Economic evaluation of cadmium phytoextraction: Comparing accumulators using cost-efficiency indicators and scenario analysis.

The existing efficiency indicators for phytoremediation cannot fully characterise the economic costs and application potential of remediation plants. In this study, we proposed a new strategy for selecting remediation plants based on economic indicators (cost per unit of heavy metal removal). Based on field experiments and data collection, we conducted cost-benefit analyses under various scenarios to compare the application prospects of four cadmium (Cd)-accumulators (Hylotelephium spectabile, Sedum alfredii, Sedum plumbizincicola and tobacco) on slightly Cd-contaminated farmland soil.

Challenges and opportunities for improving the environmental quality of cadmium-contaminated soil in China.

Considering the soil cadmium pollution problem, the Chinese government proposed to estimate the costs and practicality "to completely improve the soil quality by the middle of this century". This study analyzed the challenges in achieving this goal using biophysical data from 10 typical demonstration soil phytoextraction projects. The current annual phytoextraction efficiency was determined as 14.