Materials Science Forum, Vol.455-456, 437-441, 2004
Miscanthus X giganteus: Contribution to a sustainable agriculture of a future/present - Oriented biomaterial
The main purpose of this work was to study the phytoremediation capacity of Miscanthus x giganteus to soils contaminated with heavy metals and also to evaluate the environmental risks due to its utilisation as a biomaterial. Indeed, the concentration of metals in the aerial part of the plant might represent a question of its future use. Four levels of contamination were studied: P-0 = 0 t; P-50 = 50 t; P-100 = 100 t; P-200 = 200 t domestic sludge.ha(-1). The results obtained permit to conclude that in terms of the productivity there are significant differences among the plants obtained with different levels of contamination. P50 and P100 presented significantly higher values. In relation to the ash, nitrogen and phosphorous contents, the results showed an increase in mineral matter and an accumulation in nitrogen and phosphorous, in the plants, with the increase of the level of contaminants. But this increase was not significant. No significant differences were observed in the plants among the different levels of sludge, for most of the metals studied. This fact leads to the conclusion that the utilisation of the biomass, obtained in those contaminated fields, is possible, as a biomaterial. Thus, contributing not only to increase its economical value but also to a sustainable agriculture.