Dianthus sylvestris subsp. sylvestris as a promising candidate for phytostabilization of copper-contaminated post-mining sites in Alpine ecosystems

The lack of remediation of inactive mine sites is a serious global concern, as they pose risks to the environment, human health, and safety. The potential of Dianthus sylvestris subsp. sylvestris to remediate post-mining sites contaminated with copper (Cu) at high altitudes, which is a challenging task for most management strategies, was explored in this study. More than 1300 mg Cu kg-1 in shoots were found in plants collected at the Monte Avanza legacy mine site (Alps). However, it is unclear whether this is due to hyperaccumulation or foliar contamination. To address this gap, field samples were washed with two different protocols, and a controlled Cu-tolerance test was conducted. While very high Cu concentrations, exceeding the Cu hyperaccumulation threshold of 300 mg kg-1, were found in samples washed with water, results for the plants cleaned with a more rigorous approach with EDTA suggested Cu exclusion strategy. Under controlled conditions, the plant showed Cu hypertolerance but ...,
Plant specimens of Dianthus sylvestris subsp. sylvestris (roots, shoots, flowers, and seeds) and respective soil samples collected on the site (Monte Avanza, IT).

D. sylvestris subsp. sylvestris grown in hydroponics under controlled conditions.
Data were obtained from the samples using ICP-OES and a ruler. 
, Microsoft Excel or any other spreadsheet editor (for example the free open-source Apache OpenOffice Calc)., # Copper phytostabilization: concentrations and root growth of *Dianthus sylvestris* subsp. *sylvestris*

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Data for \"*Dianthus sylvestris* subsp. *sylvestris* as a promising candidate for phytostabilization of copper-contaminated post-mining sites in Alpine ecosystems\". The study investigates the necessity of cleaning the field samples with a stringent solution instead of simple water prior to metal analysis. The study also investigates the potential of *D. sylvestris* subsp. *sylvestris* for remediating copper-contaminated post-mining sites at high altitudes, finding that the plant exhibits a copper exclusion strategy rather than hyperaccumulation. Consequently, *D. sylvestris* subsp. *sylvestris* presents as a promising candidate for copper phytostabilization at high-altitude legacy mine sites, emphasizing the importance of controlled experiments when evaluating phytoremediation potential.

## Description of the data and file structure

The data are soil and plant copper (Cu) conc...