PHYTOREMEDIATION
My semester project is dealing with Phytoremediation. This is the process
of using plants to remove pollutants from the environment. Some other students
and I have been doing several trails that involve plants. We have
put Europium( which is like Uranium but is not as toxic) in the water.
We also put plants in the water with the europium in there. If everything
goes well the plants should absorb the europium from the water.
These are some of the different plants there are and their functions.
Alfalfa- Symbolic with hydrocarbon degrading bacteria
Tomatoes- Accumulates lead and zinc
Bladder campaign- Accumulates zinc and copper
Buxaceae and Euphorbiaceae- Accumulates nickel
Some of the metals that are targeted for Phytoremediation are lead, cadmium, chromium, and others. The plant tissue is easily and safely processed by drying, ashing or composting. Some metals can be reclaimed from the ash, which further reduces generation of hazardous waste and generates recycling revenues.
Water Treatment
-Advantages
Takes advantage of the natural ecosystem
No unpleasant odor in the greenhouse
Lower initial and annual costs 
-Disadvantages
No large scale
Limitations of plant tolerance
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