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Agromining: farming for metals in the future?
- Source :
-
Environmental science & technology [Environ Sci Technol] 2015 Apr 21; Vol. 49 (8), pp. 4773-80. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Mar 04. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Phytomining technology employs hyperaccumulator plants to take up metal in harvestable plant biomass. Harvesting, drying and incineration of the biomass generates a high-grade bio-ore. We propose that "agromining" (a variant of phytomining) could provide local communities with an alternative type of agriculture on degraded lands; farming not for food crops, but for metals such as nickel (Ni). However, two decades after its inception and numerous successful experiments, commercial phytomining has not yet become a reality. To build the case for the minerals industry, a large-scale demonstration is needed to identify operational risks and provide "real-life" evidence for profitability.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1520-5851
- Volume :
- 49
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Environmental science & technology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25700109
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1021/es506031u