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This study explores a novel approach that combines soil recovery with biofuel production, presenting a strategy that addresses the increasing demand for biofuels while sidestepping the food–fuel debate. It also introduces an innovative method for recovering heavy metals from soils through their translocation into the solid product of the conversion process. Phytoremediation trials were conducted under real field conditions, and the thermochemical conversion of the harvested biomass was carried out at lab scale. Field trials took place in 2021–2023 in Lithuania and Serbia. In Serbia, the contamination primarily involved heavy metals, whereas the Lithuanian site was predominantly contaminated with hydrocarbons from petroleum products. The harvested biomass underwent pretreatment and was then used as feedstock for conversion into high‐energy carriers. The conversion products were evaluated for their potential to substitute fossil fuels. Finally, the value chain, encompassing key stakeholders and factors impacting the profitability of this approach, was established, and initial estimates were made regarding the size of individual cost components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nNOVELTY STATEMENTSoil pollution with petroleum products is an urgent public health and environmental problem. Therefore, innovative solutions for cleaning soils contaminated with petroleum products are needed. One such solution is rhizodegradation, which is recognized as a sustainable and effective method of in situ soil remediation. Much of the previous research was done with monocultures, therefore the effects of different combinations of plants on the removal of petroleum products remain ambiguous. These studies evaluated three different herbaceous plant mixtures for the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) from contaminated soil. Promising results were obtained. Selected herbaceous plant species and their mixtures can be successfully grown in contaminated soil at a contamination level of 6,817 mg/kg TPH DW according to the selected cultivation strategy. After applying a complex of biotechnology and agronomic solutions, the morphological and morphometric indicators revealed the good adaptability and tolerance of the selected herbaceous plants to growing in contaminated soil. After two years of pot testing application of different mixtures of herbaceous plants, the TPH (C6–C40) removal potential reached 85–90%.Given the need to expand the existing knowledge about sustainable methods of remediation of TPH-contaminated soil by applying biotechnology, it is important to further develop this area of scientific research. Although studies with single plant species are often available, information on the complex application of different plants for the treatment of THP-contaminated soils is lacking. The purpose of this research was to create the best mix of native herbaceous plants for the remediate of THP-contaminated soils. The compatibility of plants, tolerance to TPH pollutants, and ability to grow in poor soil were taken into account when preparing the mixtures. To reduce the stress of cultivated plants and ensure effective rhizodegradation, organic, mineral and biological additives were additionally utilized. The obtained results provide knowledge about the candidacy of selected plants in mixtures of herbaceous plants, their morphological and morphometric reactions to TPH-contaminated soil and their application to TPH rhizodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]