Metallophyte Studies in Nickeliferous Laterites and Acid Sulfate Soils:
Implications to Phytoremediation and Phytomining

Dr. Rene Juna R. Claveria ^1,2, Carol de los Santos ¹, Katrina Teodoro ¹, Nestor Valera ³

 ¹Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University
² UP Geoscience Foundation Inc.
³ Chemistry Department, Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City, 1108 Philippines
reneclaveria@yahoo.com

Abstract

In finding ways of addressing the environmental impacts of mining, it is important to consider the potential of plants in the remediation or rehabilitation of areas affected by mining as well as their capability of absorbing metals in anomalous amounts which could be an alternative to traditional mining.  Metallophyte studies have provided some baseline information regarding some plant species growing on nickeliferous laterites and on cupriferous soils.  It was then a concern as to whether these plants accumulate the heavy metals the soil contains, and specifically how much of the available metals are being taken up by these plants.  In nickeliferous laterites, some of the identified plants were Sapotaceae planchonella, Apocynaceae alstonia nacropylla and Cunnoniaceae wenmannia sp.   Results show similar responses between Sapotaceae planchomella and Apocynaceae alstonia macrophylla in terms of total iron content in their leaves, stems and roots.   Cunoniaceae weinmannia sp.  exhibited the highest response.   In cupriferous soils, some selected native ferns were studied and identified species that are tolerable to Cu (and As) enriched soils.  Five native ferns species, Pteridium aquilinum, Dicranopteris linearis, Pityrogramma calomelanos, Pteris sp., Nephrolepis hirsutula were sampled and analyzed for Cu using the root-stem-leaf components.  Nephrolepis hirsutala and Pteris sp. were identified to be the best Cu-tolerant species.  The results indicated the existence of specific plants that can abnormally absorb high concentrations of metals and could be used for phytoremediation and phytomining.