Lush Miscanthus fields growing on reclaimed mining land in Ukraine.

From Mining Wasteland to Green Paradise: How Miscanthus Can Save Ukraine's Soil

Kai Mendoza in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how Miscanthus giganteus is revolutionizing land reclamation, transforming post-mining sites into fertile grounds for bioenergy and ecological restoration."

The demand for energy is constantly rising, while our planet's mineral reserves are rapidly dwindling. This situation is made worse by the increasing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Clearly, we need to find alternative energy sources, and fast.

Renewable energy offers a beacon of hope. In particular, perennial grasses and woody plants can significantly help to fight climate change and secure our energy supply for the future. Bioenergy is already a rapidly growing industry, accounting for about 13% of the world's primary energy supply. Unfortunately, Ukraine lags behind in this area, with biomass contributing only about 1% to the country's total primary energy supply.

Fast-growing plants that don't need intensive care, are adaptable to different environments, and produce high yields are the most promising for bioenergy production. In recent years, second-generation Miscanthus has emerged as a leading contender, providing cellulose-rich feedstock for energy and the chemical industry.

Miscanthus giganteus: A Green Solution for Ukraine's Mining Lands

Lush Miscanthus fields growing on reclaimed mining land in Ukraine.

A recent study investigated the potential of growing Miscanthus giganteus as an energy crop on various types of mining lands. Researchers discovered that loess-like loam and red-brown clay, enriched with black soil, were the most suitable for growing this plant. After the first year, the yield of dry above-ground biomass ranged from 4.3 to 6.8 tons per hectare, increasing to 8.9 to 9.7 tons per hectare in the second year when using these substrates. The application of soil amendments further boosted plant growth, increasing productivity by 50% to 140%.

Even on geochemically active dark-gray schist clay, Miscanthus giganteus showed remarkable tolerance and growth, yielding 2 to 3 tons per hectare after just one year. When analyzing plants grown on different layers of dark-gray schist clay, the thermal decomposition of biomass occurred in four stages, between 30 and 640°C. Samples from the 0–20 cm layer were most reactive, peaking at 30.6%/min at 290°C.

Here are the advantages of using Miscanthus:

Provides sustainable energy.
Contributes to soil restoration.
Reduces heavy metal contamination.
Offers economic benefits.

Interestingly, the study found varying concentrations of heavy metals like iron, zinc, copper, and lead in plant tissues, depending on the depth of the dark-gray schist clay layer (from 0 to 20 cm to 40–60 cm). However, the above-ground biomass had relatively limited heavy metal content because these metals preferentially accumulated in the roots.

A Sustainable Future with Miscanthus

This research underscores the potential of Miscanthus giganteus to not only produce bioenergy but also to revitalize degraded mining lands. Its ability to thrive in challenging soil conditions and accumulate heavy metals in its roots makes it an ideal candidate for phytoremediation. By investing in Miscanthus cultivation, Ukraine can transform these areas into valuable resources, fostering a greener, more sustainable future.

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Everything You Need To Know

How efficient is Miscanthus giganteus in transforming mining wastelands into bioenergy hubs, and what specific processes are involved in converting its biomass into usable energy?

Miscanthus giganteus demonstrates significant potential for bioenergy production and ecological restoration, particularly on mining lands. Studies show yields ranging from 4.3 to 6.8 tons per hectare in the first year, increasing to 8.9 to 9.7 tons per hectare in the second year on substrates like loess-like loam and red-brown clay enriched with black soil. Furthermore, soil amendments can boost productivity by 50% to 140%. While the text highlights Miscanthus's biomass yield and suitability for energy, it doesn't delve into the specific processes for converting Miscanthus biomass into bioenergy, such as combustion, gasification, or anaerobic digestion. Understanding these processes is crucial for evaluating the overall efficiency and environmental impact of using Miscanthus as a bioenergy source.

What are the primary advantages of using Miscanthus for land reclamation and bioenergy, and what are the potential long-term environmental effects of heavy metal accumulation in its roots?

Miscanthus offers several advantages, including sustainable energy production, soil restoration, reduction of heavy metal contamination, and economic benefits. Miscanthus accumulates heavy metals in its roots. The above-ground biomass has relatively limited heavy metal content. The study does not elaborate on the long-term effects of heavy metal accumulation in the roots of Miscanthus giganteus and potential impacts on soil health and the surrounding ecosystem. Further research into these aspects is important for ensuring the sustainability of Miscanthus cultivation in contaminated areas.

What soil types are most suitable for cultivating Miscanthus giganteus, and how does its performance compare to other bioenergy crops in terms of yield and environmental impact?

The study specifies that loess-like loam and red-brown clay, enriched with black soil, are the most suitable for growing Miscanthus giganteus. Even on geochemically active dark-gray schist clay, the plant showed remarkable tolerance and growth. The text does not provide a comprehensive comparison of Miscanthus giganteus with other bioenergy crops in terms of yield, environmental impact, and economic viability. A comparative analysis would offer a more complete picture of Miscanthus's strengths and weaknesses in the context of sustainable energy production.

How does Miscanthus giganteus handle heavy metal contamination in mining lands, and what are the mechanisms behind its phytoremediation capabilities?

Miscanthus giganteus accumulates heavy metals such as iron, zinc, copper, and lead in its tissues, with concentrations varying depending on the depth of the dark-gray schist clay layer. However, heavy metals preferentially accumulate in the roots, resulting in limited heavy metal content in the above-ground biomass. The article does not detail the specific mechanisms by which Miscanthus absorbs and stores heavy metals or the potential for optimizing this process for enhanced phytoremediation. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to improved strategies for using Miscanthus in environmental cleanup efforts.

What are the potential implications of large-scale Miscanthus cultivation for Ukraine's sustainable development, and what challenges might arise in implementing such a project?

By investing in Miscanthus cultivation, Ukraine can transform degraded mining lands into valuable resources, fostering a greener, more sustainable future. Miscanthus giganteus is used for bioenergy production and ecological restoration. The text doesn't address potential challenges to large-scale Miscanthus cultivation in Ukraine, such as land availability, infrastructure requirements, and social acceptance. Addressing these challenges is essential for realizing the full potential of Miscanthus in promoting sustainable development.