Phytotoxicity of coal waste elutriates (Douro Coalfield, North Portugal) in Lactuca sativa

One of the most important mining areas in the Douro Carboniferous Basin is the PejAo Coalfield. In the summer of 2017, a wildfire promoted the ignition and self-burning some of the coal waste piles in the area and caused important environmental changes, promoting a new heterogenic pedological zonation. This study aims to assess the ecotoxicological effects of 25 soil elutriates from these different soil types in seed germination and individual (emergence, growth, and morphologic alterations) and subindividual parameters in Lactuca sativa. The different evaluated endpoints were differently affected regarding the soil elutriate revealing the high heterogeneity of soil characteristics. The presence of different potentially toxic elements (e.g., Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn) in soil elutriates, even in low concentrations, caused effects on L. sativa development. Unburned coal wastes and downhill soil elutriates were able to inhibit the germination of L. sativa and affect them individually and sub-individually (decrease in size, biomass, and presence of morphological alterations). Additionally, it was observed that all soil elutriates induce a decrease in root size. The results highlight the importance of using elutriate samples in phytotoxicity studies of coal mining waste, since the tailings lixiviate may reduce plant establishment and growth, affecting the terrestrial ecosystems. The integrated use of seed germination assays with the analysis of morphological and biochemical alterations in plants proved to be sensitive parameters to evaluate the phytotoxicity of coal mining wastes.

Automated summary

This study assessed the ecotoxicological effects of soil elutriates from different soil types in the PejAo Coalfield on Lactuca sativa. The presence of toxic elements in the elutriates affected the development of L. sativa, inhibiting germination and causing morphological alterations. The results emphasize the importance of using elutriate samples to evaluate the phytotoxicity of coal mining waste.