Elimination of Acute Risks from Obsolete Pesticides in Moldova: Phytoremediation Experiment at a Former Pesticide Storehouse.

The objectives of this investigation were to determine risk from old pesticide storehouses and to assess phytoremediation technology for potential implementation to reduce risk in the Republic of Moldova. A risk assessment method was proposed and 16 storehouse sites were evaluated in the Hȋncești district. More than 60% of the sites showed middle to high risk levels from POPs (persistent organic pollutants) pesticides. One site with a high risk level was chosen for a phytoremediation case study under field conditions. Several cultivated plants were evaluated for determination of pesticide extraction efficiency: maize (Zea mays L.), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. var. pepo), pumpkin (C. pepo L. var. pepo), carrot (Daucus carota L.), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Analytical measurements of POPs in soil, plants and other environmental media determined these old storehouse sites remain highly polluted after the removal of obsolete chemical stockpiles, and additional remediation actions are needed. Phytoremediation can be used for remediation of polluted sites; however, it needs to be designed based on local conditions. The best phytoextraction efficiency was shown by zucchini and pumpkin. Time required for agricultural phyto-remediation might be long and require utilization of complex approaches that consider use of biotechnology as well as native and perennial plants to develop a successful strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]