Cost

Time

? Low capital and operating cost;

? Metal recycling provides further economic advantages.

? Slower compared to other techniques and seasonally dependent;

? Most of the hyperaccumulators are slow growers.

? Low capital and operating cost;

? Metal recycling provides further economic advantages.

? Slower compared to other techniques and seasonally dependent;

? Most of the hyperaccumulators are slow growers.

Performance

? Permanent treatment solution;

? Capable of remediating bioavailable fraction of contaminants;

? Capable of mineralizing organics;

? The potential to treat sites polluted with more than one type of pollutant;

? It is restricted to the rooting depth of remediative plants;

? Highly-specialized personnel not required;

? Can be used for site investigation or after closure.

? Not capable of 100% reduction;

? High contaminant concentration may be toxic to plants;

? Soil phytoremediation is applicable only to surface soils;

? Restricted to sites with low contaminant concentrations;

? Requires technical strategy, expert project designers with field experience that choose the proper species and cultivars for particular metals and regions.

Application

? In situ application avoids excavation and transport of polluted media;

? Relatively easy to implement.

?

? The presence of multiple types of heavy metals and organic contaminants may pose a challenge;

? Climatic conditions are a limiting factor.

Impact in the environment and population

? Reduce the risk of spreading the contamination;

? Eliminate secondary air or water borne Wastes;

? Public acceptance due to aesthetic reasons.

? Metals can be washed by rain and transported back into the soil du the decomposition of plant biomass;

? The use of invasive, non-native species can affect biodiversity;

? Risk of food chain contamination in case of mismanagement and lack of proper care.