Critical aspect on scaling up phytoremediation processes

MERINI, LJ; GIULIETTI, AM

Potrero de Funes, San Luis

Congreso; XLVII Reunión Anual Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2011

SAIB

Despite the promising results obtained on herbicides phytoremediation at lab scale, they are not in correlation with the successful field scale projects. When lab data is scaled up, researchers face new paradigms to cope with. So, in the lab scale performance, it is necessary to hold a global vision about the complexity and dynamism of phytoremediation. In this context, the selection and design of the experimental system are critical. In a first stage, it is necessary to consider the soil properties and the characteristics of the process, in order to select the analytical method to assess the contamination level and monitor the process. The experimental systems can be: cell cultures, organ cultures, hydroponics and microcosms. In a second stage, the selection and management of the biological agents are the main aspects to be considered. The sole presence of plants is an advantage since they generate a microenvironment favorable for microbial activity and usually reduce the run-off and leaching of the contaminant. In a third stage, the scaling up requires engineering to deal with large amounts of soil. Although the low cost is the main advantages of phytoremediation, field scale projects involve large budgets. So, full scale phytoremediation projects imply an interdisciplinary approach, which include from biochemistry and agronomy to engineering, legislation and economy aspects.