Beneficial effects of plants in the remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic materials

Abstract

The use of plants in remediation of soil and unconfined groundwater contaminated with organic materials is appealing for a variety of reasons: (1) plants provide a remediation strategy that utilizes solar energy; (2) vegetation is aesthetically pleasing; (3) plant samples can be harvested and tested as indicators of the level of remediation; (4) plants help contain the region of contamination by removing water from soil; (5) rhizosphere microbial communities are able to biodegrade a wide variety of organic contaminants; and (6) many plants have mechanisms for transporting oxygen to the rhizosphere. However, before effective plant remediation strategies can be developed, an understanding is needed of the physical, biological, and chemical relationships that determine the fate of each organic contaminant in the rhizosphere. This review presents an overview of some factors required to understand and model the complex processes that determine the fate of the organic contaminants in plant remediation strategies. In addition, some planning and management criteria for the development of practical plant remediation strategies are presented.

Inferências sobre atividade rizosférica de espécies com potencial para fitorremediação do herbicida tebuthiuron

“…Atualmente, existe crescente interesse em técnicas biológicas para a despoluição de solos e águas contaminadas (Accioly & Siqueira, 2000), particularmente no uso de plantas (Shimp et al, 1993), chamada de fitorremediação. Esta técnica consiste no uso de plantas e sua comunidade microbiana associada para degradar, seqüestrar ou imobilizar poluentes presentes no solo (Siliciano & Germida, 1999).…”

Degradation of benzo[a]pyrene in an experimentally contaminated paddy soil by vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides)

“…Plants can enhance the remediation of soils containing organic pollutants by various processes (Shimp et al 1993;Cunningham et al 1996). The roots of alfalfa and other plant species have been shown to be effective in the removal of several aromatic compounds, including PAHs (Ferro et al 1997;Schwab et al 1998;Pradhan et al 1998;Flocco et al 2002).…”

Natural, cost‐effective, and sustainable alternatives for treatment of aircraft deicing fluid waste

“…Microorganisms are capable of growing and metabolizing organic compounds at low temperatures as long as water continues to exist as liquid [29,44]. In Oslo's new airport (Norway), Kraft et al [45] found complete aerobic degradation of glycol in coarse-sand columns at load concentrations from 0.14 to 1.2 g/L, for a total experimentation time of 28 weeks at 6°C.…”