Contribution of Cistus Ladanifer L. and Cistus Salviifolius for environmental rehabilitation of mine areas from iberian pyrite belt

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of combined use of Cistus ladanifer and Cistus salviifolius for environmental rehabilitation of abandoned mine areas from Iberian Pyrite Belt.

Soils from São Domingos mine area are heterogeneous, due to different characteristics of the original materials, and showed high total concentrations of trace elements (1940-3030 mg As kg^-1; 210-237 mg Cu kg^-1; 5280-9210 mg Pb kg^-1). Available fractions of trace elements presented, in general, small concentrations which vary with soils characteristics. Cistus salviifolius presented larger concentrations of As, Cu and Zn than C. ladanifer, however the former species showed the smallest Pb concentration. Both Cistus plants have an excellent capacity for colonization of these degraded areas and are well adapted to contaminated soils with low nutrient contents. It is apparent that these plants can be used for environmental rehabilitation of mining areas from Iberian Pyrite Belt.