Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil and Water [Hardcover]

Norman Terry (Editor), Gary S. Banuelos (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1566704502 | ISBN-13: 978-1566704502 | Edition: 1

Phytoremediation is an exciting, new technology that utilizes metal-accumulating plants to rid soil of heavy metal and radionuclides. Hyperaccumulation plants are an appealing and economical alternative to current methods of soil recovery. Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil and Water is the most thorough literary examination of the subject available today.
The successful implementation of phytoremediation depends on identifying plant material that is well adapted to specific toxic sites. Gentle remediation is then applied in situ, or at the contamination site. No soil excavation or transport is necessary. This severely contains the potential risk of the pollutants entering the food chain. And it's cost effective.
The progress of modern man has created many sites contaminated with heavy metals. The effected land is toxic to plants and animals , which creates considerable public interest in remediation. But the commonly used remedies are ex situ, which poses an expensive dilemma and an even greater threat. Phytoremediation offers the prospect of a cheaper and healthier way to deal with this problem. Read Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil and Water to learn just how far this burgeoning technology has developed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Those working in the field will find this book to be an important compilation of current work. The editors and authors have made a significant contribution to the field by making these papers available in this form.
--Larry E. Erickson, in Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 74, No. 3

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press; 1 edition (September 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566704502
• ISBN-13: 978-1566704502
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,023,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars phytoremediation, January 3, 2001

By 

rashmi nigam (seattle, U.P INDIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil and Water (Hardcover)

One of the technologies being tested in the AATDF program is phytoremediation, or vegetation-enhanced bioremediation, of fuel-contaminated soil. Traditional biological land treatment of fuel-contaminated soil can often result in final concentrations that do not meet clean-up criteria. One potential approach for the long-term management of fuel-contaminated soils is the establishment of vegetation, because the presence of vegetation may enhance the biodegradation of contaminants. Vegetation may directly aid biodegradation by accumulating, metabolizing, or volatilizing contaminants, as in the example of vegetation that hyper-accumulates metals. Vegetation may indirectly enhance biodegradation of contaminants through the action of rhizosphere microflora. Rhizosphere microflora are supported by exudates, such as carbohydrates and amino acids, released through plant roots and decaying vegetation. High microbial biomass and high microbial activity are associated with the rhizosphere, which may increase the biodegradation of organic contaminants relative to non-rhizosphere soil microflora. Phytoremediation may be especially suitable for shallow, contaminated soils, especially if it is used as a long-term, low-maintenance, low-cost remedial method.

Some investigators, however, believe the beneficial effects of phytoremediation have been over-stated. The effect of vegetation on biodegradation might range from enhancing biodegradation to having no effect or even negative impacts. There is a dearth of quantitative field data on the effectiveness of phytoremediation, especially relative to actively-managed land treatment of contaminated soils. For these reasons, DOD/AATDF decided to fund a field test of phytoremediation. The data from this field test should supply information about the effectiveness of vegetation for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soils. The technology may provide a cost-effective alternative for soils management for the DOD.