Phytoremediation of oil-contaminated soils

Abstract

Phytoremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils is an evolving technology.It is an effective and low-cost alternative to most engineering techniques and traditional bioremediation methods. Given that petroleum hydrocarbons are amenable to microbial degradation and that phytoremediation often involves enhanced microbial degradation of organic contaminants in the rhizosphere, oil contaminated soils are considered to be good candidates for phytoremediation. Nevertheless, despite the flexibility and adaptability that various plant-associated remediation pathways provide, interactions among these pathways as well as the biochemical and ecological interactions among the plant/microbe/environment continuum give rise to a high level of complexity surrounding phytoremediation. Understanding this complexity is crucial to the success of any phytoremediation effort. This chapter discusses the key processes involved in phytoremediation, its promises and limitations, and its applicability to the harsh environments—semi-arid, short growing season, and long, cold winters—characteristic of the oil and gas producing regions of western Canada. However, phytoremediation is slower than ex situ methods and not an appropriate solution where the target contaminant presents an immediate danger to human health or the environment.