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TECHNICAL REPORTS

Bioremediation and Biodegradation

Phytostabilization Potential of Quailbush for Mine Tailings

Growth, Metal Accumulation, and Microbial Community Changes

^a Dep. of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, Univ. of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038
^b Environmental Research Lab., 2601 E. Airport Drive, Tucson, AZ 85706

^* Corresponding author (rmaier{at}ag.arizona.edu)

Received for publication May 17, 2006. Abandoned mine tailings sites in semiarid regions remain unvegetated for extended periods of time and are subject to eolian dispersion and water erosion. This study examines the potential phytostabilization of a lead-zinc mine tailings site using a native, drought-tolerant halophyte, quailbush [Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S. Wats.]. In a greenhouse study germination, growth, and metal uptake was evaluated in two compost-amended mine tailings samples, K4 (pH 3) and K6 (pH 6) at 75, 85, 90, 95, and 100% mine tailings, and two controls, off-site and compost. Microbial community changes were monitored by performing MPN analysis of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria as well as heterotrophic plate counts. Results demonstrate that germination is not a good indicator for phytostabilization since it was only inhibited in the unamended K4 treatment. Plant growth was significantly reduced in 95 and 100% mine tailings, while growth in 75, 85, and 90% treatments was similar to the off-site control. Quailbush accumulated elevated levels of the nutrient metals Na, K, Mn, and Zn in the shoot tissues; however, metal accumulation was generally below the domestic animal toxicity limit. Initially, autotrophic population estimates were four to six logs higher than heterotrophic counts, indicating extremely stressed conditions. However, post-harvest, heterotrophic bacterial counts increased to normal levels (10⁶ CFU g^–1 dry tailings) and dominated the rhizosphere. Therefore, with compost amendment, quailbush has good potential as a native species candidate for phytostabilization of mine tailings in semiarid environments.

Abbreviations: BNM, basal nutrient medium • CC, compost control • CEC, cation exchange capacity • CFU, colony forming units • DTPA, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid • EC, electrical conductivity • ICP–MS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry • MPN, most probable number • MSM, minimal salts medium • OS, off-site control sample • SBRP-HIC, Superfund Basic Research Program-Hazard Identification Core • SPL, soil plant toxicity level • SRL, soil remediation level • TOC, total organic carbon • TRTMT, treatment • Tukey's HSD, Tukey's Honestly Significant difference • WQARF, Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund • WQC, Water Quality Center

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