Evaluation of the metal(loid)s phytoextraction potential of wild plants grown in three antimony mines in southern China

Abstract

Wild plant species from three deserted antimony (Sb) mine areas in southern China were collected to measure eight metal(loid)s. Antimony, As (arsenic), Cd (cadmium), Cr (chromium), Cu (copper), Ni (nickel), Pb (lead), and Zn (zinc) concentrations in plants and soil were analyzed. The soils of the mining area was weakly alkaline and contained toxic levels of Sb, As, Pb, Cd, and Zn. Many plant species in the area (40 species and 19 families) have no clear signs of toxicity. The plants were divided into three categories (high, moderate, and low tendency to accumulate metals) based on their (ratio [RT], bioaccumulation factor [BCF], translocation factor [TF]) values. The plants with a high accumulation tendency exhibited the high potential to absorb Sb from contaminated soil; therefore, they can be used for the remediation or phytoremediation of Sb-contaminated soil.

Keywords:

• Bioconcentration and translocation factor
• heavy metal(loid)s
• soil pollution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Guangxi Science and Technology Major Project (Guike AA 17204047), and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Project No. 2018YFD0800600).