Scientists have found an incredible plant in the Philippines' vast and varied ecosystems that has the ability to absorb metals from the soil. Dubbed the Rinorea niccolifera, the plant has the ability to purify contaminated areas and help reduce pollutants.
Located in the western region of Luzon, the Rinorea niccolifera can absorb extremely high concentrations of nickel from the soil without suffering damage, making it unique to any other plant in the country.
How it works
The Rinorea's leaves have the capacity to accumulate up to 18,000 parts per million (ppm) of nickel. The metals are taken up by the roots of the plant from the surrounding soil and subsequently transferred to the leaves for storage.
The plant has a unique capacity called hyperaccumulation that enables it to take up and store significant levels of metals from the soil.
The Rinorea's discovery is crucial for environmental cleanup, particularly in heavy metal-polluted areas. Toxic metals that are detrimental to humans and animals can be found in the soil due to mining and industrial activity.
Soil heavy metals can negatively impact crop quality and growth. Crop rotations with the Rinorea niccolifera can lower soil metal levels, improving soil health and yielding higher-quality agricultural land.
The plant’s challenges
One of the main problems is what to do with the metal-rich plants once they have cleaned the soil. Safely managing these facilities is a critical research priority to stop additional contamination.
Future research should include examining additional metals that Rinorea niccolifera can absorb and to further understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying its hyperaccumulation capacity. With this understanding, more plants with a broader variety of pollutant removal capabilities may be developed.
For now, the Rinorea niccolifera may be considered essential to establishing a cleaner and more sustainable way of life as studies about it advances.
