Phytoremediation EPA Field Research

Phytoremediation and prior EPA Field demonstrated projects to remediate heavy metals proves Bioremediation is a viable and cost saving option for Radianuclides removal.
The EPA has previously listed about 194 ongoing Phytoremediation / bioremediation field research projects. Yr 2000

194 ongoing phytoremediation field research projects, EPA 

Heavy metals and radionuclides represent about 30% of this activity supporting that bioremediation is a feasible technology to decontaminate the environment. 

Unlike many organic contaminants most:

•  metals and radionuclides cannot be eliminated from the environment by chemical or biological transformation. 
• Although it may be possible to reduce the toxicity of certain metals by influencing their speciation, 
• they do not degrade and are persistent in the environment. 

The conventional remediation technologies that are used to clean heavy metal polluted environments are:

• soil in situ vitrification
• soil incineration
• excavation and landfill
• soil washing
• soil flushing
• solidification
• stabilization with electrokinetic systems 

Source: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology