title: Evaluating the role of vegetation on the transport of contaminants associated with a mine tailing using the Phyto-DSS.
abstract: We identified contaminants associated with the Cata mine tailing depot located in the outskirts of the city of Guanajuato, Mexico. We also investigated strategies for their phytomanagement. Silver and antimony were present at 39 and 31 mg kg(-1), respectively, some twofold higher than the Dutch Intervention Values. Total and extractable boron (B) occurred at concentrations of 301 and 6.3 mg L(-1), respectively. Concentrations of B in soil solution above 1.9 mg L(-1) have been shown to be toxic to plants. Plant growth may also be inhibited by the low concentrations of extractable plant nutrients. Analysis of the aerial portions of Aloe vera (L. Burm.f.) revealed that this plant accumulates negligible concentrations of the identified contaminants. Calculations using a whole system model (Phyto-DSS) showed that establishing a crop of A. vera would have little effect on the drainage or leaching from the site. However, this plant would reduce wind and water erosion and potentially produce valuable cosmetic products. In contrast, crops of poplar, a species that is tolerant to high soil B concentrations, would mitigate leaching from this site. Alternate rows of trees could be periodically harvested and be used for timber or bioenergy.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta, CP 36050 Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cano-Reséndiz
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de la Rosa
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cruz-Jiménez
authors.forename: Jorge L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gardea-Torresdey
authors.forename: Brett H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe / Q000378:metabolism; D001895:Boron / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008800:Mexico; D008906:Mining; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014186:Transportation; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D001895:Boron