Phytomining

Phytomining, sometimes called agromining,[1] is the process of extracting heavy metals from the soil through hyperaccumulators, whether natural or induced.[2] Specifically, phytomining is for the purpose of economic gain.[3]

Phytoremediation through phytoextraction by a hyperaccumulator

These extracted ores are called bio-ores.[4]

History

Phytomining was first proposed in 1983 by Rufus Chaney, a USDA agronomist.[5] He and Alan Baker, a University of Melbourne professor, first tested it in 1996.[5] They, as well as Jay Scott Angle and Yin-Ming Li, filed a patent on the process in 1995 which expired in 2015.[6]

Advantages

Phytomining causes minimal environmental effects compared to mining; erosion is lessened.[2] Bio-ores are more compact than standard ores.[2]

Phytomining can extract ores from soils with low levels of it.[4] Phytomining can remove low-grade heavy metals from mine waste.[4]

References
  1. Dang, P.; Li, C. (2022-12-01). "A mini-review of phytomining". International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 19 (12): 12825–12838. doi:10.1007/s13762-021-03807-z. ISSN 1735-2630.
  2. Brooks, Robert R; Chambers, Michael F; Nicks, Larry J; Robinson, Brett H (1998-09-01). "Phytomining". Trends in Plant Science. 3 (9): 359–362. doi:10.1016/S1360-1385(98)01283-7. ISSN 1360-1385.
  3. Linacre, J. Scott Angle and Nicholas A. (2005). Ecological Risks of Novel Environmental Crop Technologies Using Phytoremediation as an Example. Intl Food Policy Res Inst.
  4. "Leaders of the energy transition are calling for a sustainable source of critical metals – is phytomining the answer?". smi.uq.edu.au. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  5. Morse, Ian (2020-02-26). "Down on the Farm That Harvests Metal From Plants". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  6. US5711784A, Chaney, Rufus L.; Angle, Jay Scott & Baker, Alan J. M. et al., "Method for phytomining of nickel, cobalt and other metals from soil", issued 1998-01-27
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