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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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Your Environment. Your Health.

Final Progress Reports: University of Arizona: Revegetation of Mining Wastes in Arid and Semiarid Environments: Plant-Microbe-Metal Interactions and Fertility Island Effects

Superfund Research Program

Revegetation of Mining Wastes in Arid and Semiarid Environments: Plant-Microbe-Metal Interactions and Fertility Island Effects

Project Leader: Raina M. Maier
Co-Investigators: Jon Chorover, Julie W. Neilson, Francisco E. Molina-Freaner (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), Mark D. Barton
Grant Number: P42ES004940
Funding Period: 2005-2020
View this project in the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT)

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Final Progress Reports

Year:   2019  2016  2014  2009 

Mine tailings in arid and semi-arid regions of the world are subject to wind and water erosion, which can spread tailings (and associated metal toxicants) long distances from the original site. The research team has formed a partnership with EPA Region 9 and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to help characterize and remediate the newly listed Iron King Mine Humboldt Smelter Superfund Site (Iron King). The Iron King tailings are highly acidic (pH 2.5), contain high concentrations of arsenic and lead (each up to 4000 mg/kg), and are completely devoid of plants. Characterization data from a series of greenhouse studies were provided for inclusion in the EPA site Remedial Investigation including: a list of native plants that survive in the tailings; minimum compost rates needed for survival; contour plots at two depths for pH and moisture content; and speciation data for sulfur and arsenic for better understanding of metal(loid) bioavailability. In 2010, the team will begin a phytostabilization field trial at the Iron King Site, the results of which will be incorporated into the EPA site Feasibility Study.

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