Rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites: connection to bioprospecting of metal tolerant plants and phytoassisted rhizoremediation

Abstract

Contemporary strategies for rehabilitation and remediation of abandoned mine sites and the need for bioprospecting metal tolerant plants have been reviewed with particular emphasis on phytoassisted rhizoremediation. The key processes involved in phytoremediation technology are (i) metal uptake, transport, accumulation and (ii) phytostabilization. Other related applications are: erosion control of mine tailings and metals and use of environmental and industrial crops. Phytoremediation can be in situ, growing, harvesting plants on a contaminated site an aesthetically pleasing process, solar-energy driven, and passive technique. This technique is being used along with or, in some cases, in place of expensive conventional chemical and mechanical cleanup methods. Environmental degradation due to Acid Mine Drainage and role of aquatic macrophytes for its rehabilitation are also presented.