Abstract

CABEZAS-LOPEZ, Alberto et al. Recovery of gold mine tailings functional biodiversity by assisted phytoremediation. Rev. de Ciências Agrárias [online]. 2022, vol.45, n.4, pp.931-940.  Epub Dec 01, 2022. ISSN 0871-018X.  https://doi.org/10.19084/rca.28701.

Microorganisms play an important role in soil functions. However, their activity is often affected by pollution from human activities. One of the activities with the greatest impact on the environment is mining, and more specifically small-scale mining due to its lack of regulation, which makes it a source of contamination, as a consequence of inadequate waste management. In order to evaluate the effect of phytoremediation assisted by microorganisms and an organic amendment on the functional diversity of these tailings sands, a microcosm phytoremediation trial was carried out in the municipality of Buriticá in Colombia, a region highly affected by informal mining. The trial used a legume, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, in pots with mine tailings and tailings amended with compost, together with different microorganisms (mycorrhizae and nitrogen fixers). The test was maintained for 240 days. The results of the study showed that the amended soils presented a greater functional diversity than the unamended soils, and the differences were significant. This effect was not increased after inoculum application, and even lower diversity values were observed. The possible causes and implications of these variations are discussed.

Keywords : Trace metal phytoremediation; amendments; inoculation; metabolic profile.

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