Mid-term effects of mine soil reclamation by use of aided phytostabilization

  1. Raúl Zornoza Belmonte 2
  2. Ángel Faz Cano 1
  3. Silvia Martínez Martínez 1
  4. José Alberto Acosta Avilés 1
  5. María Dolores Gómez López 1
  6. Ibrahim Hali Yanardag
  1. 1 Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena
    info

    Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena

    Cartagena, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02k5kx966

  2. 2 Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche
    info

    Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche

    Elche, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01azzms13

Actas:
EGU General Assembly 2014

Año de publicación: 2014

Tipo: Aportación congreso

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Resumen

Abandoned tailing ponds show environmental and human health hazards by the transfer of heavy metals through erosion or leaching. To reduce these hazards, a reclamation strategy has been developed on a tailing pond based on aided phytostabilization. In 2011 marble mud and pig slurry were applied on the tailing pond surface. In spring 2012 thirteen native vegetal species were introduced. During two years (2012-2013) the evolution of different soil properties and the bioavailable fraction of the heavy metals Cd, Pb and Zn has been monitored. Results showed that pH, aggregates stability, organic carbon, nitrogen and cation exchange capacity increased with the application of the amendments and the development of vegetation, while the bioavailable fraction of the heavy metals drastically decreased (90-99%). Thus, the strategy followed resulted positive to reduce the availability of heavy metals, improving soil quality and fertility. These results are promising in areas with extractive activity of carbonated materials, since the generated wastes can be used for reclamation of soils affected with heavy metals, turning a waste into a by-product. Key words: amendments, geochemistry, heavy metals, mining, tailing pond. Acknowledgements: This work has been funded by the European Union LIFE+ project MIPOLARE (LIFE09 ENV/ES/000439).