Phytotechnologies Team Leader Kris Geller 609-633-2318 kris.geller@dep.state.nj.us

Phytotechnologies use plants to remediate or contain contaminants in soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediments. They have become attractive alternatives to conventional cleanup technologies due to relatively low costs and the inherently aesthetic nature of planted sites.

In December 1999 the ITRC Phytotechnologies Team published Phytoremediation Decision Tree (PHYTO-1). The decision tree was designed to allow users to take basic information from a specific site and, through a flowchart process, decide if phytotechnologies are feasible at that site.

The same team published the Phytotechnology Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document (PHYTO-2) in 2001 to help regulators understand, evaluate, and make informed decisions on phytotechnology proposals. It includes a description of phytotechnologies, regulatory and policy issues, technical requirements for phytotechnologies, stakeholder concerns, case studies, and technical references.

Even though the 1999 Decision Tree and 2001 guidance have received the highest numbers of ITRC state concurrences (19), former team members now think it necessary to update the guidance with current research and findings on the subject.

The team has reconvened and is reviewing the documents for sections requiring updated information and guidance. The team will also incorporate the on-line decision tool into the updated guidance. The earlier documents will be replaced by the Phytotechnologies Technical and Regulatory Guidance and Decision Tree, 2008 . The internet-based training course will be updated simultaneously with the guidance.

This will complete the life cycle of a topical project for ITRC. Phytotechnologies entered ITRC as an emerging technology and exits the development and implementation process as a mature and widely used technique for remediating sites. For updated resource information from the team, click on Resource and Links button above.