Meagher Laboratory

Why use phytoremediaton instead of bacterial bioremediation or conventional physical remediation methods such as excavation and reburial or capping?
1. Plants control 80% of the energy in most ecosystems and do not need external energy sources.

a. photosystem I makes NADPH
b. reduce CO2 and make large biomass
c. can reduce toxic metal ions

2. Plants grow extensive root systems (100 million miles/acre/yr).

a. Plants mine 16 metals for normal growth
b. Some plants hyperaccumulate heavy metals
c. Some plants degrade toxic organic chemicals

3. Phytoremediation is a sound support to bacterial remediaton methods and an ecologically sound alternative or amendment to environmentally destructive physical remediation methods such as excavation and reburial, incineration, or capping of toxic sediments.

4. Phytoremediation is affordable on the grand scale needed for marginal land reclamation and cleaning the water in lakes, streams, and marshes.

5. Phytoremediation is rapidly gaining support from the US EPA and is viewed by the public as a "Green" solution to our environmental problems.