Types of Want to learn more about Phytoremediation? Phytoremediation: Phytoremediation using plants to treat U.S. Environmental Protection Agency environmental pollution The method of phytoremediation used www.clu-in.org/download/citizens/citphyto.pdf depends on the type and amount of www.epa.gov/tio/download/remed/ The term phytoremediation comes from the phytotechnologies-factsheet.pdf pollution, as well as what type of area it is Ancient Greek word phyto meaning “plant” found in. U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Latin word remedium meaning www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jun00/soil0600.htm “restoring balance.” It is a technology that • Phytoextraction: plants take up metal pollutants and are then harvested for U.S. Geological Survey uses plants to treat environmental pollution disposal toxics.usgs.gov/definitions/phytoremediation.html problems. Plants are used either to remove or to stabilize (hold in place) pollution in the soil. • Phytostabilization: plants stabilize United Nations Environment Programme metal or organic (carbon-containing) www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/freshwater/fms7/index.asp pollutants in the soil near their roots Scitable by Nature Education www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/ • Phytodegradation: organic pollutants phytoremediation-17359669 are changed into something less toxic or non-toxic, either by the plant itself, or by Brought to you by: reactions caused by bacteria in the root zone of the plant • Phytovolatilization: plants take up metal or organic pollutants and change them to gas that is released into the air Dean Carter Binational Center

Establishing healthy soil: The ultimate goal is to use When soil is highly polluted, it can be for Environmental Health Sciences plants to reduce the risk of hard for any plants to grow. The site may require special preparation first, to Was this information helpful? human exposure. establish healthy soil. Additions such as Please give us feedback at: Compared to other methods used to remove compost, manure, fertilizers, limestone, www.superfund.pharmacy.arizona.edu/content/ informational-materials toxic substances from soils, phytoremediation gypsum, and/or irrigation may be required for plants to grow. is often less expensive, although it may take For further info, please contact: a long time. Another benefit is that it covers Denise Moreno Ramírez the site with an attractive layer of plants that Community Engagement Coordinator How long prevents wind and water from carrying the 1110 East South Campus Drive pollution to other places. Tucson, Arizona 85721 will cleanup take? Tel.: 520.429.1428, Fax.: 520.626.7171 E-mail: [email protected] This depends on factors that are different www.binational.pharmacy.arizona.edu Two common strategies for at every site: what kind of pollution is www.superfund.pharmacy.arizona.edu present, and how much there is, which phytoremediaton are: phytoremediation method is chosen, and Author(s) Corin Hammond, Dr. Sarah Wilkinson Expert Reviewer(s) Dr. Rufus Chaney (USDA), Dr. Raina Maier Phytoextraction what type of plants are used. Phytostabilization

October, 2012 Plant selection: What is What is critical for success Phytoextraction? Phytostabilization?

Picking the right plant for the job is important! The goal of phytoextraction is to use The goal of phytostabilization is to Some factors to consider are: plants to remove metal pollutants stabilize metal or organic pollution Plant Accumulation: from the soil. in the soil with a lasting cover of When plants take up water through their 1. Plant types are plants. roots in polluted soils, they can also take selected for high 1. Plant types are accumulation of up toxic substances. In this way, plants can selected for metals. low accumulate (store) pollutants in roots, stems, accumulation of a and/or leaves. Some plants are very good at 2. As plants grow, pollutant. this, while other plants accumulate very little. they collect and store 2. As plants grow, metals in stems and/ they change and Scientists can test plants and calculate an or leaves. “accumulation factor” (AF): stabilize the soil, 3. Pollutant-rich which helps prevent pollution taken up into plant plants are then wind and water harvested. transport of soil and pollution in soil pollutants. 4. These plants can A plant with a high AF takes up pollution into be disposed of as 3. Eventually, a layer above-ground parts of the plant, and is good hazardous waste. of plants can keep for phytoextraction. Alternatively, they can be burned for energy, growing without help. A plant with a low AF does not take up much which allows metals to be recovered and recycled. pollution, and is good for phytostabilization. Phytostabilization is a good option when Phytoextraction is a good option if pollution pollution is not moving underground, but Use of Native Plants: is moving and spreading in the soil or water might be spreading in the air. It is also a good beneath the ground and the only way to stop option for large land areas in which there There are several advantages to using native is too much polluted soil to be removed. In plants for phytoremediation: it is to remove it. It is also a good option for smaller land areas, or if a polluted site is addition, wildlife can safely eat the plants, • Maintains local heritage of plants located on a valuable area of land. due to low accumulation of pollutants. • Restores biodiversity (variety of natural Phytoextraction requires long-term Phytostabilization requires the growth of a plant and animal life) to a damaged area maintenance and routine harvesting of the healthy and strong layer of plants before • Requires less maintainance, as plants are plants, as well as safe disposal of polluted human activity can resume on the land being already adapted to the environment plant materials. Phytoextraction does not treated. work for lead, but can be effective for arsenic, cadmium, and nickel. Variety of Plants: Selection of a variety of plant types (grasses, shrubs, and trees) helps to improve coverage of the area and develop a more robust ecosystem.