Assessment of Metal Contents and Phytoremediation Potentials of Legume Species Growing around Iron Mine

Although mines play a crucial role in the economy, their environmental impacts are equally significant. The screening of natural plant species in mining and mining facility sites facilitates the identification of species suitable for phytoremediation. This study aims to investigate the elemental concentrations and assess the phytoremediation potential of selected legume (forage) species growing in the vicinity of the iron mine located in Bingöl province, Türkiye.

In this area, Lathyrus sphaericus Retz., Trifolium nigrescens Viv., Trifolium campestre Schreb., Trifolium arvense L., Vicia cracca L., Lotus gebelia Vent. Species belonging to the legume family were collected. Element (Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni) contents were measured in the above- and below-soil parts of the plants and translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) values were calculated.

TF_{Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni}>1 in L. sphaericus and V. cracca, TF_{Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni}>1 in T. nigrescens and TF_{Al, Cu, Cr, Mn}>1 in L. gebelia. It is thought that the phytoextraction potential of these species is strong in elements with TF>1. Since the BCF-root value of T. campestre was determined as 38.91 for the element Cr, the potential of this species to be used in phytostabilization in Cr contaminated areas is considered important. Although certain species collected from the vicinity of the mine (TF>1) appear to be promising candidates for phytoremediation, further studies using different doses of single-element toxicity in pot trials will provide clearer information on whether the species are phytoextractors or phytostabilizers.