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Remediation of BTEX and trichloroethene

Current knowledge with special emphasis on phytoremediation

  • Phytoremediation: BTEX and Trichloroethene
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Abstract

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.

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Abbreviations

BTEX:

Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, o-, m-, p-Xylene

CH:

Chloral hydrate

DCA:

Dichloroacetic acid

DCVC:

S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-1-cysteine

DCVG:

S-(1,2-dichloro-vinyl) glutathione

PCE:

Tetrachloroethene

TCA:

Trichloroacetic acid

TCE:

Trichloroethene

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BP, London, UK

    Chris Collins

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

    Frank Laturnus

  3. Department of Plant Tissue Cultures, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Praha 6, Czech Republic

    Ales Nepovim

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  1. Chris Collins
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  2. Frank Laturnus
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  3. Ales Nepovim
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Correspondence to Chris Collins.

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Collins, C., Laturnus, F. & Nepovim, A. Remediation of BTEX and trichloroethene. Environ. Sci. & Pollut. Res 9, 86–94 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02987319

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