SERPENTINES OF TÜRKIYE AND THEIR PHYTO-POTENTIAL

III. International Biological and Life Sciences Congress, Antalya, Türkiye, 16 - 19 Kasım 2025, ss.487, (Özet Bildiri)

Ultramafic soils of serpentine origin present challenging edaphic conditions due to their

elevated concentrations of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr), coupled with

deficiencies in essential nutrients. These characteristics restrict plant growth to a narrow

ecological niche, allowing the survival of only highly specialized species. Türkiye possesses

one of the largest distributions of serpentine soils in the Mediterranean Basin, which host both

a remarkable number of endemic taxa and numerous hyperaccumulator species. Recent studies

have identified more than 59 Ni hyperaccumulator plants in Türkiye, positioning the country,

alongside Cuba and New Caledonia, as one of the world’s foremost centers for Ni

hyperaccumulation. Within Türkiye’s serpentine flora, the Brassicaceae and Asteraceae

families are particularly prominent. The genera Odontarrhena (formerly Alyssum), Noccaea,

and Bornmuellera include many serpentine endemics and hyperaccumulators, while over 13

species of Centaurea have also been reported to accumulate Ni. Notable examples include

Centaurea ensiformis, restricted to Mount Sandras; C. ptosimopappa from the Amanos

Mountains; and the strictly endemic Bornmuellera kiyakii and Noccaea camlikensis. These

species stand out not only for their restricted distributions but also for their high biomass

production and Ni accumulation capacities. Globally, Ni is a strategically critical metal,

essential for stainless steel production and electric vehicle batteries. However, high-grade

primary Ni deposits are being depleted at a rapid pace. Newly discovered reserves are

increasingly composed of low-grade laterites, which raise extraction costs and impose

significant environmental burdens. Forecasts suggest supply gaps emerging by the 2040s, with

recycling and alternative supply streams expected to dominate after the 2060s. In this context,

phytomining (or agromining) has emerged as an innovative biotechnological approach: metals

are recovered by cultivating hyperaccumulator plants on Ni-rich serpentine soils and processing

their biomass. Beyond enabling the extraction of metals from low-grade substrates,

phytomining also contributes to the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and offers a carbon-

negative production model. Particularly within the framework of “green nickel,” this approach

could support the development of environmentally sustainable supply chains. Recent

experimental research in Türkiye has highlighted the substantial potential of combining

hyperaccumulator plants with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and mycorrhizal fungi.

These microorganisms enhance root development, increase metal tolerance, and improve

biomass yields. Moreover, they accelerate metal translocation from roots to shoots, thereby

significantly improving phytomining efficiency. Consequently, it is now recognized that not

only plants themselves, but also plant–microbe interactions, play a strategic role in optimizing

phytomining systems. In conclusion, Türkiye’s serpentine flora represents more than a reservoir

of biodiversity; it also holds critical potential for sustainable Ni production. Serpentine

endemics and hyperaccumulators form a strategic bridge between dwindling primary resources

and the growing need for recycling, while biotechnological approaches supported by PGPB and

mycorrhizal fungi position Türkiye as a strong candidate for global leadership in phytomining.

Keywords: Agromining, Hyperaccumulator, Phytomining, Phytoremediation, Serpentine