Reference

Rhizofiltration is a phytoremediation technique that uses plant roots to clean up contaminated groundwater. Here are some ways in which rhizofiltration is applied:

1. Absorption and Accumulation: Hydroponically grown plant roots absorb and accumulate toxic metals and other pollutants from contaminated groundwater. The roots act as natural filters, absorbing these contaminants and reducing their concentration in the water.

2. Precipitation: Roots can also cause the precipitation of heavy metals, converting them into less soluble forms which can then be more easily separated from the water.

3. Surface Absorption: Contaminants are adsorbed onto the root surface, effectively extracting them from the water. This is particularly useful for removing inorganic substances like metals.

4. Treatment of Various Water Sources: Rhizofiltration can be used to clean up not just groundwater, but also surface water and wastewater. It has the potential to treat a wide range of contaminants, both organic and inorganic.

Here are a few visuals depicting the process of rhizofiltration:

For further reading on the topic, you can refer to the detailed overview on ScienceDirect and the University of Hawaii's publication on Rhizofiltration.