MINING POLLUTION & REMEDIATION (MPR)
Research Groups
Ecotoxicological Studies
Plant Bacterial interactions
Soil and aquatic pollution arising from mining-generated wasteland are the direct major impacts of mining in the mining regions of Zambia. The MPR program, therefore, aims to discover, develop and deploy new, more effective, and efficient phytoremediation approaches for the restoration of these wastelands, which is critical to contributing towards providing sustainable environmental management in the mining regions of not only Zambia but many other mining regions in Africa.
Phytoremediation is an ecologically responsible alternative to other remediation methods in the restoration toolbox. However, the current pool of species proven suitable for phytoremediation are few and specific to particular metal types (copper and cobalt) yet most of the wastelands are composed of many other metals that are by-products of mineral processing. Further screening of candidate species should be undertaken to generate information on suitable species for other heavy metals. Breeding programs for selecting highly productive clones under prevailing growth conditions of the abandoned mine sites should be initiated.
The MPR major’s objectives are:
Developing protocols for phytoremediation of mining degraded generated lands in Zambia. The potential for phytoremediation on Zambia’s contaminated land will be assessed by utilizing the woody and herbaceous vegetation established on contaminated sites. The other sub-component will determine strategies for phytoremediation outcomes by better understanding symbiotic rhizosphere (plant-bacterial) interactions.
To advance feasible and effective ways of engagement with policymakers, the private sector, and citizens.
Socio-Ecological Landscape (SEL)
Research Groups
Vegetation & Ecology
Land Transformation
The SEL Program fully exploits interdisciplinary research to generate frontier knowledge on developing models for forest landscape restoration within the Zambian African Copper Belt (ZCACB).
The SEL program combines research on land and aquatic ecosystems, including agriculture, forests, and water, to develop and provide solid evidence knowledge of science-based and foresight. The program aims to establish an international community to create sustainable silvicultural systems and ecological models to restore degraded landscapes that support rural livelihoods in ZCACB, engage with stakeholders, and facilitate community-driven efforts.