Study and application of phytomanagement to polluted sites ans soils

Phytomanagement is an environmentally-friendly strategy for the integrated management of risks associated with polluted sites and soils. It is based on the use of phytotechnologies adapted to the management of soil pollution and a complementary economic, ecological and/or social enhancement of the site. Phytotechnologies are selected according to the type of pollution and the objective of managing or remediating the SSP and its uses. Phytomanagement implementation and operating costs are similar to those for agriculture and agroforestry, with additional analytical costs linked to the presence of initial soil pollution. These costs are generally lower than those of more conventional PHC management techniques (§ 1.2.4 ), and are outweighed by the benefits of the new ecosystem services provided by the restored sites. Soil resources are preserved and enhanced through engineering based on nature-based solutions and a circular economy.

Plant-based techniques are particularly well suited to large surfaces with low or medium levels of pollution (diffuse pollution) compatible with good plant growth. Plant engineering will be implemented to manage the flow of pollutants in environmental compartments (air, soil, water, biological) and to meet site usage requirements. Phytotechnologies can be differentiated according to their objectives: those with a management objective of sequestering pollutants and those with a remediation objective of pollutants in soils.

Nevertheless, like any management method, phytomanagement may be subject to limitations (effectiveness, time), preventing or reducing its usefulness. It is therefore necessary to ensure the technical and economic feasibility of phytomanagement in relation to the management or remediation objectives of PHCs. In order to overcome some of these technical limitations, it may be necessary to complement this approach with soil engineering involving the use of soil amendments or soil construction.

In order to define all the points to be considered, a methodology for the evaluation and final implementation of phytomanagement is required. This involves three phases: a first phase of documentary and laboratory study, a second phase of pilot trials and a final...