sun

Go to Seminar

Links to Additional Resources

CLU-IN Studio
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Phytostabilization of Mine Tailings in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments
Sponsored by: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Basic Research Program
Original Time/Date of Presentation:

July 25, 2007, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, EDT (18:00-19:00 GMT)

Presentation Overview:

This seminar is sponsored by the NIEHS Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP), in conjunction with the University of Arizona SBRP and EPA Region 9. In arid and semi-arid parts of the world, including parts of the western United States, mine tailings and their associated contaminants are prone to wind dispersion and water erosion. These problems are extensive and can persist for decades because these sites lack normal soil stabilization processes including the establishment of a plant cover and the associated development of soil structure. These sites can have profound health and environmental consequences especially for children in nearby communities or for sensitive riparian or wildlife refuge areas. Dr. Raina Maier, University of Arizona Dept. of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, is investigating phytostabilization — the establishment of a vegetation cover using the native plants — to minimize dispersion and erosion processes. Study sites include those that are both moderately and severely impacted. Dr. Maier's team has identified several native species that are good candidates for phytostabilization of mine tailings in semiarid regions of the U.S. Southwest and northern Mexico. Organic matter amendment up to 15% by mass may be required depending on the extent of pH, metal, and microbial community stress that exists in a given site. Attributes of these native plants include drought and metal tolerance and low accumulation of toxic metals such as As, Cd, or Pb into shoot tissues. Dr. Maier is particularly interested in the role of the microbial community in revegetation of these sites. This work shows that that the microbial community composition both initially and during phytostabilization can be used as an indicator for the potential for and success of a mine tailings revegetation.

Presenters: Instructors: Moderator:
  • Larry Whitson, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Contractor, MDB, Inc (whitson@niehs.nih.gov)
Go to Seminar

Press the "Go to Seminar" button to view the seminar. Please be at this location at the beginning of the conference call.

Download Seminar For Future Reference

An archive of this seminar is available for download in Microsoft PowerPoint Format, Adobe Acrobat, and MP3 formats.

After the seminar is complete, please view:
Links to Additional Resources Seminar Feedback Form



Produced by the U.S. EPA, Technology Innovation and Field Services Division
Questions about our Internet Seminars? | Technical problems?
Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation, Webinar Recording, and Content Disclaimer

Technology Innovation Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency