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Land contamination by toxic elements in abandoned mine areas in Italy

  • Soil Pollution and Remediation
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The present paper concerns the distribution and mobility of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe) in the soils of some abandoned mine sites in Italy and their transfer to wild flora.

Materials and methods

Soils and plants were sampled from mixed sulphide mine dumps in different parts of Italy, and the concentrations of heavy metals were determined.

Results and discussion

The phytoremediation ability of Salix species (Salix eleagnos, Salix purpurea and Salix caprea), Taraxacum officinale and P​lantago major for heavy metals and, in particular, zinc was estimated. The results showed that soils affected by mining activities presented total Zn, Cu, Pb and Fe concentrations above the internationally recommended permissible limits. A highly significant correlation occurred between metal concentrations in soils.

Conclusions

The obtained results confirmed the environmental effects of mine waste; exploring wild flora ability to absorb metals, besides metal exploitation, proved a useful tool for planning possible remediation projects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Station, The University of Jordan and Yarmouk University, 77110, Aqaba, Jordan

    Mohammad Wahsha

  2. Department of Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30123, Venice, Italy

    Mandana Nadimi-Goki & Claudio Bini

Authors
  1. Mohammad Wahsha
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  2. Mandana Nadimi-Goki
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  3. Claudio Bini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Wahsha.

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Responsible editor: Elena Korobova

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Wahsha, M., Nadimi-Goki, M. & Bini, C. Land contamination by toxic elements in abandoned mine areas in Italy. J Soils Sediments 16, 1300–1305 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1151-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1151-1

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