Phytoremediation potential for radionuclide removal following the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
International Journal of Phytoremediation
Publication Date
8-9-2025
Abstract/ Summary
Abstract
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) disaster in 1986 released significant amounts of radiocesium (137Cs), radiostrontium (90Sr), and radioiodine (131I) across Europe and eastern areas of Russia, leading to widespread environmental contamination that negatively impacted human health and harmed flora and fauna in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The long-term effects of the Chernobyl incident remain a persistent concern, particularly due to radiocesium which has a half-life of 30.17 years, and various environmental and human-driven events that continue to resuspend radionuclides into the environment. Nearly four decades after the incident, various remediation efforts have been implemented, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. However, no method has proven to be completely effective, and the significant remaining contamination necessitates the implementation of new strategies for remediation. Some of the most promising remediation techniques fall under the science of bioremediation; the use of bacteria, algae, fungi, and plants to remove contaminants from the environment. Phytoremediation is promising due to its environmentally friendly nature and its cost. This review article examines the environmental impacts of the Chernobyl fallout, evaluates remediation efforts over the past four decades, and explores emerging phytoremediation strategies that could enhance radionuclide removal from contaminated terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Plain language summary
This review provides a comprehensive assessment of phytoremediation strategies for radionuclide contamination in Chernobyl, integrating recent advancements in plant-based remediation. It evaluates both terrestrial and aquatic phytoremediation approaches, emphasizing plant-microbe interactions, species selection, and environmental factors influencing radionuclide uptake. Additionally, this work considers the impact of recent wildfires, geopolitical events, and infrastructure projects on radionuclide redistribution, an aspect often overlooked in remediation research. By combining historical remediation efforts with emerging bioremediation techniques, this review offers a novel perspective on optimizing phytoremediation for long-term nuclear contamination management.