Modeling Phytoremediation by Mangroves

O. Richter[1], H. Anh Nguyen[1], V. Phuoc Nguyen[2]
[1]Institute of Geoecology, University of Technology Braunschweig, Germany
[2]Institute for Environment & Resources, HCM-City, Vietnam
发布日期 2013

Metal contaminants and organic pollutants are affecting aquatic environments in urban and industrial zones. Mangrove trees are capable of absorbing metal ions and organic pollutants. To estimate the remediation potential, a two dimensional model of water and substance flow in the soil plant system based on porous media equations was set up. We show that multiphysics approaches also apply to biological systems. Here, we have coupled hydrological processes with biological processes. Evaporation is controlled by stomatal opening and closing, which in turn is governed by intrinsic biological regulation mechanisms. The model is capable of simulating water flow from roots to canopy and the transport of chemicals under changing environmental conditions as wind speed and periodic inundations.