No description available.

Underground coal fires commonly metamorphose or melt surrounding rocks at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. Numerous “baked” sandstone clinker deposits occur in the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks exposed in the San Rafael Swell, UT. This study examines clinker in three main localities: 1) East Carbon, UT, 2) Helper, UT, and 3) Emery, UT. The extent of pyrometamorphism in these areas is variably developed, but reached high enough temperature in Helper, UT to initiate melting and the production of paralavas. These paralavas were examined compositionally and mineralogically to determine melting conditions, peak temperatures, and mobility of different metals as a result of pyrometamorphism. X-ray diffraction and petrographic analysis showed that paralavas in the Helper locality contain the high temperature SiO2 polymorphs tridymite and cristobalite which alone indicate temperatures exceeding 875°C in several samples. Paralavas containing diopside+tridymite and cordierite+mullite+cristobalite provide more restrictive estimates of temperature as they form cotectic and eutectic assemblages in the SiO2-Mgo-CaO and SiO2-MgO-Al2O3, respectively. The assemblages indicate minimum temperatures of melting and metamorphism of 1330–1465ºC. The high temperatures of the paralavas generate increased metal mobility, potentially signifying a hazard if leached out into the environment

The Prairie Creek Mine, NWT, is a non-producing Zn-Pb-Ag mine located within the Mackenzie Mountains. The 320 km2 area is surrounded by the Nahanni National Park Reserve, and is found approximately 40 km upstream of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Geochemical characterization of weathered material in the area is useful from both an exploration geochemistry and environmental geochemistry perspective. This investigation attempted to characterize geochemical and mineralogical controls on metal mobility in natural and manufactured environments. Surface waters and sediments were sampled, analyzed, and interpreted. Detailed mineralogical analyses were also performed, including SEM, XRD, and synchrotron-based µXRF and µXRD. Prairie Creek contains sulphide and supergene mineralization hosted in carbonate rocks, which supply the area with a high pH, as well as a wealth of alkalinity and buffering capacity. This study aims to provide some insight as to the geochemical and mineralogical controls on the weathering processes which may enhance or inhibit mobility of metals downstream of known mineralization. Results show that the metals are found in much higher concentration in the stream sediments than in the stream waters. Pb and Zn show the highest concentrations, and Zn appears to be more mobile than Pb. Based on water versus sediment chemistry, it may be possible to differentiate between mineralization types. Dissolution textures and alteration of detrital grains indicates that chemical weathering does occur within the streams and releases metals to the aqueous environment, though they are likely quickly attenuated through adsorption or co-precipitation. The mine site hosts a historic ore stockpile and waste rock pile, established in the early 1980’s. Geochemical characterization of the reactions occurring within these piles and of the mineralogical controls on metal mobility can contribute to the mitigation of risk from leachate. Metal concentrations are variable and do not support a trend, which indicates that metal mobility within these piles may be attributed to micro-environments. There appears to be a trend in increasing alkalinity and decreasing sulphate towards the bottom of the piles. Therefore, metals appear to have limited mobility in the studied environments, although small scale chemical reactions are occurring which may release and attenuate metals. / Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-04 20:00:21.774

A disagreement has arisen between the localauthorities (Skellefteå kommun) and Boliden Mineral AB regarding the use of amaterial called

