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Research & Reviews : Journal of Ecology

Accumulator Plants for Phytoremediation: An Attempt from Mangampeta and Vemula Barite Mining Areas, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, India

  1. Vangeepuram Raghu

Abstract

Mining alters the natural landscape discharging large volumes of wastes which pose serious pollution hazards to the environment, to human health, and to agriculture. Abandoned mine wastes cause severe pollution impacting the local environment. The use of a vegetation cover ameliorates in reclaiming mine-spoils and tailings. A biogeochemical survey was carried out in Mangampeta and Vemula barite mining areas to identify native accumulator plants and to evaluate the extent of metal bioaccumulation in the naturally growing vegetation for reclamation and revegetation of adversely affected mining environments. It was found that Cassia auriculata for Sr from Mangampeta and Indigofera cordifolia for Ba and Cassia angustifolia for Sr from Vemula are considered accumulators irrespective of their substrate concentration. Based on biological absorption coefficient, in the Mangampeta area, Vitex negundo for Sr and Cassia angustifolia for Sr in Vemula is considered as accumulator plants. However, there are a few plant species identified as accumulators for elements other than ore and its associated elements (Ba and Sr) in both the mining areas. The selection of the native plant species is important in the revegetation, long-term stability, and resilience of an ecosystem. Uptake of heavy metals by plants using phytoremediation technology seems to be a successful way to ameliorate contaminated environments. Detailed research is needed to find out which plant is maximum resistant and best adapted in a particular mining environment.

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