Phytotechnologies in degraded soils: the example of Borralha mine

Soil is a non-renewable natural resource and due to its increasing deterioration has been considered a target of environmental concern. Mining activities are one of the main contributors of trace elements (TE) inputs to soils worldwide. Relevant mining- related TE includes cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb). The application of phytotechnologies (use of plants and associated microorganisms) in mining areas can mitigate TE contamination and dispersion and help in soils’ ecosystems restoration. Moreover, they can be integrated in phytomanagement systems (PS) that can provide relevant economic revenues by growing in those sites bioenergy crops (e.g. sunflower). The application of cropping patterns, as wintercropping, and bioinoculants, such as plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can optimize PS by enhancing plant yield, decrease plant stress and improve soil functionality.