This research project aimed at evaluating four internationally accepted leachate extraction tests to determine their applicability on sewage sludge samples. Furthermore, the present analytical method to determine the leachable fraction of sludge for compliance to South African sludge legislation was evaluated. Leaching tests are done on sludge samples to determine element mobility. This is important since land application of sewage sludge is an accepted and regulated sludge management practice. A literature survey was done to evaluate the mobility over time of metals originating from sludge-amended soils. Mobility is initially due to the organic content of the soil and after organic matter decomposition, it is dependant on the inorganic content. Mobile metals in sludge-amended soil can cause potential environmental risks like groundwater contamination and metal accumulation in soil. Metal accumulation can further lead to increased plant uptake of metals. To determine the partitioning or fractionation of metals found in sludge-amended soil, selective sequential extractions and single extractions can be used. Since South African sludge legislation specifies a single extraction procedure, four were selected for comparative studies. The selected procedures were the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) the Australian Standard Bottle leaching Test (AS 4439.3) the Nederlands Normalisatie-Insitiuut availability test (NEN 7341) and the Deutches Institut für Normung water leachability test (DIN 38 414-S4). A variation of the TCLP is specified for use in South Africa. Three sewage sludge sample lots were collected. The first consisted of 24 sub-samples that were collected from 24 different wastewater treatment works on the East Rand. Both leachable (TCLP) and total (aqua regia) extraction was done on these samples for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn, Se, B and Fe. A relationship between the leachable and total extractions was found for Co and Pb but could not be tested by literature values due to a variation in the sample preparation. The TCLP leachates were also analysed by Atomic Absorption and Inductively Coupled Plasma techniques to compare the applicability of the two. It was found that both techniques are acceptable for leachate analysis. The second sample lot collected from a single wastewater treatment plant was used to determine the leachable effect of the difference between the South African adapted TCLP and the USA EPA procedure as well as the NEN procedure. The EPA specifies all samples be extracted on an “as is” basis while the South African adaptation specifies dry samples. It was found that no element was comparative between dry and wet sample for both extraction procedures. It was observed that wet extractions yield generally higher values than dry extractions. A third sample lot was collected two months after the second sample lot at the same wastewater treatment works. It was used to compare the four extraction procedures. From this it was found that the DIN yielded the highest results for the specified elements. This procedure could not be recommended since the experimental difficulties and the duration of the test make it an unsuitable regulatory compliance tests protocol. / Dissertation (MSc (Environmental Technology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2017-10-25T15:36:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruna Regina Brittes_.pdf: 2874103 bytes, checksum: e1fbe34da3490c5264da0c7fb7fe00ca (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-25T15:36:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruna Regina Brittes_.pdf: 2874103 bytes, checksum: e1fbe34da3490c5264da0c7fb7fe00ca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-11 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / CNPQ – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Embora os investimentos em saneamento básico tenham aumentado em todo o Brasil nas últimas décadas, ainda é comum encontrar áreas onde os resíduos sólidos urbanos são depositados irregularmente no perímetro urbano de várias cidades brasileiras. Estas áreas após desativadas, frequentemente são ocupadas por moradores de baixa renda, e acabam sendo urbanizadas pelo poder público, representando riscos a integridade da população local. Neste sentido esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar a mobilidade de Fe, Mn, Cr e Ni nas águas subterrâneas de uma antiga área de disposição irregular de resíduos sólidos urbanos em São Leopoldo, a qual é atualmente habitada. O local já havia sido objeto de um diagnóstico ambiental realizado por Gomes et al. (2016), onde foi constatado que a água subterrânea estava contaminada por Fe, Mn, Cr e Ni. Com base nas constatações levantadas pelo diagnóstico, o presente estudo avaliou a evolução da presença dos metais em estudo nas águas subterrâneas e também nas águas e sedimentos dos corpos hídricos superficiais presentes na área. Além do monitoramento das águas e