Phytoremediation of TCE using Populus

OCLC Number: 52262888 Excerpt: ...Jonathan Chappell Phytoremediation of TCE using Populus Table 1: Types of Phytoremediation Systems Treatment Method Mechanism Media Rhizofiltration Uptake of metals in plant roots surface water and water pumped through troughs Phytotransformation Plant uptake and degradation of surface water, groundwater organics Plant-Assisted Enhanced microbial degradation in soils, groundwater within the Bioremediation the rhizosphere rhizosphere Phytoextraction Uptake and concentration of metals soils via direct uptake into plant tissue with subsequent removal of the plants Phytostabilization Root exudates cause metals to soils, groundwater, mine tailings precipitate and become less bioavailable Phytovolatilization Plant evapotranspirates selenium, soils, groundwater mercury, and volatile organics Removal of organics from Leaves take up volatile organics air the air Vegetative Caps Rainwater is evapotranspirated by soils plants to prevent leaching contaminants from disposal sites Source: Adapted from Miller ( 1996 ) and Workshop on Phytoremediation of Organic Contaminants ( 1997 ) Even though phytoremediation appears to have limited application, researchers in industry, academia, and government are looking into phytoremediation as a useful treatment technology. In fact, a number of companies that offer phytoremediation technologies have been started in the last few years, and many larger consulting firms are beginning to offer phytoremediation services as well. Appendix A lists many of these companies, but this list is not complete; there are likely many more companies who either currently offer phytoremediation services or will offer them in the near future. Again, since phytoremediation covers a broad spectrum of pollutants and treatments, many of these companies focus most of their attention on one niche of the phytoremediation field ( e.g., metal extraction from soils, poplar tree buffers, etc. ). Most of the phytoremediation companies...