Phytoremediation capability of native plants in lead-zinc mining areas in the karst region, southwest of China

A field investigation was conducted in 5 lead-zinc mining areas in Guangxi to screen plant species suitable for remediating soil contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the karst region. Samples from 57 dominant plant species, along with their rhizosphere soils, were collected for analysis. The results suggested that Vitex negundo and Ixeris chinensis exhibited high translocation abilities for Cd, Pb, and Zn, with V. negundo showing translocation factor (TF) values of 3.43, 5.01, and 6.01, respectively, and I. chinensis showing TF values of 3.41, 5.69, and 4.80, respectively. The Cd bioconcentration factor (BCF) values of Artemisia indica and Erechtites valerianifolius were 5.43 and 4.61, respectively. Achyranthes bidentata exhibited a high ability for Zn accumulation, with a BCF value of 2.76 for Zn. V. negundo, I. chinensis, A. indica, E. valerianifolius and A. bidentata are potential candidates for soil remediation in areas affected by lead-zinc mining in karst regions. Miscanthus floridius, Clinopodium chinense, and Eleocharis dulcis primarily stored Cd, Pb, and Zn in their roots, with TF values below 0.30 and BCF values below 0.10. It is thereby concluded that these 8 plants can be used in vegetation restoration in lead-zinc mining areas in the karst region.