## 1 Introduction  
The most important part of the study is the development of a new class of meta-based models for the formation of a single-cell-based model. The main goal of this study is to understand the formation of a single-cell-based model, and to understand the formation of a single-cell-based model. ## 1 Introduction  
Metal pollution is a widespread environmental problem that affects both rural and urban areas, causing harm to environmental matrices and posing serious risks to human health [1,2]. Several strategies exist to control metal contamination; among them, phytoremediation stands out as a reliable and cost-effective approach [3]. In addition to site restoration, phytoremediation biomass can serve as a valuable source for secondary raw materials (SRMs) recovery, supporting sustainable resource management and contributing to circular economy initiatives [4, 5, 6]. In this context, the bio-ore technology, which involves recovering SRM from biomass used for phytomining, has gained interest as a viable solution for contaminated sites [7,8]. However, in arid and semi-arid regions, successful phytorethological applications require the selection of plant species highly adapted to environmental stresses, such as salinity and drought. In this respect, halophytic and xerophytic species represent promising candidates for the ecological rehabilitation of degraded lands [9, 10, 11, 12]. Among halophytes, the genus Atriplex has been extensively studied for its ability to grow in soils polluted with trace metals [13, 14, 15, 16]. _Atriplex halimus_ L. (Mediterranean saltbush), a perennial shrub of the Chenopodiaceae (Amaranthaceae) family, is native to Mediterranean regions and well adapted to arid, semiarid, and saline environments [17,18]. This species can propagate both by seeds and by vegetative means, through stem cuttings. In standard practices, vegetative propagation involves the rooting of stem segments under controlled conditions before transplanting the young plants into the target soil [18]. Direct planting of unrooted stem cuttings could provide a more economical alternative, particularly for the revegetation of mining areas, where surface conditions (e.g., stony substrates, steep slopes) often hinder the establishment of seedlings. Furthermore, in practical applications, the transport and handling of stem cuttings are easier and cheaper than for rooted plants, making this method attractive for large-scale environmental restoration activities. Indeed, the use of unrooted cuttings has been successfully implemented in other species used for phytoremediation, such as _Salix_ spp. and _Populus_ spp., also planting the unrooted cuttings in contaminated soils [19, 20, 21, 22]. The propagation of Atriplex by stem cuttings is straightforward and may be a valuable strategy for ecosystem restoration [23]. However, phytoremediation studies have typically used seedlings or rooted cuttings rather than unrooted cuttings in polluted soils [3, 17, 24, 25, 26, 27]. The success of phytorethologies not only depends on the plant's ability to tolerate and accumulate metals but also on substrate characteristics. Mine residues typically have high metal concentrations and poor nutrient content, often requiring the use of organic and/or inorganic amendments to facilitate plant growth [27,28]. In the case of _Atriplex halimus_, several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of amendments in improving biomass production and phytoremediation performance in contaminated soils [25, 26, 27, 29]. Despite the growing interest in phytoremediation strategies using halophytic shrubs, most previous studies have concentrated on the use of seedlings or pre-rooted cuttings, overlooking the potential of directly implanting unrooted cuttings into contaminated substrates. This approach remains underexplored, particularly in the context of harsh and nutrient-poor environments such as mine tailings, where traditional propagation methods may be impractical or cost-prohibitive.