How do the plants used, in phytoremediation in constructed wetlands, a sustainable remediation strategy, perform in heavymetal-contaminated mine sites?

摘要

This review draws on knowledge for the treatment of heavy-metal leachate in contaminated mine sites. Mine waste rack dumps and tailings generate a continuous stream of metalliferous and saline leachate over the long term. The mining industry has many legacy sites, which have compromised aquatic ecosystems and ground-water because of heavy-metal contamination. Chemical and engineering methods are available and have been extensively utilised. However, these methods require intensive energy and often produce substantial volumes of secondary waste. We therefore argue in favour of phytoremediation as a sustainable remediation strategy leading towards efficient and sustainable metal removal and immobilisation through constructed wetlands.