sedimentos, uma amostra de solo foi coletada e analisada quanto a CTC, com a finalidade de verificar a sorção de contaminantes pelo solo. Concentrações de até 210.161,00 µg/L de Fe, 34.349,00µg/L de Mn, 3.486,00 µg/L de Cr e 164,00 µg/L de Ni nas águas subterrâneas, aliadas às correlações negativas entre os metais e o pH, às correlações positivas entre os metais e a infiltração das águas da chuva e o oxigênio dissolvido, ao fluxo das águas subterrâneas em direção às águas superficiais, à baixa capacidade do solo na sorção de contaminantes e às concentrações de até 255.841,00 mg/kg de Fe, 3.017,00 mg/kg de Mn, 433,00 mg/kg de Cr e 208,00 de Ni nos sedimentos do Arroio João Correa, o qual delimita com a área estudada, apontaram para a mobilidade dos metais e a migração destes, através das águas subterrâneas, para os sedimentos dos corpos de água. Sendo possível concluir que, o antigo depósito irregular de resíduos vem contaminando por metais pesados as águas subterrâneas e consequentemente o sedimento do Arroio João Correa. / Although the investments in basic sanitation have increased in Brazil as a whole in the last decades, it is still common to find areas where urban solid waste is irregularly disposed of in the urban perimeter of several Brazilian cities. These areas, after deactivated, are frequently occupied by low income citizens, consequently urbanized by the public power, posing risk to the integrity of the local population. In this sense, this research aimed to evaluate the mobility of Fe, Mn, Cr and Ni in groundwaters of an old area of irregular disposal of solid urban waste in São Leopoldo, which is now inhabited. The place had already been object of an environmental diagnosis done by Gomes et al. (2016), in which it was proven the groundwater was contaminated by Fe, Mn, Cr and Ni. Taking the discovery raised by the diagnosis, the current study evaluated the evolution of the aforementioned metals presence in the evaluated groundwaters, surface waters and sediments in the bottom of surface bodies of water. In addition to the monitoring of waters and sediments, a sample of soil was collected and analyzed as to cations exchange capacity, with the intention of verifying the sorption of the contaminants by the soil. Concentrations up to 210.161,00 µg/L of Fe, 34.349,00µg/L of Mn, 3.486,00 µg/L of Cr and 164,00 µg/L of Ni in the groundwaters, in conjunction to the negative correlations between the metals and the pH, to the positive correlations between the metals and the infiltration of rain waters and dissolved oxygen, to the flow of groundwaters towards surface waters, to the low contaminants sorption capacity of soil and to concentrations up to 255.841,00 mg/kg of Fe, 3.017,00 mg/kg of Mn, 433,00 mg/kg of Cr and 208,00 of Ni in sediments of João Correa Stream, which limits with the studed area, poited out the metal mobility and their migration through groundwaters to the sediments in the surface bodies of water. It was possible to conclude that the former irregular waste disposal site is polluting of groundwaters with metals and consequently the sediments of João Correa Stream.

Nuotekų dumble esančių sunkiųjų metalų neigiamą poveikį aplinkai bei žmogaus sveikatai galima sumažinti apribojant metalų judrumą aplinkoje. Magistro darbe tiriamas sunkiųjų metalų judrumas ir jų immobilizacija fosfogipsu nuotekų dumble bei jo mišiniuose su dirvožemiu. Šiuo tyrimu siekiama išplėsti Lietuvoje dideliais kiekiais susidarančių ir sunkiai pritaikymą randančių atliekų – vandenvalos nuotekų dumblo ir trąšų gamybos metu susidarančio atliekinio fosfogipso utilizavimo galimybes, panaudojant jas žemės ūkyje kaip dirvožemio kokybę gerinančius priedus. Darbo objektas – anaerobiškai apdorotas vandenvalos nuotekų dumblas ir fosfatinių trąšų gamybos metu susidarančios mineralinės atliekos – fosfogipsas. Darbo tikslas – ištirti ir įvertinti atliekiniame fosfogipse esančių fosfatinių priemaišų poveikį sunkiųjų metalų bei augalų maisto elementų judrumui nuotekų dumble ir jo mišiniuose su dirvožemiu bei šarminėmis medžiagomis, taip pat pasiūlyti sunkiųjų metalų stabilizavimo dirvožemyje priemones. Darbo metodai. Tyrimams paruoštas nuotekų dumblo mišinys su molingu natūraliu dirvožemiu (masės santykis 1:1) bei cemento dulkėmis (8:2). Sunkiųjų metalų bei augalų maisto elementų judrumas vertintas ekstrahuojant mišinius, turinčius 5, 10, 20 ir 40% fosfogipso, 0,01M CaCl2 tirpalu. Mišinių pH ir elektrinis laidumas, tirpus Ca2+, K+, ir NO3 kiekis išmatuotas jonometrinu metodu. Tirpus fosforo (PO43-) kiekis nustatytas kolorimetriškai. Sunkiųjų metalų koncentracija tirpale matuota... