| Contamination caused by heavy metals has been long known as well as its toxic effects on the environment and mankind. Several approaches have been taken for the cleaning up of such contamination but none of them can efficiently counteract these toxic effects. Chemical reduction/neutralization/precipitation electrochemical treatment, ion exchange, carbon adsorption, membrane filtration, and electro and evaporative recovery are some of the current technologies used to eliminate heavy metals from the environment. These techniques have proven extremely expensive and ineffective. It has also been observed that some native plants such as the woody subshrub silverleaf nightshade ( Solanum elaeagnifolium) have survived within the areas polluted with heavy metals. Scientists and engineers have realized that these plants can be used for heavy metal removal from contaminated soils and waters. The removal of metals from water can be achieved using living or inactivated plants. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
