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Characterization and Evaluation of the Efficiency of Organic Amendments and Native Macrophytes for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in Hualgayoc—A Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ever Nuñez-Bustamante

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota, Chota 06121, Peru)

  • Mary Flor Césare-Coral

    (Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru)

  • Hector Ricardo Cuba Torre

    (Centro de Investigación en Bioenergía, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru)

  • Nelve Nuñez-Bustamante

    (Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota, Chota 06121, Peru)

  • Roxana Mabel Sempértegui-Rafael

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota, Chota 06121, Peru)

  • Melitza Cornejo-La Torre

    (Cooperativa de Trabajadores Biotecoop, Lima 15008, Peru)

  • Mario D. Cueva

    (Cooperativa de Trabajadores Biotecoop, Lima 15008, Peru)

  • Marco Antonio Arribasplata-Vargas

    (Provincial Municipality of Chota, Chota 06121, Peru)

  • Jhimy Brayam Castro-Pantoja

    (Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru)

  • Paul Virú-Vásquez

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru)

Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major environmental issue due to its high heavy metal concentrations and low pH, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. In Hualgayoc, Cajamarca, Peru, AMD contamination from mining activities necessitates effective remediation strategies. This study evaluated the removal efficiency of organic amendments, municipal waste compost (MWC), cattle manure compost (CMC), vermicompost (HMS), corn stalk biochar (CSB), sludge biochar (SLB), pine biochar (PBC), and native macrophytes Carex pichinchensis (CAX), Juncus ecuadoriensis (JSP), and Myriophyllum aquaticum (MYA) in removing As, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn. A physicochemical characterization of AMD, amendments, and plants was conducted, and sorption capacity was determined through triplicate analyses. The results showed that SLB achieved a 100% Zn removal, while CSB removed over 90% of Cu and Fe. Among the organic amendments, CMC demonstrated the highest As and Cd removal (~100%). Regarding macrophytes, CAX achieved a ~97% Fe removal, and MYA exhibited Cd affinity. CSB had the highest sorption capacity for Cu (0.139 mg/g), Fe (1.942 mg/g), and Zn (0.149 mg/g), highlighting its potential for metal remediation. Organic amendments enhanced metal adsorption and stabilization, outperforming macrophytes in heavy metal removal. Combining organic amendments with native plants is recommended to assess their synergistic potential for AMD remediation.

Suggested Citation

  • Ever Nuñez-Bustamante & Mary Flor Césare-Coral & Hector Ricardo Cuba Torre & Nelve Nuñez-Bustamante & Roxana Mabel Sempértegui-Rafael & Melitza Cornejo-La Torre & Mario D. Cueva & Marco Antonio Arriba, 2025. "Characterization and Evaluation of the Efficiency of Organic Amendments and Native Macrophytes for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in Hualgayoc—A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3570-:d:1635527
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Aijing Wu & Yongbo Zhang & Xuehua Zhao & Jiamin Li & Guowei Zhang & Hong Shi & Lina Guo & Shuyuan Xu, 2022. "Experimental Study on the Hydroponics of Wetland Plants for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Sameera A. Alghamdi & Manal El-Zohri, 2024. "Phytoremediation Characterization of Heavy Metals by Some Native Plants at Anthropogenic Polluted Sites in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Yudha Gusti Wibowo & Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan & Sudibyo Sudibyo & Hana Safitri & Arif Rohman & Hutwan Syarifuddin, 2024. "Efficient remediation of acid mine drainage through sustainable and economical biochar-CaO composite derived from solid waste," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(7), pages 16803-16826, July.
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