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Negative impact of heavy metals originating from sewage sludge on the environment and human health can be minimised by limiting their mobility in soil. In this study heavy metal immobilisation using pshosphogypsum in sewage sludge and its mixtures with soil have been investigated. This research seeks to broaden utilisation posibilities of two types of waste products – wastewater sewage sludge and by-product of phosphate fertiliser production– phosphogypsum, using them in agriculture as soil amendments. The object of the study – waste of organic origin - anaerobically processed wastewater sewage sludge and mineral by-product of phosphate fertiliser production – waste phosphogypsum. The aim of the study – to investigate and evaluate impact of waste phosphogypsum on the mobility of heavy metals and plant nutrients in sewage sludge and its mixtures with soil and alkaline materials as well as to suggest effective measures for heavy metal stabilisation in soil environment. The methods: for the assessment of metal and nutrient mobility sewage sludge mixtures with soil (mass ratio 1:1) and cement kiln dust (8:2) have been prepared. Heavy metal and macroelement bioavailability has been evaluated by carrying out extraction of different mixtures with 5, 10, 20 and 40% phosphogypsum additive using 0.01M CaCl2 solution. Electric conductivity, pH and water soluble Ca2+, K+ and NO3 concentration has been measured in extracts using ionometric method. Water soluble phosphorus have been... [to full text]

Hydrothermal fluid circulation is an important process in the formation and evolution of ocean crust. A tectonic window located at Pit Deep (NE corner Easter Microplate) provides an ideal location to examine a 3-dimensional view of ocean crust formed at the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise. This study focuses on the base metal (Cu, Ni, Mn, Co, Zn, and Pb) content of the bulk rock and mineral components in the sheeted dike complex. There is no observable trend of metal mobility with depth, geographic location, or dominant alteration phase. Secondary mineral analyses (using LA-ICP-MS) show that metals are redistributed throughout the sheeted dikes, entering into secondary sulphides, chlorite, and amphibole. Temperature and mineral stability is a primary control of metal mobility in these rocks. Due to highly variable metal concentrations and observed temperatures of alterations, the hydrothermal cell is suggested to be a continuously evolving system, and can cause the large variability observed in the metal distribution in the sheeted dikes. / Graduate / 0996 / 0411 / 0372

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-20T12:31:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Edson Valente.pdf: 791720 bytes, checksum: 2b118211a5c89a68aa642ece2e2d7af3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-28 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / Heavy metals accumulate up frequently in the top layer of soil on the roots accessible principles of the plants. In advanced stages of infection may reach decimate the biota or even present concentrations thousands of times higher than in the aquatic system. This is due to changes in its chemical forms allowing the build up in living organisms. This study evaluated is the behavior of the species Senna multijuga, Caesalpinia echinata and Shizolobium amazonicum in soils contaminated by heavy metals from landfill (ASC) and Manaus Industrial Pole (PIM). The study was conducted in a greenhouse for five months. In soil, were analyzed the chemical and physical attributes and concentration of heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry, (FAAS) in the air-acetylene flame in fractions exchangeable, carbonate, iron/manganese oxide and organic matter. The plant, the parties were separated and air root, dried at 65 °C, digested with HNO3 and HClO4 (4:1) at 200 °C for two hours and the concentrations of heavy metals determined by FAAS. The results showed that the metals have different distributions in contaminated soil, being influenced by factors such as pH, CEC, amount of organic matter, complexation, competition ion and chemical interactions that contributed to their mobility and/or adsorption. The hierarchical analysis (HCA) and major components (PCA) revealed a similarity between the soils and with strong relationships between Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, in