Characterization and Evaluation of the Efficiency of Organic Amendments and Native Macrophytes for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in Hualgayoc—A Case Study

Ever Nuñez-Bustamante, Mary Flor Césare-Coral, Hector Ricardo Cuba Torre, Nelve Nuñez-Bustamante, Roxana Mabel Sempértegui-Rafael, Melitza Cornejo-La Torre, Mario D. Cueva, Marco Antonio Arribasplata-Vargas, Jhimy Brayam Castro-Pantoja and Paul Virú-Vásquez ()
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Ever Nuñez-Bustamante: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota, Chota 06121, Peru
Mary Flor Césare-Coral: Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Hector Ricardo Cuba Torre: Centro de Investigación en Bioenergía, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru
Nelve Nuñez-Bustamante: Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota, Chota 06121, Peru
Roxana Mabel Sempértegui-Rafael: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota, Chota 06121, Peru
Melitza Cornejo-La Torre: Cooperativa de Trabajadores Biotecoop, Lima 15008, Peru
Mario D. Cueva: Cooperativa de Trabajadores Biotecoop, Lima 15008, Peru
Marco Antonio Arribasplata-Vargas: Provincial Municipality of Chota, Chota 06121, Peru
Jhimy Brayam Castro-Pantoja: Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Paul Virú-Vásquez: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-20

Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major environmental issue due to its high heavy metal concentrations and low pH, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. In Hualgayoc, Cajamarca, Peru, AMD contamination from mining activities necessitates effective remediation strategies. This study evaluated the removal efficiency of organic amendments, municipal waste compost (MWC), cattle manure compost (CMC), vermicompost (HMS), corn stalk biochar (CSB), sludge biochar (SLB), pine biochar (PBC), and native macrophytes Carex pichinchensis (CAX), Juncus ecuadoriensis (JSP), and Myriophyllum aquaticum (MYA) in removing As, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn. A physicochemical characterization of AMD, amendments, and plants was conducted, and sorption capacity was determined through triplicate analyses. The results showed that SLB achieved a 100% Zn removal, while CSB removed over 90% of Cu and Fe. Among the organic amendments, CMC demonstrated the highest As and Cd removal (~100%). Regarding macrophytes, CAX achieved a ~97% Fe removal, and MYA exhibited Cd affinity. CSB had the highest sorption capacity for Cu (0.139 mg/g), Fe (1.942 mg/g), and Zn (0.149 mg/g), highlighting its potential for metal remediation. Organic amendments enhanced metal adsorption and stabilization, outperforming macrophytes in heavy metal removal. Combining organic amendments with native plants is recommended to assess their synergistic potential for AMD remediation.

Keywords: acid mine drainage; heavy metals; macrophytes; environmental remediation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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