This savings has caught the attention of those who are responsible for remediation within federal agencies and the private sector. Research on the beneficial effects of vegetation in metals-contaminated soils and mine tailings has been applied at several field sites. The influence of mycorrhizal symbiosis on plant growth and heavy metal tolerance in mine tailings has been demonstrated and communicated. Laboratory and field research has demonstrated which soil amendments are essential to revegetate mine tailings because of the need to improve nutrient availability and water holding capacity. Results have shown that concentrations of arsenic and cadmium in poplar tree leaves are below the level where they would be a health concern for deer and other animals.
Vegetation reduces soil erosion and sediment transport to streams and rivers.
Center investigators are providing information and advice to those who are revegetating heavy metal-contaminated sites. Vegetative stabilization is often the only cost-effective solution for large acreages of soils and mine tailings containing heavy metals. Center investigators have developed new approaches to identify and select chelators for separating heavy metals from soil. Quantitative structure-activity relationships and molecular descriptors can be incorporated into models which allow computers to be used to help identify chelators. A workshop on these concepts was presented after the May 1995 Conference on Hazardous Waste Research.