FORMATION OF PLANT COMMUNITIES AND BIOACCUMULATION OF ELEMENTS IN COPPER-GOLD ORE DUMPS: MODERN RESEARCH METHODS

Abstract

          In this review, we have systematized recent scientific data on the patterns of plant cover formation and the processes of elemental bioaccumulation in the waste dumps and tailings of copper-gold deposits. The analysis covered publications from the Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases for the period 2000–2025; the main selection criteria were peer-review status, the availability of quantitative bioaccumulation data, and an assessment of phytoremediation effectiveness.

          The data gathered showed that the key factors limiting plant development on technogenic substrates include high concentrations of heavy metals, a shortage of organic matter and nutrients, and extreme pH values. The dominant process under natural conditions is phytostabilization: metals are typically retained in the root system, with only a small fraction translocated to the aboveground organs. Several species — Gliricidia sepium, Dodonaea viscosa, and Sorghum bicolor — stand out for their high bioaccumulation potential. Assisted phytoremediation, relying on biochar, organic amendments, and PGPR bacteria (Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria), reduces metal mobility and improves substrate properties, substantially increasing the effectiveness of land reclamation. Studies conducted in Kazakhstan have identified Sorghum bicolor as a promising crop capable of accumulating Pb, Cd, and Co under arid continental conditions. Going forward, research should focus on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of bioaccumulation and developing amelioration technologies tailored to regional conditions. In conclusion, combining natural succession with managed biotechnological measures appears to be the most effective strategy for restoring disturbed lands.