Abstract

DUARTE-ZARAGOZA, Víctor Manuel; PEREZ-HERNANDEZ, Victoria Sabrina; HERNANDEZ-ACOSTA, Elizabeth  and  VILLANUEVA-MORALES, Antonio. Exploratory study of lead and copper accumulation in Prosopis laevigata in mine tailings. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2020, vol.7, n.2, 00011.  Epub Dec 22, 2020. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a7n2.2311.

An exploratory study was conducted to locate the potential of P. laevigata in the accumulation of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) in small vegetation islands established on mining reservoirs in Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico. Mining residues were sampled in three reservoirs and within P. laevigata foliage. In laboratory, the physical and chemical characterization was carried out in mineral residues and was evaluated the extractable concentration of Pb and Cu. In P. laevigata foliage, the total concentration of Pb and Cu was determined, and the bioaccumulation factor was calculated. At the reservoir of San Juan, the highest concentration of Pb and Cu was found in residues and leaves of P. laevigata, which bio-accumulates Pb and Cu and flourishes under extreme contamination conditions, therefore its use is suggested for revegetation programs in contaminated sites.

Keywords : Pollution; metals; mining; plants; toxicity.