the soil of the ASC and Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soil the PIM. The hierarchical analysis (HCA) and major components (PCA) revealed a similarity between the soils and with strong relationships between Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, in the soil of the ASC and Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soil the PIM. The species multijuga Senna was the best that it was developed in contaminated soil. The Caesalpinia echinata has potential accumulator to the elements Mn and Zn. The three species can be classified as fitoextratora and hiperacumuladora for Co, Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zn and Pb, regardless of the soil analyzed. / Os metais pesados se acumulam freqüentemente na camada superior do solo, ficando acessíveis as raízes das plantas. Em estágios avançado de contaminação podem chegar dizimar a biota ou, mesmo apresentar concentrações milhares de vezes maiores do que no sistema aquático. Isso ocorre devido às mudanças nas suas formas química possibilitando o acúmulo em organismos vivos. Neste trabalho avaliaram-se o comportamento das espécies Senna multijuga, Caesalpinia echinata e Shizolobium amazonicum em solos contaminados por metais pesados do aterro sanitário de Manaus (ASC) e Pólo Industrial de. Manaus (PIM). O estudo foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação durante cinco meses. No solo, foram analisados os atributos químicos e físicos e concentração dos metais pesados por espectrometria de absorção atômica (FAAS) em chama aracetileno nas frações trocável, carbonácea, oxídica e matéria orgânica. Nas planta, foram separadas as partes aéreas e radiculares, secas a 65 oC, digeridas com HNO3 e HClO4 (4:1) a 200 oC por duas horas e as concentrações de metais pesados determinadas por FAAS. Os metais possuem distribuições diferentes nos solos contaminados, sendo influenciados por fatores como pH, capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC), quantidade de matéria orgânica, complexação, competição iônica e interações químicas que contribuíram para sua mobilidade e/ou adsorção. As análises hierárquica (HCA) e componentes principais (PCA) revelaram uma similaridade entre os solos estudados e com relações fortes entre Cd, Co, Cr e Mn, no solo do ASC e Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn no solo do PIM. A espécie Senna multijuga foi a que melhor se desenvolveu nos solos contaminados. A Caesalpinia echinata possui potencial acumulador para os elementos Mn e Zn. As três espécies podem ser classificadas como fitoextratora e hiperacumuladora para Co, Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zn e Pb, independentemente dos solos analisados.

Les sols enrichis en éléments traces métalliques, encore appelés sols métallifères, constituent un modèle original pour l’étude des processus écologiques et évolutifs opérant au sein de la végétation qui y est associée. Au Sud-Est de l’Afrique centrale, dans l’ex-province du Katanga, une succession d’affleurements naturels de roches enrichies en cuivre (Cu) et en cobalt (Co), uniques en leur genre à la surface de la terre, forment le très célèbre « Arc Cuprifère Katangais ». De véritables « collines de cuivre », isolées géographiquement dans une matrice de forêt claire, s’étendent sur plus de 300 Km et constituent des écosystèmes remarquables attirant l’attention de chercheurs depuis plus d’un demi-siècle.Les conditions écologiques extrêmes des collines de Cu et de Co, liées principalement à des concentrations métalliques élevées dans les sols (1 000 à 10 000 fois supérieures aux sols normaux), ont sélectionné des végétations hautement originales et uniques composées de métallophytes, aussi appelées cupro-cobaltophytes, pouvant toutefois présenter des niches écologiques très variables. Certaines de ces plantes possèdent même la fascinante particularité d’accumuler le Cu et/ou le Co dans leurs tissus foliaires à des niveaux de concentrations extrêmement toxiques pour des plantes normales, et sont qualifiées arbitrairement d’hyperaccumulatrices. À ce jour, de fortes variations d’accumulation du Cu et du Co encore mal comprises sont observées chez ces cupro-cobaltophytes. Celles-ci pourraient être expliquées par une variation de la disponibilité du Cu et du Co dans les sols, par une variabilité des mécanismes de tolérance au Cu et au Co, et par une variation de la capacité à accumuler ces métaux.Certaines cupro-cobaltophytes sont restreintes de ces habitats métallifères hors-normes, et