Evaluation of Metals in Soil and Tissues of Economic‐Interest Plants Grown in Sites Affected by the Fundão Dam Failure in Mariana, Brazil

Coelho, Daniel Gomes; Marinato, Claudio Sergio; Matos, Letícia Paiva de; Andrade, Heloísa Monteiro de; Silva, Vinicius Melo da; Neves, Pedro Henrique Santos; Oliveira, Juraci Alves de

doi:10.1002/ieam.4253

Cited by 22 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…The mining waste mud increased the levels of Fe, Al, Mn, Cu, and Cr in the soil and in the tissues of plants from the affected areas (Coelho et al., 2020; Segura et al., 2016; Silva et al., 2016). These elements induce cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects in plants, reducing germination and mitotic indexes (Segura et al., 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These elements induce cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects in plants, reducing germination and mitotic indexes (Segura et al., 2016). Also, the level of As in contaminated soil samples was above the prevention value (CONAMA, 2009), but this element has natural anomalous background levels in the soil of the Iron Quadrangle region (Guerra et al., 2017) and has not been verified in plants (Coelho et al., 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does mining waste concentration in the soil interfere with leaf selection by Acromyrmex subterraneus (Formicidae)?

et al. 2021

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Revegetation programs are proposed to recover the soil and biodiversity of disturbed sites, this being the case of the Rio Doce basin, Brazil. This region was hugely affected by a mining waste dam disruption, whose leakage on the soil altered its chemical and physical characteristics, and consequently the physiology and performance of plants. The expected alterations of the plants can make them more attractive for leaf-cutting ants, as lower water content induces an increase of non-structural carbohydrates. In this context, we evaluated whether Acromyrmex subterraneus workers differentiate among plants grown on soil with different mining waste concentrations. Leaf disks from plants grown in soil containing 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of mining waste were simultaneously offered to workers from laboratory ant colonies. The number of transported disks from each mining waste concentration was recorded until all disks of any concentration had been transported. Leaf selection assays were repeated after 30 days due to the novelty effect phenomenon. Leaf thickness, water, starch, and total soluble carbohydrates (TSC) contents were determined. Leaf disks from plants grown in soil with 100% of mining waste concentration were preferentially selected in both selection assays. Leaf thickness and water content were significantly lower in plants from the aforementioned treatment, while starch and TSC were higher. Results suggest that seedlings implanted in sites with high mining waste concentration are under high predation risk. Revegetation programs must measure the impact of leafcutting ants as both herbivorous and soil ecosystem engineers, for the best management of these insects.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does mining waste concentration in the soil interfere with leaf selection by Acromyrmex subterraneus (Formicidae)?

et al. 2021

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“…No significant differences was found between affected and nonaffected areas soil Cu contents in this study. However, Coelho et al (2020) found higher concentrations of Cu in both affected areas (17 mg/kg) and control areas (7.3 mg/kg) and also pointed out that the tailing deposition reduced the soil Cu contents. Copper concentrations in soil samples may be related to the natural presence of amphibole and biotite gneiss in the region (CPRM, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Thus, considering that in the study region, B. decumbens is the main cattle feed fodder, a Cu supplementation for these cattle may even be recommended. Coelho et al (2020) also analyzed B. decumbens cultivated in the affected region by the iron tailings and found similar copper content that ranged from 21.1 to 48.3 mg/kg. Unlike the present study, these authors found higher levels of copper in the affected areas compared with control ones.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Just after the dam collapse, it was verified that the pH values in the areas were slightly basic (8.0) due to the flocculants and sodium hydroxide present in the tailings, which were added during the iron processing (Brasil, 2015; EMBRAPA, 2016; D. L. Silva et al, 2015). Further studies revealed a pH value of 6.7 in the affected areas, while the unaffected soil presented a pH value of 5.1 (Coelho et al, 2020). Higher pH levels in affected soils were also noted by Cruz et al (2020), who found values of 6.1 in soils with tailings and 4.8 in control area soils.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of metal accumulation in the forage grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf grown in contaminated soils with iron tailings

