Immobilization effects of co-pyrolyzed neem seed mixed with poultry manure on potentially toxic elements in soil and the phytoremediation potentials of native Manihot esculenta and Jatropha curcas in ensuring sustainable land use.

This study evaluated the effects of neem seed biochar, poultry manure, and their combinations at varying rates of 15 and 25% (w/w) on potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils. Afterward, the suitability of Manihot esculenta and Jatropha curcas in removing Cd, As, Zn, Pb, and Hg from mine spoils were appraised in a 270-day outdoor pot experiment. Using ICP-Mass Spectrometry, the elemental contents of target PTE in the shoot, root, and soil specimens were determined for each treatment. The obtained average values were further subjected to a nonparametric test of samples using IBM SPSS Statistic 29. The applied organic amendments resulted in significant differences p < 0.05 in PTE availability for plant uptake after the Independent-Samples Kruskal-Wallis Test was made. Nonetheless, applying a 25% (w/w) mixture of neem seed biochar and poultry manure was efficient in immobilizing more PTEs in soils which caused lower PTEs presence in plants. Organic amendments further significantly enhanced the fertility of the mine soils leading to about a 6- 25.00% increase in the biomass yield (p < 0.05) of both plants. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was however observed between the phytoremediation potentials of both plants after the Independent-Sample Mann-Whitney U test. Even that, Manihot esculenta was averagely more efficient in PTE uptake than Jatropha curcas. Larger portions of the bioaccumulated PTEs were stored in the roots of both plants leading to high bioconcentration factors of 1.94- 2.47 mg/kg and 1.27- 4.70 mg/kg, respectively, for Jatropha curcas and Manihot esculenta. A transfer factor < 1 was achieved for all PTEs uptake by both plants and indicated their suitability for phytostabilization. Techniques for easy cultivation of root-storing PTEs are required to enhance their large-scale use as their biomass could further be used in clean energy production.

Mining methods exert differential effects on species recruitment at artisanal small-scale mining sites in Ghana.

Artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) is one of the essential rural non-agricultural livelihood activities in Ghana. However, basic and rudimentary practices and tools associated with ASM activities lead to vegetation and soil destruction. Given the limitation of state-sponsored reclamation of abandoned ASM sites, the role of natural recovery in abandoned mine sites is deemed a viable option, as it lowers financial obligations, promotes pioneer species and improves local ecology. The residual impacts of different ASM methods (alluvial or chamfi) and their implications for reclamation are less explored. Using a randomised sampling approach, one hundred and eight (108) plots representing 54 abandoned mined (27 alluvial and 27 chamfi) and 54 unmined areas (control plots) were demarcated for seedling and sapling assessments. A total of 6,157 seedlings belonging to 133 species and 4,536 saplings belonging to 42 species were recorded. Pielou's evenness and Shannon indices showed that both seedlings and saplings were equitably distributed between mined-out sites and their controls for both methods but showed evidence of environmental variability. This variability was more conspicuous in chamfi mined-out sites, confirming some degradation impacts. Chromolaena odorata (L.) and Mimosa pudica L. were the dominant seedlings recorded, while Hymenostegia afzelii (Oliv.) Harms and Musanga cecropioides M. Smithii R. Br. dominated the saplings. The alluvial method exerted a far greater effect on stand features such as basal area and stand density for saplings owing to its greater soil damage. Assisted restoration measures directed at abandoned mined sites can facilitate ecosystem recovery to a trajectory reminiscent of that of nearby undisturbed forests.