The Potential Use of Phytoremediation for Sites With Mixed Organic and Inorganic Contamination

Abstract

Contaminated sites often contain a mixture of different organic and inorganic compounds that necessitate a more complex remediation process. The authors review the use of phytoremediation for both inorganic and organic substances and consider the evidence for the applicability of the use of plants for the remediation of mixed contaminant sites. The literature suggests that the interaction between plant and microbial communities within the rhizosphere is critical to remediation success and the use of diverse communities may further enhance this potential, but a specific understanding of function within the community is required before this can be achieved.

KEY WORDS:

• biodiversity
• metals
• microorganisms
• organic pollutants
• rhizosphere

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank English Partnerships and CL:AIRE for funding the PhD research of Colette Dolan, part of which contributed to this review.