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Reclamation and Landscape Design Suggestions for a Mine Tailing in

Cartagena, SE Spain

Article · January 2010

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 ADVANCES in URBAN REHABILITATION and SUSTAINABILITY

Reclamation and Landscape Design Suggestions for a

Mine Tailing in Cartagena, SE Spain

SEBLA KABAS1, JOSE A. ACOSTA1,2, RAUL ZORNOZA1, DORA M. CARMONA1,

SILVIA MARTINEZ-MARTINEZ1, ÁNGEL FAZ CANO1
1
Department of Agrarian Science and Technology
Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48 -30203 Cartagena, Murcia
SPAIN
2
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics
University of Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS
email: sebla.kabas@upct.es, angel.fazcano@upct.es

Abstract: In order to bring out a functional and sustainable land use in a highly contaminated mine tailing, firstly
environmental risks have to be reduced or eliminated by suitable reclamation activities, then landscape design
have to be created according to the new conditions of the area. Excavation and backfilling works in these areas
are not suitable for sustainable reclamation and development strategies, because of the high amount of pollutants
and the big volume of polluted soil. Preventing the spreading of pollutants to the surrounding land and water,
creating a new ecological condition, erosion control and improving the soil conditions can be combined in the
use of native vegetation which can make phytostabilization. This study explores the issues related to the
landscape design suggestions in a mine tailing which can be combined with the use of phytostabilization as a
reclamation technique. Introducing the more economic, painless and as far as natural reclamation solution in a
new land use is important to provide the sustainability and to get the acceptance of society.

Key-Words: Landscape design, reclamation, phytostabilization, mine tailing, available metals.

1 Introduction mining degraded land [5]. Because in so heavily

Mining activities in southeast Spain have
generated high amounts of sterile materials
accumulated in pyramidal structures called tailing
ponds characterized by strong acidification processes,
high salinity, accumulation of metals and scarce or
null vegetation [1]. Reintroduce of a vegetation cover
can fulfil the objectives of stabilization, pollution
control, visual improvement and removal of threats to
human beings [2]. In the initializing of plant
colonization, incorporation of organic amendments
into contaminated mine soils has also been proposed
as feasible, inexpensive and environmentally solution
practise, as generally such wastes can improve soil
properties [3]. Besides, vegetation itself may
contribute to metal immobilization processes through
biological activities in the production of organic
matter [4], which is seen an emerging technology
called phytostabilization. Phytostabilization is
described as the use of metal tolerant plant species to
immobilize heavy metals through absorption and
accumulation by roots, adsorption onto roots, or
precipitation within the rhizosphere, but not in plant
tissues.
There is a growing evidence that
phytostabilization can facilitate the restoration of
contaminated soils, like in Sierra Minera Cartagena-
La Unión, removal of metals using plants would take
an unrealistic amount of time, so that
phytostabilization can change metals to a less
bioavailable form; exposure of livestock, wildlife and
human can be reduced [6]. Phytostabilization needs
to use native plant species in which the mine tailings
are found, appropriate to the harsh climate of
semiarid environments. Also these species can
prevent the introduction of non-native and potentially
invasive species that may result in decreasing
regional plant diversity [7]. For creating a self-
sustainable landscape in post-mining areas, utilization
of natural plant species, is also important, thus, new
ecological conditions can be created in the area.
While this study explores the issues related to
reclamation and new land use of a mine tailing, on
the other hand integration of these components in a
recreation area is trying to be provided in a landscape
conceptual design.
2 Materials and methods
2.1 Case study description
The study area is in countryside close to newly
emerging resorts in a scenery location and covers a

ISSN: 1792-6092 177 ISBN: 978-960-474-244-8

 ADVANCES in URBAN REHABILITATION and SUSTAINABILITY

2.5 ha of El Lirio mine tailing in Sierra Minera With respect to the soil plant toxicity levels that
Cartagena-La Unión, southeast Spain. Environmental are showed in Table 1 [11], Zn is not toxic in the 1
problems and public safety concerns resulting from level of the area and is partially acceptable in 2 level,
unvegetated structure of the tailing, made this area a but in the rest of the mine tailing, Zn is approximately
critical case of study, where the resolution advisories from 1.8 to 19 times toxic for plants. Pb is not toxic
has to be brought out immediately in the frame of in the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 levels of the area. However, Pb
ecological and sustainable considerations. toxicity from 6 to 9 levels of the area reaches until 3
times more than index. With respect to Cd amount, it
2.2 Procedure is not toxic in 1, 2 and 3 levels of the area, is partially
Natural, cultural, physicochemical, biological acceptable in 4 level, while in the rest Cd toxicity is
geochemical characteristics of the landscape were ranging from 2.5 to 8.3 times for the plants.
analyzed. These characteristics are all important for In regard to these gradually changes of available
reclamation process, for giving a new function to the heavy metals density of phytostabilizion measures
area and for creation of a landscape design. One of can be separated into graded ranks and the areas
the main important issues for plantation design in a which will serve to public use can be determined. In
metal-mining area in order to combine it with Figure 2 toxic amount distribution of metals and the
landscape design is to know the distribution of parts under toxic limits can be seen.
available heavy metals. Heavy metals available for
plants constitute one of the most important factors
which directly effects plant growing. According to
the distribution of the pollution, the places which can
be opened for the use of the visitors and the places
which will be focused on reclamation activities can
be determined.
After analysing and evaluating these
characteristics [8, 9, 10] which were held on the area
between 2004 and 2009, the effects of different
amendments on plant colonization and their
successful results such as recuperation of some soil
properties were assessed; application of marble mud
and pig slurry and development of phytostabilization
techniques was suggested in order to make the
reclamation of the area and to create a new landscape
design.
The areas which are thought to make
phytostabilization were chosen after the assessments
that are mentioned above. Besides plantation for
phytostabilization, the use of native ornamental plant
species was suggested in non contaminated areas for
several aims such as increasing attraction, redirecting
of visitors, preventing the entrance to the places
which are forbidden for visitors, etc.
Due to the priority of plantation because of
reclamation efforts, after choosing the contaminated
areas for reclamation objectives, suggestions have
been made in terms of landscape design for the rest of
the area, related to its new land use.

3 Results and Discussion

Figure 1 shows the distribution of available heavy
metals in El Lirio tailing. It is possible to see 9
different level polluted areas according to their Figure 1- Spatial distributions of available metals
context for each element (Zn, Pb, Cd). (Arcview 3.2)

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 ADVANCES in URBAN REHABILITATION and SUSTAINABILITY

Table 1-Toxicity index of plants (mg / kg) [11]

METAL Zn Pb Cd
Toxicity Index 400 100-500 3

Figure 3- Proposed design of the experimental areas

(Autocad 2008)

test conducted as an art installation in the US. Chin

selected plants to remove toxins from degraded land
and arranged them into a bulls-eye shape, surrounded
by industrial fencing. At the time, little was known
Figure 2- Distribution of toxic metal amounts about the effectiveness of phytoremediation, and both
(Autocad 2008) research efforts and money were scarce. The project
helped to confirm the effectiveness of the technique.
In the plot experiment which is mentioned above By the help of these experimental areas the
related to the effects of different amendments on phytostabilization technique which is suggested to
plant colonization, marble mud (CaCO3) was used for use in the area can be diversified such as the places
immobilising metals, removing them in a mineral only with amendments without seeding, the places
form such as oxi-hydroxides and carbonates, and with amendments and with seeding, different plant
creating better conditions plant development. In order species, etc.
to add nutrients, organic matter and nitrogen; pig The aim is to reduce or eliminate the negative
manure and sewage sludge were applied and effects on environmental and public health of the
according to the results of the experiment the better metal-mining area by creating a new functional and
conditions was obtained from soil amended with pig sustainable landscape as shown in the Figure 4 which
slurry. This initial incorporation of organic matter has presents the ideal concept design for El Lirio mine
promoted the microbial activity and establishment of tailing.
vegetation, which remains after 5 years of
application. This vegetation cover includes some
native species of the area: Zigophyllum fabago,
Piptatherum miliaceum, Dittrichia viscosa,
Phragmites australis, Helichrysum decumbens,
Sonchus tenerrimus. Eventhough these spontaneous
species colonized the ponds after amendments
applications withoug seeding, some plant species are
suitable for phytostabilization process. In order to
observe their effect on soil characteristics, we suggest
establishing experimental trial in the most polluted
parts of the tailing pond. Figure 3 shows the proposed
design of the experimental areas which are inspired
from Mel Chin’s Revival Field [12, 13]. Revival
Field is an example which shows that public art can
also serve as a venue for experimental installations. It
is an art-science work that explores how plants can
safely remove compounds from contaminated soils Figure 4- Proposed design for El Lirio mine tailing
and was the first replicated field (Autocad 2008)

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 ADVANCES in URBAN REHABILITATION and SUSTAINABILITY
According to the design only the area in which the
toxicity level under limits was opened to the visitors.
Visitors are not allowed to enter to the
phytostabilization areas because of the maintenance
requirement of phytostabilization process.
Surroundings of these areas were closed by using
fences and in several places with native ornamental
plants, which are naturally grown in the area. In the
most contaminated areas of the tailing
phytostabilization experimental areas are located in
order to make investigations related to the
improvement of the technique. Through on the both
sides of the walking path, design process of the mine
tailing and phytoreclamation explanation panels will
take place. Parallel to this path also there will be a
bidirectional bicycle path which is separated from the
pedestrians´ with a plant cover border in order to
provide the safety of both pedestrian and cyclist. At
the end of both paths, which they reach to the most
scenic place of the area, sitting area will be located.
In order to provide shadow in this area, pergolas
and/or gazebos can be used.
4 Conclusions
The present work shows that if the environmental
risks can be reduced or eliminated, recreational
activities can be developed in a mine tailing.
Integration of reclamation efforts and recreational
activities, based on the safety of both environment
and public, can be realized by the help of landscape
design suggestions.
Use of amendments and phytostabilization plant
species can reduce the environmental risks of the
area, by immobilizing heavy metals, preventing
erosion and their spread to the surroundings. After
these conditions are obtained, educative value of the
experimental area can be used to improve the
knowledge of the visitors; on the other hand, a new
investigation opportunity or in other words
environmental education tools can be given to the
academic institutions.
Instead of creating new recreational areas, a waste
land can be returned to a new functional and
sustainable area which can serve for the requirements
of the public.
Acknowledgements
This work has been funded by the Project No: CP-
IP 213968-2 IRIS, funded by the European Union
FP7. R. Zornoza acknowledges a “Juan de la Cierva”
contract from the Ministry of Science and Innovation
of the Government of Spain. J.A. Acosta
acknowledges a grant from Fundacion Seneca of
Comunidad Autónoma de Murcia (Spain).
ISSN: 1792-6092
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