Economic and Regulatory Factors That Affect the Phytoremediation of Groundwater - Introduction to Phytoremediation of Contaminated Groundwater - page 241

and add it another plant, using plant plasmids to carry the
new gene. Another technique physically adds the gene to
microscopic pellets that are then forced into the host plant
cell. Once this transfer occurs, the added gene, or transgene,
will become part of the plant's reproductive cells and, there-
fore, will be passed onto the next generation. In 2001, up to
69% of the cotton planted in the United States was geneti-
cally modified, as well as up to 26% of corn planted.

be as effective as possible. The remediation also needs to
be cost effective, as capital is a limited resource. At each
contaminated site, a delicate balance will exist between
those responsible for bearing the cleanup costs, be it a
private or societal-based entity, and those citizens who rely
on clean groundwater. In the middle, acting as the fulcrum,
are those who initiate, moderate, and enforce the remedia-
tion of contaminated groundwater.
Why is this information important to the
phytoremediation of contaminated groundwater? The cost
of any effort spent toward remediation of contaminated
groundwater always will be a factor in making decisions
about remediation, including the implementation of a
phytoremediation system, from its evaluation as a remedial
alternative to its long-term effectiveness.

10.3 Summary

Because 50% of the population of the United States relies
on groundwater for drinking-water supplies, it is critical
that the eventual remediation of contaminated groundwater