Phytoremediation strategies for sustainable end-use of arsenic rich mine tailings in the Victorian goldfields, Australia

摘要

The objective of the study is to develop cost- effective revegetation protocols for sulphide-bearing gold mine railings that result in land of acceptable economic and/or environmental value, which can create an economic asset to the former mining community once the mine has ceased to operate. Phytostabilization on such a dam would minimize surface erosion and reduce the transfer of oxygen and water to the sulphidic railings. Field trials showed that growth of drought and saline tolerant eucalypt species was successful with the addition of thin covers (<500mm) of waste rock with combinations of topsoil or organic amendments. This paper reports on the growth responses of four Eucalyptus species: E. cladocalyx; E. melliodora; E. polybractea and E. viridis in relation to various substrate variables such as salinity, physical constraints and arsenic mobility.