Phytoremediation - A promising green solution for soil pollution
A new research project supported by the European Commission will make plant and microbe-based soil remediation technologies ready for practical site application.
Environmental pollution has become a severe concern and various contaminants have accumulated in water, air and soil. A major concern for soils is their acute and diffuse contamination by potentially toxic heavy metals. Metals cannot be degraded and remain in soil for decades or centuries, since they are partly strongly sorbed to the soil particles. A certain ‘labile’ fraction is also in the soil solution, and does constitute an exposure pathway to plant roots, microorganisms and soil animals. Over time, these elements can accumulate in the human food and this chain may cause chronic diseases in humans.
In the last 20 years, alternative gentle remediation technologies have been developed, these are based on the use of plants and their associated microbes. This option, called phytoremediation, saves and improves the soil quality, is relatively cheap, non invasive and aesthetically appealing. During phytoremediation, the pollutants are either extracted from the soil by accumulation in the plant or stabilized in the soil which reduces the bioavailable fraction of the metals and thus decreases the associated risks of groundwater or foodchain contamination. Although a lot of progress in the development of phytoremediation technologies has been achieved, their application as a practical site solution is still in its infancy, notably regarding the sustainability, the use of plant biomass as plant-based feedstock, the ecosystem services, and the socio-economic benefits.
A consortium of 17 partners (including 6 universities, 7 research institutes, 3 SMEs and one state authority) from 10 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom) will work together for four years to further develop phytoremediation and make it ready for practical site application. This project entitled “Gentle remediation of trace element contaminated land – GREENLAND” (FP7-KBBE-266124) is coordinated by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and supported by the European Commission.
Jurate Kumpiene
Consortium
A consortium of 17 partners (including 6 universities, 7 research institutes, 3 SMEs and a government agency) from 10 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden and the UK) will work together for four years to further develop phytoremediation technology and make it ready for practical application in the field. The project is called "Gentle remediation of trace element contaminated land - Greenland" (FP7-KBBE-266124) and is coordinated by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna) with the support of the European Commission.
Contact
Jurate Kumpiene
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-493020
- jurate.kumpiene@ltu.se
- Jurate Kumpiene
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