d’autres se distribuent plus largement, possédant également des populations au sein d’habitats non-métallifères, en savane ou en forêt, sur sol normal. Ces dernières, à plus large distribution écologique, sont qualifiées de cupro-cobaltophytes facultatives, et constituent des modèles biologiques hautement intéressants pour étudier les processus écologiques et évolutifs liés à la tolérance et l’accumulation du Cu et du Co.La biogéochimie, l’écologie et l’évolution de la tolérance et de l’accumulation du Cu et du Co chez les cupro-cobaltophytes facultatives restent à ce jour peu connues, surtout pour le Co. La stratégie de recherche repose sur une approche interdisciplinaire (biogéochimie, écologie fonctionnelle et écologie évolutive) qui s’articule autour de travaux réalisés à la fois sur le terrain et en conditions contrôlées :sur un sol et en hydroponie. Chez une métallophyte facultative modèle à large amplitude écogéographique :Anisopappus chinensis (Asteraceae), la thèse s’attache à :(i) caractériser la variation phénotypique de l’accumulation du Cu et du Co et connaître les facteurs édaphiques qui l’influence, pour mieux comprendre la disponibilité du Cu et du Co dans les sols métallifères, (ii) tester l’influence de facteurs chimiques du sol sur la mobilité du Cu et du Co dans les sols et sur l’accumulation foliaire de Cu et de Co, (iii) étudier la réponse adaptative de populations métallicoles et non-métallicoles provenant d’habitats très contrastés, et leur réponse plastique au Co, (iv) examiner la variabilité génétique de la capacité à tolérer et à accumuler le Cu et le Co entre des populations métallicoles et non-métallicoles.Les variations d’accumulation de Cu et de Co observées au sein des populations métallicoles d’A. chinensis seraient en grande partie influencées par la teneur en matière organique et les concentrations totales en manganèse et en fer des sols de la zone racinaire. Le Cu et le Co potentiellement dans la solution du sol ne sembleraient pas être les seules fractions expliquant les variations d’accumulation. Les concentrations de Cu et de Co liées respectivement aux oxydes de manganèse et à la matière organique pourraient également représenter une concentration significativement disponible pour les plantes. En culture, une variation dans la mobilité du Cu et du Co dans le sol n’expliquait pas nécessairement une variation dans les concentrations foliaires mesurées chez A. chinensis. La disponibilité du Cu et du Co en milieu métallifère est un concept difficile à appréhender, élément- et espèce-dépendant, qui serait la résultante d’interactions biogéochimiques complexes à l’échelle de la rhizosphère, impliquant les microorganismes.Il existe une réponse adaptative à la diversité d’habitats chez A. chinensis traduite par des hauteurs de plantes et surfaces de feuilles plus faibles chez les populations métallicoles étudiées. Malgré des sols très contrastés chimiquement entre habitats métallifères et non-métallifères, très peu de variations intraspécifiques de la surface foliaire spécifique et des concentrations foliaires en nutriments ont été observées. La très faible réponse plastique au Co chez les populations étudiées d’A. chinensis semble mettre en évidence une homéostasiedes traits fonctionnels foliaires mesurés, qui pourrait expliquer la large niche écologique de l’espèce.La tolérance au Cu n’est pas un attribut vérifié à l’échelle de l’espèce chez A. chinensis. Celle-ci semblerait s’exprimer dans des conditions édaphiques bien particulières sur les sols métallifères, et pourrait être le fruit de processus rhizosphériques impliquant les microorganismes. Une différenciation génétique de la tolérance au Co a été observée chez les populations métallicoles des sols enrichis en Co. Une relation positive entre le degré de tolérance au Co et le niveau de concentration en Co dans le sol natif existerait. Pour la première fois chez une métallophyte, une variation génétique de l’accumulation de Co a été mise en évidence. L’hyperaccumulation du Cu et du Co chez les métallophytes, à de faibles concentrations disponibles dans les sols, n’existerait pas. Anisopappus chinensis provenant de sols enrichis en Co constitue un matériel végétal remarquable à valoriser, puisque s’exprimant comme une véritable accumulatrice de Co en conditions contrôlées. / Soils enriched in trace metal elements (TE) (i.e. metalliferous soils) constitute original model systems to study ecological and evolutionary processes occurring among their associated vegetation. In Southeastern