ARI REVIEW FOR 2016-2017

is to show the adjustment of agricultural production to climate change and limited water supply. In particular, it aims to reduce the water used in agricultural production by introducing a method of recycling water through a closed, fully automated hydroponic greenhouse system. The project aims to develop and demonstrate the possibility of increasing agricultural production in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner in rural areas in Greece and Cyprus, while reducing consumption of energy and natural resources such as water by applying shallow geothermal energy and increasing the income of farmers ( P. Polycarpou, D. Neocleous ). Assessment of toxic heavy metals concentrations in soils and wild and cultivated plants species in Limni abandoned copper mining site, Cyprus Mine tailings represent a serious source of soil pollution with public health implications. A survey was performed aiming at (1) assessing the level of toxic and heavy metal mobilisation from the tailing spoil-heap of Limni abandoned mine at Cyprus and the extent of soil contamination to the surrounding area by using pollution indicators; (2) investigating the uptake and accumulation of heavy metals by cultivated crops; and (3) estimating the potential of native wild plant species grown in the studied area to be used in phytomanagement approaches. The tailing spoil heap exhibited significantly higher S, Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations compared to the ones found in control reference samples (RS). The lateral mobilisation of Mg, S, Zn, Cu and Pb resulted to the contamination of the tailing surrounding areas with these metals. Moreover, Mn and Cu concentrations in the tailing and the surrounding areas exceeded the MPLs for agricultural soils. The severe to very severe pollution of the tailing surrounding sides with S, Zn and Cu was also evident by the calculated values of enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index. The values of combined pollution index also uncovered the extremely high pollution of the tailing and the moderate pollution of the surrounding sites with all analysed elements. The concentration of Cd in fig, peanut and lemon fruits, as well as in the grains and straw of barley exceeded MPLs, highlighting the potential Cd-mediated hazardous effects from the consumption of these produces. The examination of heavy metal content in wild native plant species showed that Inula viscosa L. has the potential to be used for the phytostabilisation of Cd and Pb, and Allium ampeloprasum L. for the phytostabilisation of Pb. Overall, results suggest that the Limni mine tailing and its surrounding sites are highly polluted; thus agricultural activity in the studied area should be prohibited and phytomanagement should be urgently carried out. ( A. Christou ) 59 Natural Resources and Environment