Modèle de mise en valeur de sites urbains délaissés ou contaminés par une approche de réhabilitation
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Brownfield
Project value$314,000
Project Type
Pilot Project
Sub Sector
Remediation and risk management initiatives
Grant amount$157,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Ville de Montréal, QC
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
1,762,949
Project timeline
2006 - 2011
Project number
7037
Description
The Montreal Centre of Excellence in Brownfield Rehabilitation (MCEBR) will field test the inexpensive process of phytoremediation, using selected species of fast growing plants to extract or break down contaminants in the ground. Since some of the contaminants may not be fully processed by the plants, part of the field test will involve investigating methods of managing plant waste. The field test will determine the rate of contaminant reduction, the potential for absorbing greenhouse gases (GHG), and the improvement to the quality of surface waters and the ambient air. The field test will also examine and evaluate the conditions required to mobilize residents to participate in site redevelopment and take responsibility for urban ecosystems. It is estimated that phytoremediation costs approximately one tenth of the cost of traditional brownfield remediation methods. Because of the slower chemical breakdown of plants compared to physiochemical remediation, this method may be a feasible option for sites that will not be developed immediately. It is estimated that phytoremediation of one hectare of land could decrease GHG emissions by 25 tonnes per year, heavy metals by 20 grams per square metre per year (g/m2/yr) and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons by four g/m2/yr.
Applicant
Centre d'excellence de Montréal en réhabilitation de sites (CEMRS), QC