The identification of heavy metal accumulator ferns in abandoned mines in the Philippines with applications to mine rehabilitation and metal recovery

Rene Juna R. Claveria, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, PhilippinesFollow
Teresita R. Perez, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
Ian A. Navarrete, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
Rubee Ellaine C. Perez, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines
Brian Christian C. Lim, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines

Author ORCID Identifier

Rene Juna R. Claveria 0000-0001-9047-7547

Teresita R. Perez 0000-0003-3018-3605

Ian A. Navarrete 0000-0001-6701-9951

Rubee Ellaine C. Perez 0000-0002-8796-7884

Brian Christian C. Lim 0000-0003-1664-1462

Abstract

This paper focuses on the identification of some plant accumulators of heavy metals that can facilitate mine remediation and rehabilitation in the Philippines and metal recovery or phytomining. Most of these hyperaccumulators are ferns that thrive very well in different terrains and of particular interest are Pityrogramma calomelanos, Pteris vittata, and Pteris melanocaulon that are abundant in abandoned CueAu mining areas. The amounts of Cu and As in the soil and in the aboveground (AG) and belowground (BG) components of the accumulator ferns were determined and the Bioaccumulation Factor (BF) and the Translocation Factor (TF) were derived. Efforts to propagate the accumulator ferns identified from spores were successful, thus providing the opportunity of using them for various experiments on mine rehabilitation and metal recovery. The results of these experiments indicated that these hyperaccumulator ferns have the greatest potential for the remediation of metal contaminated soils, the rehabilitation of abandoned mines, and phytomining.

Recommended Citation

Claveria, Rene Juna R.; Perez, Teresita R.; Navarrete, Ian A.; Perez, Rubee Ellaine C.; and Lim, Brian Christian C. (2020) "The identification of heavy metal accumulator ferns in abandoned mines in the Philippines with applications to mine rehabilitation and metal recovery," Journal of Sustainable Mining: Vol. 19 : Iss. 1 , Article 6.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46873/2300-3960.1005