Metallophyte
Encyclopedia
A metallophyte is a plant that can tolerate high levels of heavy metals such as lead
. Such plants range between "obligate metallophytes" (which can only survive in the presence of these metals), and "facultative metallophytes" which can tolerate such conditions but are not confined to them.
European examples include Alpine Pennycress
, the Zinc Violet (Viola calaminaria), Spring Sandwort (Minuartia verna), Sea Thrift, Cochlearia, Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris) and Plantain
(Plantago lanceolata).
Metallophytes commonly exist as specialised flora found on spoil heaps of mines.
Such plants have potential for use for phytoremediation
of contaminated ground.
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
. Such plants range between "obligate metallophytes" (which can only survive in the presence of these metals), and "facultative metallophytes" which can tolerate such conditions but are not confined to them.
European examples include Alpine Pennycress
Alpine Pennycress
Thlaspi caerulescens, Alpine Pennycress and also known as Alpine Pennygrass, is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is found in the Western United States, Scandinavia, and Europe.-Description:...
, the Zinc Violet (Viola calaminaria), Spring Sandwort (Minuartia verna), Sea Thrift, Cochlearia, Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris) and Plantain
Plantago
Plantago is a genus of about 200 species of small, inconspicuous plants commonly called plantains. They share this name with the very dissimilar plantain, a kind of banana. Most are herbaceous plants, though a few are subshrubs growing to 60 cm tall. The leaves are sessile, but have a narrow...
(Plantago lanceolata).
Metallophytes commonly exist as specialised flora found on spoil heaps of mines.
Such plants have potential for use for phytoremediation
Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation Phytoremediation Phytoremediation (from the Ancient Greek , and Latin (restoring balance or remediation) describes the treatment of environmental problems (bioremediation) through the use of plants that mitigate the environmental problem without the need to excavate the...
of contaminated ground.
See also
- Phytoremediation, HyperaccumulatorsPhytoremediation, HyperaccumulatorsThis article covers known hyperaccumulators, accumulators or species tolerant to the following: Aluminium , Silver , Arsenic , Beryllium , Chromium , Copper , Manganese , Mercury , Molybdenum , Naphthalene, Lead , Palladium , Platinum , Selenium et Zinc .See also:*Hyperaccumulators table – 2 :...
- Hyperaccumulators table – 2 : NickelHyperaccumulators table – 2 : NickelThis section covers known nickel hyperaccumulators, accumulators or species tolerant to nickel.Notes* In the genus Alyssum, free histamin is an important Ni binding ligand that increases in the xylem proportionately to root Ni uptake. There is a close correlation between Ni tolerance, root His...
- Hyperaccumulators table – 3Hyperaccumulators table – 3This section covers radionuclides, hydrocarbons and organic solvents, and information on the plants used for their remediation.Links to the other sections:*Hyperaccumulators table – 1 : Al, Ag, As, Be, Cr, Cu, Mn, Hg, Mo, Naphtalene, Pb, Pd, Pt, Se, Zn...