Screening of new native metallophytes from copper abandoned mining site: Promising tool for phytoremediation

A field survey on abandoned mining site 'Bir Nehass-Morocco' was conducted to identify new native metallophytes as a promising tool for phytoremediation. The spatial distribution of metals in tailings and mining soils was investigated and metal accumulation in plant tissues was analyzed and compared. The results indicated that the studied area was polluted by Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd Cadmium with maximum values of 2892, 27868.3, 6982 and 63.03 mg.kg(-1), respectively, which are higher than background levels for agricultural soils. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd decreased with the distance from the mine tailings. Thirteen species (11 families) were identified and mainly native and therophyte plants. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed among the average concentrations of metals in plant tissues and most values exceeded the normal concentration range. Based on the comparative analysis of heavy metals content, translocation and bioconcentration factors in plants, Aizoon canariense L, Hirschfeldia incana (L.) L. Fossat, Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrader and Peganum harmala L had a high accumulation ability and showed a remarkable phytoremediation potential which could be identified as promising candidates for phytoremediation techniques.