Woody biomass phytoremediation of contaminated brownfield land.
Economic and environmental regeneration of post-industrial landscapes frequently involves some element of re-afforestation or tree planting. We report field trials that evaluate whether woody biomass production is compatible with managing residual trace element contamination in brownfield soils. Large-scale mapping of contamination showed a heterogenous dispersion of metals and arsenic, and highly localised within-site hotspots. Yields of Salix, Populus and Alnus were economically viable, showing that short-rotation coppice has a potentially valuable role in community forestry. Mass balance modelling demonstrated that phytoextraction potentially could reduce contamination hotspots of more mobile elements (Cd and Zn) within a 25-30-year life cycle of the crops. Cd and Zn in stems and foliage of Salix were 4-13 times higher than EDTA-extractable soil concentrations. Lability of other trace elements (As, Pb, Cu, Ni) was not increased 3 years after planting the coppice; woody biomass may provide an effective reduction of exposure (phyto-stabilization) to these less mobile contaminants.
French
Christopher J
CJ
School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.
Dickinson
Nicholas M
NM
Putwain
Philip D
PD
D029661:Alnus; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D003300:Copper; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D016468:Forestry; D007221:Industry; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D032107:Populus; D032108:Salix; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013997:Time Factors; D015032:Zinc
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc