How does phytoremediation work for petroleum hydrocarbons?
The primary processes for the phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons are phytostimulation and phytodegradation. Phytovolitilization and phytostabilization can also play a role in removing or stabilizing hydrocarbons from/in polluted soils. Remediation of organic wastes is a very complex process and large gaps in the research exist detailing the mechanisms involved in the phytoremediation of TPH. Degradation may be achieved directly by plants or indirectly by plants; or depending on the type of the pollutant, microbes, rather then plants, are often the primary organisms involved in the actual breakdown of the hydrocarbons. Plants encourage microbial growth, this is called the rhizosphere effect, and thereby help to remediate the site even if the microrganisms are the primary degraders.
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