Phytoremediation: An Ecological Solution for Decontamination of Polluted Urban Soils

Abstract

Urbanization and industrialization are the main causes of increasing contaminated soils in cities all around the world. This leads to numerous abandoned lands, reduction in biodiversity, and thereby posing a serious health risk for urban inhabitants. The development of effective and ecological remediation approaches is necessary. Phytoremediation is well known as an ecological solution with good acceptation for remediation of contaminated soils. Since, urban soils are particularly characterized by their highly disturbed, heterogeneous and low fertility, the application of phytoremediation to rehabilitate contaminated soils in urban areas is until now very limited at the laboratory scale and even less at the field scale. In this context, we have to take into account all these parameters and precautions when it's application. The main objective of this chapter is to discuss how to take phytoremediation approaches from a proven technology to an accepted practice in an urban context. An overview of urban soil types is provided following phytoremediation's application for urban soils with the focus on inorganic and organic pollutants, to provide a frame of reference for the subsequent discussion on better utilization of phytoremediation. At last, we offer suggestion on how to gain greater acceptance for phytoremediation by urban inhabitants.

Perspective Chapter: Can Natural Attenuation be Considered as an Effective Solution for Soil Remediation?

“…In particular, numerous species of earthworms, such as Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus rubellus, and Aporrectodea caliginosa, can survive in soils polluted with metals and even accumulate heavy metals, including Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn [41]. The activities of earthworms were shown to increase the availability and mobility of heavy metals (i.e., Cd, Pb, and Hg) [42][43][44][45][46]. Apart from earthworms, very few data have been demonstrated on the application of other soil fauna in the processes of natural attenuation.…”

“…Soils and plants store carbon in their tissues via photosynthesis, and participate in the maintenance or dissemination of a certain diversity of biodiversity, (biodiversity of soils is too often unknown), and can be integrated into larger projects for the maintenance or development of biodiversity. The greater permeability of these soils is an asset to limit the runoff and potential flooding in certain cases and restoration of the water cycle more generally, including filtering and purification functions, provided by soils and vegetation [44]. Soils also provide production services; they are the basis of agricultural activity and contribute to product quality.…”