Phytoremediation: A Great Opportunity for Agricultural Enterprises. Details, Numbers, and Practical Suggestions for Application in Vineyards

Let’s start with the happy ending: phytoremediation is a great opportunity even for agricultural enterprises. But how and why? Here are all the details, practical advice, and answers to every question.

In surface waters, organic matter degrades naturally thanks to the activity of myriad organisms that, in addition to purifying, produce substances useful for plants. However, excessive amounts of organic material can hinder this process. In such cases, human intervention is needed to restore optimal conditions, and phytoremediation is among the most advantageous natural tools available.

Since ancient times, the principles of phytoremediation, in its simplest forms, have been used within household settings. Over time, with technological and operational improvements, phytoremediation has been increasingly applied to treat agro-food and livestock activities.

Among the plant species most frequently used in phytoremediation techniques are Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., known as common reed, and Typha latifolia L., commonly known as cattail or bulrush.

These and other species are finding greater application in the agricultural sector, aiming for increased environmental sustainability. In Piedmont, for example, phytoremediation is appreciated by prominent wine companies. Its value lies in the low maintenance costs and high purification efficiency, considering it is a natural remedy with almost zero energy consumption.

For wineries, phytoremediation is particularly interesting for treating wastewater. It’s important to gather preliminary data (such as analysis of the effluent to be treated, quantity of grapes/wine processed, etc.) to size the system for peak load periods, typically during the grape harvest.

A typical phytoremediation system generally consists of:

• Screening to block as much solid matter as possible from the effluent;
• A three-chamber tank for primary sedimentation treatment;
• A phytoremediation tank for secondary treatment; in Piedmontese wineries, the “horizontal subsurface flow” typology is often chosen.
  
  

Another significant aspect is the potential use of treated effluent for permitted uses, including irrigation, use in plant treatment applications, washing yards, etc.

Lastly, some figures regarding the economic impact of such a system on the production cost of a quality bottle of wine: between two and four euro cents.

The prospects for phytoremediation in vineyards, not only in Piedmont, appear undeniably promising.