A Review Article on Phytoremediation by Michelle Braceros

When using phytoremediation there are many positive and negative aspects to consider. The advantages and disadvantages are listed below.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Works on a variety on organic and inorganic compounds

May take several years to remediate

Can be either In Situ/ Ex Situ

May depend on climatic conditions


Easy to implement and maintain

Restricted to sites with shallow contamination within rooting zone

Low-cost compared to other treatment methods

Harvested biomass from phytoextraction may be classified as a RCRA hazardous waste

Environmentally Friendly and aesthetically pleasing to the public

Consumption of contaminated plant tissue is also a concern.

Reduces the amount wastes to be land filled

Possible effect on the food chain

             A major advantage that is listed above is the low cost. For example, the cost of cleaning up one acre of sandy loam soil at a depth of 50cm with plants is estimated at $60,000-$100,000 compared to $400,000 for the conventional excavation and disposal method. One reason for this low cost is phytoremediation may not require expensive equipment or highly specialized personnel, and can be relatively easy to implement. One major concern with phytoremediation is the possible affects on the food chain. For example vegetation is used that absorbs toxic or heavy metals and moles or voles eat the metal contaminated plants. The predators of the moles or voles then become victims of intoxication. All though the possibilities of such scenarios are being looked at, more fieldwork and analysis is necessary to understand the possible effects phytoremediation can have. (Todd Zynda , Michigan State University TAB Program)

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