Plants: we eat them, juice them-and now it seems we can mine them too!
After a successful experiment on the island of Borneo, the botany professor Alan Baker and a group of researchers want to introduce phytomining (harvesting minerals from plants) as a better, partial substitute for traditional mining.
Phytomining, also known as agromining, means collecting metals from live plants. However, this can only be done with a group of plants known as "hyperaccumulators". There are around 700 identified types worldwide, and what makes these hyperaccumulators special is that they naturally attract and absorb minerals through their roots-metals poisonous to other plants-and then store huge, pure concentrations of these minerals in their bodies. The metals can then be extracted from the plants' sap(汁;液), oil, or sometimes even live tissue.
Baker and his colleagues see a lot of potential in phytomining. Not only can it help meet the growing global demand for metals, but is a way of undoing some of that damage to the environment by traditional mining.
One of the biggest problems with traditional mining is that it pollutes the surrounding area. Phytomining can extract metal waste, plus planting the hyperaccumulators would regrow the deforested areas caused by mining operations. Aside from this, if phytomining is able to replace part of traditional mining, then there would be fewer instances of bad mining practices like abandoned mines, which pollute the nearby waters. Also, since phytomining provides metals that are already naturally pure, there is no need to use huge amounts of energy to purify the ore(矿石).
Phytomining has its drawbacks. Harvesting plants on a large scale is expensive today, compared to traditional mining. Besides, plants can be wiped out by diseases or unexpected weather conditions.
However, there are many reasons to consider phytomining. After all, we need to make sure that our planet can keep up and sustainable practices like phytomining give us the hope that our advancement doesn't mean sacrificing Mother Earth.
7. What makes hyperaccumulators different from other plants?
A.The sap poisonous to other plants. |
B.The ability to take in and store minerals. |
C.The oil extracted from live plant tissue. |
D.The concentrations of minerals in their bodies. |
8. What is the advantage of phytomining?
A.It can stop deforestation. |
B.It may reduce the desertedmines. |
C.It uses clean energy to purify the ore. |
D.It can't be destroyed by diseases. |
9. What is the author's attitude toward phytomining?
A.Pessimistic. | B.Indifferent. | C.Optimistic. | D.Skeptical. |
10. What can be the best title for the text?
A.Metals From Plants. |
B.The Future of Phytomining. |
C.What Are Hyperaccumulators? |
D.Benefits of Phytomining. |