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 Phytoremediation is a specific kind of bioremediation that uses plants to remove contaminants from the air, water, or soil. The plants used in phytoremediation can be harvested and the absorbed toxins can therefore be completely disposed of in a responsible manner.
This method of remediation is suitable for applications where other kinds of remediation strategies would be impossible, for example where the particles or materials are too fine or unstable to be removed mechanically. Other kinds of phytoremediation practices include those that use plants to absorb toxins from soil or water, which are then released into the air via evapotranspiration, and rhizofiltration where bacteria on plant rhizomes assist in the disposal of toxins.
The plants used in phytoremediation vary according to the substance of particle for removal, and the unique abilities of particular plants to take up particular contaminants. The plants are all hyperaccumulators, and can bioaccumulate, degrade or render harmless the contaminants that they take up. Common plants used in phytoremediation are members of the Brassica (mustard) family, Helianthus Sp. (sunflowers) and members of the Populus (poplar) family. Phytoremediative tactics are the subject of ongoing research and experimentation.
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Source: WhatWow
 Computational fluid dynamics simulation result of phytoremediation of the Suzhou Creek ecosystem.Example project – Ecosystem revitalization in Shanghai
The winner of the Holcim Awards “Next Generation” 1st prize 2008 for Asia Pacific focuses on the revitalization of a degraded ecosystem in Shanghai. The Heart of Suzhou Creek ecosystem revitalization, project in Shanghai, China is developed under the attempt of removing one part of the great levees. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation on the flooding situation and the simulation after the design would have an important role to evaluate the fluid dynamic situation.
The project analyzed the impacts of flooding and pollution on this important waterway. Inspired by the workings of the heart, the visionary idea involves diverting water into a landscaped texture which controls the varying water level and purifies its content by a process of phytoremediation.
The phytoremediation process utilizes a variety of plant types to perform various functions:
- phytostabilization - riparian trees - dense root network to limit the bioavailability of pollutants
- rhizofiltation - medado, mustard, sunflower - absorb industrial discharges and wastewater, fixing the organic or inorganic waste
- phytoextraction - cabbage, switchgrass, spinach - hyperaccumulators that remove heavy metals
- phytovolatilization - hybrid poplar - rapid growth rate absorbs toxins more quickly
- phytodegradation - pond - provides long-term remediation to remove organic waste
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