ZAMBALES PLANT CAN EAT METAL -UP Los Baños

 

A plant that “eats metals” has been discovered by scientists in Zambales province, raising hopes for a possible tool in the clean-up of contaminated soil, including mine soil.

The leaves of Rinorea Niccolifera, according to scientists from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), can absorb up to 18,000 parts per million (ppm) of nickel without any adverse effect on the plant.

“18,000 ppm of nickel is about 1000 times more than any known plant can safely absorb,” said Professor Edwino Fernando, lead researcher and author of the new study on the plant which he made with Dr. Marilyn Quiambao and team.

The study can be read online at open access journal PhytoKeys.

Rinorea Niccolifera is a “hyperaccumulator” plant, one of only 450 of the species.

“The new species was discovered on the western part of Luzon Island in the Philippines, an area known for soils rich in heavy metals,” the researchers said in a press statement.

“Hyperacccumulator plants have great potentials for the development of green technologies,” Augustine Doronila of the University of Melbourne, a co-author of the report, also said in a statement, noting the plant’s value for phytoremediation (using plants to remove contaminants from the environment) and phytomining (employing plants in the recovery of valuable metals).

The western part of Luzon Island, including Zambales, where Rinorea Niccolifera was found is known for soil rich in metals.