Abstract
Indonesia has one of the largest surface expressions of ultramafic rocks on Earth and in parallel hosts one of the most species-rich floras. Despite the extensive knowledge of the botanical diversity and the chemistry of these substrates, until recently the records for nickel hyperaccumulator plant species in the region have been scant. Identification of native local hyperaccumulator species is the critical initial step for developing local phytomining as these species naturally match ambient bioclimatic, geochemical and physiological conditions. Prior to this research just 11 nickel hyperaccumulator plant species were known from the whole of Indonesia. This field-based investigation at Weda Bay on the Island of Halmahera in the North Maluku Province revealed the existence of 13 nickel, two cobalt, one manganese and 10 aluminium hyperaccumulator plant species. Phylogenetic affinity for nickel hyperaccumulation is diverse and spans several orders, but was most frequent in the Malpighiales, as in other ultramafic regions of Southeast Asia. In contrast to global patterns, hyperaccumulation was infrequent in the Phyllanthaceae.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 113-127 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Journal of Geochemical Exploration |
Volume | 202 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biogeochemical cycling
- Hyperaccumulator
- Nickel
- Trace element
- Ultramafic