Abstract

CUBILLOS, Janneth; PULG, Pilar; GUTIERREZ, Johnatan  and  PAREDES, Diego. Phytoremediation of Water and Soils Contaminated by Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Ing. compet. [online]. 2014, vol.16, n.1, pp.131-146. ISSN 0123-3033.

The production, transport, storage, and commercialization of petroleum hydrocarbons with their derivatives have become an environmental problem as a result of the large fuel spills frequently generated over the years. The contaminating potential and the complex composition of hydrocarbons and its derivates,on top of their easiness of mobilization in the environment and their accumulation in water and soils, have increase the scientific interest in orderto find a solution to reduce their effect on the ecosystems. Therefore, researchers worldwide have focused on evaluating phytoremediation as a solution in view of its cost-effectiveness and landscaping contribution because it can be used to bioremediatewater and soils mixed with fuels, minimizing the risk of pollution. This review article summarizes the principles related to phytoremediation of soils and water contaminated with hydrocarbons as an ecotechnological alternative that can be applied through the interactions between microorganism, plants and physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in natural systems like the wetlands. This paper also discusses some experiences about the subject, factors related and removal mechanisms that command the removal of the organic compounds

Keywords : constructed wetlands; hydrocarbons; phytoremediation mechanisms.

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