Remediation of heavy metal-contaminated iron ore tailings by applying compost and growing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Improper disposal of heavy metal-contaminated iron ore tailings poses a significant risk to the surrounding environments. Adding compost and growing ryegrass could be a cost-effective long-term solution for remediation of iron ore tailings. We conducted a glasshouse study to investigate the impact of compost amendment (0, 50, 75 and 100% w/w) on growth and accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni and Zn) and As in shoots of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) grown in two iron ore tailings (Site A and Site B mines, Pilbara, Western Australia). Ryegrass was harvested 45 and 60 days after sowing. Site A iron ore tailings had total concentrations (mg kg-1) of Fe (449,000), Mn (6900), Zn (109), Co (16) and As (7.3). Site B mine tailings had total concentrations (mg kg-1) of Fe (457,000), Ni (21), Zn (109) and As (45). Both tailings had low cation exchange capacity, organic matter, air porosity and near-neutral pH, but varied in particle size distribution (Site A-clay loam and Site B-sandy loam). Ryegrass germination was higher in the extract of Site B than Site A tailings. Increasing compost-to-tailings ratio increased dry shoot biomass at 45 days. The heavy metal/metalloid concentrations in shoots significantly decreased with increasing compost-to-tailings ratio, except for Cu and Zn. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of heavy metals (metal concentration in shoot/total metal concentration in substrate) significantly decreased with an increasing proportion of compost in growth substrate. The BCF was >1 for Zn and Cu, and <1 for other heavy metals. A high concentration of organic matter in compost treatments likely contributed to the enhanced mobilisation of Cu and Zn for plant uptake. In contrast, compost stabilised other metals/metalloids in the tailings to decrease their uptake by ryegrass and maintain plant growth despite relatively high Mn, Fe, As and Pb concentrations in iron ore tailings.