Introduction to Phytoremediation - CLU-IN

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology that uses
various plants to degrade, extract, contain, or immobilize
contaminants from soil and water. This technology has been
receiving attention lately as an innovative, cost-effective
alternative to the more established treatment methods used
at hazardous waste sites.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks
to protect human health and the environment from risks
associated with hazardous waste sites, while encouraging
development of innovative technologies such as
phytoremediation to more efficiently clean up these sites.
This document reports the results of phytoremediation
efforts as originally reported by researchers. No attempts
were made to validate data obtained from the literature.
1.1 Objectives
The objectives of this report are as follows:
• Provide an educational tool for site regulators, owners,
neighbors, and managers to evaluate the applicability
of phytoremediation to a site. Phytoremediation projects
have been proposed or applied to ecosystem restoration
and soil, surface water, groundwater, and sediment
remediation. This document identifies and defines
phytoremediation technologies, and provides a guide
to current research to aid in evaluation of proposed
phytoremediation applications.
• Develop a format that is accessible to EPA and state
regulators and others who need to evaluate alternate
remedial technologies, as well as to site owners, project
managers, consultants, contractors, and students who
are interested in basic information.
• Evaluate the various phytoremediation processes (e.g.,
phytodegradation, rhizofiltration, hydraulic control).
• Present phytoremediation system characteristics that
site managers and others might find useful in assessing
the potential applicability of phytoremediation to a
specific site.
• Present case studies illustrating field applications of
phytoremediation.
Chapter 1
Introduction
1
• Provide a detailed bibliography of additional resources for
those interested in learning more about phytoremediation.
• Provide access to general information on various resource
applications. However, it should be noted that
this document is not a design manual and is not intended
to provide enough information to engineer and
install any phytoremediation application.
• Provide a guide for research, development, and regulation,
and identify areas of needed research. Through
the compilation of published and unpublished work, research
repetition can be avoided, and areas of opportunity
that need attention should be clear.
1.2 Approach
The following approach was used to compile and summarize
information on phytoremediation processes:
• Conduct a comprehensive literature search.
• Contact contractors and researchers to obtain information
on phytoremediation applications and cost.
• Review and evaluate existing research and field applications
of current phytoremediation projects.
• Assemble a compilation of research and remedial work
that has been performed to date.
• Use the resources of the Internet to both gather and
disseminate information. The creators of this document
have written their sections so that they can be regularly
updated to keep them relevant as the technology
changes. This document may be accessed on the
Internet “www.clu-in.org”.
1.3 Report Organization
This report has been designed to provide quick access to
information on the various phytoremediation processes and
associated information as follows:
• Chapter 2 provides an overview of phytoremediation including
applications, limits, cost information, and regulatory
concerns. Ecosystem restoration as it applies to
phytoremediation processes is also discussed.