Phytoliths, metals and phytoremediation.
by Chris, 17 November, 2011, 4 comments
Plants take up essential nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, potassium, magnesium etc) through their roots, but some also take up other, more unusual substances – such as silicon, nickel, cadmium, copper, cobalt.
Grasses, in particular, are known to take up silicon and then deposit it in their leaves. The silicon that they absorb is converted into tiny granules called phytoliths, which are often located under the waxy cuticle. Read more...
