phytoremediering

Phytoremediering, also known as phytoremediation, is the use of plants to reduce, remove, or stabilize pollutants in soil, water, or air. It relies on natural plant processes to uptake, sequester, degrade, or volatilize contaminants, with the aim of restoring contaminated environments in an ecologically sustainable manner. The approach comprises several mechanisms, including phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, rhizofiltration, and phytodegradation.

Phytoextraction uses plants to accumulate metals in harvestable tissues. Phytostabilization immobilizes contaminants in the root zone, reducing mobility and bioavailability. Phytovolatilization releases volatile forms of certain elements from foliage. Rhizofiltration employs plant roots to absorb contaminants from polluted water. Phytodegradation and rhizodegradation enzymatically break down organic pollutants in the plant or the rhizosphere.

Targets include inorganic pollutants such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and radionuclides, and organic pollutants such as hydrocarbons, solvents, and pesticides. Phytoremediation can treat soils, sediments, and shallow groundwater or surface water, depending on plant root depth and contaminant bioavailability. Effectiveness is influenced by climate, soil conditions, contaminant characteristics, and the bioavailability of pollutants.

Advantages include low energy use, minimal site disturbance, and potential for landscape value; limitations involve slow remediation rates, variable effectiveness, dependence on contaminant bioavailability, and the need to manage contaminated biomass after harvest. Site assessment, pilot studies, and long-term monitoring are often required. Ongoing research seeks new hyperaccumulator species, improved plant traits, and safe biomass disposal and regulatory acceptance.