An analysis of mining wasteland and phytoremediation technologies for reclaiming heavy metal contaminated soils

Metallic mineral resources development has made a great contribution to China 's national economy. However, exploitation of mineral resources was extremely inefficient accompanied with severe ecological and environmental problems in China due to mismanagement and backward mining technology. Heavy metal pollution in mining wasteland soils is one of the pressing problems for its potential threats to the survival of human being. This paper analyzes the characteristics and potential hazards of mining wasteland based on introducing the working mechanisms, characteristics and current advances in research and application of phytoremediation technologies for reclaim of heavy metal polluted soils. The current challenges and perspectives of phytoremediation technologies are also discussed.