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HARVESTING METALS FROM PLANTS - Coggle Diagram
HARVESTING METALS FROM PLANTS
1.Mining Methods
Underground Mining: Uses tunnels to access materials deep underground.
Issues: Environmental damage, soil erosion, water contamination.
Surface Mining: Involves scraping the land to access minerals.
3.Mining Plants
About 700 plants can accumulate metals.
Example: Macadamia trees (manganese), plants in Malaysia (nickel).
Nickel plants: Two-thirds of metal-loving plants absorb nickel.
Farming prospects: Cultivating plants for metal extraction and agricultural purposes.
5.Future Prospects
Environmental Benefits:
Stop erosion and aid reforestation.
Extract remaining metals from soil.
Agricultural Development:
Suitable for poor, deserted, and deforested areas.
Provides jobs and revives local economies.
Medicinal Uses
Plants that collect zinc and selenium could be used for supplements.
4.Problems with Traditional Mining
High environmental impact: Destroys ecosystems, contaminates water.
Unsafe for workers: Difficult and hazardous conditions.
2.Agromining
Uses plants to extract metals from the soil.
Scientists involved: Alan Baker, Antony van der Ent.
Potential Benefits:
Could rehabilitate old mines and contaminated areas.
Environmentally friendly alternative to traditional mining.
6.Conclusion
Agromining could revolutionize metal extraction and agriculture.
A sustainable option for the future: Grow vegetables and metals together.