Ferreira

Gaião

Kozovits

et al. 2021

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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The biggest world tailing dam rupture occurred in Brazil in 2015, releasing approximately 32 million m3 of iron tailings in the Doce River watershed, along its 660 km trajectory, reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This disaster significantly altered water and soil properties, increasing the soil metal contents, mainly iron concentration. Little is known about the concentration of toxic elements in plants grown in these areas. Brachiaria decumbens stands out as the most cultivated grass in the affected areas and is widely used for cattle grazing. This study verified the metal contents in soils and in samples of B. decumbens grown in the initial pathway of the debris flow. It was noted that the tailing deposition altered the substrate chemically, increasing Fe by 181% and reducing Zn soil contents by 188%. However, the metal contents in the forage grass were below the toxic limit for cattle feed. In addition, the results suggest that the natural geological characteristics of the region also influenced the metal contents in plants since those plants grown in nonaffected areas also showed high metal concentrations. The impacted area soils had a slightly basic pH, which can reduce the metal availability. Considering that, in the future, these soils would return to their natural acid state, the metal contents in plants grown in the affected regions could probably increase. Thus, long‐term studies are needed to ensure the food safety of the forage production in these areas. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:528–538. © 2021 SETAC

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Assisted phytoextraction as a nature‐based solution for the sustainable remediation of metal(loid)‐contaminated soils

Balint,

Boajă

2024

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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Soil contamination is a significant environmental issue that poses a threat to human health and the ecosystems. Conventional remediation techniques, such as excavation and landfilling, are often expensive, disruptive, and unsustainable. As a result, there has been growing interest in developing sustainable remediation strategies that are cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, and socially acceptable. One such solution is phytoextraction: a nature‐based approach that uses the abilities of hyperaccumulator plants to uptake and accumulate metals and metalloids (potentially toxic elements [PTE]) without signs of toxicity. Once harvested, plant biomass can be treated to reduce its volume and weight by combustion, thus obtaining bioenergy, and the ashes can be used for the recovery of metals or in the construction industry. However, phytoextraction has shown variable effectiveness due to soil conditions and plant species specificity, which has led researchers to develop additional approaches known as assisted phytoextraction to enhance its success. Assisted phytoextraction is a remediation strategy based on modifying certain plant traits or using different materials to increase metal uptake or bioavailability. This review article provides a practical and up‐to‐date overview of established strategies and the latest scientific advancements in assisted phytoextraction. Our focus is on improving plant performance and optimizing the uptake, tolerance, and accumulation of PTE, as well as the accessibility of these contaminants. While we highlight the advantages of using hyperaccumulator plants for assisted phytoextraction, we also address the challenges and limitations associated with this approach. Factors such as soil pH, nutrient availability, and the presence of other contaminants can affect its efficiency. Furthermore, the real‐world challenges of implementing phytoextraction on a large scale are discussed and strategies to modify plant traits for successful phytoremediation are presented. By exploring established strategies and the latest scientific developments in assisted phytoextraction, this review provides valuable guidance for optimizing a sustainable, nature‐based technology. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1–20. © 2024 SETAC

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Evaluation of Metals in Soil and Tissues of Economic‐Interest Plants Grown in Sites Affected by the Fundão Dam Failure in Mariana, Brazil

Cited by 22 publications

References 46 publications

Does mining waste concentration in the soil interfere with leaf selection by Acromyrmex subterraneus (Formicidae)?

Does mining waste concentration in the soil interfere with leaf selection by Acromyrmex subterraneus (Formicidae)?

Evaluation of metal accumulation in the forage grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf grown in contaminated soils with iron tailings

Assisted phytoextraction as a nature‐based solution for the sustainable remediation of metal(loid)‐contaminated soils

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