|
|
Environmental contamination of mining areas and the possibilities of their phytoremediation
Pecina, Václav ; Pospíšilová, Ľubica (referee) ; Pavlů,, Lenka (referee) ; Komendová, Renata (advisor)
Environmental pollution with heavy metals is a global problem escalating in areas with mining. The search for solutions to this problem has been the subject of research for the past decades. This work is conceived as a set of four case studies focused on environmental pollution of mining areas and phytoremediation of polluted soils. The conclusions of all four studies are discussed in the context of the situation in Mongolia, where the investigation of this issue is at an initial stage. The results of the environmental pollution investigation in the mining areas showed (I) the unsuitability of the transformation of the mining-processing plant and the adjacent heap in Příbram into a forest park due to the persistent heavy pollution of the soil with the heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb and Zn) causing potential health risks for visitors and inhibition of the tree seedlings even after the implementation of the reclamation project and (II) the low level of soil pollution of the mining areas in Mongolia with no expected risks to the local population. The results of the phytoremediation studies confirmed the potential of Lupinus luteus L. and Festuca rubra L. in combination with specific additives (mainly biochar from willow chips, poultry feather ash and chalcedonite, respectively) for aided phytostabilization of soils polluted with Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn, and Cr(VI), respectively, and thus the potential for use in phytoremediation of heavy metal-polluted soils in mining areas. Regarding uncontrolled grazing in Mongolia, phytostabilization of heaps and making them inaccessible is necessary to reduce the risks of spreading contamination and intoxication not only of livestock. A promising species for phytoremediation in Mongolia may be Larix sibirica Ledeb.; a suitable type of mining waste management aided phytostabilization focusing on the use of potentially available manure and wood chips. Future research should implement experiments with identified plant species and additives and find other suitable local species capable of creating a continuous vegetation cover.
|
guest ::
