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CE 521 Environmental Biotechnology

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Term Paper Abstracts (Fall 2001):

Review of Phytoremediation Methods to Cleanup Heavy Metals in the Environment

 by Russell A. Persyn

 ABSTRACT

            Heavy metal contamination is a growing problem that has been a result of increased industrialization around the world.  In the United States, 63% of all National Priority List sites are contaminated with heavy metals, which have created a $1.0 to $2.0 billion market for environmental cleanup.  Many of the current remediation technologies require substantial site disturbance and cost.  Phytoremediation methods and performance were evaluated and presented in this paper.  Phytoremediation methods that were reviewed include phytoextraction, phytofiltration, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, and phytodegradation.  The overall use of phytoremediation methods to clean up hazardous waste sites appears to be very successful and has many potential extensions for future use.

Keywords:  heavy metals, phytoremediation, phytofiltration, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, and phytodegradation

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