A Comparative Study of Phytoremediation Performance of Four Native Plant Species for an Indian Copper Mine Acid Mine Drainage

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is a critical environmental concern arising from mining operations, leading to soil degradation through acidification, salinization, and soil and water contamination with metals and metalloids. Phytoremediation, using plants to clean up contaminated environments, offers a promising solution for restoring post-mining lands in an economically feasible manner. This study involved a three-month growth chamber experiment to evaluate the performance of four plant types: Phyllanthus urinaria (Chamber bitter), Cleome rutidosperma (Fringed Spider Flower), Impatiens balsamina (Rose balsam), and Oldenlandia corymbosa (Flat top mille grains). The study examined the changes in mineral composition of the substrate before and after the experiments, with particular attention to shifts in metal concentrations and pH levels in the drainage. No amendments were added to stabilizing metal (loid)s (Al, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn) in AMD-impacted soil from a copper mine in Eastern India. The findings indicated that all the species can sustain in acidic environments with a pH value ranging from 2.6 to 3.2. BCF was highest for Olden. Also, an excellent increase in the biomass. Fe, Mn, Mg, and Zn translocation from roots to shoots, which has been observed in all the species. The research highlighted that the acidity in the rhizosphere was neutralized through a series of geochemical processes, including: (1) carbonate dissolution, (2) the dissolution of aluminum and iron (oxy) hydroxides. Novelty of this work is these species has not been used for AMD treatment. The research shows that these species are efficient in remediating soils impacted by AMD through phytoremediation. This is probably attributable to significant alterations in rhizosphere chemistry and species-specific physiological and molecular adaptations.