Lead phytoremediation: a field application in a Site of National Interest

The present work aims to evaluate the applicability of phytoremediation for remediation of lead polluted soil in a Site of National Interest (SIN) that lies in the province of La Spezia, Italy. The research, funded by Italy Penox Company Ltd. provides technical land reclamation as the application of in situ phytoremediation. The project is currently under evaluation by the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea to allow a large scale application. In order to identify areas, where contamination exceeds the limits set by law (DM 152/2006) for industrial sites, soil samplings and analyses were carried out. To reduce the impact on the landscape and to limit the agronomic expensive operations relating to future management, native species, including Arbutus unedo L., Hedera elix L., Pinus pinaster Ait., Laurus nobilis L., Smilax aspera L., Ilex aquifolium L., Myrtus communis L., Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, Erica arborea L., spread in contaminated areas, were identified by floral and vegetational analyses and their lead content was determined. Trials in container were performed to assess the extraction capacities of plants of Laurus nobilis L. and Myrtus communis L. Positive results were obtained from tests carried out at the end of the plant cultivation. They are evergreen, produce relatively large biomass per production unit and can effectively accumulate Pb compounds from the soil, although with a different behaviour. The results look promising in an increasing proportion of phytoremediation technologies, in order to perform remediation concrete, effective, sustainable and replicable so many of the currently contaminated sites.