Decision Pattern for Changing Polluted Areas into Recreational Places

There are many enclaves in the Mediterranean basin with soils contaminated with heavy metal(loid)s, most of these in natural areas of great beauty that have suffered the consequences of industrial and mining activity for years. These soils pose a risk to human and animal health due to the transfer of metal(loid)s condemning these areas to isolation. The rehabilitation by means of phytoremediation is one of the most used techniques, but phytoremediation must be part of a comprehensive strategy of steps that guide owners and administrations in the recovery of ecosystem services. An easily replicable decision-making methodology is defined, considering the initial conditions, the preferences of the decision makers or typologies from among six possibilities and the different models of use, typified in 13 categories. As a result, a landscape is obtained that integrates phytostabilization and areas with recreational and/or educational uses. Two case studies from the southeast of Spain are presented as validation, a deposit of mining sludge residues and the channel of a river contaminated by industrial discharges. Both enclaves are included in the tourist and cultural offer of their area, thus achieving an environmental and socioeconomic benefit and have been visited by more than 1000 people in a two-year period.

Automated summary

Many natural areas in the Mediterranean basin are contaminated with heavy metal(loid)s due to industrial and mining activities, posing risks to human and animal health. Phytoremediation is commonly used to rehabilitate these areas, but a comprehensive strategy is needed to guide the recovery of ecosystem services, integrating phytostabilization and recreational and/or educational uses.