Experimental Investigation of Phytoreclamation of contaminated sites

This book focuses on an experimental investigation into applying phytoremediation for the reclamation of sites affected by sewage sludge. Two study sites one within the area of the Thessaloniki WWTP Greece which receives sludge for temporary deposition and the other within the area of the WWTP in Kharkiv Ukraine which is an area with dewatering sludge lagoons were selected for the investigation. Both sites are characterised by a similar sludge problem in that both have an accumulation of sludge which is not further utilised. The research was based on treatability studies which tested the suitability of several herbaceous and woody plant species for sludge phytoreclamation under laboratory and field conditions. The results showed that there is no need to add any amendments to the old sludge in lagoons. However recently produced sludge needs to be amended prior to any phytoremediation system being installed. Taking into account both the high levels of concentration of the majority of metals in the tissue of plants and the rate of reduction of the corresponding metals in the sludge Brassica napus Medicago sativa Zea mays Populus alba are suggested being the best suited.