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Review of Phytoremediation Technologies for Radiological Contamination
Citation:
Sutton, M. AND S. Lee. Review of Phytoremediation Technologies for Radiological Contamination. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-21/063, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
This study report identified key documents in regard to practical experiences in field-deployed phytoremediation efforts in the US, the Former Soviet Union and Japan, with considerations to site preparation and maintenance, remediation effectiveness and waste management. Recommendations are provided for candidate plant species based on the literature review, and technical gaps are identified.
Description:
Phytoremediation is an integrated approach applied to the cleanup of contaminated soils that combines the disciplines of plant physiology, soil chemistry, and soil microbiology, offering a viable method of stabilizing and removing contamination with significantly less cost than alternatives such as excavation or pump-and-treat methods. Initially deployed to address organic and heavy metal contamination of soils and groundwater, the application of phytoremediation has expanded over recent years to include mitigation of radionuclide contamination. A relatively large volume of literature exists evaluating the feasibility of plant species to effectively remove actinide and fission product radiological contamination in the environment. Key documents are identified in regard to practical experiences in field-deployed phytoremediation efforts in the US, the Former Soviet Union and Japan, with considerations to site preparation and maintenance, remediation effectiveness and waste management. Recommendations are provided for candidate plant species based on the literature review, and technical gaps are identified.