REVIEW PAPER
Phytoremediation Potential of Fast-Growing
Energy Plants:
Challenges and Perspectives – a Review
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1
Department of Environmental Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia
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Department of Regional Bioenergetics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia
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Department of Regional Bioenergetics , Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia
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Department of EU Policies, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia
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Department of Environmentalistics and Natural Resources, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
Submission date: 2018-07-23
Final revision date: 2018-10-31
Acceptance date: 2018-12-15
Online publication date: 2019-09-10
Publication date: 2019-12-09
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(1):505-516
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ABSTRACT
Contamination of soil by toxic elements is a global issue of growing importance due to the increased
anthropogenic impact on the natural environment. Conventional methods of soil decontamination
possess disadvantages in forms of environmental and financial burdens. This fact leads to the search
for alternative approaches of remediation of contaminated sites. One such approach includes
phytoremediation. Phytoremediation advantages consist of low costs and small environmental impact.
Several fast-growing energy plant species are suitable for phytoremediation purposes. Our article focuses
on the phytoremediation potential of energy woody crops of Salix and Populus, and energy grasses
Miscanthus and Arundo, which are grown primarily for biomass production. This approach links the
environmentally friendly and economically less demanding remediation approach with the production
of the local sustainable form of energy that decreases dependency on external energy supplies. Energy
plants are able to provide high biomass yields in a short period of time, they are resistant against
abiotic stress conditions and have the ability to accumulate toxic substances, thus helping to restore the
desirable soil properties. The phytoremediation research is very interdisciplinary in its nature. In order
to implement phytoremediation practices together with bioenergy successfully, it is crucial to involve site
owners, local people, farmers, technology providers and consultants, remediation experts, sustainability
assessors, regulatory agencies and certification bodies, biorefineries, financial sponsors, NGOs and other
voluntary organizations. Some disadvantages and challenges of phytoremediation are also indicated.