Phytoremediation - Technology Overview
ABSTRACT
Phytoremediation uses plants to cleanup contaminated soil and groundwater, taking advantage of plants' natural abilities to take up, accumulate, and/or degrade constituents of their soil and water environments. Results of research and development into ph ytoremediation processes and techniques report it to be applicable to a broad range of contaminants including numerous metals and radionuclides, various organic compounds (such as chlorinated solvents, BTEX, PCBs, PAHs, pesticides/insecticides, explosives , nutrients, and surfactants. According to information reviewed, general site conditions best suited for potential use of phytoremediation include large areas of low to moderate surface soil (0 to 3 feet) contamination or large volumes of water with low- level contamination subject to low (stringent) treatment standards. Depth to groundwater for in situ treatment is limited to about 10 feet, but ex situ treatment in constructed troughs or wetlands has also been investigated.
There are five basic types of phytoremediation techniques: 1) rhizofiltration, a water remediation technique involving the uptake of contaminants by plant roots; 2) phytoextraction, a soil technique involving uptake from soil, 3) phytotransformation, appl icable to both soil and water, involving the degradation of contaminants through plant metabolism, 4) phyto-stimulation or plant-assisted bioremediation, also used for both soil and water, which involves the stimulation of microbial biodegradation through the activities of plants in the root zone, and 5) phytostabilization, using plants to reduce the mobility and migration potential of contaminants in soil.
Major advantages reported for phytoremediation as compared to traditional remediation technologies include the possibility of generating less secondary wastes, minimal associated environmental disturbance, and the ability to leave soils in place and in a usable condition following treatment. Cited disadvantages include the long lengths of time required (usually several growing seasons), depth limitations (3 feet for soil and 10 feet for groundwater), and the possibility of contaminant entrance into the f ood chain through animal consumption of plant material.
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