Flowers are part of soil erosion containment strategies
The landscape of Mariana (MG) now includes Sunflowers at a point near Ponte do Gama. The flowers were planted where the tailings, originating from the Fundão dam collapse, were deposited as sediment on the banks and flood plains of the Gualaxo do Norte River, Carmo River and Doce River, in the stretch from Mariana to Candonga.
According to the analyst of social and environmental projects of the Renova Foundation, Pedro Ivo, this type of action is part of the bioengineering works, which involve, among others, soil erosion control and revegetation. In the region that goes from Mariana to Candonga, in Minas Gerais, a seed mixes of different fast-growing species, such as the sunflower itself, was sown. For this, so-called fertilization of the soil cover was used.
“To use a natural method, we first use machines for drainage and soil conformation and then we apply a bioengineering technique to contain the erosion and prevent the tailings from being carried back into the river. The plants have roots that contribute to soil fixation”, says Pedro Ivo.
Sunflowers were planted in an area impacted by the collapse of the Fundão dam. | Photo: Release