Assessment of heavy metals accumulation by spontaneous vegetation: Screening for new accumulator plant species grown in Kettara mine-Marrakech, Southern Morocco

Abstract

The present paper aims to perform a screening of native plants growing in Kettara mine-Marrakech (Southern Morocco) for its phytoremediation. Plants and soil samples were collected and analyzed for Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd concentrations at several sites in the mine. The results showed that the soil in the vicinity of Kettara mine is deficient in major elements and contain toxic levels of metals. Spontaneously growing native plants were botanically identified and then classified into 21 species and 14 families. Significant difference was observed among the average concentrations of four heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd) in plants (p ≤ 0.05). Six plants of 21 species namely Hammada scoparia (Pomel) Iljin, Hirschfeldia incana (L.) Lagreze-Fossat, Lamarckia aurea (L.) Moench, Calendula algeriensis Boiss. & Reuter, Aizoon hispanicum L. and Melilotus sulcata Desf. were considered as the best-performing specimens due to their high ability to accumulate multiple metals in their shoots and roots without sustaining toxicity. This was confirmed by the transfer factors generally higher than 1. Using the most common criteria to classify the hyperaccumulator plants, these species can be classified as new accumulator plants of many heavy metals and be potentially used as remediation tools of metal-contaminated sites.

Phytostabilization of store‐and‐release cover made with phosphate mine wastes in arid and semiarid climate using wild local plants

“…( Asteraceae ) is considered to be well adapted to water‐stressed environments, such as arid areas, and even a Saharian bio‐climate, and is known for its robust production of seeds (achene; de Waal, Anderson, & Ellis, 2016). Finally, P. harmala L. and A. horridus L., belonging respectively to the Zygophyllaceae and Asparagaceae families, are local species characterized by their tendency to survive in the local environment (Midhat et al, 2017).…”

“…Naturalized (Dobignard, 2011) Spontaneous (Fennane et al, 2014) Spontaneous (Fennane et al, 1999) Spontaneous ( and Asparagaceae families, are local species characterized by their tendency to survive in the local environment (Midhat et al, 2017).…”

“…The successful implementation of phytomanagement techniques should consider several aspects such as plant selection, irrigation, the addition of amendments, fertilization, and stabilization of heavy metals in the plant rhizosphere (Mendez & Maier, 2008). Moreover, in arid and semiarid areas, drought and salt-tolerant native species (Fait et al, 2018), which are naturally adapted to the environment and integrated into the landscape, could be the best candidates (Midhat, Ouazzani, Esshaimi, Ouhammou, & Mandi, 2017). In general, only a few studies have shown the suitability of local plants in Morocco for phytostabilization and, in particular, no previous research has investigated the use of local plants for the phytomanagement of PW applied as an SR cover of sulfide tailings at KAM.…”

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“…They can be used in phytoextraction. 19,8 The soil factors such as total metal concentration and pH are able to change soil heavy metal concentrations and indirectly effect metals concentrations in the plant [20]. It has been reported that soil pH has a significant effect on bioavailability of metals and plant uptake increases as soil pH decreases .…”

“…5 Halocnemum strobilaceum and Hammada scoparia and their ability to remediate heavy metal which contaminates soils in different places in the world have been studied. [6][7][8]…”