Conference paper
Phytocapping of tailings using industrial hemp and mixed-waste organic outputs
Life of Mine Conference 2021 (Brisbane (ONLINE), 28/04/2021–30/04/2021)
2021
Abstract
The successful establishment of vegetation on mine waste tailings relies on the ability of the substrate to sustain plant growth. The phytocap defined as the surface cover system of plants and substrate can convert impacted non-arable mined land into fertile land suitable for cultivation while additionally stabilising tailings. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential to cultivate a fast-growing crop such as industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as a model plant for phytocapping of mineral waste tailings amended with mixed waste organic outputs (MWOO) from the suburbs of South Sydney, as the capping layer. Chemical characterisation of MWOO revealed high levels of heavy metals including Zn and Pb. Control studies using rhizo lysimeters in the glasshouse showed the potential to cultivate industrial hemp plants in MWOO. Regardless of the content of heavy metals in MWOO, industrial hemp plants showed no symptoms of metal toxicity or deficiency. Determination of total chlorophyll and leaf transpiration confirmed the ability of industrial hemp plants to tolerate high levels of metals in MWOO. Relative stem height growth and total biomass production were used as indicators of performance and showed that MWOO provided the nutrition requirements to cultivate a fast-growing crop such as industrial hemp. Root growth analysis in rhizo lysimeters showed the ability of hemp roots to physically stabilise the MWOO. Determination of soil moisture analysis in rhizo lysimeters showed an increase in evapotranspiration rate with plant development. Further studies will include determination of metals in leachates and below and above ground parts of hemp plants.
Details
- Title
- Phytocapping of tailings using industrial hemp and mixed-waste organic outputs
- Authors/Creators
- J. LivingstoneZ. ReadA. DoronilaD. WhiteR. ThompsonTona T Sanchez-Palacios (Author)
- Conference
- Life of Mine Conference 2021 (Brisbane (ONLINE), 28/04/2021–30/04/2021)
- Identifiers
- 991005564570107891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University; School of Agricultural Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference paper
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