Home Technology Chapter 20 A best-fit conceptual framework to enhance phytoremediation scaling
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Chapter 20 A best-fit conceptual framework to enhance phytoremediation scaling

  • Ferdinand Adu-Baffour , Thomas Daum , Konrad Martin , Frank Rasche , Regina Birner , Albert Kobina Mensah and Akwasi Duah-Gyamfi
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Explore this Subject How to publish with us
Soil Pollution and Remediation
This chapter is in the book Soil Pollution and Remediation

Abstract

Many parts of the world suffer from land contamination due to mining and other activities, which have severe impacts on human health and the environment. Traditional methods of cleaning up such sites face various challenges, so there is a growing interest in using biological solutions such as phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is a green and low-cost technology that uses plants to remove or degrade pollutants from contaminated soils. However, phytoremediation is not widely adopted, especially in the Global South, despite its potential benefits. Most of the existing research has focused on the technical aspects of phytoremediation, but there is a lack of a comprehensive framework that addresses the social, economic, political, and institutional factors that influence its success. Thus, the chapter proposes a guiding framework for the implementation of phytoremediation projects. The framework covers the technical considerations for each stage of the phytoremediation process from site selection and preparation to planting and monitoring. It also identifies the key conditions that can enable or hinder the effective and sustainable application of phytoremediation in different contexts. Finally, recommendations for regions that want to use phytoremediation as a way of harnessing the “power of plants” to restore contaminated lands are provided.

Abstract

Many parts of the world suffer from land contamination due to mining and other activities, which have severe impacts on human health and the environment. Traditional methods of cleaning up such sites face various challenges, so there is a growing interest in using biological solutions such as phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is a green and low-cost technology that uses plants to remove or degrade pollutants from contaminated soils. However, phytoremediation is not widely adopted, especially in the Global South, despite its potential benefits. Most of the existing research has focused on the technical aspects of phytoremediation, but there is a lack of a comprehensive framework that addresses the social, economic, political, and institutional factors that influence its success. Thus, the chapter proposes a guiding framework for the implementation of phytoremediation projects. The framework covers the technical considerations for each stage of the phytoremediation process from site selection and preparation to planting and monitoring. It also identifies the key conditions that can enable or hinder the effective and sustainable application of phytoremediation in different contexts. Finally, recommendations for regions that want to use phytoremediation as a way of harnessing the “power of plants” to restore contaminated lands are provided.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface VII
  3. Aknowledgments IX
  4. Contents XI
  5. Chapter 1 Evolution of land reclamation practices and introducing mine land degradation and revegetation in Ghana 1
  6. Chapter 2 Methods used in soil and human health risk assessment 29
  7. Chapter 3 Identifying risks using sequential extraction analyses, size fractionation, and acid neutralization capacity experiments 49
  8. Chapter 4 Risk identification using remediation incubation experiments, redox microcosm, geospatial analyses, and synchrotron radiation science 67
  9. Chapter 5 Impacts of mining on soil quality 83
  10. Chapter 6 Topsoil and its management during stockpiling 93
  11. Chapter 7 Effects of mining on the accumulation and pollution with potentially toxic elements 101
  12. Chapter 8 The power of plants in cleaning and stabilising potentially toxic elements in mine-contaminated soils 111
  13. Chapter 9 Achieving mining sector sustainability 143
  14. Chapter 10 Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded mined sites and soils 159
  15. Chapter 11 Case studies in mine land revegetation and remediation employing various approaches 171
  16. Chapter 12 Plant species used in revegetation and their corresponding impacts 189
  17. Chapter 13 Concurrent rehabilitation/revegetation 203
  18. Chapter 14 Arsenic in a highly contaminated gold mine spoil in Ghana: mobilization and potential of soil amendments to reduce the watersoluble arsenic content and improve soil quality 217
  19. Chapter 15 Significance of revegetation of degraded mining sites 239
  20. Measuring and monitoring success of post-reclamation efforts 259
  21. Chapter 17 Critical factors for driving successful restoration of degraded mine lands 273
  22. Chapter 18 Management of restored mine sites 291
  23. Chapter 19 The challenges and strategies for post-mine land restoration efforts in Ghana 301
  24. Chapter 20 A best-fit conceptual framework to enhance phytoremediation scaling 315
  25. Chapter 21 Phytostabilization of Co, Hg, Mo, and Ni by ryegrass with manure and iron oxides reduced environmental concerns 335
  26. Chapter 22 Identifying research gaps for future reclamation studies 363
  27. Chapter 23 General conclusions and summaries 373
  28. References 385
  29. Index 447
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111662046-020

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface VII
  3. Aknowledgments IX
  4. Contents XI
  5. Chapter 1 Evolution of land reclamation practices and introducing mine land degradation and revegetation in Ghana 1
  6. Chapter 2 Methods used in soil and human health risk assessment 29
  7. Chapter 3 Identifying risks using sequential extraction analyses, size fractionation, and acid neutralization capacity experiments 49
  8. Chapter 4 Risk identification using remediation incubation experiments, redox microcosm, geospatial analyses, and synchrotron radiation science 67
  9. Chapter 5 Impacts of mining on soil quality 83
  10. Chapter 6 Topsoil and its management during stockpiling 93
  11. Chapter 7 Effects of mining on the accumulation and pollution with potentially toxic elements 101
  12. Chapter 8 The power of plants in cleaning and stabilising potentially toxic elements in mine-contaminated soils 111
  13. Chapter 9 Achieving mining sector sustainability 143
  14. Chapter 10 Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded mined sites and soils 159
  15. Chapter 11 Case studies in mine land revegetation and remediation employing various approaches 171
  16. Chapter 12 Plant species used in revegetation and their corresponding impacts 189
  17. Chapter 13 Concurrent rehabilitation/revegetation 203
  18. Chapter 14 Arsenic in a highly contaminated gold mine spoil in Ghana: mobilization and potential of soil amendments to reduce the watersoluble arsenic content and improve soil quality 217
  19. Chapter 15 Significance of revegetation of degraded mining sites 239
  20. Measuring and monitoring success of post-reclamation efforts 259
  21. Chapter 17 Critical factors for driving successful restoration of degraded mine lands 273
  22. Chapter 18 Management of restored mine sites 291
  23. Chapter 19 The challenges and strategies for post-mine land restoration efforts in Ghana 301
  24. Chapter 20 A best-fit conceptual framework to enhance phytoremediation scaling 315
  25. Chapter 21 Phytostabilization of Co, Hg, Mo, and Ni by ryegrass with manure and iron oxides reduced environmental concerns 335
  26. Chapter 22 Identifying research gaps for future reclamation studies 363
  27. Chapter 23 General conclusions and summaries 373
  28. References 385
  29. Index 447
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 1.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111662046-020/html
Scroll to top button