Magical healing trees, by Alisa Alonso

Argonne Illinois has been a contaminated site for decades due to early atomic energy line experimenting by the Argonne National Laboratory. Solid wastes from their experiments have been sealed off in a landfill, but certain liquids (such as chlorinated solvents) still taint the water that runs underneath. Scientists have built - rather, planted - an experimental facility over the grounds in an attempt to remove contamination.

This consists of a forest of 900 poplar and willow trees that stand about thirty feet high, with roots extending just as far down. These water-thirsty trees have been planted on "marginal land not suited for crops" into special lined pits that tunnel their roots downwards, forcing them to tap into the contaminated aquifer and literally pull pollutants out of the ground. The trunks receive the water and circulate it upwards to the branches and leaves. The water evaporates through the leaves and sunlight breaks down the once harmful solvent molecules. Much more sustainable than the mechanical pumps they were once using! These pumping trees (heaving as much as 26 gallons a day) remain unharmed throughout the process, bearing no signs of contamination.

What a great "scientific innovation." This only proves that more and more science, in its practice, is turning to what I'm sure was common natural wisdom before. As our society becomes more in need of alternate energy sources, and the land in need of cleansing, no doubt more scientists/governments/companies/factories will be inspired to plant trees for beneficial uses. Not only that, but we in our kin's domain can make use of these sort of natural advantages.

Information from Dava Sobel, The Magic Forest:Where Poplars are Purifying the Planet, Discover Magazine Jan 2009