Abstract

HERNANDEZ-ACOSTA, E. et al. Vegetation, mining tailings and potentially toxic elements of a jal from Pachuca, Hidalgo, México. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2009, vol.15, n.2, pp.109-114. ISSN 2007-4018.

The present study took place on a mine jal from Pachuca, Hidalgo. Such jal had the physical and chemical characterization of mining waste, the contents of potentially toxic elements (cadmium, copper, manganese, nickel, plumb, and zinc) and the vegetation parameters. Nine sampling sites were defined in the jal. The physical and chemical characteristics and the content of potentially toxic elements were determined in compound samples. The method of squares was used in order to identify plant species and in plant tissue samples of each species, the content of potentially toxic elements was determined. The mining wastes showed a franc-sandy texture and with a pH moderately alkaline and a low content of organic matter. The Zn (45 mg·kg^-1) and the Pb (14 mg·kg^-1) were the elements with a higher concentration. Twenty-five species of plants were identified and from these, Haplopappus venetus was the dominant species. Solanum corymbosum showed the highest accumulation of Cu (6 mg·kg^-1) Brickelia veronicifolia of Pb (5 mg·kg^-1) and Zn (20 mg·kg^-1), Atriplex suberecta of Cd (1 mg·kg^-1), Cynodon dactylon of Mn (69 mg·kg^-1) and Bouteloua curtipendula of Ni (4 mg·kg^-1). It is recommended to use these species in the rehabilitation of mining jales.

Keywords : pollution; mines; plants; rehabilitation of jales.

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