XVI International Botanical Congess

Variety of biological resources are being employed for remediation of metal contaminated/polluted aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. In copper mines of Globe and Tucson, Arizona, USA, the mine reclamation program is primarily based on cattle. Herds of cattle are impounded with electric fence on mine tailings for varying durations by providing fodder and water. Cattle stabilize the soil by their hoofs and enrich nutrient status via urination and dung. This process is repeated in cycles. Cattle accelerated the rhizosphere development and improved plant root association via enriching soil microorganisms and soil nutrients. The results obtained with cattle for rhizosphere development are spectacular. Introduction of metal tolerant wild plants to metal contaminated/polluted ecosystems, improvement of the rhizosphere with the help of mycorrhiza and integrated management of the metalliferous ecosystems following the principles of phytoremediation are explained with results of specific case studies from developed and developing nations are discussed.