Proof-of-concept of polymetallic phyto-extraction of base metal mine tailings from Queensland, Australia

Abstract Purpose The increasing volumes of mine tailings that are being generated globally because the rise in metal demand, whilst ore-grades continue to decline, call for novel sustainable management options. Phytoextraction using hyperaccumulator plant species may be one such strategies deal with these large contaminated materials. However, base metals (such as zinc, lead, copper) inherently polymetallic necessitate targeting multiple metal(loid)s simultaneously effective phytoextraction. aim this study was conduct a proof-of-concept experiment phytoextraction tailings. Methods Selected plants ( Noccaea caerulescens Biscutella laevigata and Silene latifolia thallium, Phytolacca octandra manganese, Pityrogramma calomelanos arsenic) were grown monocultures mixed cultures 12 weeks on from zinc-lead-copper Dugald River Mt Isa Mines, Queensland, Australia. Results accumulated zinc manganese (up ~ 1 wt% 1.4 wt%, respectively) zinc-manganese co-localization at leaf apex margins. monocultured B. exhibited severe toxicity symptoms, which alleviated when co-cultured N. . Trichomes important storage sites higher thallium than laevigata, P promoted accumulation S. latifolia. Conclusions This test provides real-life demonstration innovative technology could adapted further experiments mines around world.