By Ojugbele Omotunde
Certain kinds of trees are quietly and effectively absorbing the toxins when it comes to cleaning up the planet of pollution, seeping from closed landfills, dumps, and other waste sites.
Green plants are utilized in the phytoremediation process to eliminate, break down, or stabilize pollutants and contaminants—including heavy metals—from soil and groundwater.
For many years, people have been using trees as waste cleanup tools, and their initial promise as an affordable substitute for other cleanup techniques has proven true.
Phytoremediation is becoming a popular solution for communities and corporations to clean polluted waste sites, with 20,000 trees planted in 16 states in green lakes region due to word of mouth endorsements.
Most of the trees are fast-growing poplars and willows, which have deep, extensive root systems and are perfect for phytoremediation.
While they can absorb large amounts of wastewater at locations with plenty of water, they can also function well in areas with little water.
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As a matter of fact, trees struggle more to absorb pollutants from the surrounding soil and water sources, including surface streams and underground aquifers, the faster and larger they grow.
Larger trees compared to straws can absorb more pollutants much more quickly than smaller, slower-growing trees.
Depending on the nature of the issue and its location, other species may also be effective. Finding the appropriate variety of the appropriate species of tree for the given situation is crucial.
Phytoremediation is playing an increasingly important role in cleaning up pollution from animal waste produced by chicken and pig farms, in addition to sites caused by human waste.
Federal agencies closely monitor the waste from these intensive farming practices in order to safeguard nearby real estate and local water sources.
Even in neglected urban areas, where empty lots and “brown fields” are unsightly and frequently used as trash dumps, trees are helping to improve the situation. Research indicates a correlation between these factors and neighborhood crime.
It’s more about “greening” these areas than “cleaning.” Richard Hallet, an ecologist with the Forest Service, works to create hardy, pioneer species of trees that are planted to mature in stages. This way, slower-growing oaks and maples will start to mature when the poplars or willows start to die off.
Hallet stated, “They will put a lot of effort into cleaning the air and the ground, provide shade, and green the brown fields.” Trees provide us with many wonderful benefits as humans.
