Determination of Phytoremediation Potential of Desert Broom Grown in a Mine Tailings Reclamation Project

Abstract

This research was conducted out at a copper mine tailings reclamation project (CMTRP ) located in the Globe-Miami mining district near Claypool, AZ, USA. Desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides) is a very environmentally friendly and available plant that might have phytoremediation potential, grows at the CMTRP. Therefore, in this research metal concentrations both in the tailings and plants (elemental ratio from soil to plant) were investigated. The metal concentrations in the soil cover and tailings were determined using ICP-OES. Based on the concentration, the elements were classified as high level elements