Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soils (Nato Science Series: IV: Earth and Environmental Sciences)

Phytoremediation, the use of plants to remediate environmental media, is being pursued as a new approach for the cleanup of contaminated soils and waters, including groundwater. Plant-assisted bioremediation, sometimes referred to as a type of phytoremediation, involves the interaction of plant roots and the microorganisms associated with these root systems to re- diate soils containing elevated concentrations of organic compounds. These techniques could provide cost-effective methods of remediating soils and groundwater contaminated with metals, radionuclides, and various types of organics, with fewer secondary wastes and less environmental impact than would be generated using traditional remediation methods. All plants extract necessary nutrients, including metals, from their soil and water environments. Some plants, called hyperaccumulators, have the ability to store large amounts of metals, even some metals that do not appear to be required for plant functioning. In addition, plants can take up various organic chemicals from environmental media and degrade or otherwise process them for use in their physiological processes. Phytoremediation technologies are in the early stages of development, with laboratory research and limited field trials being conducted to determine processes and refine methods. Additional research, including genetic engineering, is being conducted to improve the natural capabilities of plants to perform remediation functions and to investigate other plants with potential phytoremediation applications. Large areas in Western and Eastern countries are polluted with heavy metals and radionuclides in natural, rural, urban or industrial areas. Why remediate?....Pages 1-23 Hyperaccumulation of trace elements by plants....Pages 25-52 Plant accumulation capacity for potentially toxic elements....Pages 53-84 Genetically modified plants with improved properties for phytoremediation purposes....Pages 85-108 Phytostabilisation of metal-contaminated sites....Pages 109-190 Phytomanagement of radioactively contaminated sites....Pages 191-228 Phytoremediation ediation of industrially-contaminated sites using trees....Pages 229-240 Factors limiting efficiency of phytoextraction at multi-metal contaminated sites....Pages 241-266 Litavka river alluvium as a model area heavily polluted with potentially risk elements....Pages 267-298 Plant uptake of radiocaesium – potential for remediate radiopolluted soils....Pages 299-306 Study of Cd accumulation by Thlas pi Caerulescens under presence of glucuronic acid containing exopolysaccharides....Pages 307-314 Sunflower growth and tolerance to arsenic is increased by the rhizospheric bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens....Pages 315-318 Natural zeolites effect on heavy metals immobilization in soil....Pages 319-326 The arsenic-phytoremediation potential of genetically modified pseudomonas spp....Pages 327-334 Round table discussion: Sustainable Management of Natural Plant Resources for Phytoremediation....Pages 335-342 Working group discussion: The Efficiency and Viability of Phytoremediation....Pages 343-345

This is the first book aimed at developing a common language among scientists working in the field of Phytoremediation. Authors of the main chapters are leading scientists in this field: some of them were among the first to have suggested the use of hyperaccumulator plants for extraction of metals from soils. Members of an EU funded research project on the feasibility of phytoextraction of metals (PHYTOREM project) from contaminated soils were also among the lecturers. Manuscripts based on the lectures presented at the ASI were revised to take into account ASI participants’ comments and suggestions, and went through a round of peer review and editing. Discussion summaries and practical recommendations, emanating from the working group and round table discussions, are provided in separate chapters at the end of the book.

This is the first book aimed at development of a common language among scientists working in the field of Phytoremediation. Authors of the main chapters are leading scientists in this field. Some of them were among the first ones to have suggested the use of hyperaccumulator plants for extraction of metals from soils. Manuscripts based on lectures presented at the ASI have been revised here to take into account ASI participants' comments and suggestions. Aimed at developing a common language among scientists working in the field of Phytoremediation. This book provides discussion summaries and practical recommendations, emanating from the working group and round table discussions in separate chapters