Phytoremediation: a novel approach for utilization of iron-ore wastes

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Monalisa MohantyPalli Sita Rama Reddy

Abstract

Large quantities of iron-ore tailings are being generated annually in the world from mining and processing of iron ores. It has been estimated that around 10-15% of the iron ore mined in India has remained unutilized and discarded as slimes during mining and subsequent processing. Soil contamination resulting from mining activities affects surrounding flora and fauna and presents a large clean-up challenge to the mining industry. Innovative new methodologies have been proposed and among the most promising are those that rely on new phytoremediation technology. In this paper we address and review the status of phytoremediation as a technology to reduce and control contaminated mine wastes. Several different approaches and different plant species are used to remove environmentally toxic metals from mine waste sites. Such approaches have the objective of restoring mining waste sites to human and animal use, or at least, to curtail or eliminate the off-site movement of toxic entities that potentially could reach humans. How well phytoremediation performs as an alternative soil restoration technology depends on several factors, including the composition of soil, toxicity level of the contaminant, degree to which plant species fit na...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Bioremediation (ASM)

Bioremediation is the treatment and removal of harmful pollutants or contaminants through the use of microorganisms. Discover the latest research here.

Related Papers

International Journal of Phytoremediation
Nilima ChaturvediPalli Sita Rama Reddy
Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Monalisa Mohanty, Hemanta Kumar Patra
Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology
Hanping Xia, Xi'an Cai
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved