DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2001.09.084.8 --- The widespread use of industrial chemicals in our
highly industrialized society has often caused contamination of
large terrestrial and marine areas due to the deliberate and accidental
release of organic pollutants into the soil and groundwater.
In this review, environmental problems arising from the use
of chlorinated solvents and BTEX compounds are described,
and an overview about active management strategies for
remediation with special emphasis on phytoremediation are presented
to achieve a reduction of the total mass of chlorinated
solvents and BTEX compounds in contaminated areas. Phytoremediation
has been proposed as an efficient, low-cost remediation
technique to restore areas contaminated with chlorinated
solvents and BTEX compounds. The feasibility of phytoremediation
as a remediation tool for these compounds is discussed with
particular reference to the uptake and metabolism of these compounds,
and a future perspective on the use of phytoremediation
for the removal of chlorinated solvents and BTEX compounds
is given.
Abbreviations: BTEX: Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, o-, m-, p-Xylene; CH: Chloral hydrate; DCA: Dichloroacetic acid; DCVC: S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-l-cysteine; DCVG: S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl) glutathione; PCE: Tetrachloroethene; TCA: Trichloroacetic acid; TCE: Trichloroethene |
