3. Plant biomass management

The plant biomass produced during phytoremediation treatment can be managed as a waste product, in which case it is landfilled after drying and possible incineration, or it can be considered as a valuable resource.

Given the risk of contaminants being transferred to aerial biomass, food or feed use is not an option. However, various avenues are currently being explored for alternative uses, which would reduce the cost of remediation and facilitate the implementation of phytoremediation. This type of recovery can be part of the classic biomass recovery processes: biomaterials, biochemicals, biofuels. The main constraints to this development are matching the phytoremediation treatment to the nature of the plant production, the quantity and quality of the biomass produced (possible contaminant content) and access to a value chain close to the production site. Whether...