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Phytostabilization potential of Erica australis L. and Nerium oleander L.: a comparative study in the Riotinto mining area (SW Spain)

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Abstract

Phytostabilization is a green, cost-effective technique for mine rehabilitation and ecological restoration. In this study, the phytostabilization capacity of Erica australis L. and Nerium oleander L. was assessed in the climatic and geochemical context of the Riotinto mining district, southwestern Spain, where both plant species colonize harsh substrates of mine wastes and contaminated river banks. In addition to tolerating extreme acidic conditions (up to pH 3.36 for E. australis), both species were found to grow on substrates very poor in bioavailable nutrients (e.g., N and P) and highly enriched with potentially phytotoxic elements (e.g., Cu, Cd, Pb, S). The selective root absorption of essential elements and the sequestration of potentially toxic elements in the root cortex are the main adaptations that allow the studied species to cope in very limiting edaphic environments. Being capable of a tight elemental homeostatic control and tolerating extreme acidic conditions, E. australis is the best candidate for use in phytostabilization programs, ideally to promote early stages of colonization, improve physical and chemical conditions of substrates and favor the establishing of less tolerant species, such as N. oleander.

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Abbreviations

BF:

Bioaccumulation factor

CF:

Contamination factor

EC:

Exclusion coefficient

TF:

Translocation factor

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Eduardo O. Leidi of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute for Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Sevilla, for discussions and comments on the manuscript. This work was partially granted by MICINN contract CGL2006/02860 and by Fundación Areces.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100, Siena, Italy

    F. Monaci

  2. Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes s/n, 41012, Seville, Spain

    D. Trigueros & S. Rossini-Oliva

  3. Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (UGR-CSIC), Avda. Palmeras 4, 18100, Armilla, Granada, Spain

    M. D. Mingorance

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  1. F. Monaci
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Monaci, F., Trigueros, D., Mingorance, M.D. et al. Phytostabilization potential of Erica australis L. and Nerium oleander L.: a comparative study in the Riotinto mining area (SW Spain). Environ Geochem Health 42, 2345–2360 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00391-7

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