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Rhizofiltration |
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Rhizofiltration is very similar to phytoextraction and is also a popular choice of phytomediation. In this process the plants used for clean up are raised in greenhouses with their roots in the water. This system pumps contaminated groundwater to the surface to irrigate the plants. Typically this system utilizes an artificial soil medium such as sand. As the roots become saturated with contaminants, they are harvested and disposed of. |
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The most commonly used type of tree is the poplar tree. The US Air Force has used them to contain trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater. |
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The US Army Corps of Engineers has experimented with wetland plants to destroy explosive compounds in the soil and groundwater. They have found that submersed and floating-leafed species (coontail, pondweed, and arrowhead) descreased TNT concentrations to 5% of the original. |
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Sunflowers were successfully used to remove radioactive contaminants from pond water in a test at Chernobyl, Ukraine after the tragic nuclear meltdown. |
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