Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation is a bioremediation process that uses various types of plants to remove, transfer, stabilize, and/or destroy contaminants in the soil and groundwater. There are several different types of phytoremediation mechanisms. These include phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilization.

Mechanisms of Phytoremediation

Phytoextraction (also known as phytoaccumulation) exploits the ability of plants to take up substances from the soil through their roots and translocate them to their above-ground parts.

Rhizofiltration is a water remediation technique that involves the uptake of contaminants by plant roots. Rhizofiltration is used to reduce contamination in natural waters and wastewater.

Phytostabilization involves the production of chemical compounds by the plant, which immobilize the contaminant at the interface of root and soil.

Phytodegradation (also known as phytotransformation) is the breakdown of contaminants taken up into plant tissues to less toxic or non-toxic substances.

Phytovolatilization is the uptake and transpiration of a contaminant by a plant, with release of the contaminant or a modified form of the contaminant to the atmosphere from the plant.

Applications of Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation may be applied wherever the soil or static water environment has become polluted or is suffering ongoing chronic pollution. Examples include the treatment of contaminated soil or ground water with lead, mercury, selenium, zinc, atrazine, and a variety of other metals that are harmful to humans or the environment.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective plant-based approach of remediation that takes advantage of the ability of plants to concentrate elements and compounds from the environment and to metabolize various molecules in their tissues. It is best used at sites with shallow contamination of organic, nutrient, or metal pollutants. It is not applicable for sites with high concentrations of contaminants.

See Also

• Bioremediation
• Mycoremediation
• Constructed wetland
• Bioaugmentation
• Biodegradation