Ameliorating effects of industrial sugar residue on the Jales gold mine spoil (NE Portugal) using Holcus lanatus and Phaseolus vulgaris as indicators.
Phytostabilisation of bare heavily contaminated substrate, such as abandoned mine sites, is considered a very appropriate technology in order to diminish erosion and dispersion of contaminants into the surroundings. In this short-term pot study, application of industrial sugar residue (ISR), a waste product of the sugar industry, proved to ameliorate spoils conditions for plant performance by elevating pH and immobilising several metals. Although arsenate concentrations were positively correlated to spoil pH and spoil treatment with ISR mobilised As, growth of both Phaseolus vulgaris and Holcus lanatus improved significantly after applications of 3.75 g ISR kg(-1) dry spoil. Nutrient uptake from the substrate, with the exception of potassium, was elevated by ISR. As a remediation technique ISR application could be effective although in As-contaminated sites application might be restricted to areas where leaching to (ground) water does not form a risk.
Bleeker
P M
PM
Department of Ecology and Physiology of Plants, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. petra.bleeker@falw.vu.nl
Teiga
P M
PM
Santos
M H
MH
de Koe
T
T
Verkleij
J A C
JA
D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold; D031752:Holcus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008906:Mining; D027805:Phaseolus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D031786:Saccharum; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013395:Sucrose
D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013395:Sucrose; D006046:Gold; D002119:Calcium Carbonate