PROGRAM FOR THE REHABILITATION AND RESTORATION OF MINED OUT AREAS THROUGH PHYTOTECHNOLGIES:

Program Leader: Dr. Teresita R. PerezProject Leaders:Dr. Marilyn O. Quimado

Dr. George E. Banez

Background1. The Philippines as a unique

geological history • archipelagic

• center for biodiversity high endemicity

• rich in mineral resources

2. Mining (industry & small scale mining) development & environmental impacts

3. Mitigation of impacts through the plant metal indicators & hyperaccumulators

Program SummaryPROJECT 1: Conservation of Native Metallophytes,Phytochemistry of Nickel Hyperaccumulators, and Phytostabilization to Restore Mined-out Areas in Palawan, Surigao, and Zambales

Project Leader: Dr. Marilyn O. Quimado

PROJECT 2: Metal Bio-indicator Plant Species of the Philippines

Project Leader: Dr. George E. Bañez

PROJECT 3: Copper and Arsenic Recovery as a Post-mining Activity Using Indigenous Plant Hyperaccumulators

Project Leader: Dr. Teresita R. Perez

Objectives of the Program1. To identify and study the bio-ecology and

chemistry of indigenous metallophyte species that can be used in phytotechnologies to restore mined-out areas.

2. To develop a protocol for propagating metallophyte species for use as metal bio-dicators, and for phytostabilization and post-mining metal recovery.

Project 1 Objectives:General Objective:

To study the conservation of the native nickel metallophytes, and to conduct pilot testing of phytostabilization using native metallophytes.

Specific Objectives: To discover new species/records of nickelhyperaccumulators indigenous in the study

sites.

• To characterize the associated microflora in the rhizosphereof excluder species.

• To mass produce and establish nurseries and plantations of native metallophytes.

• To develop phytostabilization technology using native metallophytes in restoration of mined-out areas.

• To develop a policy paper on restoration of mined-out areas using native metallophytes

• To publish peer-reviewed scientific papers in international journals.

Project 1 Expected Output:1. Living collection /gene pool and nurseries of native

nickel metallophytes

2. Phytostabilization technology

3. Demonstration plots (1 ha) of restored mined-out area using native metallophytes

4. Policy paper and IEC materials

5. Scientific publications

Project 2 Objectives:General Objective:

To identify bio-indicator species in six (6) study sites and create a database of indigenous metallophytes.

Specific Objectives: To conduct taxonomic survey of plants in metalliferous and non-metalliferous

soils. To determine the morphological and physiological responses and adaptations

of selected facultative species exposed to varying concentrations of heavy metals.

To establish network of partner institutions in the identification, monitoring, propagation, conservation and field testing of bio-indicator species in six sites.

To establish cultural management for the propagation of selected hyperaccumulator species identified.

To create a national database of obligate and facultative metallophytespecies that naturally occur in metal rich and adjacent non-metal rich soils in the six study sites.

Project 2 Expected Output:1. A list of bio-indicator species that can be used for phytotechnologies from

the six sites.

2. A report on the morphological and physiological adaptations of acultative plant species.

3. A protocol and a training kit to build the capacity of environmental managers and stakeholders to detect heavy metal contamination in soils using bioindicator species.

4. Propagation techniques of identified bio-indicator species.

5. A database of indigenous metallophyte species

Project 3 Objectives:General Objective:

To identify and propagate Cu and As hyperaccumulators in large mines and in small scale mining areas for potential Cu and As use in post-mining metal recovery.

Specific Objectives: To assess the potential of different plant species for hyperaccumulation of copper and

arsenic.

To determine the biology of 3 to 4 plant hyperaccmumulators in mined areas to understand fully their potential for hyperaccumulation.

To facilitate the propagation of these plants: set up nurseries, transfer the propagated plant materials to experimental plots.

To develop techniques in the recovery of Cu and As from the identified plants.

To field test the developed technology in collaboration with identified stakeholders.

Project 3 Expected Output:1. Identified Cu and As indigenous plant hyperaccumulators.

2. Propagated the identified Cu and As hyperaccumulators in nurseries to produce enough stock for metal recovery experiments.

3. Developed protocols for Cu and As extraction/recovery from hyperaccumulators.

4. Publication and presentation in scientific meetings.