The green clean: The emerging field of phytoremediation takes root
A few plants can biologically accumulate toxic metals from surrounding soils, a situation that could revolutionize environmental cleanup. By breeding a planting metal-munchers like alpine pennycress, scientist plan to clease waste zones of toxic levels of zinc, nickel and lead. From soil loaded with metal to radionuclide-laden water, researcher hope phytoremediation will provide a cheap way to clean man-made messes at mining, nuclear, and industrial sites. This article describes developments in the area of phytoremediation, including sections on plants called hyperaccumulators, how phytoremediators function, problems transferring phytoremediators from hydroculture to soils and problems which might prevent use of phytoremediators.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 160021
- Journal Information:
- Bioscience, Vol. 45, Issue 9; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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