Previously, I had read about a number of studies which discussed a method of cleaning up environmentally contaminated sites using plants (pine trees) but can't seem to find any source. Has anyone else heard of similar projects?
I sent this link along to my sister and she offered up the very same question that entered my mind regarding this project; if you used sunflowers to clean up a radioactively contaminated site wouldn't you then end up with radioactive sunflowers producing radioactive sunflower seeds as a by-product??
Can anyone explain the process that they are trying to employ at Fukishima or is this just a lot of do-gooderism in disguise of science.
Interesting article. I remember reading years ago about a certain species of water flower (I want to say water lily, but I can’t remember for sure), had a surprising capability to absorb/extract toxic heavy metals from contaminated water, without ill effect to the plants themselves. Maybe the sunflower operates in a similar manner?
A contractor is China will bid up the radioactive waste for disposal. That contractor will then subcontract out the work to a third party who will then clean, roast, salt and package the seeds. These will then be sold to a fourth contractor who will export them to the USA to be sold on grocery store shelves.