PHYTOREMEDIATION OF POST-MINING DISTURBED LAND

Sustainable land application in post-mining areas is an essential ecological issue, connected with disturbed areas, pollution of heavy metals, etc. The current research studies opportunities for phytoremediation of lands disturbed by copper mining. Environmental state and soil conditions are examined. Analyses show that soils are weakly acidic, with a low concentration of total nitrogen, a very high concentration of K₂O and P₂O₅, and arsenic above permissible values. The research determines phytostabilisation as a more reliable method for phytoremediation of disturbed lands in this case. The appropriate species for phytostabilisation have been studied. Based on the analysis of data, climate, and soil conditions, it is determined that tree species of four genera show the best ability for phytoremediation in this type of terrain: Populus, Betula, Acer, Salix. Afforestation schemes and possible methods for biomass treatment are proposed.