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TREES
HEALING TREES
Developing the Technology
What is Phytoremediation?
A Natural Way to Purify Polluted Areas
Current Research
Two biochemists, Joe Jez and Tom Smith, are working to replace earthmovers and landfills with trees as a means for cleaning contaminated industrial sites. Generally, the use of phytoremediation is limited to sites with low contaminant concentrations. Researchers are also finding that tree roots penetrate more deeply into the ground, and by using of trees they can treat deeper contamination. Leon V. Kochian's research is looking to prevent toxic metals from entering the food chain as they pass through the trees through transpiration. This would increase the safety of the system and improve its functionality. a paragraph.
Phytoremediation uses plant life and the microorganisms related to them to detoxify contamination in soils, sediments, surface water, or ground water. This technology has been successfully proven to reduce certain contaminants in polluted areas.
ADDITIONAL
RESEARCH
Additional research is needed to determine what happens to various compounds in the plan to ensure that they do not put harmful substances in food chain. Contaminants collecting in the fibers of trees may be released when the leaves fall or the tree is used for firewood or mulch. ​
A Guide to Phytoremediation
Green Technologies Limits
Challenges to Phytoremediation:
The success of phytoremediation has its limits.
Disposing the plants can be an issue if there high levels of heavy metals present in their systems. Also, phytremediation is limited by the depth of the contaminants and plant root depth. It can be limited to more shallow areas. To bring heavy metals closer to the roots, deep tilling may be required. It can be a seasonal process, depends greatly on location, it is not effective of strongly absorbed contaminants, if the contaminant concentrations are high the plant may die, it needs a large space, and the selected plant community must be evaluated before the new plants are placed on site. Introducing new plant species can have massive repercussions on the ecosystem. The start up period may require a longer amount of time and significant irrigation.
