DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cz8w9gj8b
title: Dianthus sylvestris subsp. sylvestris as a promising candidate for phytostabilization of copper-contaminated post-mining sites in Alpine ecosystems

description: The lack of remediation of inactive mine sites is a serious global
 concern, as they pose risks to the environment, human health, and safety.
 The potential of Dianthus sylvestris subsp. sylvestris to remediate
 post-mining sites contaminated with copper (Cu) at high altitudes, which
 is a challenging task for most management strategies, was explored in this
 study. More than 1300 mg Cu kg-1 in shoots were found in plants collected
 at the Monte Avanza legacy mine site (Alps). However, it is unclear
 whether this is due to hyperaccumulation or foliar contamination. To
 address this gap, field samples were washed with two different protocols,
 and a controlled Cu-tolerance test was conducted. While very high Cu
 concentrations, exceeding the Cu hyperaccumulation threshold of 300 mg
 kg-1, were found in samples washed with water, results for the plants
 cleaned with a more rigorous approach with EDTA suggested Cu exclusion
 strategy. Under controlled conditions, the plant showed Cu hypertolerance
 but did not hyperaccumulate Cu. Thus D. sylvestris presents a Cu exclusion
 strategy rather than hyperaccumulation potential, making it a suitable
 candidate for Cu phytostabilization at high-altitude legacy mine sites.
 The study emphasizes the need for experiments under controlled conditions
 when assessing the phytoremediation potential.
description: Plant specimens of <em>Dianthus
 sylvestris</em> subsp. <em>sylvestris</em> (roots,
 shoots, flowers, and seeds) and respective soil samples collected on the
 site (Monte Avanza, IT). 
 <em>D. sylvestris</em> subsp.
 <em>sylvestris </em>grown in hydroponics under controlled
 conditions. Data were obtained from the samples using
 ICP-OES and a ruler. 
description: Microsoft Excel or any other spreadsheet editor (for example the
 free open-source Apache OpenOffice Calc).
description: # Copper phytostabilization: concentrations and root growth of *Dianthus
 sylvestris* subsp. *sylvestris* *** Data for "*Dianthus sylvestris*
 subsp. *sylvestris* as a promising candidate for phytostabilization of
 copper-contaminated post-mining sites in Alpine ecosystems". The
 study investigates the necessity of cleaning the field samples with a
 stringent solution instead of simple water prior to metal analysis. The
 study also investigates the potential of *D. sylvestris* subsp.
 *sylvestris* for remediating copper-contaminated post-mining sites at high
 altitudes, finding that the plant exhibits a copper exclusion strategy
 rather than hyperaccumulation. Consequently, *D. sylvestris* subsp.
 *sylvestris* presents as a promising candidate for copper
 phytostabilization at high-altitude legacy mine sites, emphasizing the
 importance of controlled experiments when evaluating phytoremediation
 potential. ## Description of the data and file structure The data are soil
 and plant copper (Cu) concentration of *Dianthus sylvestris* subsp.
 *sylvestris* found on the Monte Avanza mining site (note 1). The data in
 notes 2 (root elongation) and 3 (Cu concentrations) are from a controlled
 experiment performed on plants grown from seeds collected at the above
 site. All the codes are identified within each note.