title: Short rotation coppice culture of willows and poplars as energy crops on metal contaminated agricultural soils.
abstract: Phytoremediation, more precisely phytoextraction, has been placed forward as an environmental friendly remediation technique, that can gradually reduce increased soil metal concentrations, in particular the bioavailable fractions. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of growing willows and poplars under short rotation coppice (SRC) on an acid, poor, sandy metal contaminated soil, to combine in this way soil remediation by phytoextraction on one hand, and production of biomass for energy purposes on the other. Above ground biomass productivities were low for poplars to moderate for willows, which was not surprising, taking into account the soil conditions that are not very favorable for growth of these trees. Calculated phytoextraction efficiency was much longer for poplars than these for willows. We calculated that for phytoextraction in this particular case it would take at least 36 years to reach the legal threshold values for cadmium, but in combination with production of feedstock for bioenergy processes, this type of land use can offer an alternative income for local farmers. Based on the data of the first growing cycle, for this particular case, SRC of willows should be recommended.
authors: Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Ruttens
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Boulet
authors: Nele
authors: N
authors: Weyens
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Smeets
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Adriaensen
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Meers
authors: Stijn
authors: S
authors: Van Slycken
authors: Filip
authors: F
authors: Tack
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Meiresonne
authors: Theo
authors: T
authors: Thewys
authors: Nele
authors: N
authors: Witters
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Carleer
authors: Joke
authors: J
authors: Dupae
authors: Jaco
authors: J
authors: Vangronsveld
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D032107:Populus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D059205:Renewable Energy; D032108:Salix / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium