PHYTOREMEDIATION OFFERS A NATURAL SOLUTION FOR POLLUTION

摘要

Phytoremediation is a concept involving the use of plants to remove chemical contaminants in a biomatrix, sometimes referred to as a biofilter. Understanding plant use of nutrients, and the use of appropriate soil additives can accelerate plant root growth, mobilize metals and hydrocarbons, and improve plant toughness and growth rates. Design of the biofilter may include tiers using different types of grasses and other plants to encourage different nutrient uptake and/or to accelerate evapotranspiration. Design of phyto-remediation systems consists of several simple steps to encourage the plants to maximize their uptake, and ongoing maintenance activities to insure that the uptake is properly realized. These steps include identifying the contaminants of concern, appropriate cultivars or plants for the locale and for the contaminants, needed soil nutrients to mobilize and/or breakdown the contaminants and appropriate aeration capacity. Waste water products may include reclaimed water, storm water or industrial wastes. Storm water may contain many nutrients required by plants, as well as hydrocarbons and less desirable constituents. In saltwater intruded areas, more options exist for reverse osmosis concentrate disposal. Implementation of this concept has occurred to treat wash water and pesticide residue on golf courses, is being considered for remediating of farming operations, concentrate disposal and stormwater. The variations of the concept protect groundwater and meet Best Management Practice requirements.