Patent ID: 6719822
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
A process for decontamination of a material loaded with at least one pollutant selected from the group consisting of heavy metals, metalloids, halides and radionuclides, the process comprising the steps of:a) positioning roots of woody plants having leaves in the material loaded with the pollutant and removing the pollutant from the material by phytoexraction by the roots of the woody plants extracting the pollutant from the material and transporting the pollutant to the leave of the woody plants; b) applying a layer of a substance which chemically and/or physically binds the pollutant on the surface of the material in an area below the leaves of the woody plants; c) collecting and composting the leaves containing the pollutant falling and decomposing on the layer; d) leaching the pollutant out of the decomposing leaves on the layer; e) physically and/or chemically binding the leached pollutant in the layer; and f) removing the layer containing the bound pollutant after decontaminating the material.