2
Phytotechnology with Biomass Production
has features that can be nurtured in order to improve soil quality and crop
productivity. Stewardship of soil and the restoration of contaminated sites
are important in many countries.
The soil scientist characterizes soil in terms of physical properties such
as particle size distribution, chemical properties such as pH and percent
nitrogen (N), and biological properties such as number of microorganisms
per gram of soil. Soil quality depends on having a desirable amount of many
different substances in soil.
1.1.1 Soil Contamination
This book has a focus on phytotechnologies for contaminated sites. The
NATO funding for multiyear research project of the Science for Peace and
Security Program (SPS MYP) #G4687 entitled Phytotechnology for Cleaning
Contaminated Military Sites has a goal to improve the economics of phytoremediation by producing plant biomass that has economic value. There are
many locations in the world which are contaminated with substances in the
soil that reduce the value of the products that are harvested because yield is
reduced or the products are of lower quality. In some cases, health and safety
issues may prevent the land from being used for the production of food and
feed crops. Risk reduction is one of the important issues in many locations
where contaminants are present.
There is value in approaching the topics in this book using a sustainability
approach in which social value, environmental quality, and economic benefits are all considered to be important. Each site with contamination has the
potential to be improved such that it can be used productively for the benefit of society. Many investigators have reported on their efforts to develop
methods and approaches that advance the science and engineering associated with phytotechnologies. One of the goals of this book is to collect and
write about some of these developments.
The research site at Fort Riley, Kansas, where Miscanthus has been established has lead in soil. Because of its use for military purposes, lead in soil is
a contaminant of concern at a number of military sites. At a research site at
Dolyna, Ukraine, there are other inorganic contaminants in the soil.
Petroleum contaminated soil is common on military lands and at sites
where vehicles are refueled. Petroleum refineries often have one or more
contaminated areas. Pipeline spills are commonly found in many countries, and the spill may be due to military operations designed to disrupt
supplies. Pesticides are often contaminants of concern on military lands
and at other locations.
There are many locations where mining operations have ended with land
that needs to be restored to better quality. Minerals, coal, lime, and other
products are mined to obtain useful raw materials, but there are other solid
residues that remain at the site. These mine tailings are often an important
challenge in efforts to improve soil quality.
Phytotechnology with Biomass Production
has features that can be nurtured in order to improve soil quality and crop
productivity. Stewardship of soil and the restoration of contaminated sites
are important in many countries.
The soil scientist characterizes soil in terms of physical properties such
as particle size distribution, chemical properties such as pH and percent
nitrogen (N), and biological properties such as number of microorganisms
per gram of soil. Soil quality depends on having a desirable amount of many
different substances in soil.
1.1.1 Soil Contamination
This book has a focus on phytotechnologies for contaminated sites. The
NATO funding for multiyear research project of the Science for Peace and
Security Program (SPS MYP) #G4687 entitled Phytotechnology for Cleaning
Contaminated Military Sites has a goal to improve the economics of phytoremediation by producing plant biomass that has economic value. There are
many locations in the world which are contaminated with substances in the
soil that reduce the value of the products that are harvested because yield is
reduced or the products are of lower quality. In some cases, health and safety
issues may prevent the land from being used for the production of food and
feed crops. Risk reduction is one of the important issues in many locations
where contaminants are present.
There is value in approaching the topics in this book using a sustainability
approach in which social value, environmental quality, and economic benefits are all considered to be important. Each site with contamination has the
potential to be improved such that it can be used productively for the benefit of society. Many investigators have reported on their efforts to develop
methods and approaches that advance the science and engineering associated with phytotechnologies. One of the goals of this book is to collect and
write about some of these developments.
The research site at Fort Riley, Kansas, where Miscanthus has been established has lead in soil. Because of its use for military purposes, lead in soil is
a contaminant of concern at a number of military sites. At a research site at
Dolyna, Ukraine, there are other inorganic contaminants in the soil.
Petroleum contaminated soil is common on military lands and at sites
where vehicles are refueled. Petroleum refineries often have one or more
contaminated areas. Pipeline spills are commonly found in many countries, and the spill may be due to military operations designed to disrupt
supplies. Pesticides are often contaminants of concern on military lands
and at other locations.
There are many locations where mining operations have ended with land
that needs to be restored to better quality. Minerals, coal, lime, and other
products are mined to obtain useful raw materials, but there are other solid
residues that remain at the site. These mine tailings are often an important
challenge in efforts to improve soil quality.