Pros and Cons of Phytoremediation

I am currently working on phytoremediation and I had asked my guide for the pros and cons of this method of pollution reduction. Here is what she told me and most of what she said can be found in many books which speak about phytoremediation too.

As with most new technologies phytoremediation has many pro’s and cons. When compared to other traditional methods of environmental remediation it becomes clearer what the detailed advantages and disadvantages actually are.

Advantages of phytoremediation compared to classical remediation:

1. It is more economically viable using the same tools and supplies as agriculture.
2. It is less disruptive to the environment and does not involve waiting got the new plant communities to re-colonize the site.
3. Disposal sites are not needed.
4. It is more likely to be accepted by the public as it is more aesthetically pleasing then traditional methods.
5. It avoids excavation and transport of polluted media thus reducing the risk of spreading contamination.
6. It has the potential to treat sites polluted with more than one type of pollutant.

Disadvantages of phytoremediation compared to classical remediation

1. It is dependant on the growing conditions required by the plant (i.e. climate, geology, altitude, temperature).
2. Large scale operations require access to agricultural equipment and knowledge.
3. Success is dependant on the tolerance of the plant to the pollutant.
4. Contaminants colleted in senescing tissue may be released back into the environment in autumn.
5. Contaminants may be collected in woody tissues used as fuel.
6. Time taken to remediate sites far exceeds that of other technologies.
7. Contaminant solubility may be increased leading to greater environmental damage and the possibility of leaching.

The low cost of phytoremediation (up to 1000 times cheaper than excavation and reburial) is the main advantage of phytoremediation, however many of the pro’s and con’s of phytoremediation applications depend greatly on the location of the polluted site, the contaminants in question and the application of phytoremediation