Use of cadmium as a toxicity indicator metal in a cooperating mining company. Part 1. Example of a simple toxicity test

Abstract

In order to reduce the problems generated by the use of water in a cooperating mining company, which implies the reuse of water from the flotation process to re-extract and concentrate the minerals of interest, a well-test or toxicity test for cadmium was carried out. in aqueous solutions using seeds of Lactuca sativa (romaine lettuce). Seven concentrations of CdCl₂ (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mg/L) were used and three response variables were analyzed: Radicle length, hypocotyl length, and germination %, under controlled conditions of temperature and moisture content. An inverse relationship was clearly observed between the increase in cadmium chloride concentration and the hypocotyl and radicle lengths. Similarly, the percentage of seed germination is decreased as the concentration of cadmium increases. Callus culture tests are proposed to verify the effect of cadmium on the tissue of two species of hydrophytes, cattails (Typha latifolia) and reeds (Phragmytes australis), species that will form part of an artificial wetland that will be proposed as part of the solution to the cooperating mining company for the efficient use of its water sources.