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.

Q Toxins Phytoremediation per Acre wtih Hemp

This document (link below) talks a lot about the Sunflowers that was mentioned by.

I'm sharing this information as it will be used as a good example of how prior testing plots are done, suggestions on best procedures, to be used as a comparison model, and mostly to use the EPAs own words: 

Phytoremediation is a suggested low financial cost and way to assist in the removal of toxins from the soil.  

While bigger undertakings are developed and financed.

• Note: Hemp was not factored into this study for comparison.
• A lot of attention was given to Sunflowers.  Sunflowers were suggested by 

I'm Seeking Information on:

The amount of Toxins hemp can absorb on a per acre basis.  

If I can't find that info that will be one of the things that we test for on this project 

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

.

Here is a soil survey of all the toxins and contaminants in the soil at Bridgeton Landfill

Soil Survey Findings Mineral and Toxin Report Bridgeton Landfill

In this document the EPA states:

 Phytoremediation can be utilized while the more costly solutions and bigger financial needs are allocated.

  Free Viewing and link to the original file is provided at Public Google File 

• Introduction to Phytoremediation
• National Risk Management Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Cincinnati, Ohio 45268

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