Removal of heavy metals by energy crops when grown on technologically contaminated soils

The publication presents data on the removal of heavy metals by energy crops Miscanthus giganteus L. and Phalaris arundinacea L. when grown on technologically polluted soils. The yield of Miscanthus giganteus averaged 16.96 t/ha over the two years of research, and that of Falaris arundinacea - 4.38 t/ha, respectively. The nature of heavy metal accumulation by energy plants depended on the type of crop and its productivity during the years of cultivation. The concentration of all heavy metals in the phytomass of energy crops did not exceed the threshold limit value (TLV), except for zinc in miscanthus giganteus plants (by 9-11 mg/kg). Compared to the years of the study, in the second year of cultivation, the coefficient of heavy metal absorption by plants increased significantly compared to the first year due to an increase in the vegetative mass of plants. On average, in 2021-2023, the energy crops Phalaris arundinacea and Miscanthus x giganteus removed a significant amount of heavy metals from 1 ha of soil. It has been proven that energy crops such as Phalaris arundinacea and Miscanthus x giganteus contribute to the purification of technologically contaminated soils from heavy metals, and their products can be used further as biofuels and for other purposes, as the content of toxicants in their phytomass does not exceed the TLV.