Selection of Autochthonous Plant Species from SE Spain for Soil Lead Phytoremediation Purposes

Mining activity in SE of Spain, in the west Mediterranean coast, originated more than two millenniums ago. It has generated huge areas affected by heavy metals contamination, especially of lead, which is possibly one of the most important. Investigations related to the selection of autochthonous plant taxa from a typical Spanish Mediterranean area, useful for phytoextraction and phytostabilization purposes in these polluted areas are shown. Under these edaphoclimatic conditions 12 interesting species were considered, from them six taxa were chosen for further studies. Some plant species have been proposed either for phytoextraction or phytostabilization purposes. Recommendations for further research have been discussed.