Binational Phytostabilization Workshop at Biosphere II
Sept. 19, 2014
On September 19, 2014, a team of binational phytostabilization scientists met for a workshop at the University of Arizona (UA) Biosphere II in Oracle, AZ. The workshop allowed UA Superfund Research Program Director Raina Maier and her US and Mexican collaborators the opportunity to present current research initiatives related to mine waste phytostabilization and to facilitate planning of future research collaborations. Collaborators from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and the Universidad de Sonora (UNISON) joined UA researchers and graduate students for a day-long meeting with presentations on different aspects of the microbial ecology, plant ecology and physiology, and geological processes that affect plant establishment on mine tailings. The UNAM, UNISON, and UA partners then discussed future collaborations, including starting field work at the Nacozari mine site in Mexico that is similar to the UA field study at the Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter Superfund site. The team stayed overnight at the Biosphere II and then toured the facility the next morning.
The successful binational phytostabilization team has been awarded a second round of funding for 2015.