Phytoremediation potential of aquatic plants in Uzbekistan for the treatment of cyanide-containing wastewater

Abstract

For over a century now, the mining industry has been using cyanides for gold and silver recovery. Cyanides are highly toxic for human beings, animals, and aquatic organisms. The available physical and chemical methods of wastewater treatment are cost-ineffective. Certain microorganisms are capable of use cyanides as sources of carbon and nitrogen and turn those into ammonia and carbonate. Some plants are also efficient for the processes of cyanides destruction. Phytoremediation of cyanides may be efficient, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and be used as an attractive alternative to traditional physical and chemical processes. This article considers the capability of aquatic plants, which grow in the valley of Zerafshan River on the territory of Uzbekistan, to dispose of cyanides and recover the cyanides-contaminated tailings of Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Combinat. Such aspects as the mechanisms of enzymatic detoxification of cyanides by aquatic plants and microorganisms are discussed. The most promising plants to be bedded in the tailings dump are selected.