CESM Repurposing Mine Waste Strategic Innovation: Identification of Metal-Hyperaccumulating Plants as Polymetallic Systems for Ecocatalysis

Repurposing Mine Waste Strategic Innovation: Identification of Metal-Hyperaccumulating Plants as Polymetallic Systems for Ecocatalysis

Principal Investigator (PI): Alicja Babst-Kostecka, Department of Environmental Science (ENVS) & CESM. Profile
Co-PI: Julie Neilson, ENVS & CESM
Partners: BHP Copper Legacy Assets Team; Raina Maier, Superfund Research Center; Tomasz Wlodarczyk, ENVS doctoral student; Owyn Stokes, undergraduate student

In this SMMR strategic initiative, an extension of the collaboration between CESM and BHP to survey plant diversity at their legacy mine tailings site in Arizona, the team is focused on the characterization of resilient, self-sustaining native plant species that have persisted on the reclaimed site for the past 70 years.

This information will be used to inform seed mixes for future reclamation efforts and will boost the scientific basis of revegetation to develop efficient and site-tailored solutions for metal-impacted lands across the Southwestern United States.