A Green Pollution Solution

Some environmental scientists are out standing in their field-their newly planted tree field, that is. Saskatchewan workers are experimenting with phytoremediation-from phyto (plant) and remediate (to fix or cure)-a new planting technique that cleans up environmental toxins. Using this relatively cheap technology, green plants and trees are used to digest organic wastes, such as pesticides and petroleum, as well as heavy metals like uranium and nickel.

Certain plants can absorb about one per cent of their own dry weight in heavy minerals. The best plants include dry mustard, germanium and sunflower. Soil microorganisms living in the root zone area also eat whatever they can for energy, including toxic pollutants.

The eventual result: a cleaner, healthier landscape that's aesthetically pleasing to boot.