Phytoremediation is the use of plants to partially or completely remediate contaniments from soil, sludge, sediments, wastewater and ground water. An anomaly of a certain species of plants, hyperaccumulators, have the ability to grow in noxious soils and accumulate relatively high amounts of heavy metals and organic pollutants in the aerial organs (plant tissues above ground vs. roots that are underground) with little to no toxic effect on the plant itself. There are three ma

Biological Soil Crusts and their ability to trap dust, add nutrients to soil and affect the hydro cycle, are critical factors of soil pedogenesis within a desert region. As pioneer organisms, BSC's are able to colonize extreme environmental conditions well before vascular plants take root. Without the soil crusts, a desert can and will turn into desert pavement, an impervious surface, which supports no biological processes. The microorganisms add a significant amount of organ

One of the items we hear a lot is that septic sand mounds are an eyesore. Instead of a large grassed mound, maybe a beautiful and functional wetland cell would provide a more aesthetically pleasing solution, as well as a habitat for our backyard friends. Soils are so amazing… There are more microorganisms in a handful of soil than there are people on earth It takes 500 years to produce just under an inch of topsoil, this is the most productive layer of soil. Soil is a living