the highest Cu accumulation of all tested species. Copper accumulation varied with plant species, as did Cu distribution. In P. terebinthus and C. creticus, most of the Cu was found in the roots, while B. cypria accumulated most of the Cu in the leaves. Addition of Vinassa and chicken fertilizer did not increase plant growth or Cu accumulation, but did affect the Cu distribution in B. cypria. |
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