Experimental Research on the Remediation Ability of Four Wetland Plants on Acid Mine Drainage

Aijing Wu, Yongbo Zhang, Xuehua Zhao, Hong Shi, Shuyuan Xu, Jiamin Li, Guowei Zhang and Lina Guo
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Aijing Wu: College of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Yongbo Zhang: College of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Xuehua Zhao: College of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Hong Shi: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Shuyuan Xu: Department of Geology and Surveying and Mapping, Shanxi Institute of Energy, Jinzhong 030600, China
Jiamin Li: College of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Guowei Zhang: College of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Lina Guo: College of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: In order to study the economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly techniques for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD), this paper investigated the effects of watering with AMD on the growth condition, the resilience of four wetland plants, as well as the uptake and transport of pollutants by plants. The results showed that Typha orientalis was more resistant to AMD (irrigation with AMD increased its catalase activity and glutathione content and promoted its growth), so it was suitable for treating high concentrations of AMD (SO 4 2− ≈ 9400 mg/L); Cyperus glomeratus was suitable for treating medium concentrations of AMD (SO 4 2− ≈ 4600 mg/L); and Scirpus validus and Phragmites australis could be used to treat low concentrations of AMD (SO 4 2− ≈ 2300 mg/L). All four plants could be used for phytoextraction for Mn-contaminated water (TF > 1). Phragmites australis could be used for phytoextraction for Zn-contaminated water, and the other three plants could be used for phytostabilisation for Zn-contaminated water (TF < 1); the microbial biomass in the soil was affected not only by the concentration of AMD but also by plant species. This study provides a scientific basis for the phytoremediation technology of AMD.

Keywords: acid mine drainage (AMD); phytoremediation; wetland plants; pot experiment; transfer factor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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