Pérez Sirvent, CarmenHernández Pérez, CarmenMartínez Sánchez, Maria JoséGarcía Lorenzo, María de la LuzBech, Jaume2023-06-172023-06-172017Print ISSN 1439-0108 ; Online ISSN 1614-7480http://DOI 10.1007/s11368-016-1520-4https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/18452Purpose This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using three aquatic macrophytes, Phragmites australis, Juncus effusus and Iris pseudacorus, to phytoextract potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from a contaminated area by mining activities. Materials and methods An artificial pond was constructed with two topsoils (yellow and black samples) collected from Portman Bay. In order to simulate the mixing with carbonate materials, which naturally occurs in this area, a stabilisation approach was applied by mixing with 30 % of limestone filler. Three replicates of each type of soil have been prepared in pots for the selected species. The total PTEs content (arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc) was determined and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and transfer factor (TF) calculated. Results and discussion Soil samples showed high PTEs content as a result of mining activities. As regards the root contents, the PTEs is higher in yellow samples (YS) than in black ones, because in these samples the PTEs content that could be mobilised is higher. The BCF results were higher than unity for arsenic, copper, lead and cadmium for I. pseudacorus and P. australis growing on YS soil. Overall, copper and manganese showed a larger number of plants with BCF higher than unity. The PTEs content in leaves is low, and the TF results are lower than unity in almost all samples. Conclusions The results indicate that it is possible to use the selected species for hytostabilisation of soils contaminated with PTEs. J. effusus, P. australis and I. pseudacorus could be considered as tolerant, and natural or artificial wetlands containing these species could be used for remediation purposes.engjournal articlehttps://link.springer.com/journal/11368/17/5/page/1https://link.springer.comrestricted access552.1Acid mine drainagePhytostabilisationPhytoremediationPotentially toxic elementsWetlandPetrología