Summary report of a workshop on phytoremediation research needs
Soil contamination is a national and global problem. A major challenge is the remediation of large sites contaminated with radionuclides and toxic metals, often present in relatively small amounts but above regulatory action levels. Despite the function of phytoremediation processes in nature for millenia, the technology of phytoremediation is, for the most part, still a concept. There are many different pollutants, plant uptake mechanisms, soil matrices, and plant species that need to be investigated, without overlooking the microbial participation in this technology. Developing actual practical applications will require a significant and coordinated research and development effort, due to the complexity of both biological systems and the soil contamination problems. Research and development in this area must involve scientists and engineers in Federal and state agencies, foreign organizations and industry. The representation at the workshop of researchers from many disciplines, organizations and countries, augurs well for a cooperative and interdisciplinary research effort and the rapid application of this technology. The urgent needs for effective, low-cost technologies to clean-up contaminated soils, both in the US and around the world, suggests phytoremediation as a high national and international research priority. The availability of scientists trained in the interdisciplinary topics relating to phytoremediation will be a major factor in expediting development of this technology.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Environmental Restoration and Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 10109412
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EM--0224; CONF-9407155--Summ.; ON: DE95006076; NC: NONE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540220
540230
540250
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CHEMICAL WASTES
CHEMICALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
CONTAMINATION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
RADIOISOTOPES
REMEDIAL ACTION
REMOVAL
SITE RESOURCE AND USE STUDIES
SOILS