Aided phytostabilisation reduces metal toxicity, improves soil fertility and enhances microbial activity in Cu-rich mine tailings.
(Aided) phytostabilisation has been proposed as a suitable technique to decrease the environmental risks associated with metal(loid)-enriched mine tailings. Field scale evaluations are needed for demonstrating their effectiveness in the medium- to long-term. A field trial was implemented in spring 2011 in Cu-rich mine tailings in the NW of Spain. The tailings were amended with composted municipal solid wastes and planted with Salix spp., Populus nigra L. or Agrostis capillaris L. cv. Highland. Plant growth, nutritive status and metal accumulation, and soil physico- and bio-chemical properties, were monitored over three years (four years for plant growth). The total bacterial community, α- and β-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Streptomycetaceae were studied by DGGE of 16s rDNA fragments. Compost amendment improved soil properties such as pH, CEC and fertility, and decreased soil Cu availability, leading to the establishment of a healthy vegetation cover. Both compost-amendment and plant root activity stimulated soil enzyme activities and induced important shifts in the bacterial community structure over time. The woody plant, S. viminalis, and the grassy species, A. capillaris, showed the best results in terms of plant growth and biomass production. The beneficial effects of the phytostabilisation process were maintained at least three years after treatment.
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. de Vigo s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15705, Spain.
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Touceda-González
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. de Vigo s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15705, Spain.
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Álvarez-López
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. de Vigo s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15705, Spain.
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Prieto-Fernández
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. de Vigo s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15705, Spain.
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Rodríguez-Garrido
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. de Vigo s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15705, Spain.
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Trasar-Cepeda
BIOGECO, UMR INRA 1202, Université de Bordeaux, allée G. St Hilaire, CS50023, F-33615 Pessac cedex, France.
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Mench
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences, Konrad Lorenzstraße 24, A-3430 Tulln, Austria.
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Puschenreiter
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. de Vigo s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15705, Spain.
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Quintela-Sabarís
Centro de Valorización Ambiental del Norte, S.L., Lugar La Mina, s/n. 15822, Touro, A Coruña, Spain.
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Macías-García
Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. de Vigo s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15705, Spain. Electronic address: pkidd@iiag.csic.es.
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Kidd
D031703:Agrostis / Q000254:growth & development; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D003300:Copper / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D059013:Microbial Consortia / Q000235:genetics; D008906:Mining; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D032107:Populus / Q000254:growth & development; D032108:Salix / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D062611:Solid Waste; D013030:Spain; D013045:Species Specificity
D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D062611:Solid Waste; D003300:Copper
Aided phytostabilization; Bacterial community structure; Enzyme activities; Mine spoils; Organic wastes; Short rotation coppice (SRC); Trace elements