Phytoremediation — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

1996: Aberdeen poplars followed source removal.
2021: EPA community guide.
Extraction moves mass; stabilisation limits movement.
Metals are transferred or transformed in form, not biodegraded away.
Roots, time, biomass and monitoring constrain performance.

2-Minute Revision

Match evaluation to the mechanism. Harvested uptake can support removal if biomass is managed; stabilisation can reduce exposure while retaining the inventory. Some organic compounds transform through plant/root-zone processes. Hydraulic control affects groundwater movement. Depth, climate, toxicity and establishment time limit transferability. A greener site is not a cleanup certificate.

5-Minute Revision

Draw soil, groundwater, roots, shoots and harvested biomass as separate compartments. Place a hypothetical hundred-unit metal inventory in the diagram and track ten units into a managed harvest. List the measurements needed to locate the remainder. Then contrast the success criterion for stabilisation with that for extraction.

Vyyuha Quick Recall

Fate, fit, time, residue, evidence.