Use of Phytoremediation to Revitalize Former Industrial Sites in Montreal-East

In partnership with the City of Montreal, the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV, plant biology research institute) will conduct a pilot project to test various phytoremediation scenarios and techniques and revitalize city-owned brownfields that cover about four hectares in Montreal-East. Many heavy industries were located in Montreal-East, including petrochemicals, and have left large tracts of land contaminated with hydrocarbons and metals. Traditional decontamination methods would be very costly and the municipality does not have the necessary funding. If the pilot project is conclusive, the city will revitalize other brownfield properties that it owns in Montreal-East. The biomass produced will be used in new green-chemistry processes or to produce compost at the future composting plant planned in the borough of Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles. This project draws inspiration from a small-scale pilot project (GMF 12073) conducted by the IRBV on 0.25 of a hectare in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. The first pilot project demonstrated the soil-decontamination efficiency of the plant species selected. The IRBV wants to test these results on a large scale on land in Montreal-East that has different characteristics. This pilot project therefore involves planting 4 hectares at a rate of one hectare per year. Various strategies for preparing and fertilizing the land will be tested and the potential benefits of adding compost or mineral fertilizers compared, the most suitable, best-performing plant varieties will be identified, and the potential for plant establishment, survival and phytoremediation will be evaluated. To facilitate decontamination assessment, a decision-making tool developed during the previous project will be used for monitoring. The project incorporates environmental parameters, as well as time and cost estimates for soil decontamination. This procedure will reduce operating and maintenance costs: in addition, the project has many environmental benefits, including capture of greenhouse gases, reduction of heat islands and reduction of transportation-related emissions with this in situ remediation technique. It is supported by Montreal’s Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development, one objective of which is to promote brownfield revitalization and greening of the city. It also meets the Economic Development Strategy objective of creating a green chemistry hub in Montreal-East. The conclusions and benefits can be incorporated into Montreal’s revitalization planning process and ultimately shared with other municipalities. (Project description from original funding application)