Bioacumulación multimetálica en los arbustos nativos Miconia sp y Erato polymnioides: estimaciones de eficiencia de fitorremediación de suelos perturbados por la minería aurífera en la provincia Zamora Chinchipe

Abstract

Abstract:The capacity of two native plants, Erato polymnioides and Miconia sp., to accumulate cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg) from soils contaminated by small-scale artisanal gold mining in the Ecuadorian rainforest was evaluated. Seven individuals of each species were sampled from a: i) natural zone (NZ), used as control, and ii) polluted zone (PZ) subjected to gold mining. Analysis of soils and plants collected in the two zones showed that Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg concentrations were comparatively lower in the NZ and higher in the PZ. Miconia sp. had higher concentrations of Cd and Pb while E. polymnioides exhibited higher concentrations of Zn and Hg. Analysis of the data including the bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor identified Miconia sp. as a potential candidate for phytostabilization. E. polymnioides was shown to be a suitable hyperaccumulator plant for phytoextraction of these metals.