Potential of the Biomass of Plants Grown in Trace Element-Contaminated Soils under Mediterranean Climatic Conditions for Bioenergy Production

Phytomanagement of trace element-contaminated soils combines sustainable soil remediation with the use plant biomass for different applications. Consequently, phytostabilization using species useful bioenergy production has recently received increasing attention. However, water requirement most these is a limitation their under Mediterranean climatic conditions. In this work, eight growing naturally in mine contaminated by elements were evaluated as crops thermochemical (combustion) and biochemical (anaerobic digestion) methods. The higher heating values plants studied all within narrow range (16.03–18.75 MJ kg?1), while methane potentials ranged from 86.0 to 227.4 mL CH4 (g VS)?1. anaerobic degradation was not influenced presence plants, but mineral content (mainly Na) negatively affected potential thermal energy released combustion (HHV). highest annual yields biogas or could be obtained cultivation Phragmites australis Arundo donax, followed Piptatherum miliaceum. Both options can considered suitable final destinations may contribute implementation techniques areas.