Phytoremediation Research

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Engineer Research and Development Center | EL Homepage | Search EL

Points of Contact for Phytoremediation Research:
Dr. Elly P.H. Best or Richard A. Price

Phytoremediation is the use of green plants to remove, contain, or render harmless environmental contaminants. It is a promising technology that addresses clean-up of organic solvents, PCBs, heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, explosives and energetics, or nutrients.

The key physiological processes in phytoremediation include:

Stimulation of microorganism-based transformation by plant exudates and leachates, and by fluctuating oxygen regimes
Slowing of contaminant transport from the vegetated zone due to adsorption and increased evapotranspiration
Plant uptake, followed by metabolism or accumulation

Phytoremediation Research Projects at WES involve

Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, Burlington, Iowa
Milan Army Ammunition Plant, Milan, Tennessee
Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Program Documentation

Phytoremediation Background
Team Members of Expertise
Phytoremediation /Research Briefs and Publications
Phyto-Engineering Poster

Comments / Whom to contact
Privacy and Security Notice
Webdate: August 1997
Updated: August 2004