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Combating Climate Change with Phytoremediation. Is It Possible?

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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability (ICoWEFS 2022) (ICoWEFS 2022)

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Abstract

Soil contamination causes several environmental problems such as contamination of water resources, desertification, contamination of food crops, which, directly or indirectly, may bring health problems to humans. Therefore, there is a need to decontaminate the soils. Phytoremediation, the decontamination using plants, is an interesting alternative, especially when energy crops are adopted. Most of the energy crops are considered tolerant to contaminated soils, and the action merges the economical exploitation of the biomass for bioenergy or biomaterials, bringing additional income, with the decontamination action. Moreover, its use brings additional environmental returns, such as, the reduction of greenhouse gases and fossil energy savings, thus serving to combat climate change. In addition, phytoremediation with energy crops may bring to rural areas social benefits, and its launch on contaminated land, reduces competition for feed and food and land-use conflicts. However, the soil marginality and affect the productivity and biomass characteristics, threatening the environmental benefits and the economic value. In this context, it was reviewed the production of these crops in heavy metal contaminated soils, with a focus on the environmental aspects and the technological hindrances related with biomass quality. Ultimately, a critical evaluation of the literature data is made, and menaces and prospects are highlighted.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by national funding by FCT, Foundation for Science and Technology, through the individual PhD research grant (SFRH/BD/144346/2019) of J.R.A.P. This work was also supported by the MEtRICs unit which is funded by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/04077/2020 and UIDP/04077/2020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MEtRICs, Departamento de Ciências E Tecnologia da Biomassa, NOVA School of Science and Technology | FCT NOVA, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal

    L. A. Gomes, J. Costa, B. Cumbane, M. Abias, J. R. A. Pires, V. G. L. Souza & A. L. Fernando

  2. Escola de Gestão, Engenharia E Aeronáutica, Instituto Superior de Educação E Ciências Lisboa, Alameda das Linhas de Torres 179, 1750-142, Lisboa, Portugal

    J. Costa

  3. Faculdade de Ciências de Saúde, Universidade Zambeze, Recinto Do Hospital Provincial de Tete, Bairro Josina Machel, Rua 3 de Fevereiro, Tete, Mozambique

    B. Cumbane

  4. Faculdade de Gestão de Turismo E Informática, Universidade Católica de Moçambique, Av. 25 de Setembro, C.P. 336 - Cidade de Pemba, N:725, Beira, Mozambique

    M. Abias

  5. INL, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal

    V. G. L. Souza

  6. Universidade Estadual Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 8855, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil

    F. Santos

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  1. L. A. Gomes
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  2. J. Costa
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  3. B. Cumbane
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  5. J. R. A. Pires
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  6. V. G. L. Souza
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  7. F. Santos
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  8. A. L. Fernando
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. L. Fernando .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal

    Paulo Sérgio Duque de Brito

  2. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    João Rafael da Costa Sanches Galvão

  3. Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal

    Pedro Monteiro

  4. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal

    Roberta Panizio

  5. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal

    Luís Calado

  6. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal

    Ana Carolina Assis

  7. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    Filipe dos Santos Neves

  8. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    Flávio Craveiro

  9. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    Henrique de Amorim Almeida

  10. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    Joel Oliveira Correia Vasco

  11. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    Ricardo de Jesus Gomes

  12. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    Sandra de Jesus Martins Mourato

  13. School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

    Vânia Sofia Santos Ribeiro

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Gomes, L.A. et al. (2023). Combating Climate Change with Phytoremediation. Is It Possible?. In: Duque de Brito, P.S., et al. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability (ICoWEFS 2022). ICoWEFS 2022. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26849-6_52

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