Caractérisation des systèmes sols-plantes dans les collines de l'arc cuprifère du Katanga (synthèse bibliographique)/Characterization of soil-plant systems in the hills of the copper belt in Katanga. A review

The Copper belt of Katanga presents huge resources of Cu and Co-ore. On the copper hills of the area, mineralized rock outcrops and a specific flora have developed as a response to the high levels of Cu and Co in the soil. Soil-vegetation relationships need to be understood in order to develop biodi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBiotechnologie, agronomie, société et environnement Vol. 19; no. 2; p. 204
Main Authors Muyumba, Donato Kaya, Liénard, Amandine, Mahy, Grégory, Luhembwe, Michel Ngongo, Colinet, Gilles
Format Journal Article
LanguageFrench
Published Gembloux Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux 01.04.2015
Subjects
Cobalt
Copper
Nutrients
Soils
Congo-Democratic Republic of Congo
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Summary:The Copper belt of Katanga presents huge resources of Cu and Co-ore. On the copper hills of the area, mineralized rock outcrops and a specific flora have developed as a response to the high levels of Cu and Co in the soil. Soil-vegetation relationships need to be understood in order to develop biodiversity conservation programs prior to industrial mining of the copper hills. This paper reviews the current knowledge regarding soil characterization in the copper hills of Katanga and makes proposals for further research on the influence of the very specific chemical conditions of contaminated soils on the vegetation there. The focus is on the geochemical background and the bioavailability of Cu and Co. Much progress has been made recently regarding the identification of soil-vegetation relationships. Despite advances in this area, the issue of Cu and Co mobility within soil-plant systems is not yet entirely resolved.
ISSN:1370-6233
1780-4507