Journal Article

Ferns and lycophytes in coal mining waste and tailing landfills

Rosini, Daniely Neckel, Campos, Mari Lucia, Biasi, Josieli Pietro, da Costa Bortoluzzi, Roseli Lopes, Citadini-Zanette, Vanilde, Andreola, Ariane, Nicoleite, Edilane Rocha, Miquelutti, Davi José

2022

Overview

Mineral coal extraction in Santa Catarina State (Brazil) Carboniferous Basin has degraded the local ecosystem, restricting the use of its areas. One of the biggest environmental impacts in the mining areas is the uncontrolled disposal of waste and sterile mining with high concentrations of pyrite, which in the presence of air and water is oxidized promoting the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD). These contaminants can be leached into water resources, restrict the use of water and soil, and cause threats to fauna and flora. This study aimed to characterize these areas as to the content of Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn metals in the tailings and waste resulting from coal mining and to survey the species of ferns and lycophytes present. Wastes and tailing samples and specimens of ferns and lycophytes were collected in 23 landfills in six municipalities in the region and in four underlying areas used as controls. Chemical and physical analyses (pH in water and pH in KCl, Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, Mn, Fe, Al, clay and OM contents) were carried out and the total contents of heavy metals Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn were determined. Sampling of ferns and lycophytes was carried out by walking. The levels of heavy metals, Cd, Ni and Zn, were below the prevention concentrations established by CONAMA Resolution 420/2009. Pb levels were above prevention values in four landfills. Sixteen species of ferns and one lycophyte were found, with hemicryptophytes the most frequent and helophytes the most adapted to the environment. Of the species found, Pteridium esculentum (G. Forst.) Cockayne, Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link and Telmatoblechnum serrulatum (Rich.) Perrie, DJ Ohlsen & Brownsey demonstrated resistance to degraded and contaminated environments with Pb, which may constitute an alternative for project monitoring and environmental recovery.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acid mine drainage / air / Aluminum / Aquatic Pollution / Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution / basins / Brazil / Cadmium / Cadmium - analysis / Carboniferous / Carboniferous period / clay / Clay minerals / coal / Coal mine wastes / Coal Mining / Contaminants / Earth and Environmental Science / Ecosystem / ecosystems / Ecotoxicology / Environment / Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Health / Environmental impact / Environmental Monitoring - methods / Environmental science / fauna / Ferns / Flora / Heavy metals / hemicryptophytes / Iron / Landfill / Landfills / Lead / Lead - analysis / Magnesium / Manganese / Metals, Heavy - analysis / Mine drainage / Mine tailings / Mine wastes / Mining / Municipal landfills / Municipalities / Nickel / pH effects / Pityrogramma calomelanos / Potassium chloride / Prevention / Pteridium esculentum / Pyrite / Review Article / soil / Soil contamination / Soil Pollutants - analysis / Soil water / Species / Tailings / Waste disposal / Waste Disposal Facilities / Waste disposal sites / Waste Water Technology / Water - analysis / Water Management / Water Pollution Control / Water resources / Zinc