Trends in soil science in Switzerland

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology based on the use of green plants to remove, contain, inactivate or destroy harmful environmental pollutants. Recent developments in Europe and the USA show that the approach is somewhat different on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, phytoremediation has more basically been research driven and, based on the outcomes, applications have been envisaged. By contrast, the approach in the USA is more application and experience driven. In spite of a growing track record of commercial success, more demonstration projects are needed to prove that phytoremediation is effective in order to rigorously measure its underlying economics, and to expand its applications. More fundamental research is also required to better understand the complex interactions between pollutants, soil, plant roots and micro-organisms at the rhizosphere level, to increase the bioavailability of pollutants, to fully exploit the metabolic diversity of plants and, thus, to successfully implement this new green technology.