Which remediation technique uses plants to extract or stabilize contaminants in soil?

Which remediation technique uses plants to extract or stabilize contaminants in soil?

• A. Thermal desorption
• B. Incineration
• C. Phytoremediation
• D. Chemical stabilization

Answer: (C)

Phytoremediation uses plants to extract or stabilize contaminants in soil. Plants can take up metals and other pollutants through their roots and store them in shoots (phytoextraction) or immobilize them in the root zone, reducing mobility and leaching (phytostabilization). This approach is often done in place (in situ), making it relatively inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and capable of restoring soil health while avoiding extensive soil disturbance. Other remediation methods rely on non-biological processes: heating soil to vaporize contaminants (thermal desorption), burning contaminated material (incineration), or adding chemicals to immobilize pollutants (chemical stabilization). These do not involve living plants, which is why they don’t fit the concept described.

Phytoremediation uses plants to extract or stabilize contaminants in soil. Plants can take up metals and other pollutants through their roots and store them in shoots (phytoextraction) or immobilize them in the root zone, reducing mobility and leaching (phytostabilization). This approach is often done in place (in situ), making it relatively inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and capable of restoring soil health while avoiding extensive soil disturbance.

Other remediation methods rely on non-biological processes: heating soil to vaporize contaminants (thermal desorption), burning contaminated material (incineration), or adding chemicals to immobilize pollutants (chemical stabilization). These do not involve living plants, which is why they don’t fit the concept described.