Assessing the feasibility of using Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae) for the rehabilitation of iron ore tailings

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of iron mining tailings on seed germination, photosynthetic capacity, and biomass accumulation of macaúba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) seedlings. After operculum removal, seed germination tests were conducted on two substrates: iron mining tailings and vermiculite (control). No significant difference was observed between treatments in the total percentage of germinated seeds, 68% and 65% for vermiculite and tailings, respectively. In a second essay, the macaúba palm seedlings were grown using four different substrates: a reference soil (mixture of red oxisol and sand), tailings, fertilized reference soil, and fertilized tailings. No significant differences were observed for the chlorophyll indices. Plants in the reference soil showed significantly higher net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. However, plants in fertilized tailing showed greater photochemical efficiency compared to those without fertilization. The study concludes that A. aculeata maintains its germination capacity in iron mining tailings. Tailing fertilization increased macaúba seedling dry mass and leaf area with greater CO2 assimilation and photochemical efficiency. Thus, the macaúba palm is a promising plant component for rehabilitating degraded areas impacted by iron ore mining activities.

Keywords

• Macaúba
• Mining tailings
• Oilseed
• Photosynthesis
• Restoration of degraded areas.