Recuperación de un suelo mediante fitorremediación con Jatropha curcas L. como una estrategia para el manejo de pasivos ambientales mineros en el norte de Colombia

Abstract

Gold mining is one of the main economic activities in Colombia, however, its inadequate management has generated mining environmental liabilities (PAM) causing degradation and contamination of natural resources such as the soil. The objective of this research was to evaluate a full-scale phytoremediation process using the plant species Jatropha curcas L., to recover a soil degraded by gold mining in northern Colombia. The intervened area was 4684.7 m2 , where 520 J. curcas plants were established; The lot was divided into two zones, where Zone 1 corresponded to the soil removed by heavy machinery during mining activity and Zone 2 to which it was not intervened with machinery, but which was subjected to degradation and contamination by mercury (Hg). In the soil, the Hg concentration was measured through time and physicochemical parameters. Additionally, morphometric and physiological monitoring of the plantation was carried out. At the end of the process the implementation costs were calculated. The results showed an increase in the content of organic matter in both zones. A decrease in Hg concentrations in the soil was observed, reaching a reduction between 50% and 65%. The plantation adapted well to the conditions to which it was subjected, the recovery of the spontaneous vegetation cover was evidenced. Phytoremediation costs were 11.3 US $ m-3 , notably lower compared to other conventional technologies. In general, the implementation of the phytoremediation process significantly improved the physicochemical and soil contamination conditions, posing as a novel remediation strategy, friendly to the environment, low cost and easy to implement