Integrating metal removal efficiency and bioclimatic adaptation in the selection of macrophytes for acid mine drainage treatment

Marí Cárdenas-Gaudry; Johana Pumaylle; Ronald Unocc

doi:10.17268/

Autores/as

Marí Cárdenas-Gaudry Universidad Científica del Sur, Department of Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Water and Environmental Systems (SuWES), Lima, Perú.
Johana Pumaylle Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Faculty of Sciences, Lima, Perú.
Ronald Unocc Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Faculty of Sciences, Lima, Perú.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17268/

Palabras clave:

acid mine drainage, phytoremediation, macrophytes, constructed wetlands, bioclimatic adaptation

Resumen

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the main environmental liabilities associated with mining activity due to its high acidity and elevated concentrations of metals and metalloids. In this context, phytoremediation using macrophytes represents a sustainable alternative for the passive treatment of these effluents. This review article comparatively evaluated eighteen macrophyte species considering their metal removal efficiency, pH tolerance, and bioclimatic adaptation. The results identified Vetiveria zizanioides as the species with the highest tolerance to acidic conditions, supporting pH values as low as 2.7 and increasing the effluent toward near-neutral conditions. In contrast, Juncus effusus, Typha orientalis, and Phragmites australis achieved removal efficiencies close to 99% for Fe, Mn, and As, as well as efficiencies above 90% for Zn, Cd, and Al. Copper removal showed the lowest efficiencies due to its high mobility and ionic competition under acidic conditions. Furthermore, the bioclimatic analysis revealed that variables such as biotemperature, precipitation, and water availability directly influence the stability and performance of macrophytes in treatment systems. It is concluded that the selection of macrophytes for AMD treatment should integrate geochemical, physiological, and bioclimatic criteria in order to optimize the efficiency and sustainability of constructed wetlands.

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