Geobotany–biogeochemical prospecting

Abstract

Sediment and soil functions show close semblance. Without soil no plant can exist. Thus, correlation and analysis of plant occurrence on sediment/soil provides useful information about edaphic conditions and mineral richness in the substratum. Plants can accumulate metals and may play a significant role in biogeochemical prospecting. In this article the following aspects are dealt: a) What are the metallophytes and their–significance b) How can metallophytes be applied to economic geology c) The potential of geobotanical studies for phytomining? d) The significance of the role of metallophytes in environmental management e) The role of “metallophytes” in emerging phytotechnologies (= plant based technologies) with elected examples