Phytomining, sometimes called agromining, [1] is the concept of extracting heavy metals from the soil using plants. [2] Specifically, phytomining is for the purpose of economic gain. [3] The approach exploits the existence of hyperaccumulators, proteins or compounds secreted by plants to bind certain metal ions. These extracted ores are called bio-ores. [4] A 2021 review concluded that the commercial viability of phytomining was "limited" [1] because it is a slow and inefficient process.
Phytomining was first proposed in 1983 by Rufus Chaney, a USDA agronomist. [5] He and Alan Baker, a University of Melbourne professor, first tested it in 1996. [5] They, as well as Jay Scott Angle and Yin-Ming Li, filed a patent on the process in 1995 which expired in 2015. [6]
Phytomining would in principle cause minimal environmental effects compared to mining. [2] Phytomining could also remove low-grade heavy metals from mine waste. [4]
Phytomining, sometimes called agromining, [1] is the concept of extracting heavy metals from the soil using plants. [2] Specifically, phytomining is for the purpose of economic gain. [3] The approach exploits the existence of hyperaccumulators, proteins or compounds secreted by plants to bind certain metal ions. These extracted ores are called bio-ores. [4] A 2021 review concluded that the commercial viability of phytomining was "limited" [1] because it is a slow and inefficient process.
Phytomining was first proposed in 1983 by Rufus Chaney, a USDA agronomist. [5] He and Alan Baker, a University of Melbourne professor, first tested it in 1996. [5] They, as well as Jay Scott Angle and Yin-Ming Li, filed a patent on the process in 1995 which expired in 2015. [6]
Phytomining would in principle cause minimal environmental effects compared to mining. [2] Phytomining could also remove low-grade heavy metals from mine waste. [4]