Phytomining

Question 1

What is the main thing photomining includes?

Answer 1

Plants

Question 2

Plants are grown in what?

Answer 2

Soil rich in metal compounds

Question 3

What does this operation use?

Answer 3

Active transport. Used to move metal ions from soil into roots.

Question 4

The organisms involved use what and why do they use that?

Answer 4

They use Photosynthesis to make sugars.

Question 5

How can the process be made more efficient?

Answer 5

By using quick growing high biomass species.

Question 6

Name 2 positives about Phytomining.

Answer 6

1) Decontaminates polluted ground
2) Carbon Dioxide emissions are lower
3) Obtains metals from ground where other methods would not be suitable.

Question 7

Name 2 negatives about Phytomining.

Answer 7

1) Growing high yielding plants reduces nutrients in the soil and may require a high input of fertilisers to maintain growth
2) The concentration of metals in plants is very low