Natural Colonization of Plants on Five Lead/Zinc Mine Tailings in Southern China

Abstract

Mine tailings can have a specific assemblage of plant species due to their unique physicochemical properties, and this process can be important in developing ecological theory and restoration practice. Physicochemical properties and natural colonization of plants on five lead/zinc (Pb/ Zn) mine tailings in southern China were investigated. The tailings studied included Fankou and Lechang in Guangdong Province, and Huangshaping, Shuikoushan, and Taolin in Hunan Province. Physicochemical properties of the tailings varied greatly both among and within tailings ponds, but in general, all contained high concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) and low concentrations of N, P, and organic matter. Toxic levels of heavy metals and deficiency of major nutrients appeared to be the major constraints for colonization of plants on these Pb/Zn tailings and were reflected in the metal concentration of the plant tissues. The natural colonization of plants on these tailings was limited, with only some small patches distributed mainly on the edge of tailing ponds and even fewer patches on the center of the ponds. In total 54 plant species belonging to 51 genera and 24 families were recorded on the five tailings ponds, of which the 13 species belonging to Gramineae were major components of the tailings' flora. Species establishing on the tailings at the initial colonization phase greatly depended on their seeddispersal capacity. Further establishment and growth were then dependent on at least one of the three ecological strategies: (1) microsite (avoidance) strategy: plant establishment on tailings depended on dispersing onto microsites of relatively favorable edaphic conditions; (2) tolerance strategy: plant establishment was a result of evolving metal-tolerant ecotypes or constitutional metal tolerance; and (3) rhizome strategy: plant establishment on tailings depended on clonal growth by rhizomatous extension.

Estudo fitossociológico de uma comunidade vegetal sobre canga como subsídio para a reabilitação de áreas mineradas no quadrilátero ferrífero, MG

“…Experimentos recentes com gramíneas nativas em áreas degradadas por mineração têm comprovado seu alto potencial para recuperação por fornecerem rápida cobertura do solo (MARTINS et al, 2001). Ainda, na colonização natural de rejeitos de mineração as espécies rizomatosas (entre elas, gramíneas do gênero Paspalum) contribuem para a estabilização dos taludes, ao crescerem e se espalharem pelo substrato (SHU et al, 2005). Neste estudo, A. ingratus, B. fimbriata e P. scalare, além de apresentar propagação vegetativa por rizomas, estão entre as espécies com maior VI, indicando um uso potencial na recuperação de áreas de mineração de ferro.…”

“…O Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF) é uma das mais importantes províncias minerais do mundo (SPIER et al, 2003). O Brasil é o segundo produtor mundial de minério de ferro, sendo cerca de 70% extraído nessa região.…”

Comparison of translocation methods to conserve metallophyte communities in the Southeastern D.R. Congo

“…Rather, they rely on strong resprouting capacity, investment in underground storage/root systems, and clonal growth (Veldman et al 2015). Lack of target species source, either in the seed bank or in the surrounding, may also limit the recolonization of degraded areas by native species, often to the benefit of ruderal and/or invasive species (Ash et al 1994;Bakker et al 1996;Bradshaw 1997;Bakker and Berendse 1999;Wilson 2002;Shu et al 2005;Kiehl 2010) Thus, active restoration is the only strategy for re-establishing Cu-Co communities in disturbed sites (Hutchings and Booth 1996;Bischoff 2002;Kiehl et al 2010), which imply, first, to conserve these communities and second, to develop techniques to restore its.…”

Biological Characteristics of “Wartowice” Post-Flotation Tailings Pond (Lower Silesia, Poland)

“…Mine tailings impose various adverse effects on plant growth, particularly high levels of heavy metals and other elements in toxic concentrations but also low amounts of plant nutrients, acidity, salinity, alkalinity and poor physical structure [1,10,25]. Normal growth of plant is achieved when pH ranges from 4 to 9, therefore pH value of the studied tailing site is within the normal ranges for plant growth.…”

“…Normal growth of plant is achieved when pH ranges from 4 to 9, therefore pH value of the studied tailing site is within the normal ranges for plant growth. Other nutrients like N, P and organic matter are the main factor infl uencing plant growth [1,25]. Organic matter releases nutrients in soluble form and contributes to soil physical properties [1,25].…”