Enhanced Phytoremediation: A Review of Low Molecular Weight Organic Acids and Surfactants Used as Amendments

Abstract

The contamination of soils with inorganic and organic pollutants is a diffuse environmental issue of significant relevance. Phytoremediation has been proposed as an economically feasible and sustainable remediation technology even if low bioavailability of contaminants constitutes one of the main limitations restricting the success of phytotechnologies. To overcome this constraint the addition of biodegradable amendments has been recently proposed in alternative to synthetic ones. This article presents an overview of two types of biodegradable soil amendments: low molecular weight organic acids and surfactants, evaluating the feasibility of their application in the frame of soil remediation throughout enhanced phytoremediation.

KEYWORDS:

• heavy metals
• organic amendments
• phytoextraction
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• rhizodegradation
• soil remediation