Method for removing soluble metals from an aqueous phase
AssigneePhytotech Limited
InventorsIlya Raskin, Slavik Dushenkov, Yoram Kapulnik, Nanda P. B. A. Kumar
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Abstract
A process for the removal of metal ions from solution and means for effecting such removal are described. The process is based on the hydroponic growth of sunflowers, terrestrial turfgrasses and/or members of the family Brassicaceae in solutions containing one or more metal ions. Metal ions can be efficiently removed from solutions by passing these solutions through the root biomass of these terrestrial plants. Receptacles containing the plants are also part of the invention.
Claims28
A method for reducing an amount of metal in a metal-containing solution in which at least one growth promoting plant nutrient is present at a concentration below that needed to support plant growth, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a metal containing solution in which at least one growth promoting plant nutrient is present at a concentration below that needed to support plant growth;
- contacting the solution with a root biomass of a terrestrial plant;
- and
- allowing growth of the root biomass into the nutrient-lacking metal-containing solution under conditions sufficient for the root biomass to remove metal from the solution.
A method for reducing an amount of metal in a metal-containing solution, providing a metal-containing solution in which at least one growth promoting plant nutrient is present at a concentration below that needed to support plant growth which solution is in contact with air so that there is an air/solution interface;
- the method comprising steps of:
- contacting a terrestrial plant or terrestrial plant seed with a receptacle;
- adding plant nutrients to the receptacle at a concentration and for a time sufficient to allow growth of plant root biomass through the receptacle and into the nutrient-free, solution;
- and
- allowing the root biomass under conditions sufficient for the root biomass of the terrestrial plant to remove the metal from the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.