Phytromediation a financial vaible option to remove Heavy Metals

Exerts from a EPA Study specifically state that the

 

Hemp for Income and Soil Remediation of Nuclear Waste in Bridgeton Missouri and the Cold Water Creek area of the St. Louis Region 

is  a viable and financially proven way to remove the heavy metal toxins from the soil at Bridgeton Landfill and Coldwater creek areas of the StLouis Region.

Economic Considerations Phytoremediation EPA Study Guide

Phytoextraction Financial Costs using Phytoremediation

Phytromediation Is Financially Sound as Interim Solution

$600,000 to $100,000 cost estimate 1 acre soil compared to $400,000 excavation and storage Phytoremediation is less expensive

Phytoremediation of Plant System Example above and below ground

Description of Hemp Stalk and Root System

supplied by Canadian Hemp Industry

Hemp is an annual and a member of the Cannabaceae family which consists of two accepted genera, Cannabis (hemp) and  Humulus (hops).  Industrial hemp is a distinct crop type of the plant species Cannabis sativa L.. Industrial hemp is distinguished from narcotic hemp by having a THC (delta - 9 - Tetrahydracannabinol) level less than 0.3%.  

Other characteristics typical of hemp are 

slender stems, 

plant height ranging from four to fifteen feet and a 

stem diameter from 1/4" to 3/4". 

The innermost layer of the stem is called the pith. 

It is surrounded by a woody material known as hurd. 

Outside of this layer is the growing tissue which develops into hurd on the inside and bast fibers on the outside.

Stem Cross Section

The amount of stem branching is inversely related to plant density, ie lower plant densities promote more branching.  The leaves are of a palmate type and each leaf has seven to eleven leaflets with serrated edges. 

The root system generally consists of a dominant taproot and some lateral roots. Soil type will affect which root type will be more developed. For example, in poorer soils the lateral roots will be more developed and the taproot will be short.

Hemp Root

Industrial hemp exhibits a dual response to day length. Increasing day length during the first two to three months promotes more vigorous vegetative growth. Later in the season, the plants require shorter day length to trigger flowering and maturation.