central Africa (Katanga), a unique succession of natural copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) outcrops occurs; the so-called “Katangan Copperbelt”. Here, scattered over 300 Km, geographically isolated “copper hills” form remarkable ecosystems that strongly contrast with the surrounding clear forest.Soil Cu and Co concentrations of those hills can be 1000- to 10 000-fold higher than in normal soils. These extreme ecological conditions have selected a unique vegetation of metallophytes, also called cupro-cobaltophytes. Some plants have the fascinating peculiarity to accumulate Cu and Co in their tissues up to extremely phytotoxic concentrations and are called “hyperaccumulators”. High misunderstood inter and intraspecific variations of Cu and Co accumulation are observed within this flora. These variations could be explained by variations in Cu and Co availability in soils, but also by inter and intraspecific variations in Cu and Co tolerance mechanisms and capacity to accumulate Cu and Co.Some cupro-cobaltophytes are restricted to metalliferous habitats (i.e. endemic metallophytes) and some are widely distributed, with populations on normal soils (i.e. facultative metallophytes). These latter are of high interest to study the ecology and evolution of Cu and Co tolerance and accumulation.Biogeochemistry, ecology and evolution of Cu and Co tolerance and accumulation in facultative cupro-cobaltophytes remains poorly understood, especially for Co. Research strategy was to develop a transdisciplinary approach (biogeochemistry, functional ecology and evolutionary ecology) based on field works and experiments (using soil or nutrient solution). For Anisopappus chinensis (Asteraceae), a broad-niched and geographically widespread facultative metallophyte chosen as model species, this PhD thesis aims at: (i) investigate the phenotypic variation of Cu and Co accumulation, and the influencing soil chemical factors, to understand better Cu and Co availability in metalliferous soils, (ii) test the influence of soil chemical factors on Cu and Co mobility in soil and accumulation, (iii) studyadaptive response of metallicolous (M) and non-metallicolous (NM) populations from contrasted habitats, and their plastic response to Co, (iv) examine the genetic variation in Cu and Co tolerance and accumulation between M and NM populations.Copper and Co accumulation variations among M populations of A. chinensis are clearly influenced by organic matter content and soil total manganese and iron concentrations in the rooting zone. Mobile Cu and Co concentrations, potentially in the soil solution, would not only explain Cu and Co accumulation variations. Copper and Co bound to respectively manganese oxides and organic matter could also represent Cu and Co available concentrations for plants. In experimental conditions, variations in Cu and Co mobility would not necessary explained variations in foliar Cu and Co concentrations in A. chinensis. Copper and Co availability is a complex element- and species-specific mechanism, closely related to all biogeochemical processes that occur in the rhizosphere. Important role of microorganisms is expected.Adaptive response to habitats has been highlighted for A. chinensis. Metallicolous plants had consistently lower height and leaf size than NM plants. Despite strong contrast in the soil chemistry between metalliferous and non-metalliferous habitats, very few variations in specific leaf area and leaf nutrient concentrations was observed between M and NM populations. The low plastic response to Co seems to reveal homeostasis of the studied functional leaf traits, which might explain the broad ecological niche of the species.Tolerance to Cu is not constitutive of A. chinensis and would be express under specific growth conditions in nature. Expression of Cu tolerance could be the result of specific soil-plant-microorganisms processes. Genetic differentiation in Co tolerance has been demonstrated in M populations from Co-enriched soils. Positive relationship between the level of tolerance to Co and the concentration of Co in the native soil may exist. Genetic variability of Co accumulation has been demonstrated for the first time in a metallophyte. Cu and Co hyperaccumulation at low available concentration in the soil would not exist in metallophytes. Anisopappus chinensis form Co-enriched soils expressed as a genuine Co accumulator and thus, constitute an interesting valuable biological model. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished