Phytoremediation Potential of Fast-Growing Energy Plants: Challenges and Perspectives – a Review

Abstract

Contamination of soil by toxic elements is a global issue of growing importance due to the increased anthropogenic impact on the natural environment. Conventional methods of soil decontamination possess disadvantages in forms of environmental and financial burdens. This fact leads to the search for alternative approaches of remediation of contaminated sites. One such approach includes phytoremediation. Phytoremediation advantages consist of low costs and small environmental impact. Several fast-growing energy plant species are suitable for phytoremediation purposes. Our article focuses on the phytoremediation potential of energy woody crops of Salix and Populus, and energy grasses Miscanthus and Arundo, which are grown primarily for biomass production. This approach links the environmentally friendly and economically less demanding remediation approach with the production of the local sustainable form of energy that decreases dependency on external energy supplies. Energy plants are able to provide high biomass yields in a short period of time, they are resistant against abiotic stress conditions and have the ability to accumulate toxic substances, thus helping to restore the desirable soil properties. The phytoremediation research is very interdisciplinary in its nature. In order to implement phytoremediation practices together with bioenergy successfully, it is crucial to involve site owners, local people, farmers, technology providers and consultants, remediation experts, sustainability assessors, regulatory agencies and certification bodies, biorefineries, financial sponsors, NGOs and other voluntary organizations. Some disadvantages and challenges of phytoremediation are also indicated.

The Monitoring of Selected Heavy Metals Content and Bioavailability in the Soil-Plant System and Its Impact on Sustainability in Agribusiness Food Chains

“…Soil contamination can damage and cause deterioration of water quality and have a negative impact on the environment [24][25][26]. Many studies have found that land-use change [27], cultivated plants, surrounding transport networks and hydrology of the territory [28,29], diversity of land use [30], and different ways of maintaining the soil are related to soil contamination [27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”

<i>In vitro</i> Germination and Phytoremediation Potential of Endemic Plant Species <i>Verbascum phrygium</i> Bornm. Growing under Zinc Stress

“…Heavy metal pollution caused by human facilities is a global problem in both terrestrial and aquatic environments systems [1][2]. The release of large amounts of hazardous waste, heavy metals and pollutants into the environment by mining, agriculture, textile, industrial and human activities causes pollution on the ecosystem [1,[3][4]. Phytoremediation is a new technology that uses plants to clean-up polluted environments [1,[5][6].…”

“…The selection of suitable plants for remediation is an important factor for solving the heavy metal pollution. These contaminated areas can be remediated by plants that accumulate heavy metal in their aerial parts [1,3,[7][8][9][10].…”

The Factors Affecting Farmland Rental Prices in Slovakia

“…For example, a large fragmentation of land ownership negatively affects the land market and restricts the sale of agricultural land, which in turn increases land rent [26]. It leads to the creation of large production blocks and consequently to the homogenization of land use, with a negative impact on sustainable land use and biodiversity [27,28]. Moreover, the minimum size of land stipulated by law has led to increased co-ownership of land [29].…”