Phytoremediation

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Phytoremediation

In recent years it has become clear that some environmental chemicals can cause
risks to the developing embryo and fetus. Evaluating the developmental toxicity
of environmental chemicals is now a prominent public health concern. The
suspected association between TCE and congenital cardiac malformations warrants
special attention because TCE is a common drinking water contaminant that is
detected in water supplies throughout the U.S. and the world. There is a lot of
concern about the clean up of toxic pollutants from the environment. Traditional
methods for cleaning up contaminated sites such as dig and haul, pump and treat,
soil venting, air sparging and others are generally harmful to habitats. Some
methods strip the soil of vital nutrients and microorganisms, so nothing can
grow on the site, even if it has been decontaminated. Typically these mechanical
methods are also very expensive. Most of the remediation technologies that are
currently in use are very expensive, relatively inefficient and generate a lot
of waste, to be disposed of. Cleaning up contamination: Phytoremediation is a
novel, efficient, environmentally friendly, low-cost technology, which uses
plants and trees to clean up soil and water contaminated with heavy metals
and/or organic contaminants such as solvents, crude oil, polyaromatic
hydrocarbons and other toxic compounds from contaminated environments. This
technology is useful for soil and water remediation. Mechanisms:
Phytoremediation uses one basic concept: the plant takes the pollutant through
the roots. The pollutant can be stored in the plant (phytoextraction), volatized
by the plant (phytovolatization), metabolized by the plant (phytodegradation),
or any combination of the above. Phytoextraction is the uptake and storage of
pollutants in the plants stem or leaves. Some plants, called hyperaccumulators,
draw pollutants through the roots. After the pollutants accumulate in the stem
and leaves the plants are harvested. Then plants can be either burned or sold.
Even if the plants cannot be used, incineration and disposal of the plants is
still cheaper than traditional remediation methods. As a comparison, it is
estimated a site containing 5000 tons of contaminated soil will produce only
20-30 tons of ash (Black, 1995). This method is particularly useful when
remediating metals. Some metals are also being recycled from the ash.
Phytovolatization is the uptake and vaporization of pollutants by a plant. This
mechani...

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