This study was conducted to determine the uptake of trace elements by the emergent wetland plant species Eleocharis equisetina at the historic Jumna tin processing plant, tropical Australia. The perennial emergent sedge was found growing in acid waters (pH 2.45) and metal-rich tailings (SnAsCuPbZn). E. equisetina displayed a pronounced acid tolerance and tendency to exclude environmentally significant elements (Al, As, Cd, Ce, Co, Cu, Fe, La, Ni, Pb, Se, Th, U, Y, Zn) from its above-substrate biomass. This study demonstrates that geobotanical and biogeochemical examinations of wetland plants at abandoned mined lands of tropical areas can reveal pioneering, metal-excluding macrophytes. Such aquatic macrophytes are of potential use in the remediation of acid mine waters and sulfidic tailings and the reclamation of disturbed acid sulfate soils in subtropical and tropical regions.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Geochemistry
Research Field:	Geochemistry not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Environment
Objective Group:	Land and Water Management
Objective Field:	Mining Land and Water Management
Author:	Lottermoser, BG (Professor Bernd Lottermoser)
ID Code:	74923
Year Published:	2011
Web of Science® Times Cited:	4
Deposited By:	Earth Sciences
Deposited On:	2011-12-15
Last Modified:	2012-09-12
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